Buying Guide for Newborn baby
Here is a list of items you might need for first few months of the baby.
Bath
Health and Baby care
Bottle Feeding
- Bottles
- There are a lot of brands like Playtex, Avent, Dr Brown etc.
However you might have to try few types because you never know what baby will
like. They come into the world with some pretty strong opinions
- Bottle Warmer
- It is not advisable to use microwave to heat the milk and food for infants as it
creates hotspots. Use the warmers for a uniform heating.
- Microwave Sterilizer
- Required from premies. Advisable to sterlize the bottle, nipples, breast pump
equipment atleast once a week for the first few months.
- Dishwasher Basket
- Handy basket to wash the bottle and accessories in dishwasher
- Breast Pump
- This is the most popular automatic breast pump. You can also rent if from your hospital.
- Breast pump accessory wipes
- You can also wash them. But if you dont have access to water, this is a good alternative
- Storage Bags
- Its easier, lighter and takes less space than bottles for expressed milk.
- Drying Rack
- Good, hygenic and space efficient way to dry the bottles, nipples etc.
- Disposable Nursing Pads
- Formula Dispenser
- Keep 3 measured servings of formula in this dispenser.
- Bottle Brush
Diapering
- Diaper disposal
- Convenient "odor free" way to dispose of diapers.
- Wipes Warmer
- Most babies prefer the warm wipes over the cold ones !! Will stop the fuss over those frequent diaper changes.
- Diapers
- You could use disposal diapers or cloth ones.
- Wipes
- It is advisable to use unscented wipes especially for the first couple of months. Since the baby's skin is too sensitive, it would avoid any possible reactions or rashes.
- Changing Table
- Safe and convinient to change diapers. You could put a belt around the baby to avoid your wiggly little one from moving or falling while changing.
Also good for you back as you dont have to bend to change the diapers( which will quite a lot initially!).
- Changing Pad
-You could just buy this pad and put on top of a dresser or bed if you don't
feel like buying a changing table
Safety
Clothes
Bedding
- Crib
- Crib is a good and long term solution to sleep your baby. It is safe, comfortable and good way to avoid SIDS.
Also most cribs convert to toddler bed with a conversion rails. So you could use them for a while.
- Crib mattress
- Buy a mattress that fits well into the crib with space on edges. The mattress should not be very soft, Safety experts suggest it should be "firm".
- Crib Sheet
- It is important for a crib sheet fits tautly on the mattress. Taut crib sheet significantly reduces the possibility of the baby breathing into the gathered material formed by loose bedding.
- Water proof mattress pad
- Increase the life of your crib mattress with this water proof pad. Sometimes leaks and accidents happen even with diapers on !
- Musical Mobile
- Babies love mobiles, the music also helps them to soothe and fall asleep. Babies also find the moving animals and colors very amusing.
- Pack 'n Play
- You could use this to
put the baby during the day. They also have a changing station you can use as well.
The pack-n-play can also travel with you if you need it to.
Other Essentials
- Car seat and stroller
- One of the most important item you need to keep your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Lot of countries require you to have a carseat for an infant or child in a car.
Its helpful to have a carseat that fits into the stroller, so that you dont have wake up your sleeping baby to move him/her into the stroller.
- Infant Tylenol
- Always carry a bottle of infant tylenol with you.
- Diaper bag
Other Helpful items
Books
- Your Baby's First Year Week By Week
This book talks about what to expect with your baby - physically, socially and mentally. Due to the week by week approach, chapters are short with very
distinct paragraphs. You just have to read one or two chapters at a time which takes few minutes.
- What to Expect the First Year
Informative book and gives good insight into various child care issues.
- The Happiest Baby on the Block
This books talks about techniques to calm and soothe crying newborn. It brings research and tips to make life easier for parents of new babies. Must read if your baby is colicky.
