What To Buy For Newborns Checklist

How Can I Save Money On Baby Essentials

Babies can be expensive. In fact, according to a 2015 USDA report, on average, parents can expect to spend over $12,000 per year on a child.

It can be easy to overspend on baby products when we think we need all the newest and latest gear. But by being aware of prices and where you get your baby items from, you can reduce your bottom line significantly.

Here are some of the best ways to save on your list of baby must-haves.

#1 Use second-hand items

A lot of parents save their babys clothes and pass them down to younger siblings.

If you plan to have more children, consider storing clothes older children can no longer fit so you wont have to buy those items again.

Ask other moms with babies that have recently outgrown clothes and gear to hold on to some of the best pieces for you. Most moms will be happy to have a place to offload things they no longer need to someone they know that will get good use from them.

#2 Shop sales

Shop clearance and shop sales.

Things that are going out of season are put on clearance. Try to shop a season ahead to snag some of the best deals on baby essentials.

#3 Buy gender-neutral

Whenever possible, try to buy gender-neutral items for baby gear that can be passed from one sibling to the next.

These include essentials like cribs, bouncy seats, onesies, bottles, and blankets.

This way, no matter what sex your next baby is, youll already be ahead of the game with baby essentials you were able to keep.

#4 Check sizing

Baby Checklist: Preparing Your Home

Getting your home ready can be a good way to help you, your partner and your other children prepare for your new babys arrival.

Where baby sleeps A baby cot can fit into a corner of your room if you havent the time or space to create a new room. In fact, you can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy by sleeping your baby in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6-12 months.

You might need a fan or a heater to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. The safest place for a plug-in floor fan is on the opposite side of the room, away from your baby. If using a heater, make sure you can keep your door slightly open, so the room doesnt overheat.

Where to change nappies Many parents buy change tables, but at home its safer to change your baby on a mat on the floor, so your baby cant fall.

You can also change your baby on a bed. And some parents do find its easier on their backs to change baby on a change table. If youre changing your baby on a bed or change table, keep your hands on your baby at all times so that baby cant roll off.

Where to bath baby You dont need to do anything special to get a bathing area ready for your baby. In fact, you can bath a newborn in the kitchen sink or laundry tub, so long as its safe and clean.

Where to feed babyYou can feed your baby anywhere that you can relax and hold your baby comfortably. Pillows can give you extra support if you need it. A night light might be handy for night feeds.

Nice To Have Will Almost Certainly Make Use Of

• Baby Monitor

• Room thermometer

• Cool Mist Humidifier we love the Crane brand!

Remember, be very careful when using essential oils around babies/children for more info check out our overview here

• Breastfeeding Pillow If youre planning to breastfeed then usually these are really helpful. Although you may not end up needing one, so perhaps put this on the maybe list.

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Buy Multipacks From Asda Or Tesco Or Sainsburys

The sizes vary so much from different shops. Newborn in Asda for example only go up to 9lb, Mothercare go up to 10 lbs, Next and Pumpkin Patch newborn only go up to 7lb 7oz. Complete waste of money, says westbrom1.

0-3 months also vary but are MASSIVE on a newborn. My LO was born 8lbs 8oz and dropped to 7lbs 15ozm so was in newborn clothes only for 2 or 3 weeks.

I got bought some beautiful stuff from Mamas and Papas which she only wore 3 times, but her family got great pleasure out of seeing her in them.

I bought only 6 vests and 6 sleepsuits in newborn and 0-3 months and we were very lucky as everybody bought everything else.

But initially those 6 I bought would not have been enough as babies wear a minimum of 2 a day thats if they are not sick. I was in hospital for 3 days too so my mother-in-law used to take them home every night and wash them.

Daisy is 11lbs now and still looks tiny in her 0-3 month clothes but she looks great in her Matalan stuff as they have shrunk a bit and fit her perfectly now!

But I agree it is better to have the clothes a bit big than waste money. I would advise you buy a few multipacks from Asda or Tesco or Sainsburys. They are very cheap for newborn stuff and then, if you want, you can spend a bit more on 0-3 month stuff.

