There is no denying that soon-to-be parents will be targeted quite a bit by companies that make products for infants. So, if you were to listen to these sources, you would think you need everything under the sun for a new baby.
In reality, this isn’t quite the case. Sure, newborns to do need quite a bit of stuff. However, there is a limit to what they require. So, if you are ready to get the lowdown on what your little one is actually going to need, then you have come to the right place!
Things You Need
Here are all the things you should be stocking up on – or placing on a baby register – before your little one arrives:
The Right Baby Clothes
Wait, there are right and wrong baby clothes? Yes, there are! You need to be careful when choosing clothes for an infant. To begin with, make sure that they are made of soft material that is suitable for the sensitive skin of a newborn.
What’s just as important is picking out clothes that are easy to get your baby in and out of. Babies are super fussy and newborns can’t really support their heads as you try to dress them. So, stay away from clothes with fitted necks. Instead, look for one-pieces with snaps that will make it a breeze to dress and undress your baby.
You shouldn’t stock up on too many infant-sized clothes either. Your little one is going to grow like a weed and before you know it, they will be too big to wear those smaller clothes. So, buy a lower quantity each time so that you don’t end up with too-small clothes.
Baby Furniture
These days, it can often seem like babies have more furniture items made for them than adults! As you can imagine, you don’t actually need everything marketed to you. To begin with, you need a sturdy crib that meets all the necessary safety standards.
Naturally, you’re going to need a mattress that has also passed all the safety tests. Beyond this, your little one isn’t going to need much else. If you want, you can also include a dresser or chest of drawers to store all of your baby’s stuff.
Baby Feeding Supplies
If you are planning on breastfeeding your little one, there are still a couple of things you will need. For starters, a good chair for you is a must – keep in mind, you will be spending quite a bit of time in one of these. You must also use a feeding pillow to keep your little one propped up against your arm. Oh, and you will need lots of burping cloths too.
If your baby is being formula fed, then you will need the above, plus the best baby bottles on the market. You may also want to invest in a baby bib so that you don’t have to keep changing your little one’s clothes every time you feed them. You should also get cleaning supplies for all the feeding gear as well.
Even if you are breastfeeding, consider getting a breast pump and some bottles. The benefit of this is that your partner can feed your little one as well. Not to mention, if you need to head out, you can have peace of mind knowing that your baby cans still be fed with breast milk.
Baby Bathing Supplies
Now, some people will tell you that you don’t need an infant tub. However, once you have tried to keep your grip on a slippery and squealing baby, you might change your mind about this. After all, most modern baby bathtubs are specifically designed to keep babies propped up in the water.
Apart from this, you will require some hooded bath towels and maybe some washcloths. You will naturally need to stock up on bath washes and shampoos that are specifically meant for babies. That’s about it for this area.
Things You Can Do Without
Now, let’s take a look at the things that you can do without:
Shoes and Expensive Baby Clothes
Yes, there are few things more adorable than baby shoes. So, it’s only natural that you are going to want to buy as many as you can. The problem, though, is that newborns don’t need shoes. In fact, most experts and doctors recommend only putting your little one in shoes when they are ready to start walking.
On a similar note, steer clear of expensive clothes as well. Your little one may look absolutely delightful in their Burberry jumpsuit, but they will have grown out of it in a matter of weeks. Not to mention, there is a good chance that expensive clothing will be splattered with various bodily fluids soon enough.
Changing Tables
Now, changing tables may seem like a mainstay of any nursery. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. This is because a changing pad will be more than sufficient. What’s more, a changing pad is portable and allows you to carry it all through the house. A changing table, on the other hand, is simply stuck in one position.
Of course, this does depend on your preference. Some parents do enjoy the stability offered by a changing table. So, if this feels more comfortable to you, go ahead and get yourself one.
Wipes Warmer
For some reason or another, wipe warmers have become all the rage over the large few years. Now, admittedly, it is certainly a nice tool to have, but it can’t be considered necessary. Infants have been doing just fine with regular temperature wipes for years.
Not to mention, it may not be such a good idea to get your infant used to warm wipes. After all, at some point, you will have to make do without your wipes warmer. At this moment, your baby isn’t going to like the unusual sensation of being cleaned up with a regular wipe.
So there you have it – everything you should know about the baby items you need and don’t need. This information should make your transition to parenthood a little easier and cheaper to boot.
