Newborn essentials

[bheditor]

Morning BHers!! :wave:

I often see threads asking for advice on 'newborn essentials'.

I thought this might be a good one for a "Hubbers' Guide"!!

Tell me what you think are newborn essentials.

I'm thinking ...

- Nappies
- 10 singlets or, even better, singlet suits (ones that clasp down the bottom)
- 3 baby blankets or wraps

etc etc

What else should we include??

[Kimnus]

Things for bathing baby like J&J top to toe, baby oil etc

[Hers&Hers]

Wraps
baby sling/ capsule to carry bub

[Kimnus]

Bouncer
Play mat for tummy time
Dummies (if you wish to use them)
Baby powder
Bottles ( for EBM or FF)
bottle sterliser
Socks
mittens
beanie
Baby wipes
nail clippers
hair brush (if bubs has lots of hair)

[JesseBear]

A pack of dummies (just in case)
2 x sets of bassinet sheets
2 x sets of cot sheets
1 x waterproof mattress protector for cot
Bottles and teats
6 x soft face washers
6 x soft towels
A few bonds wondersuits

That's all i can think of at the moment. It seems like so long ago thinking about a newborn.

[bheditor]

We already have this checklist on the site but it is a bit old now and things may have changed somewhat.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/infochecklistnursery.php

What do you think?

Also, what do we want to mean by "essential"?

ie. Is a change table "essential" or just "useful"?

If someone didn't have much money what would they absolutely NEED for their newborn.

Maybe we do a list of absolute essentials and then other useful items. Or something. :confused:

[NikkiTapscott]

infacol (great between 6- 10 weeks)
sun shades for the car windows
sling
burping towls
wipes
breast feeding tops for mum (bonds make great one)
maternaty bras
socks
singlets
sleep bag

[LillyPonds]

I would think absolute essentials are things like this

Carseat or capsule
Pram
Bassinette/or cot
Muslin wraps
Wondersuits
Singlets/singletsuits
Baby wipes
Nappies
Nappy rash cream
Baby bath support so you can use your existing bath tub, laundry sink etc...
Sterilizer
Bottles and teats
Blankets
Cot/bassinet sheets (at least 2 sets one on the cot/bassinet and one in the wash)
Baby towels x2
Face washers x2
Rocker/bouncer
Play gym
2 pack of dummies (Just in case)

[LillyPonds]

Are we including Mum?

Things for Mum

Breast pads
Maternity pads
Nipple cream
Maternity bras x3 min

You don't "need" BF tops. I would consider those a luxury.

[SpunkyMonkeyandSupermansMum]

Absolute essentials (especially when it comes to prioritising due to funds) that I can think of would be:

*Singlets, mittens, socks, wondersuits (i would say at least 6/7 as babies tend to get a little messy even if they can't move lol)

*nappies (using Modern Cloth Nappies is cheaper as you can get some really cheap ones that definitely save you money if you're not using disposables)

*baby wipes (or you can use washers if you want to go down the washing path, much like the MCNs, once again saving you money)

*at least 4 bottles if you are bottle feeding as well as a bottle brush (steriliser to me is not a necessity as you can always boil the kettle or a saucepan on the stove to sterilise the bottle parts)
*a bottle brush if using bottles
*formula if formula feeding

*1 or 2 bottles if you are breastfeeding (just in case you do need to change your mind so it is on hand or if you are driving or unable to breastfeed immediately you can express into the bottle and give to bub) you can also fill with water once bub gets a little bigger.

*basinette or cot (unless you are a firm believer in co-sleeping)

*2 sets of basinette/cot sheets (you can always wash one while using the other) and they can be placed on the floor as a rug etc) and 2 blankets and/or wraps

*car seat is a must if you will be travelling with bub in a car ever!

*wrap or carrier is great if you will be doing a lot of walking and is cheaper than a pram in most cases

*2 sets of towels and facewashers (once again you can wash one while the other is in use)

*nail clippers (and brush if necessary for lots of hair or cradle cap)

*you don't NEED a baby bath or change mat. I have had many a bath with my sons in the 'big' bath. I just hop in first and DP passes bub in and when we are finished DP gets bub out. And changing bub can always be done anywhere (bed, floor, lounge) so long as you have something soft under bub (towels are great) and you don't ever leave them unattended.

