The moment of your baby’s birth is approaching, and you are clutching your head in a panic that you have nothing ready for its appearance? Come to the children's store, and you have your eyes widen in the widest assortment of children's accessories? Let's try to make a list of necessary things for newborns together.
Prepare the room
First, we will arrange a corner for the long-awaited baby. The center of habitat in the first months of a child's life is a crib. Choose a product made from natural materials. It is best to buy a wooden convertible bed, so that after a few years, a grown child is also comfortable sleeping. Shake her. The crib should make smooth oscillatory movements, without sharp knocks and resistance.
The mattress in the bed should be made of natural filler and high-quality fabric, as well as a blanket for the newborn. Do not overload the berth with bumpers with numerous frills, they collect a lot of dust and prevent the baby from observing the world around him. And do not hang canopies, they restrict access to fresh air.
Also in the furniture department it is worth paying attention to changing tables for newborns. They are convenient not only for changing diapers and changing clothes for the baby, but also for storing his things and other accessories. Most often, a table is chosen in the tone of the crib.
Buy furniture without sharp corners, because the main thing for you and your baby is maximum safety.
Get some toys suitable for age. On the bed you can hang a carousel with a pleasant calm melody. Not so long ago, special soft toys appeared and instantly became popular. When you click on the built-in speaker, they make a subtle noise that resembles the sound in the womb. This calms the baby and helps him fall asleep faster.
Bed dress
In the first days of a child’s life, experts advise using cotton fabrics. Do not take bright bedding for babies. Some manufacturers use synthetic fibers to make it look prettier and not wrinkle. In addition, dyes can cause an allergic reaction on the skin of the baby. Coarse calico and calico sets are good to use, they absorb moisture, are easily washable and harmless to the baby.
When choosing bedding for a newborn, abandon quilling, lace and satin inserts. This is useless for the child, and all this beauty can interfere with his body movements.
Buy three sets at once, since the baby needs to change bedding more often. And be sure to do easy washing and ironing. If the fabric is shed, use it for the baby is not worth it.
Take a suitable set of laundry. In large duvet covers and pillowcases, the child can get confused, and small ones will form unnecessary density and lumps in the blanket for the newborn.
Bathing accessories
Incredibly pleasant and touching moment - bathing the baby. To ensure that the process is also safe, when buying a bath for newborns, pay attention to the following details:
- The base should not be slippery, so you can use special rugs.
- Check for drainage, it is convenient to use for changing water and its easy removal.
Often baths for newborns come complete with speed bumps. They are attached using silicone suction cups and prevent the child from slipping in the water. However, experience shows that this is not always convenient. Perhaps the baby will want to move the arms and legs during water procedures. This task will help to cope with a circle for bathing newborns. It is fixed on the neck of the baby, which allows him to freely splash around in the bath. This facilitates the procedure for parents (no need to hold the baby in their arms), and you can safely soap all parts of the body.
In addition to the bath and the circle for bathing newborns, carefully choose a sponge or soft washcloth. For a very small crumb, the first time you can wash without it, just with soapy hands. But if you decide to buy it, take a natural washcloth or a foam sponge, possibly a terry mitten. Such a bright accessory will serve as a toy for the child in the future, as soon as he begins to distinguish colors and objects.
Hygiene products
Despite the huge variety of soap accessories for the child, buying everything in large quantities is not worth it. Excessive use of them can cause an allergic reaction on the skin of the baby.
For bathing you will need a children's gel or shampoo “no tears”, which indicate the age 0+ or there is an inscription “from birth”.
Choose liquid soap for washing the baby from trusted manufacturers and do not immediately buy large packages, it is likely that a child will not suit one or another product.
From hygiene products for newborns, you will need more wet wipes. But experts advise them to be used only if there is no way to rinse the child with water. The composition of wipes should be free of cosmetic fragrances and allergens. This is worth considering when choosing diapers for the baby.
Do not forget to buy a powder or diaper cream among the products for newborns to prevent diaper rash.
To care for the child, scissors will be needed to cut the nails. For safety, take with rounded tips, they will not allow to injure the baby.
You will also need baby oil. After bathing, they need to easily wipe the whole body of the newborn, each fold. Oil soothes the skin, creates a protective layer, prevents diaper rash. Doctors advise him even with diaper dermatitis. It should contain only natural ingredients, be hypoallergenic and have no smell, only a slight aroma of herbs is possible.
Feeding Supplies
No matter how you plan to feed the baby, breast or formula, anyway, you will need bottles for newborns. They come in handy when you need to go away. Your baby will be fed breast milk or a mixture. You can also give your child a drink of water.
