Baby shopping list
Despite the enormous variety of baby equipment available these days, buying for your baby needn’t cost the earth. Newborns only need a few essential items and you’re likely to receive plenty of useful gifts once your baby arrives.
Here are the necessities you won’t want to be without:
Baby feeding equipment
If you’re planning to breastfeed your baby, you’ll need some supportive, easy opening nursing bras. Breast pads will help to soak up any leaks. Expressing your milk requires a little more gear: a breast pump, storage containers, bottles, teats and sterilising equipment.
Nappy changing
Even if you’re planning to use washable nappies, it’s useful to have disposables ready for the busy first days with your newborn. You’ll need a changing mat and toiletries, as well as a bag to carry changing gear for when you’re away from home. A changing table or station is useful if you don’t have a suitable surface in your home already. Changing nappies at waist height is much kinder on your back than having to bend over.
Baby clothes
You’ll naturally want your baby to be warm and comfortable and you’ll need enough clothes for frequent changes. Bear in mind your baby will grow quickly though, so you’ll only need a few of each item at most.
The essentials: at least 6 babygros and vests, a few tops with poppers for easier nappy changes, two or three cardigans, socks, a hat, and mittens to protect their face from scratchy fingernails. Many mums buy muslin squares to protect their own clothes from spills and dribbles.
Sleeping
A portable Moses basket or carrycot is the perfect bed for your baby’s first few weeks so that you can keep them close by while they sleep. Soft baby bedding will provide comfort, while a baby monitor and room thermometer will give you peace of mind.
Bathing and washing
Some parents like to buy a baby bath, but a standard washing up bowl will do the job just as well. Regular soaps and shampoos are often too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin: specially made baby washes are much gentler.
Travelling
Before your baby’s first journey by car, you’ll need to have a car seat ready and fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The back seat of the car is the safest place for your baby, and is the only place they should ever travel if your car has airbags. You should never buy a used car seat – if it’s been involved in an accident it may not offer sufficient protection.
When choosing a pram or pushchair, there are a huge number of options for every budget. You’ll need to consider various factors. Does it allow your baby to lie completely flat to protect their growing spine? Is it easy to adjust? Is it comfortable for you and your partner to push? Does it have space to store a changing bag and other items?
Eco and budget-friendly ideas
You may well find that friends and family members have lots of barely-used baby clothes and other items that you’ll only need for a short while. Writing a wish list of things you may need will point people in the right direction, if they’d like to buy or give you something.
If you’ve got any questions, the chances are that our team of experts have been there themselves - give them a call on 0800 996 1000. Or you can reach them on our one-to-one online messaging service Live Chat, 8am to 8pm.