A Comfortable Secure Carrier
I didnt use a baby carrier for my first baby but it was a game changer with my second partly because I had a toddler running around as well as a newborn, but also because its just magnificent to be able to use both of your hands. A good carrier should have the same effect on your infant as swaddling in that it mimics the womb, and being right next to your heartbeat ticks another box. Some parents like wrap slings while others prefer something with more structure go for what you feel most comfortable wearing.
Image: Ergo.
Wait And See If You Need These
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Dummies/Pacifiers it is not recommended to introduce these until 6 weeks and you will know by then if your baby likes to use sucking to soothe themselves
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Nappy Creams Fresh air is as good as anything and if you need any special creams, your healthcare provider will prescribe these for you. If youre breastfeeding, breastmilk has antibacterial and antifungal properties making it the best nappy rash solution ever!
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Breast pump if youre planning to breastfeed, you wont automatically need a breast-pump. If you know youll need one, ask other mums what theyve used and would recommend and see if you can have a play with theirs before purchasing your own.
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Change Table the group was divided on this one. Many say they never used a change table but others say they are a lifesaver for their aching backs. A change mat on the bed may be all you need.
A Safe Place To Sleep
But hold on dont run out and start buying baby beds!
If I was going to do it again, knowing what I know now, I would purchase a playpen only. This is the one we have, and I LOVE it.
The playpen gives the baby a safe place to sleep but does double duty as a safe place to play once their mobile and mom needs to make dinner or just go pee.
We ended up co-sleeping with both our kids and all five baby beds just hang out empty.
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What To Buy For Baby
Be warned before you go into any baby store in a highly pregnant state there are hundreds of baby items and your nesting emotions will try to convince you that you need to buy them all. Dont get sucked in!
Yes, every baby item is cute and there are so many cool things that didnt exist when we were kids. Seriously though, youll end up using many of them just once or twice before baby outgrows them.
Every moms favorite baby products will vary , but heres what I learned along the way: you need less than you think! After baby comes, all of that extra stuff just becomes what you trip over while walking through the house in a sleep-deprived state.
Bedding And Sleep Needs
Whatever bed you choose for your newborn , it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that your baby sleep in the same room with you for the first 6-12 months of life. In addition, bumpers, blankets, pillows, and soft toys are no longer recommended in baby beds. Talk about going minimalistic!
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Baby Essentials For The First 3 To 4 Months
We provide a detailed list of each category below, but in general, your baby essentials for the first three months of your baby’s life should include:
- Nursery furniture and gear
- Baby linens, including crib and bassinet sheets, baby blankets, and swaddles
- Babyproofing gear
- Travel gear, including car seats and strollers
- Convertible car seat that fits a newborn
- Stroller that accommodates a newborn
- Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, changing pad, and a spare outfit
- Baby carrier that can accommodate a newborn
The Real Talk Version Of Your Baby Registry
These are the products you actually need for a newborn
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This story was originally published on May 2, 2019 in NYT Parenting.
Brand new and expecting parents could not be easier to market to: Were hungry, tired and desperate for our children to be safe, comfortable and, ideally, asleep. Plus, were often trapped under a baby and looking at our phones, a mere press of the forefinger away from purchasing an idiotic cashmere onesie at any moment.
My first time at the baby gear rodeo, I made some rookie mistakes, and ever since then Ive been eager to make sure my friends dont replicate my errors. After the birth of my second child in 2018, I even started sending around a document titled How not to up your registry, whether the recipient had asked me to or not.
This is a version of that document that I have adapted for a broader audience. It has recommendations for the gear I ended up using with both my kids, including items that I think are worth their price tag and others you can buy used, skimp on or skip entirely. While Im a connoisseur and cultivator of product recommendations and hand-me-downs from parent-friends with a range of budgets, my own kids have been born and raised in a small third-floor walk-up, which means my picks are road-tested for maximum space-saving and portability.
Sleep
Feeding
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How Many Newborn Baby Clothes Do I Need
Want to make sure you have enough newborn baby clothes without blowing your budget on dozens of cute outfits you dont need?
Newborn baby clothes are so adorable it can be difficult to stop yourself from buying everything you spot.
