Preparing For The Arrival Of Your Newborn With These Baby Essentials

Your baby is arriving in a few weeks. Are you ready to usher in his arrival? The most important categories are the items for feeding; then, bathing, clothing, diapering, and travelling. 

While we do not want you to be stressing out while you are awaiting his arrival, you might want to make sure you have everything you need with this checklist of essentials for your baby’s needs so that you can deliver with ease.

Feeding Your Baby

If you are breastfeeding, you will need:

• Lots of bibs
• Burp cloths
• Breast pump
• Milk storage containers (to store breastmilk and maintain their freshness)
• Nursing pillow
• Nursing bras (if buying before baby is born, buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size)
• Breast pads (disposable or washable)
• Lotion for sore nipples

If you are formula feeding, you will need:

• Lots of bibs
• Burp cloths
• Four-ounce baby bottles with nipples
• Eight-ounce baby bottles with nipples
• Bottle and nipple brush
• Formula (be sure to check expiry date and note the lot number in case of recalls)
• Thermal bottle carrier

Bathing Your Baby

• Gentle baby wash (soap) formula, lotion for newborns, baby shampoo, cotton balls, baby bath tub
• Towel and a soft washcloth, baby hairbrush, and light receiving blankets
• A baby dresser with drawers to organise different clothing after laundry
• Baby-friendly laundry detergent (avoid the use of harsh chemicals in laundry detergents that may cause irritation or rash)

Clothing Your Baby

• One-piece outfits – it is ideal to have between 4 to 7 one-piece outfits for newborns
• Undershirts that are not too thick because newborns still need to wear covering clothes. Get undershirts that snap under the crotch with wide head openings
• Sweater or jacket - Either of these must have front button designs that are essential for an extra layer of covering
• Cotton or polyester fabric socks for temperature regulation
• Hand mittens (to prevent your baby from accidentally scratching himself with his nails)

Diapering Your Baby

• Diapers - Disposable diapers are trendy because of their ease of use. Unlike cloth diapers, you do not need to wash them regularly.  Disposable diapers come in a set of each piece having its adhesives that straps the waste for easy disposal
• Wipes with body-friendly antiseptic and soft napkins are preferable. However, if you are not sure, use unscented wipes to avoid an irritation like nappy rash
• Changing table or cushioned changing pad (you can take the pad everywhere you go)

Setting Up The Nursery

Setting up the nursery for infants requires care and attention. Make a room with child-friendly decorations, and fill the space with the baby essentials.

• A cradle, crib or bassinet for the baby to sleep in
• Firm, flat mattress that fit snugly in a crib
• Fitted sheets that are preferably made from fleece or soft polyester will make infants comfortable
• Baby audio or video monitors are electronic devices (usually without radioactive properties) that indicate the movement of newborns when they rest in their cribs.  Nursing moms can track these movements from a distance
• Rocking or arm chair
• Baby sleepwear - get one-piece footed pajamas that cover the entire body
• Wearable blanket - get a pair of blanket sleepers that are cozy. Wearable sleepers for colder climates create warmth

Travelling With Your Baby

• Approved infant safety seat for car that has been cleaned and sanitised (it is illegal and not safe for parents to drive around without an infant car seat for your baby)
• A cleaned and sanitised stroller that reclines so newborn can lie flat (and sleep away)
• Diaper bag - Don't forget that apart from sheets of wipes and diaper cream, a diaper bag holds other necessary baby items that you would need when you are changing baby’s diaper or feeding it in a public location
• Surface sanitiser is necessary to sanitise from bacteria and germs before you lay your baby on any surface

Other necessities

• Pacifiers (babies go through these very fast so make sure you have at least 2 at any point of time)
• Baby thermometer 
• First-aid kit
• Nail clippers

Newborns are susceptible to infections because of their low immune system so make sure when handling babies, your hands are sanitised and ask visitors to wash their hands with disinfectants before handling your baby. Also, it is important to keep the baby’s linen and environment clean and sanitised regularly to ensure their utmost well-being.