First Weeks Essentials for Your Baby
When you’re expecting a baby you feel overwhelmed and you want to provide everything you can for it, from a pacifier to a cradle. This is fine, but you should first make a list with the stuff that is the priority rather than buying all you find cute. There are some essential things that cannot be missed and in this article, we will mention them and explain the ways of using them.
1. Diapers
You can use disposable diapers or cloth diapers. In Australia water consumption is an issue, so many people advise against using cloth diapers since you need to use a lot of water to wash them properly. This question has its pros and cons and you can investigate further to see if this type of diaper is the one you would like to use for your baby.
An average baby needs its diapers to be changed about 8-10 times daily and the size you need in the beginning is newborn, but some babies that are born a little bit bigger can fit into size 1. Don’t forget the wipes since your baby will need cleaning each time you change the diapers.
2. Car seat
If you have a car then it will have to be adjusted to your newborn. A car seat is very important because you can’t transport a baby in your car if you don’t have one. The very same day you go from the hospital to your home, you are going to need it, so make sure you have it installed in your car and that you have followed all the safety measures.
3. Newborn baby clothes
The quantity is less important than the quality in this case. What matters is that your newborn gets the right clothes when it comes to comfort and temperature. You will have a lot of clothes anyway from different relatives and friends and you don’t have to worry about the quantity. Besides that, your baby will grow fast, so buy moderately because many clothes will not be used after a while.
In Australia, the weather is hot, so baby clothes from Australia are not designed to be excessively warm, but it is always useful to have a couple of baby blankets or sweaters and a hat to protect the baby from the sun. The materials should be natural, like cotton. It is good to have onesies with both short and long sleeves, some nightgowns to sleep, cotton caps, and some socks.
4. A crib for your baby
Whether it is a small or a big one, the crib must be safe, tucked, and cozy. Your baby will spend a lot of time there since newborns tend to sleep for more than half of a day. Along with the crib, you are going to need a mattress that is firm and that fits well into the crib. After that, some waterproof mattress cover and a couple of sheets. Pillows and blankets should not be used in the crib because of the risk of SIDS. Babies don’t need a pillow anyway, and instead of a blanket, get a special sleeping bag for babies.
5. Bottles and formula
Breastfeeding should always be your first choice when it comes to feeding the baby. For those women who chose not to breastfeed or are unable to breastfeed, using formula is inevitable. You need to have enough bottles and formula at hand so that there is never any shortage of them. The baby will have to eat every couple of hours. The bottles are different and there are many brands and sizes available. Make sure you choose those that are BPA-free (bisphenol A) since this industrial chemical is not recommendable. Also, the nipple should be slow flow and of a large base for newborns.
When it comes to types of formulas they can be ready-to-use, liquid concentrate, and powder. They can also be based on different sorts of milk, like cow milk, soy milk, or lactose-free. Since the digestive system is different in every person, you might make a couple of mistakes in the beginning but soon you will know what suits your baby the most.
In Conclusion
As you are preparing for one of the happiest days of your life, you probably feel a little bit anxious, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. We prepared this article so that you can have a small list of the most important things to have for your newborn at least for the first week. Later on, you can get more stuff as your baby grows and develops.