This post is all about helping you to decide how many newborn baby clothes you actually need to buy.
The truth is that when it comes to newborn size baby clothes you only need a very small number of outfits three to five maximum because they will grow out of them so very fast!
The secret to shopping smart for your newborn is to focus on buying 0-3 month size clothes, which you may find your baby fits from day one after being born.
This article will give you a checklist of what clothes you actually need to buy for your baby before they are born, including guidance on what size clothing to buy and how many.
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Now What Do You Not Need For A New Baby
Honestly, anything else not on this list. Baby NEEDS very little for the first few months!
We used a towel on the floor or bed instead of a change table.
I bathed the baby in the sink, or with me in the tub instead of in a baby bath tub.
we fore-went cute play mats and let them play on blankets on the floor, and while we did buy toys, for the most part the babies wanted anythings else to play with.
You can purchase bottles and breast pumps as needed, rather than stockpiling them in advance only to find out you wont need those things.
MOM probably needs more things than baby actually needs! Heres a full list of postpartum supplies mom needs to have on hand after baby.
Related: How to Heal Faster Postpartum
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Folding Crib / Playpen Combo
Soft-sided playpens can keep your baby safe from hazards when they start to crawl, but you dont need to consider buying one right away since your baby wont be crawling for many months to come. When your child does start to crawl, you can skip the playpen by closely supervising them and ensuring that your home is baby-proofed. If youre considering one for travel, most hotels also offer these to guests. You can request one ahead of time if youre traveling, or borrow one from a friend or family member.
New Baby Necessities List What Do You Really Need For A Baby
I hate clutter, we lived in a small house, and I was determined to gather only the new baby necessities when my first was born and yet I STILL ended up with a bunch of stuff we didnt use!
Im going to sort of blame this on the internet. If you google what do I need for a baby youre gonna get ALL KINDS OF LISTS that insist you need changing pads, carriers, bottle warmers, pacifier clips and on and on.
I am here to tell you that a newborn actually needs VERY LITTLE.
This is good news for parents on a budget and also those who just dont want to fill their homes with stuff they wont ever use!
I also want to encourage you to WAIT to buy baby stuff until the third trimester, for the most part!
Even though I was 100% committed to not collecting too much stuff, its really hard not to I didnt honestly know what a new baby really needs until Id had one.
You feel like you truly need it all for the baby.
Looking back, now that Ive has a newborn twice, I know with certainty what really needs to be on the list of things you need for a new baby and what doesnt.
These are things that still make my newborn necessities list a couple of them might seem frivolous to the most hardcore minimalists, but these are the things I would buy again, or tell my daughter or best friend to buy for her new baby.
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Baby Checklist: Preparing Your Home
Getting your home ready can be a good way to prepare yourself, your partner and your other children for your new babys arrival.
Where baby sleeps Its safest for your baby to , sleeping in a cot next to your bed, for the first year of life or at least the first 6 months. These sleeping arrangements can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy .
If you need to adjust the temperature of the room where your baby sleeps, use a heater or fan only when your baby isnt in the room. Turn off the appliance before putting your baby in the room. But its best to adjust your babys clothing rather than heating or cooling the room.
Where to change nappies Its safest to change your babys nappy on a mat on the floor so your baby cant fall. But some parents do find its easier on their backs to change baby on a change table or bed.
If you’d prefer to use a change table, you can find out about safe change tables in our article on safe baby furniture. And if youre changing your baby on a bed or change table, remember to keep one hand on your baby at all times so that your baby cant roll off.
Where to bath baby You can bath a newborn in the kitchen sink or laundry tub, so long as its safe and clean. And no matter where you bath your baby, always stay within arms reach of your baby.
Most of the things you need to do to make your home safe for your newborn are about knowing what to expect, rather than making major changes.
Clothes A New Baby Needs
So now that we went over factors to consider when getting baby clothes, here is what clothes a new baby actually needs. I suggest getting these clothing items in a 0-3 month size. Depending on how large you anticipate your baby to be at the start, getting some of these items in the 3-6 month size would make sense too .
