With so many baby products on the market it can be completely overwhelming to know what to buy as a first time parent. By the second time around you know what works and what doesn’t because you have tried every product on the market that exists. It can be a very frustrating and costly experience doing it first time around. So here are my tips as to what to buy.
I hope it helps in some way.
First things first - you’re going to need a car seat if you have a car.
I personal love the capsules that are for newborn to around 6 months depending on the size of your baby. These are great for taking in and out of the car when your baby is sleeping (although not for extended periods of time) and wonderful if it is raining and you want to move quickly. They are really simple to use and another bonus is that they attach to most strollers so that you don’t have to carry it everywhere - you simply click and go. However they are not essential if your on a tight budget. The more popular and cost effective is the carseat that is aged from newborn to four years of age and is both rear and forward facing. This is fitted into your car and stays there.
I recommend spending some money (it’s not expensive) on getting your car seat correctly fitted by an expert. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen car seats fitted incorrectly which jeopardises your baby's life if involved in a car accident. Make sure that the straps are not twisted, are over the shoulders and secure. When your baby is older and becomes a little escape artist you can purchase a product from most baby car seat retail shops that will wrap around the seat belts and stop your little Houdini from getting out of the seat belts. Some clever marketing person came out with this product and called it Houdini.
You will need a pram next or a stroller. There is a slight difference in the two. One is like a bassinet on wheels and the other is a chair on wheels. Buying a pram/stroller is a very personal choice as there are quite a few factors to look at. What car do you own and what fits in the boot? What sort of lifestyle do you have - Active, relaxed or maybe travelling? What is the purpose of the pram? How much time do you think you will spend using it over the next three to five years? How many children do you want to have? Do you need or want to replace it if you have a second or third child? This is just a small list of things that you should think about before you buy. Prams and strollers can cost a lot or a little depending on what you are looking for. Do your research and test drive them over and over again at the baby shop. Don’t be surprised if you buy one and you want to sell it four to six months after you bought it because it wasn’t what you expected. This happens more than you realise but by thinking ahead you may just find that you don’t have to do this. If you are interested in refining this selection further, go to our Facebook page or email us and we can help.
When buying a pram/stroller, think about your budget. If you have a small budget and can’t afford to buy all that you want or the item that you want because they are too expensive try to come up with a solution that works for you and solves that problem. You see if you are buying a car seat , pram, cot, change table and nursery furniture you will find it overwhelming but the truth is that not all of these products are necessary to purchase before your baby arrives. As I mentioned you only need a car-seat if you have a car. If you walk everywhere then you will need to make your major purchase your pram - your baby will be more comfortable and they will be spending a lot of time in it.
I recommend that a stroller with a bassinet attachment is great option for those on a budget. You won’t need to buy a cot for about four months after your baby is born (depending on how tall or small your baby is) and this will give you extra time to save if need be. If this is the case find one that has a long base that provides enough room for your baby to grow. Make sure that it has ventilation in the bottom of the bassinet. These can be a little more expensive but worth it if your baby is sleeping solely in this for approximately four months.
If budget isn’t a problem then find one that suits you and your partner and don’t forget the less expensive options don't allow for height adjustments. This can be a factor depending on your height.
Here are a few of my favourites if budget isn’t a factor - these are my unendorsed preferences:
Bugaboo
Stokke
Joolz
Don’t forget that you can gain these second hand and in reasonable condition.
I believe the cot is the easiest decision to make. Choose a colour, style and fit, that works for you. Just keep in mind how long you want it to last. How many children do you want? Will you replace this one or use it again? Do you want a toddler bed incorporated into it? The answer to these questions may eliminate some cots for you but even the less expensive options will get you through until your baby is about two years of age no matter what you choose.
The nursery furniture can be another expensive purchase but I have good news - go to the baby expos. They have a great range of products at great prices. For those on a budget, you may just grab yourself a 'catch of the day' if you get in early and preferably on the first day of the expo. You usually find that the exhibitors are usually willing to sell the furniture that they use throughout the course of the expo to you - the bargains are worth it. Go in at opening on the first day, find what you want, ask the question and see if they will do a cheaper price if you pick it up after the expo is finished. Quite often this is doing them a favour too. You will find all of the things you need at these expos - just do your research before you go and know what you want to purchase. Finally if you do purchase a product stick to your word. Don’t spoil it for others in the future.
