Newborn Checklist: Must Have For The First Year

Regina Dinges - 24 Jul 17

As you are preparing for a baby, you have to shop a lot. Most mothers know that they will need to shop for different items, but a significant percentage of moms do not know what they need to buy. First time parents seem to have the hardest time shopping for baby products, and most will spend almost all the money on clothes. It is a fact that clothes are one of the crucial things that you need not only for the newborn’s first year but for the entire time that he will be under your care. But it is important for parents to know that there are many other things that you need to ensure comfort, safety and healthy growth of the newborn in the first year.

Here is a small checklist of the must-haves for the infant’s first year of life.

#1 Baby Clothing

Clothing is one of those things that no mother can ever forget about when shopping for a newborn. Most will invest a lot of their money on clothes to ensure that their child always looks neat and cute. But it is important to know that baby clothing is not just about buying some attractive pants and tops because there are some basics that he needs. To make sure that your kid has everything that he needs you should make a small list of the necessary clothes to buy. The list should include undershirts, sleepers, pants, hats, socks and booties, mittens, cardigans/jackets and detergent to wash the clothes. You can have as many of these items as you want according to your financial state.

#2 Sleeping Essentials

It is important to plan for your baby’s sleep long before you give birth because he will spend most of his time snoozing in the first year. You need to invest in a high-quality bassinet or crib that is baby-friendly and with all the safety certifications. A firm mattress is also vital, and you should make sure that whatever you buy will not indent when you lay the child on it. For the beddings, you will only need about five fitting sheets that are ideal for use with the type of (and size) mattress that you buy. A couple of waterproof covers, a few light blankets, a night light, and swaddling blanket are also vital.

#3 Diapers

As you are preparing to welcome your newborn into this world, you will need to decide on whether you want to use disposable or cloth diapers. Both have pros and cons that you should know so as to make up your mind. Also, make sure that you go for something convenient for you, and that will offer the infant maximum comfort. Also, make sure that you go for the right size and that you compare several types and brands before choosing the best. And that you also buy overnight diapers for use when the baby is sleeping. Apart from diapers you also need to buy baby wipes, a changing pad/table, waterproof covers and cream for preventing rashes.

#4 Feeding Essentials

Whether you intend to breastfeed the newborn exclusively or not, there are many feeding essentials that you will need. Breastfeeding moms will need to buy a nursing pillow to support the baby as he feeds and some burp clothes. Lanolin ointment and gel packs (cold or warm) for dealing with sore nipples and breasts are also essential. Feeding bottles, breast pump, breast milk storage bags, and formula if you do not intend to breastfeed are the other must-haves for feeding.

#5 Bath Time

Although babies always look clean, they still need to bath regularly. And so you will need to ensure that you have everything that you need for this. Moms need to invest in some good baby towels, washcloths, a baby hair brush with soft bristles and an infant tub. A good baby soap or shampoo is also essential, and it is important to make sure that whatever you buy has a precise formulation for use by newborns and that it does not contain any harmful chemicals. Some baby cream and moisturizer for applying after bath are also important as they will help to keep his skin soft and healthy.

The comfort, health, and safety of your infant should always be your top concern. This checklist will ensure that you buy everything that he will need. But there are a few other items such as baby monitor, first aid kit, baby soothers and toys that you will also need to buy to make life even more comfortable for him. Lastly, parents should be very keen when buying these items so as to ensure that they get the best quality for their infant.

Regina Dinges

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