*I also don't believe you NEED baby soaps, shampoos or oils either. Yes they help bub smell good but water does the trick for a baby if you use a gentle washer to wash them. But if you do find you need a soap then the cheap ones are just as good as the brand names, and the baby soap bars are great value for money


For Mum:
*Maternity pads and breast pads (breast pads are great if buying the washable ones, i found they irritated less and absorbed more)

*Nipple cream if breastfeeding

* A good book and lots of rest when bub is resting :D

*Again I don't believe that maternity tops and bras are necessities. I bought maternity bras and found my milk adjusted so frequently that by the time I'd been BFing for 2.5mths none of my maternity bras fit, but my old normal ones did. I just took my arm out of one strap and tucked the bra down into the underwire and it worked just fine. for my second son, I didn't even bother buying maternity bras.

hope this helps :D

[shabbychook]

plenty of baby wipes throughtout the house and in each car
QV ( you never know if you have a baby with sensite skin until its born)
singlets
babysuits (doesn't matter what brand) and in the first few weeks you don't need any other clothes buy a few 000 and a few 0000
a few blankets
baby sleepingbags (better than blankets as they stay on when they wiggle alot)
a frozen meal handy for emergencys (for mum and dad)
baby car seat and window shade a must
cot
cot fitted sheets
plastic undelay
cot wool sheepskin
portacot for the loungeroom (if you have 2 story house or a big house is very handy)
changetable
pram ( a good one that goes for your height and is adjustable)
nappies ( doesn't matter what sort you use as long as you have some on hand at all times)
If you bottle feed(for those who can not and there are people out there)
steriliser, bottles, formula, breast pump.

[bheditor]

thanks guys! These are unreal!

Keep 'em coming:cheerleader2:

[bheditor]

Hi everyone! :wave:

Thanks for your help with this one ...

This is what we have so far ... can you have a read and let me know ...

1. Did I miss anything?
2. Did I include anything not essential?

THE HUBBERS GUIDE TO NEWBORN ESSENTIALS!

Walk into any baby store and it seems like you'll need to spend a fortune on your new little baby. But in fact, there are only a few real 'essential' items you will need to have at home ready for your new arrival. Most things can be bought afterwards - when you know more about your baby (like the sex and the size) and your own parenting style.

SLEEPING

Unless you plan on co-sleeping you will need the following items:

- Cot
- Cot mattress
- Cot sheet set x 2
- Blankets/swaddles/wraps x 3

CHANGING/BATHING

You can always bath your baby in the sink or the laundry tub, or you could take a shower with her. And you only need a towel and a bench/floor/bed to change a nappy. If you do want to make things a bit easier on your back you will need the following items:

Baby bath - one with a "plug" will make life easier
Change table
Towels x 3
Facewashers x 3
Nappies (if you're using disposables get just one large pack to start, in case your baby grows out of them fast)
Terry cloth nappies - have a few on hand as spew rags, or to put under baby on the change table.
Basic toiletries - nappy wipes, cotton wool balls, cotton buds, a good nappy rash cream


GOING OUT

In the early months you might do without a pram, prefering to carry baby in a sling. But a good quality pram, one that converts into a stroller for a toddler will be something you'll probably need eventually.

Baby carrier/sling
Pram (look for one with a sunshade)
Baby capsule/Carseat


DRESSING BABY

There is no need to buy many clothes before bub arrives. Just have a few necessities on hand, then go shopping once you know what size and sex your baby is. Otherwise you could end up with a heap of cute 0000 outfits that never see the light of day. Also, it pays to be practical. Sure little baby jeans and tshirts are cute but they aren't comfortable so you won't get a lot of use out of them, especially in the smaller sizes. Keep in mind that people will usually buy clothes as gifts too.

