5 Must-Haves for New Babies

From nursery to preparing for the first few days at home, there’s a lot to think about as you get ready for your baby’s arrival!

As you start writing down your list of must-haves for your brand new, tiny baby you’ll probably feel a little overwhelmed… after all, babies need an awful lot of gear!

To help you, we have broken it down for you and created a list of 5 must-haves for new babies that will help you keep your little one happy and comfy during those incredible first few weeks.

From nappies to onesies, these are the key items newborn babies need!

MUST HAVES FOR BABIES: #1 COT AND BEDDING

In the guide “Helping Your Baby To Sleep”, NHS recommends that your baby sleeps in your room for the first six months and many parents choose not to use a full-sized cot.

However, after that, you might want to get baby used to sleeping into a cot, so the best thing is to buy one ahead of time, complete of mattress, and have it ready for baby.

SnüzPod by Snuz is only one example of a bedside cot designed to be positioned right by your bed with the side down, keeping your little one at arm’s length which – you will soon find out – is essential for night feeds.

Newborn babies need a very firm mattress, but this changes as they grow up, so you might want to consider a mattress that is firm on one side and medium on the other, like The Little Green Sheep Twist Natural Cot Bed Mattress (available at Amazon).

The core of this mattress is constructed from coconut fibres blended with natural latex that act like ‘thousands of tiny springs’ – with one firm side that will support tiny babies and the other side recommended from around 12 months on.

This composition makes The Little Green Sheep also good for allergy sufferers and breathable.

Of course, we could not discuss cots and mattresses without talking about bedding and trust me, you will be changing sheets a lot in the early days!

Consider buying about four or five fitted cot sheets and a couple of washable cot mattress pads, with a few blankets that can be layered depending on how cold it is. Wearable blankets are a great alternative to traditional blankets, as well as cellular blankets – that allow air to circulate and are perfect for regulating a baby’s temperature.

MUST-HAVES FOR BABIES: #2 BABY BOTTLES

Newborns usually start with 4-ounce baby bottles with slow-flow teats but be prepared to try a few different brands to figure out baby’s favourite one. You will also need at least as many nipples as bottles, and some 8-ounce bottles you can use as baby begins to drink more.

When it comes to bottles and pacifiers, germs are an unwelcome guest, and while bottle brushes are a must-have, some parents like the additional level of sterilisation offered by a steriliser.

Brushes are handy for scrubbing small parts and crevices in bottles, bottle parts, and nipples, while when it comes to the steriliser you might want to look for a UV model, that uses LED lights instead of water or tablets.

#3 BABY MONITOR

The pressure to be omnipresent as a parent is great, but the comfort of being able to get a quick glance at your newborn is a comfort you can’t put a price on – which is why a baby monitor is a must-have for your peace of mind!

Of course, not all baby monitors are created equal, you can choose a basic audio model or a more expensive video monitor: while the latter may seem a luxury you don’t need right now, when baby arrives you will probably love the idea of being able to see baby even when outside their room.

MUST-HAVES FOR BABIES: #4 NAPPIES

Ready for No 4 in our list of must-haves for new babies?

Let’s face it; nappies are going to be a part of your shopping list for multiple years and, whether you use cloth or disposable, you will probably go through 10 or more nappies a day, so make sure to stock up!

If you use disposable, you might want to begin by buying small packs of a few different brands and kinds, to figure out the perfect fit and avoid stocking up on a type that irritates your baby’s delicate skin.

Once you have the right brand and type figured out, you will be able to find big packs at a much more convenient price.

You’ll also want to have a good nappy rash cream always available, either to prevent nappy rash or to handle them when they occur.

And of course, wipes – and plenty of them!!

These can be made of polyester, cotton, rayon, or other fibres and trust me and it is a good idea to consider unscented ones. And most of all, remember you will probably need more than you know what to do with!

A good nappy bag can also be a lifesaver on the go and act as a catchall for all the devices and tools you need for keeping up with your baby’s needs.

Bottles, changing station, extra onesies, the choices are endless, but if you don’t have the right nappy bag, then it’s all staying at home without you!

#5 CAR SEAT AND PRAM

Fewer things are more important on this list than a safe car seat.

In fact, you won’t even be able to take your new baby home without one.

Most families start from a convertible rear-facing car seat, as these are portable and can blip into a stroller base. You might choose to opt for a convertible car seat instead and do some future proof as this will adapt do your growing baby.

Something like the Graco 4 in 1 car seat is perfect as it can last well into your child’s booster seat years.

While your baby is still a newborn, they are going to be small enough where carrying them is the easiest option.

A soft sling is the best choice for toting your baby around earlier on and will prove much easier than a hard pram.

Most monitors these link to your phone and use it as a viewing unit via an app, and some (like Owlet Smart Sock V3) allow you to monitor information such as heart rate and oxygen levels.

Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer (available at Amazon) allows you to use your microwave and it claims to generate enough germ-killing steam to blitz 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria in less than 2 minutes.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

You won’t struggle to find resources to help you add more items to your list of must-haves for babies, starting from the NHS website, which/ offers plenty of guidance on preparing for your brand new baby.

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Paula Veverka is a specialist Maternity, Newborn and Baby photographer based in Blantyre, Glasgow.

Thinking about a newborn photoshoot? Discover more at www.paulaveverka.co.uk/newborn-photographer