Clothes a new baby needs:
- 5-7 sleep n plays or sleepers for at night
- 7 pants/shirt sets or outfits
- 5-7 pair baby socks
Start out with the basics and add anything as it becomes essential for you. Keep your receipts when you purchase items to make sure they fit and you actually use them. Also, you will likely get baby clothes as gifts at your shower and/or when the baby is born so do not go overboard buying baby clothes.
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Travel Essentials For Your Baby
Near the top of your baby shopping list is likely a set of wheels, so you and your little one can get out and about. Ultimately, the mode of baby transport you use will depend on your personal preference and on that of your baby.
And heres the kicker it will also likely be one of your biggest financial outlays as a new parent.
Baby Birth Weight And Gestational Age
First off, birth weight is largely dependent on gestational age, meaning how much time the child spends in the womb. For babies carried full-term, the average weight is between 6 and 9 pounds. But for those born either early or late, the averages are slightly different.
In most cases, if a baby is born prematurely, he is going to be smaller, whereas if he is born late, hell be larger, Hill says. So in assessing birth weight, the first thing we do is adjust for gestational age. A baby might be small in the absolute sense because he was born at 36 weeks, but if his size is average for a 36-week term, then he is considered average.
Because premature babies dont get the full benefit of developing in utero, they run a higher risk of health complications, such as jaundice, anemia, respiratory distress, or heart issues, often requiring a stint in neonatal intensive care unit. But again, just because a preemie is smaller than a full-term baby doesnt automatically mean theyre less healthy.
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Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson
Democrat, Texas
Always remember that everyone has the same right to believe what they believe as you to believe what you believe. Try to understand their reasoning for their beliefs to start to improve mutual understanding. Do not condemn before you have the explanation. It can start a mutual respect you never thought you would have.
Newborn Baby Essentials: What You Need For Babys First Year
When you become a parent, the most important thing to remember is that theres no perfect product or solution for whatever youre facing. All experiences are unique, and we are all doing our best. Its always a good idea to consult friends who have been through it, but what worked for them might not work for you. There are so many baby items to choose from and you dont need that much, but there are some items that are really nice to have. I always loved hearing about other moms experiences, so Id like to share what worked for me.
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What Can I Do If I Have A Picky Eater Who Needs More Protein
If youâve got a picky eater, it may be time to get creative in finding ways to sneak in that much-needed protein. If they like lunch meat wraps, try buying the protein tortillas. Maybe they like toast and you can spread some peanut butter or hummus on it. Iâll often make my kids smoothies and toss several âhiddenâ protein sources in there as well.
While there are protein supplements that are made for kids, they should be used sparingly and only at the direction of your childâs doctor. These usually come in the form of a shake, protein powder, or a pill they can take daily.
Pram / Buggy / Travel System
A pram is designed specifically for newborns and younger babies up until about six months old. Prams tend to be forward-facing and a little heavier and sturdier than a buggy , which are their collapsible, more compact counterpart.
Buggies tend to be more suitable for older infants, are easier to maneuver one handed and come with adjustable settings so your baby can either lie flat, recline or sit up slightly.
Many brands carry pram and buggy combos, which are commonly called a travel system and can last you from birth until your little one turns three.
When it comes to the pram vs. buggy vs. travel system debate, the type you choose will likely depend on a few different factors. Are planning on taking your pram off road? How about jogging? Or on public transport? How roomy is your boot? Is it easy to fold down quickly?
Regardless of what option you go with, its important for newborns to lie flat to help their growth and development, so youll want to invest in something that fully reclines and offers cover from the sun .
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Best High Protein Snacks For Kids
Try some of these high protein snacks for kids:
- Apple and peanut butter: Apple slices paired with nut butter to drizzle or dip!
- Deviled eggs: Use the mixture to blend in some veggies.
- Quesadillas: Create using their favorite cheese and meat.
- Trail mix: Dried fruit, nuts, seeds, popcorn, the skyâs the limit!
- Ants on a log: Celery sticks filled with peanut butter, topped with raisins.
- Deli roll-ups: Their favorite meat and cheese all rolled together.
- Guacamole and veggies: Fresh or pre-made with a variety of veggies.
- Tuna and crackers: Canned tuna on seeded or whole wheat crackers.
For the best high protein, pre-packaged snacks on the go try:
- Planters Portable Protein Snacks