Singlets x 5 (or, even better, singlet suits - as they don't ride up!)
Short-sleeved bodysuits x 5 (can be used under other clothes in winter)
Long-sleeved growsuits x 5 (you'll still need one or two even if your baby is born in summer)
Socks x 3


FEEDING BABY
If you're planning on breastfeeding, you won't need much in the way of equipment. If things don't go as planned then you'll find that feeding equipment (sterilisers, bottles, formula) will be readily available in most towns and cities. If you want to have just-in-case formula you can buy packets with individual sachets as tins of feed need to be used within a certain time period once opened.

- breastpads (cloth can be a money saver)
- 2 bottles, more if you're bottlefeeding, and bottle cleaning equipment
- a special 'feeding' pillow or a 'V' shaped cushion

Useful (but not essential, if you're on a budget)
Mattress protectors
Bassinette (+ bassinette sheets x 2)
Digital ear thermometer
Baby monitor
Nail scissors/clippers
Sleeping bag
Hairbrush (if your baby has hair)
Nappy bag with a change mat
Sunshades for car windows
Portable cot
Beanies, mittens (if you're having a winter bub)
Breastpump (if you want to try giving bub the occassional bottle of EBM)
Portacot
Playmat for tummy time
Dummies
Baby powder


Thanks to: shabbychook, Kimnus, Atizmum, JesseBear, NikkiTapscott, zultbear, SpunkyMonkeyandSupermansMum and all our Facebook friends who helped out too!

[LillyPonds]

I think that's a great list of things :yes:.

Maybe add a good napy rash cream under basic toiletries?

[bheditor]

I think that's a great list of things :yes:.

Maybe add a good napy rash cream under basic toiletries?

Thanks Zultbear! :D

I've added your suggestion now!

[tweedibird75]

THANKS!!!!
I am getting so confused what to buy!! I bought 2 bulk boxes of newborn nappies and am now wondering if that was too many!! Oh well, they were a good price! I have made myself a list from your list above so i know now what essentials to buy!
Thanks again

[bheditor]

THANKS!!!!
I am getting so confused what to buy!! I bought 2 bulk boxes of newborn nappies and am now wondering if that was too many!! Oh well, they were a good price! I have made myself a list from your list above so i know now what essentials to buy!
Thanks again

No worries! It is better to have too many than not enough when it comes to nappies! And you can always give them away/save them for next bub/use them on dolls!

Glad to hear that we've helped!! It can be daunting when shopping for bub number 1!

[share a book]

The only things that we needed when DD was born were:

cloth nappies (towelling squares)
face washers for nappy change times
face washers for bath time
all-in-ones
singlets
car seat

So long as she was clothed appropriately, had enough nappies, and had her Mummy there was nothing else she needed. Babies don't need cots, toys, bath stuff, they can have a bath in a normal tub or the kitchen sink and be bathed using plain water in the early days. Everything else can come later on as they get older. Other things are just things that the parents want so that maybe they can make life easier or perhaps because they enjoy buying the latest and greatest, but a newborn doesn't need it. Even nappies are not essential if you plan on using EC from birth.

[BlissedOut]

Really... all you NEED is naps, wraps and a car seat.

But that's no fun.

[BlissedOut]

The only things that we needed when DD was born were:

cloth nappies (towelling squares)
face washers for nappy change times
face washers for bath time
all-in-ones
singlets
car seat

So long as she was clothed appropriately, had enough nappies, and had her Mummy there was nothing else she needed. Babies don't need cots, toys, bath stuff, they can have a bath in a normal tub or the kitchen sink and be bathed using plain water in the early days. Everything else can come later on as they get older. Other things are just things that the parents want so that maybe they can make life easier or perhaps because they enjoy buying the latest and greatest, but a newborn doesn't need it. Even nappies are not essential if you plan on using EC from birth.

Creepy, you must've hit post just before I did! Haha.

[share a book]

Creepy, you must've hit post just before I did! Haha.

:D Funny when that happens!

[Gomeroi]

Thank you for all the useful tips and ideas. It's very overwhelming when you are having your first baby.

[bheditor]

hi!

Here is the finished article:

http://www.bubhub.com.au/info/articles/pregnancy/newborn_essentials.shtml

What do you think?

Is there something I have missed?

Is there something I can add to make it more useful for parents-to-be?

Anyway, thanks again! :celebrate: