There’s nothing more exciting than bringing a baby into the world. It’s the best time to cherish and celebrate life, and you should treat it accordingly. However, if you’re the new parent, you cannot stop but wonder what changes this event brings because you need to adjust your life to ensure your little one gets everything they need. As exciting as it is, the road ahead will definitely include several twists and turns, and you should get ready for the unexpected. Because this is your first time doing this, you might not know exactly what things you need around the house to usher your little one into the world.
Your first instinct is to make multiple lists of “necessary” items, but it doesn’t have to be like this. You shouldn’t add items to your shopping cart glassy-eyed and get into parenthood panic mode, but try to identify the real necessities.
We put together a general list of items all new parents need around the house to make it easier for you. Let’s explore it together.
Nursery essentials
The nursery you’re designing for your baby is a far cry from the one your parents used to raise you, and it serves your and your baby’s needs better. The developments in technology and nursing advancements will help you create a nurturing, welcoming, and safe environment for your little one as a new parent.
The first items you should shop for are the crib, storage solutions, and a diaper changing station. Your baby needs a place to sleep when you bring them home. There are plenty of items to store to care for them properly, and a diaper changing station would make your life way easier. It’s best to shop for the crib and crib mattress a couple of months before welcoming the baby because finding the ideal model for your baby might be challenging.
Depending on the available space, you might also be able to include a white noise machine, humidifier, rocking chair, hamper, and baby monitor in the nursery.
Linens and sleep essentials
You’ll quickly learn that there is no greater joy as a new parent than having a soundly sleeping baby. However, it takes a lot of effort to create a warm, comfortable, and snuggly place for them to fall asleep easily. You need to research what the best crib clothing and padding is and ensure you also get a waterproof liner. Depending on the weather, you might need blankets of different thicknesses and weights to help your baby sleep comfortably. But it’s essential to bear in mind that the crib shouldn’t include too much bedding because it can disrupt your child’s breathing.
Besides the above items you will also need an ironing board if you don’t have one because it’s advisable to iron your baby’s linens and clothes. There will also be times when you’ll need warm clothes for the baby to soothe their tummy pains, so make sure you find one that makes it easy for you to iron the items. Another solution is to purchase just a table top ironing board suppose you have limited space.
Here is a short list of what you will need: cotton blankets, receiving blankets, wearable blankets, swaddles, mattress pads, and waterproof liners.
Diapering essentials
Another important step in preparing for the arrival of a baby is to consider how you’ll manage the several diapers you need to change daily. Document several and decide if you prefer to use disposable diapers, cloth diapers, or a combination of the models. If you’re looking for a money-saving solution, you might prefer cloth diapers, but as expected, they will require extra effort because you need to clean and launder them. You can also find hybrid diapers on the market that you can reuse and flush or compost when they are no longer useful.
You also have to use baby wipes, which come in several options, so you need to decide if you prefer to use dry or pre-moistened, and reusable or disposable ones. Parents often use a mix of them because each is more useful in particular situations and you want to be ready for all scenarios.
Keeping your baby clean during the first years of life will prove both challenging and an around-the-clock effort.
Feeding essentials
Another vital need of your baby is feeding, and you should be ready for the special feeding schedule of a newborn. There are several aspects to consider when it comes to feeding and it’s advisable to start with consulting a pediatrician so they can provide you recommendations on baby nutrition. Depending on your child’s special needs, you might even have to adapt their diet to ensure they get the optimal nutrients. Another important decision the mother should make is if she prefers formula or breastfeeding. Suppose you have to opt for a formula; several items are required, and you should start looking for accessories in advance to get a good offer for them. On the other hand, if you opt for breastfeeding, you should purchase nursing tank tops and bras because they differ from regular ones and meet your needs better.
Here is a short list of items you need to make the feeding process easier: burp cloths, milk bottles, nursing pillow, bottle brush, formula, nursing bra, nursing tank top, insulated bottle holder, nursing pads for brad, breast pump, bibs, lanolin nipple cream, milk storage bottles and bags, and a high chair.
As your baby starts interacting with the world, you will have to expand the list of essentials, but you have some time until that happens to prepare for the next stage of raising a baby. At the moment, it’s paramount to focus on transforming your house into an ideal place for a baby to ensure they are safe and comfortable and you have everything you need during the first weeks after you bring them home. Remember that you should also prioritize your needs because your health and state of mind directly impact your baby’s wellbeing.