You don’t need a lot of nursery furniture as you can change a diaper any where. On a bed, on a rug, on a couch, in the boot of a car… these are all places that you get good at changing your babies bottom when the problem arises (maybe not in the first few weeks but as you become a pro at nappy changes you will use just about any surface). I always like the idea of a mat and a basket. The basket has everything that you need for a change in it and sometimes can even hold the change mat, making it conveient for you. It should contain wipes, nappy sacs (garbage bags for nappies) and of course diapers and cream/lotion if need be. It isn’t fancy but serves its purpose.
The change bench is great for the same reason obviously and it is often more convenient when you have 'baby brain' and can’t remember where you last stored the nappy change basket or even where you changed your baby last. It is also great if you have the option of clothes and/or storage underneath as well. Some of these pieces of furniture cost a little more but again solve the problem of where to store clothes or nappies and some turn into desks making it a long term investment for your child’s bedroom.
When buying clothes, keep it simple for a baby. Comfort and convenience of diaper changes are the key to clothes for a newborn. My recommendation is white in colouring - you can’t see the vomit as much and you can soak them to get the stains out. Sunshine will help with the stains but you can't bleach coloured clothes.
Bottles and a Breast Pump are essential items but if your not sure if you want to breast feed then hire a pump to begin with from your local chemist or hospital. I will go into this in a future post as it is an interesting topic.
You will need a few muslin wraps but don’t go overboard as you will probably get these as presents. In fact if you make a list of what you need for your baby, your friends and family may just want to help you get these items. My suggestion is that you research what you would like and have a list with expensive and less expensive items that cater for everybody.
Here are some suggestions for your list:
Baby bath (you don’t need one unless you only have a shower in your house/apartment)
Organic Shampoo and Conditioner (I recommend getting a product that is gentle on baby skin) but these are not necessary for your newborn at all – just great gift ideas.
Towels
Face cloths/washers
Make up removal pads/cotton balls/cotton buds (all used for bath time with a new born)
Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner (the Conditioner is great for infants with cradle cap – a problem that some newborn babies have)
Newborn Disposable Diapers or Cloth Nappies
Baby wipes
Diaper bin and garbage bags/bin liners for the bin (the purpose made diaper pails are wonderful for the bedroom because they keep the smells at bay and these usually have capsules or bin liners that are made for them). Note: You will only need this if you use disposable nappies.
Nappy pail or Nappy bucket for soaking
Sheets for a cot (x2 at least)
Sheets for a bassinet (if you are getting one or if you are using the pram bassinet)
Blankets (you will need a few - shop around and don’t forget to remember places to get them as your friends and relatives will want to get you things that you will use)
Muslin wraps
Burp cloths
Sophie le’ Giraffe (the baby shop assistants will know this product well! They are one of the best teething toys on the market and more babies love them than not. Be warned they are expensive, so take a breath before looking at the price for what they are. I wish I had of thought of the idea). If you get one make sure you buy the toy cord that goes with them so you don’t lose her in your travels.
Bibs
Spoons/Feeding equipment/Cups
Baby toys and Rattles and
Books
Finally the last few things you will need are:
Diaper Bag (this item is always something that I like to choose myself as it is quite personal, but others don’t really care as long as it does the job. If this is you, then add it to the list of things your favourite people can get for you and baby)
Bottles (once you have decided on the brand you want to use you can always add them to your list) but before you decide on these read my bottle blog first – it may help a little
Steriliser for when you begin feeding with the bottle (These are also great to purchase at the baby expos, but again try to decide on a type of bottle first)
Pacifiers (again choose a brand of shape and go from there) – I find Nuk the best on the market for these. Why? Because the shape assists the baby and stays in his/her mouth much better than any other brand I have used over the past 20 years.
There are bound to be more things on the list that you can add but as you can see setting up to have a newborn baby come home can be expensive. Try not to be overwhelmed. Take your time. If you can, spread your purchases out over the nine months of pregnancy so that it doesn’t feel like you are spending the earth (all at once) and don’t forget to search for a better price. Do your research and have fun preparing for your next adventure.