Baby Shopping Essentials

They include:

• The coming home outfit Your baby will be going out of a protected environment for the first time so he will need some extra protection. If the weather is cold then you should cover your baby in an extra layer of clothes. If the weather is hot then it is alright to take him out in a single layer, but it is advisable to use a sun hat or a blanket shade to protect him from overexposure to the sun
• Some basic clothes Comfort is the word. Your baby’s skin is super sensitive, so make sure the fabric you choose is soft and does not rub roughly on the skin. Buy body suits, socks, lots of small towels, vests, mittens, and bibs
• Easily manageable Buy clothes that are easy slip-ins and takeoffs. Also, ensure that you buy 100% cotton clothes and prefer the ones that can be washed in the machine – you do not want to spend time doing the laundry when other things are far, far more important

2. Nursery Items

The nursery is the place where your baby will spend most of his time. At the same time, it will be the place where you will store the things to take care of your baby. So, make sure you have the following items ready:

• Cot or Bassinette Though parents prefer cots more than Bassinets nowadays if you find it more convenient to use them, it is absolutely fine. Just make sure that it has wheels which you can lock and that it fits properly on its stand. Cots and cribs are more in trend now. They will be more than just a bed to your baby because they will be able to play as well as sleep in it
• Sleeping Soft baby bedding, cot sheets, or baby bottom sheets are some essentials for sleep. A crib or a Moses basket or a cot, as your preference would be
• Changing-table It will be a very helpful thing for you as the traps provided will help hold the baby still while you do the changing; probably 10 nappies a day!
• Cot or crib mattress Choose a breathable one with an easily detachable, zippered outside cover.

Though you would be tempted to fill the baby nursery with the choicest of baby gear and furniture, we’d suggest you limit yourself on the essentials only.

3. Baby Bathing Items

A baby’s bathing time is very special both for the baby as well as the mother. The bath will help your baby relax and also give you a chance to bond with your baby. The experience should be fun, hygienic, and safe. These items are a must-

• Bathtub – it should be clean, preferably with round and soft corners, and should be comfortable for the baby
• Baby soap and shampoo – buy baby products with pH of 5.5
• Hooded towels to keep your baby warm after a bath. Hooded towels also help wrap the baby after the bath
• Baby lotion, petroleum jelly, or nappy rash cream

Baby bathing can be a delicate affair, not only do you need to be careful while bathing your little baby, but also confident.

4. Feeding Supplies

After you have decided whether to bottle-feed or breast-feed your baby you should definitely keep the feeding supplies ready to fill that little tummy.

Breastfeeding Essentials

• Breast pump – this will help you pump the milk and store in bottles
• Nursing bras – buy at least 3 pairs so as to enable you to change every day
• Breastfeeding support pillow
• Other essentials required would be nipple shields, Maternity pads
• Breast milk freezer storage containers

Bottle Feeding Essentials

Feeding bottles, teats, and other sterilizing equipment should be kept ready.

• Feeding bottles – Preferably glass or good plastic
• Burp clothes, and bibs – you’d find them handy
• Nipples
• Infant formula

5. Diapering Supplies

One of the most important and perhaps most required items from the moment the baby arrives is nappies. Newborn babies’ nappies need to be changed at least 10-12 times a day. If you plan to use cloth nappies, keep a good stock of nappies so that if someday you do not wash them, you still have some the next day. It is good to keep some disposable ones too. You would require baby wipes and cotton wool for changing nappies.

You should be ready with:

• Diapers or nappies – you can opt for disposable diapers or cloth nappies
• Baby wipes – buy the ones that are moisturized, unscented, and free from alcohol
• Changing mat and changing table
• Rash cream, baby powder, nappy liners, and a bag that contains all the essentials

Many parents like to leave the baby without any nappy or diaper for a few hours every day. That is not a bad thing either!!

6. Travel Gear

When you take the baby from the hospital or take him out after a few days of birth, you should have the following-

• Stroller
• Child car resistant
• Care seats

Though not compulsory in India, many countries as a rule do not allow parents to take the baby, home without a car seat!

7. Some Extras

Some optional stuff that you may think of going for are bibs, a diaper changing table, baby nail clippers, baby’s brush or comb. Also, you may need: 

• Baby monitor
• Toy bin
• Burp clothes
• Night lights
• Slings and Baby Carriers

 Buying a baby’s essential items before the baby arrives is a wise decision, but it is also recommended that you do not go overboard with the shopping. Not only will it save time, but will also make it easy to take good care of your little one from the day she is born. If you do not have anyone to help, it becomes even more difficult to shop after the baby’s birth – delivery blues, stitches, and the fact that the baby needs you 24/7.

We are sure there are hundreds of other things you would have wanted to include in the list because when you are a parent, you can’t stop thinking of things useful for your baby. We are sure the list is endless, but the above-mentioned things are the ones you simply cannot afford to miss.