For the first time, 100-150 ml bottles are suitable. In shape, they can be wide or elongated cylindrical. On sale appeared new items in this area - anti-colic bottles for newborns. Their design prevents the baby from swallowing air, which prevents the formation of colic. Mostly plastic products go on sale. It is easy to wash, it is light, but has the property to evaporate, so such bottles must be changed. Glass seldom can be found on the shelves of pharmacies or children's stores, but they are safer, they are easy to sterilize and handle. The nipple is usually complete with a bottle, but there is a chance that the baby will not like it. Therefore, it is worth taking nipples from different materials: silicone and latex. New products must be sterilized. Also, when caring for the baby's dishes, you need a special brush.
Baby Clothing
When choosing clothes for a baby’s wardrobe, one's eyes run wide, I want to buy up the whole store of small cute clothes. But what of all this will be the most necessary?
First of all, pay attention to the quality of products. The fabric should be soft, pleasant, without synthetic additives. Avoid too bright colors and extra accessories, they can cause discomfort to the baby. Clothing should be easy to put on and take off.
Baby's undershirts, like other things, choose according to the time of the baby’s birth year. In the summer, thinner materials that absorb moisture and allow the skin to breathe, such as a bike, chintz, cotton, are suitable. In colder weather you will need knitwear. Take vests for newborns with sewn-in scratches, they will not fall at night, and the baby will not scare himself with uncontrolled arms.
Choose a larger size sliders, as there should be room for a diaper. It should be borne in mind that natural fabrics sit down after washing. The elastic should not be tight, it is better to take on buttons or ties.
When choosing a hat, also consider the time of year. For the summer, these are bonnets for newborns from cotton fabric, in cooler weather - fleece hats, in the future they can be worn under a hood or other headdress. For winter, you should buy a knitted or terry hat. It should cover the ears, half of the forehead, part of the baby's cheeks. If the hat sits freely, it is better to put on a cap under the bottom for newborns on a fleece basis, so the baby will not be blown away by the wind.
A mandatory part of a child’s wardrobe is socks. Little feet of a baby with immature immunity must be hidden even in the summer. Stock up on thin socks for newborns for home use and warm ones for walking. The fabric should allow air to pass through and absorb moisture so that the baby's legs do not sweat. Cotton knitwear or fabric with the addition of elastane is suitable for this occasion. They are more careful with woolen products, they can cause discomfort, they should be worn for a walk when additional heat is needed. The elastic should be wide and soft. Choose socks for newborns in calm tones, without additional interfering details.
Jumpsuit for baby
As you know, heat transfer in a child is different from an adult formed organism, therefore, when going for a walk, consider weather conditions. In the hot season, he can’t resist wrapping him up, as he can quickly overheat, but in winter he should dress the baby warmer. To do this, you need to choose the right jumpsuit for newborns.
For a baby, the best-fit model is suitable. So, accidentally, part of the body will not be exposed, and the wind will not blow into the vacant space, which will prevent the baby from catching a cold. If the birth falls in the spring, a transformer jumpsuit will be convenient. Using buttons and zippers, you can transform it from a warm envelope into a suit with panties. You can wear it a couple of seasons, and take it to grow. In the spring, while the child does not hold the head, it will be convenient to carry it in an envelope, and when it grows up, in the fall, wear it like a jumpsuit.
As with any kidswear, choose natural fabrics. Toddlers are very sensitive to synthetics. It can cause irritation on delicate skin or even allergies. It is better to choose waterproof fabric from the outside. Rub it in your hands: if there are traces of paint on your fingers, you should not buy such a thing. Overalls insulation for newborns depends on the climate. Sheepskin protects from harsh winters; for a temperate climate, holofiber or sintepon is suitable.
Everything you need for a walk
The most difficult and expensive purchase that is before the birth of a baby is, of course, a stroller. It will be more profitable to purchase a 2-in-1 device. While the child is very small, a cradle is used. As soon as he learns to sit, she is replaced by a walking block. For better cross-country, choose a chassis with inflatable tires. Ride the stroller in the store, it should be easy to operate. Try to add it yourself, because your husband will not always be there to help you with this. Weight is of great importance, consider where you will move with it, whether it will fit in the elevator and whether it will be appropriate in other situations. If you plan to carry the baby in the car, you may be more suitable model 3-in-1. In addition to the cradle and the walking block, it includes an infant carrier or baby carrier. The set of strollers now includes many accessories that will greatly facilitate your stay on the street with your child: a mosquito net, a raincoat, a bag, mittens from the cold, a bottle stand and other items. Options may vary by model and manufacturer.
If you go with your child where it’s difficult to go with a stroller, a baby carrier in the form of an ergonomic backpack or sling will help out. The baby will be calmer next to you, and you can safely move around, because the weight of the child is evenly distributed in the form of a load across the back. A very small baby is recommended to lie down, so in a sling it will be more comfortable for him to sleep until you decide all your business, and it’s much more convenient to feed a baby in it.
When you decide to switch to artificial feeding, always carry a bottle of warm mixture with you. A special thermal bag will help to keep the temperature. It is made of heat-insulating material, which allows the contents to cool more slowly.
