28 Must Buy Items For Your Newborn Baby

July 2, 2008

photo by M. Cleveland

I remember vaguely that when I was pregnant with my son, Ashton, I was so excited that my shopping spree for baby starts when I was into the fifth month of my pregnancy.  Well, I wished I could have started off earlier but my very bad mornng sickness kept me at home.  However, during the second pregnancy with Ashlyn, I did minimal shopping,  only for the necessities as I realised that I have too much things unused from my first pregnancy. 

I understand the mentality of every new parents-to-be.  They always want the best for their baby especially with the first one.  When I was pregnant with Ashton, I had wanted almost everything brand new.  When relatives passed me used baby clothings, I was critical, thinking that those were old and worn so I kept buying new ones.  Little did I knew baby out grown clothings so rapidly.

Here’s a shopping guide to new parents-to-be so that you won’t overshop.

1. Baby Cot
2. Small little pillow with hollows in the center
3. Bath Tub
4. Milk Bottles - I used Avent milk bottles during the first few months as it helps reduce colic in babies.  Thereafter, I switch to Pigeon brand for the milk bottle when they are older.
5. Long handle spoon for stirring milk
6. Milk Bottles Steriliser
7. Thermal Bag to keep milk warm during outing
8. Breast Pump
9. Disposable breast pad for mums
10. Baby wipes - prepare more of these as new-borns poo more often due to breast feeding
11. Diapers - newborn size (Note: Get a pack first as they outgrown the new born size quite fast)
12. If you have a confinement nanny (Read here for some tips on getting a nanny), you can get some cloth diapers.  Let them wrap the baby with cloth diapers so as to prevent nappy rash.
13. Cream for nappy rashes - some common brand are Drapolene and Johnson n Johnson.  These are usually good enough but if the rashes are bad, you could try Desitin for overnight relief as the effects last longer.  These can be easily purchased from your neighbourhood pharmancy.
14. Face towels - at least a dozen
15. Towels for bath
16. A few set of clothings (day wear and pyjamas)
17. Mittens and booties
18. Stroller (Looking for a new stroller? Check some tips here)
19. A diaper bag for all baby’s barang barang when travelling. 
20. A little thermal flask, just in case you need to make milk for the baby during an outing
21. Alcohol wipes (that’s for them to clean their umbilical cord during their initial few days.  If I am not wrong, the hospital does provides a few pieces.  If that’s enough for your usage, you can skip it.
22. Cotton buds
23. Small bottle of baby oil
24. Facial cottons - to clean baby’s face
25. Small container for putting sterile water - for cleaning of baby’s delicate eyes
26. Pacifier
27. Gripe Water - for colicky babies
28. Baby detergent

These are the essential shopping that I have done.  Hope it serves as a check list for new parents.  If I leave out any essentials, I encourage experience parents to share their views. 

Posted in Baby Accessories