Bottles Accessories And Formula

• Five to 10 feeding bottles will do depending on your needs.
• Start with four-ounce bottles and stack up on teats with varying flow speeds.
• Choose between ready-to-use, liquid concentrate and powdered formula.
• Accessories include a bottle brush to clean off any dried milk.
• Bottles and feeding equipment should be sterilised, so buy either an electric steam steriliser, a microwave steam steriliser or a cold water steriliser.

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Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags

If you’re planning on breastfeeding, youll probably want to start pumping at some point, whether to increase your supply, have a few hours away from baby, build up a stash for later use or all of the above. And after you pump, youll want to make sure youre storing your breast milk as airtight and safely as possible.

Thats where these breast milk storage bags come in. They have double-sealed seams and a patented double Click n Secure zipper seal, so you can be 100 percent certain theyre closed tight. The bags attach directly to Lansinoh pumps and are freezer-safe and BPA-free. Each box includes 100 bags.

Need A Little Extra Support

Health Concierge

Whether itâs taking you a little longer to fall pregnant than you expected, or you know youâll be needing a bit of extra help, Medibankâs Health Concierge service is there to help. You can call for support and guidance, available at no extra cost for members with residential hospital cover#.

Got a health question? 24/7 Medibank nurse phone service

Members with hospital cover can chat to experienced and qualified nurses over the phone to discuss any health questions or concerns and get professional advice on what to do next. Our nurses are available on ~ for round-the-clock health advice.

Optimal me

Medibank has partnered with Monash University to create OptimalMe, a research program designed to help mums-to-be optimise their health before they conceive. The program features tailored health and wellbeing tips and personal guidance on fitness and nutrition.

If youâre planning to have a baby in the next 12 months you may be eligible to take part. Find out more here

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How To Save Money On The Baby Essentials

Preparing for your babys arrival can quickly become expensive. If youre trying to stick to a budget, take a look at the tips below. They can help you save money while still getting everything you need to be prepared for delivery day.

• Create a registry before your baby shower, and put all the baby essentials on the list.
• Ask for baby essentials as gifts for your birthday or Christmas.
• Check with family, friends, and colleagues for hand-me-down baby essentials.
• Have a look at thrift stores to get the larger baby essentials, like furniture and strollers, for cheap.

While purchasing all the newborn baby essentials may be pricey, it doesnt even compare to the joy and fulfillment of giving birth and bonding with your baby. You cant put a price tag on love!

Start with the basics like a crib, diapers, Cleansing Wipes, and Gentle Cleansing Gel then go from there. With this baby essentials shopping list, youll have everything you need to be fully prepared for your little ones arrival!

Get tips, news

Can You Have A Baby Registry Without A Baby Shower

I find that even if you dont have an official baby shower, people are excited to buy gifts for you when youre pregnant. Creating a registry even if you arent going to have a shower is a good idea. That way you can send a link to a list of your favorite items. This also helps avoid receiving duplicate items.

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Alcott Hill Cino Rocker

For parents expecting twins , this baby rocking chair is top notch. Its one-and-a-half times wider than a regular rocker, meaning it can comfortably accommodate larger caregivers or parents tending to multiple children. Made from sturdy materials, it gently rocks, and has a chic white trim and a timeless aesthetic.

Buy it: $551, Wayfair.com

What Newborn Must Haves Should I Get

When I had my first baby, I used one of those comprehensive what to buy for baby checklists that they give you when you create your registry. I put everything on it and got most of it at my showers.

However, I quickly found I actually needed way less than I thought. And the more babies I had, the less I needed each time. You just get really good at stocking up on the necessities and forget the rest! You will likely find the same happening to you.

If you are having your FIRST baby, I wanted to give you a very realistic view of stuff you should get before the baby arrives. I hope you find it helpful!

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Summer Essentials For Newborn Babies

In addition to the detailed checklist mentioned earlier, here are several items you will need for a baby born in summer.

• Baby vests: Bodysuits or vests with popper buttons and envelope necks are ideal summer-wear options. Pick light colours and fabrics to keep the baby cool when the temperatures are soaring high.

• Sleepsuits: Newborn babies live in sleepsuits for the first couple of months. Carefully chosen sleepsuits in the right fabric can make the season comfortable for your little one.

