The Newborn Checklist

Isla Ann Wright - 13 Nov 17

New parents have a lot on their plate: not only is there life a new person and a new regime in their life, but their homes are also turning upside down. There are so many new things brought into the house that it is so hard to keep up with everything. But everything that the newborn will need needs to be acquired ahead of time, and the best way to make sure you’re not forgetting anything is to make a checklist, station by station:

Sleeping station

In their first few months, your baby is going to spend the majority of the time sleeping. This means a lot of the time spent in and around the crib.

Crib – a good crib will last your baby for a long time, and will potentially be used by others after your child.

Mattress – a good mattress is extremely important because your baby will be spending a lot of time on it, and you want them to be comfortable and able to sleep through the night.

Bedding – You want to make sure that all of the cot bedding is high quality and very soft. You want to also have several sets because accidents will happen and you will be changing the bedding often.

Blankets – Like the rest of the items on the bed, you want the blankets nice and soft, made out of natural materials that will be gentle on the baby’s skin.

Feeding station

Whether you are breastfeeding or not, you need quite a bit of equipment to make sure your baby is properly fed.

Bottles – You want to have at least four bottles, equipped with newborn nipples to be sure your baby can drink without problems.

Burp cloths – Parenthood is a messy job and you will find yourself washing endless burp cloths every day, but to start off you should be set with about six pieces.

Breastfeeding equipment – If you are breastfeeding, then you should get a nursing pillow, breast pump and nursing bras to make your life a bit more comfortable.

Changing station

Welcome to the joys of parenthood and diapers. Lots of diapers. You need to make the choice whether you will want to use disposable or reusable diapers and get the appropriate equipment.

Diapers – The most important thing to remember is not to buy too many diapers at once. Your baby’s skin might not react well to the brand you bought, or the fit just won’t be comfortable, so don’t splurge in advance until you know it’s the right diapers for your baby.

Wet wipes – wipes and clean, damp cloths will become your best friends and you should always have some on hand, alongside an optional thermos with warm water.

Waterproof changing pads – Marking the designated changing area, you might want to have more than one of these so that you can wash them occasionally.

Bin – Have a trash bin next to the changing station with a lid that creates a solid seal, and make sure you empty the bin out every day.

Clothes

Depending on what season your child is born in, you will want to buy different clothing, but the important thing to remember is that children grow fast, and you should always donate or recycle the clothes they grow out of.

Gloves and socks – Newborns are very prone to having poor circulation in the hand and feet, so especially if your child is born in the winter, you will want to keep them warm, even when inside.

Pajamas – No matter what colour, print or style, you want to make sure that the clothing is the right size, and that the material is soft and natural.

One-pieces – Try to make the clothes as practical as possible for yourself, and one-piece suits that snap at the crotch are ideal, because they mean that the baby’s back won’t be naked when they move around, and you will still have easy access for diaper changing.

Remember that the only “right way” to do things is the way that works for your family, so don’t be afraid of making changes and adapting the system as you go.

Isla Ann Wright

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