The period before the birth of a new family member can be extremely stressful, particularly when you are expecting your first child. In that situation, everything is new and you have neither a point of comparison nor experience to guide you when choosing your first pram, cot or set of clothes. Young parents often ask themselves: what should we buy? Will a particular item definitely be useful? This post explains which items you absolutely need to obtain when you are expecting a baby.
Supporting Good-Quality Sleep
A cot is unquestionably the most important item in a baby's room, because during the early stage of development babies can sleep for as many as 21 hours a day. It should have all the necessary safety certifications. To make the little one's sleep comfortable and safe, suitable cot accessories need to be selected. In addition to a comfortable, flexible mattress that must adapt to the position taken by the child, the bedding under which they will sleep is very important. A baby's delicate skin is highly sensitive to artificial materials, which can easily trigger an allergic reaction. It is therefore important for the bedding to be made entirely from natural materials. Soft cotton or bamboo viscose will work very well; bamboo viscose is also a desirable fabric because of its antifungal and hygroscopic properties. New parents also often purchase a baby wrap, sleeping bag or swaddle. It is worth checking whether these accessories have hypoallergenic properties. Blankets are also a good purchase. You can buy one thinner blanket and one thicker one. An all-season bamboo blanket, which has excellent properties.
Your Baby's First Clothes
If we have no experience with clothes for a little one, we should choose garments for the first months of life carefully, paying particular attention to a few basic matters. One of these is the right material. The best are natural fabrics, without artificial additives, e.g. 100% cotton. Only clothing of this kind will not irritate a newborn's sensitive skin.
What size should you start with? This can be tricky because some babies are born larger and others smaller. It is best to have several items of clothing in sizes 56 to 68 ready from the start. Newborns can grow very quickly, and this will save new parents time spent rushing to the shops and buying new clothes as they are needed. The larger clothes will already be waiting in the wardrobe when the baby grows into them. After all, they will be used sooner or later.
The essentials in a child's wardrobe are long- and short-sleeved bodysuits. They can be useful throughout the year. The source suggests buying five in each size, with five pairs of leggings or footed trousers to accompany the bodysuits. It also describes sleepsuits as practical baby clothing and suggests five to seven in the smallest and next size. Full-length front fastenings can make tasks such as nappy changes easier. Season also matters: in autumn and winter, the source recommends additional garments in thicker fabric, as well as a snowsuit or sleeping bag.
Caring for a Child's Skin and Health
Baby-care products are an essential part of every set of newborn essentials and should be chosen carefully. Products intended for a newborn must be particularly gentle. Hundreds of different products are available on the market, making it very difficult to choose the best ones. When preparing newborn essentials, select products from those available at a pharmacy. This will provide maximum protection for the baby's delicate skin. Here is a list of cosmetics to keep close at hand:
- a bath wash suitable for use from the baby's first days,
- an emollient oil for the skin,
- nappy-rash cream or ointment,
- a face and body cream formulated to moisturise the baby's skin,
- wet wipes,
- cotton pads and cotton buds,
- nail scissors that will help prevent scratches,
- a soft-bristled brush,
- a nasal aspirator or bulb syringe,
- saline solution,
- umbilical disinfectant.
Preparing for a baby's arrival can involve many decisions. Alongside a safe sleep space and clothing, families may need basic items for everyday care. It can help to prepare essential supplies in advance and leave time to add anything missing, while adapting the timing and shopping arrangements to the pregnant person's health, energy, budget and circumstances.