• Sunshade for the car or pram: This one is ideal for travel. Fix a shade on your babys pram and on your car windows to protect him from heatstroke.

• Summer hat: Pick a lightweight hat with a rim to shield your babys eyes from the sun.

• Muslin cloths: Most rocking chairs, prams and car seats have synthetic fabric which makes babies sweat. Lining the seats with good quality cotton or muslin sheet will keep your baby cool when he is sitting over it.

• Sunblock: Sunblocks are essential to protect a newborn baby for any sun damage. Check with your babys paediatrician for the best type of sunscreen you can use on your newborn babys delicate skin.

Ikea Poang Rocking Chair

Okay, Ikea may not be the first brand that jumps to mind when you think of nursery furniturebut, in terms of bang for your buck, this baby rocking chair cant be beat. It offers a roomy seat with a high back for added neck support, comes in tons of colors, can be easily cleaned and even has a 10-year guarantee. All that for under $200? Well take two.

Buy it: $169, Ikea.com

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Newborn Baby Clothes Checklist

This newborn baby clothes checklist is completely minimalist! This is the absolute bare minimum that you need for your newborn baby that will keep you going until your baby is three months old.

When it comes to the style of babygro that you get, the onesies that fasten up with poppers tend to be cheaper than ones that do up with a zip. But the ones that do up with a zip are much easier to deal with in the middle of the night.

Consider buying one of two onesies that do up with a zip and have the rest with poppers.

This checklist features a pramsuit in size 0-3 months only. This is because it doesnt matter so much that it will be too big in the early weeks as your baby will only wear it for travel, not for rolling round on the floor.

The numbers here are assuming you will do more than one load of washing per week.

If you prefer to stick to just a one or two loads of washing a week, and you do not have a tumble dryer to speed up drying the clothes, buy a couple of additional vests and babygros to the newborn list so that you have at least one for every day plus a couple of extras on the 0-3 months checklist.

Ive stuck to all-in-one outfits to keep it simple here. This means you dont need to buy socks for the first few months. Trust me, they tend to just be pulled off of babys feet anyway!

• Pramsuit. If your baby has reflux after being born where they are being sick frequently, you may want to buy a spare pramsuit just in case.

Newborn Baby Essentials: Checklist For Clothes Changing Sleeping Feeding

With so much to think about it can be stressful figuring out what you do and don’t need for your brand new baby. But have no fear: we’ve got you covered!

Our recommendations are dedicated to helping you find the right product at the right price. Things you buy may earn us a commission. Learn more.

What exactly do you need? What’s the best change table? Which car seat is best for your baby? How do you choose the right pram or cot for your lifestyle? Well, to help make your life easier, we’ve compiled a list of all the baby essentials so you can just read and then simply print it off and start shopping.

To help make things easier, you can also sign up to online registries like . This allows you to collate all the items you need in one place and even sees you getting a 15 percent discount when you check out all the items at once.

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Newborn Essentials Checklist: All You Need To Buy Before Your Baby Arrives

The little ones first clothes should be comfortable, soft, safe, and made from natural fabrics. Dont buy too many things because newborns grow and gain weight fast.

• Diapers
• Onesies : 6 pcs.
• Sleepsuits: 35 pcs.
• Soft baby booties: 2 pairs
• Anti-scratch mittens: 2 pairs.

• A light jumpsuit for the outdoors
• A brimmed boonie hat
• A cotton cover for the stroller and car seat
• A stroller curtain

• Warm rompers and a sweater
• Wool hats and booties

The list can be modified depending on whether youve chosen to breastfeed or formula-feed your baby.

• Nursing bras: 23 pcs.
• Comfortable nursing nightwear
• Nipple cream to prevent cracked nipples
• Breast pads so your clothes dont get stained
• A breast pump
• Baby scales
• A sterilizer for pacifiers and bottles for use during the babys first year
• Baby bottles: 6 pcs. Pay attention to anti-colic ones to reduce the amount of air the baby swallows while feeding. The bottles should be made from quality materials that can withstand high temperatures.
• Baby bottle brushes: After each feeding session, thoroughly clean the bottle and remove milk or formula residue.
• A vacuum flask or water heater: they help maintain optimal water temperature for preparing formula.
• Muslin bibs: 4 pcs.