Things for the newborn in the hospital
From the 36th week of pregnancy you should have a bag ready. Each maternity hospital has its own rules, and usually in such an institution they present a list of necessary things to take with you. Now in stores you can find a ready-made kit for newborns. In addition to documents and things for mom, you need to put the following for the baby:
- Diapers Often in hospitals there is a shortage of them, so take a pair of thin and a pair of warm diapers. The fabric should be soft, without bright patterns and synthetic fibers. Wash and stroke them before putting them in your bag.
- Socks. Several pairs, they are worn by the baby from the moment of birth.
- Hats. They are also worn from the first minutes of life. It is better to take a pair of thin hats without ties.
- Diapers. In baby products you can find the right size. You need one, also on the packaging in English letters should be the inscription "Newborn". Choose diapers without perfumes and additives in order to avoid allergic reactions. They must quickly absorb moisture, consist of environmentally friendly materials and be breathable. Yes, maybe a certain company will not suit you, do not be alarmed, many parents are faced with this, just change the manufacturer.
- Baby soap. It is more convenient to use a liquid product with a neutral pH, which will not cause irritation and dryness of delicate baby skin. Do not take with dyes, flavors, fragrances and other excipients, they are strictly contraindicated only for babies born. The only thing that does not hinder the composition of the soap is depanthenol. It helps relieve irritation and soothe the skin.
- Powder. Used when changing a diaper, absorbs excess moisture and protects against skin friction. Powder is a powder of talcum powder, which has a natural origin. It is completely safe for the baby. You can also put cream under the diaper in the kit for the newborn. It is an alternative to powder hygiene, protects the baby's skin and relieves itching and irritation. Pay attention to the date and time of manufacture.
- Wet wipes are also included in the list of necessary things for newborns. They cleanse the baby's skin well, without leaving a sticky layer. Napkins are always useful in any situation, and not just the baby.
- Cotton pads and cotton buds. Useful for cleansing the baby's navel.
- Disposable diapers. Be prepared that only the baby will be constantly visited by doctors, and therefore often undress and examine him. Absorbable disposable diapers are useful for taking air baths. The baby the first time in a day can be emptied up to 30 times, so such a thing would be most welcome.
- Set for discharge. You can take it with you or leave it at home so that relatives can bring it later, so as not to burden your bag. It includes a costume for the baby with a hat and an envelope. Choose a kit in accordance with the time of year for which the birth of a child is designed. Modern envelopes are more functional. They are transformed, and after the ceremonial discharge they can be used as a blanket or rug for the baby.
What to keep in a medicine cabinet for a newborn
In order to be ready for any emergency, in addition to cosmetics for the hygiene of the child, one should also stock up on medicines. The list of necessary things for newborns, which should be in the first-aid kit, includes:
- One percent alcoholic diamond solution (popularly known as greenback).
- Five percent alcohol solution of iodine.
- A three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide.
- Potassium permanganate.
- Sterile cotton.
- Thermometer for water.
- Soft-tip syringes.
- Pipettes.
These inexpensive tools at hand should always be in stock. They are useful not only for a child, but also for an adult. Some medications will not be superfluous in the medicine cabinet.
- Paracetamol antipyretic drugs, release form in the form of rectal suppositories. Babies are forbidden drugs containing aspirin and dipyrone, each pharmacist knows this and will help you choose the right medicine.
- Antiviral suppositories for the treatment of influenza and other colds. The most famous and appointed - "Viferon", they must be stored in the refrigerator.
- A solution of seawater or saline to wash the baby’s nose. With a runny nose, the nozzles will help the aspirator. It is inexpensive, but effective, and the child will breathe calmly all night. Sprays and nasal drops are prohibited for the newborn.
- Suspension against intestinal colic and excessive gas formation. There are many effective remedies; they help quickly and without further harm to the body. You can also give your baby dill water, which prevents the accumulation of gas bubbles. Include in the list of necessary things for the newborn a heating pad. When the baby will be tormented by abdominal pains, attach a heating pad, it will calm and warm it.
- It is recommended to buy antihistamines for rashes and allergic reactions according to a doctor’s prescription, since not all medicines can come from such an early age.
- The most necessary remedy that you must have is Bepanten ointment. She will save the baby from irritation, sweating, diaper rash and dryness. Bepanten also treats cracks in the nipples, so it’s wise to immediately take it to the hospital, any doctor will advise you.
The list of items for newborns may vary. Fortunately, in our modern time everything can be easily and quickly bought at the nearest children's store and pharmacy, the choice is huge. Every year on sale are new devices and tools to facilitate the care of the baby.
Remember hygiene, because only a baby who is born is very sensitive to his environment. Put things in order in the room, wash all things, iron, disinfect bottles, nipples, toys. Remember the health of your child, do not buy goods of dubious origin and little-known brands.