What to Buy For a Newborn Baby

Resist the urge to buy, buy, buy when you have a baby on the way. There are of course some essential newborn baby items you’ll need to buy, but many items can be borrowed from friends or family, bought second-hand or even ignored altogether. Here are the most essential newborn baby items 1. Basic baby grows. You may have been given some adorable hand-appliquéd, delicately embroidered or even designer baby items at your baby shower, but most mums will tell you the most useful newborn baby items of clothing are basic white baby grows (at least two or three in 100% cotton), two or three vests, machine washable cardigan, hat, mittens, blankets and maybe a shawl. 2. Car seat/carrier When you leave hospital with your baby you are obliged, by law, to put your baby in a car seat on the way home (and then of course any other time she’s in a car). So you’ll need to buy a baby car seat specially made to suit tiny newborns. 3. A bassinet or Moses basket For the first couple of months your tiny newborn baby will look lost in a cot, so it makes sense to buy or borrow a smaller bassinet or Moses basket which you can have next to your bed for easy night feeding. Look for one that gently rocks or has wheels so you can move your baby to suit you, and use the motion to help rock her to sleep. 4. A bouncy or carry seat A bouncy seat will keep your baby safe and happy. You can move baby around to suit you and even place it on the bathroom floor while you shower (while keeping an eye on her) or have it on the kitchen table or desk top while you do any tasks. 5. A thermometer You’ll fret and worry countless times that your baby feels flushed, too warm, too cold or just not quite right so taking her temperature is a good first step before calling the doctor. A rectal thermometer is the most accurate. But if you are nervous about taking your baby’s temperature rectally, place a standard mercury thermometer under baby’s arm for about four minutes. Then add a degree to the reading to get the true body temperature. 6. Nappies Have a supply of newborn baby nappies in ready, but don’t over-buy. You’ll be amazed how quickly she moves up the nappy sizes! You’ll also need baby toiletries and cotton wool, wipes, a bin, nappy disposable bags for when you are out and about and a barrier cream to prevent nappy rash. 7. Baby bath You can wash baby in a well scrubbed kitchen sink or a large washing up bowl, but it makes life easier to have a baby bath which is only used for that purpose. Again this is an easily borrowed item.