Choosing Baby Equipment

What do I need?

Generally speaking, for a newborn baby you need:-

These are the essentials, other things that you can buy are optional, and could be left until you actually NEED them before you buy them. Many first time parents end up buying the entire contents of their local baby store, then spend the rest of the time wondering where they are going to put it, what it is for and what possessed them to buy it in the first place!

Before dashing off to the shops (or waving your credit card at an online shop) consider how much money you have to spend and what your baby is going to use most.

Buy a good quality cot and mattress- note that often mattresses not supplied with a cot you have to buy them separately and they are not all of a standard size so bear this in mind when choosing. A cot does NOT have to be brand new, but it is best to buy a brand new mattress.

Should I buy a cot bed or a cot?
Again there are two trains of thought on this, some people like the idea of a cot bed as it is supposed to last until your baby is 3 or 4 years old (the cot sides can be taken off and it can then be used as a bed) Cot beds are often a little dearer to reflect the fact that they are supposed to last a little longer than an ordinary cot. However with a lively baby and then a toddler in them they can get tatty looking quite quickly so you might want to get just a cot then buy a single bed for your child when he is too big for a cot.

Top tip for buying cots:- ensure that they have at least two positions for the mattress to go - a high position for when your baby is newborn (ideal if you have had to have a caesarean, it is not so far for you to stretch) and a low position for when your baby is old enough to stand in the cot (prevents climbing out)

Mattresses are best if they have a removable cover, so that it can be washed. This is especially important if your baby is sick - the whole of the top layer can be zipped off and popped in the washing machine.

Bedding
Buy blankets and sheets for your baby’s cot. Whilst your baby is small you can fold over one cot blanket giving the effect of two layers so having loads of blankets isn’t essential. Don’t buy a cot bumper or duvet until your baby is at least 1 year old (or whatever is stated on the packaging)

Moses baskets are optional, some parents absolutely swear by them and they are good in the first few months but bear in mind that your child will soon outgrow them. Bear in mind that you will have to buy bedding for a Moses basket, and then later go on and buy bedding for your cot...all of which can add up quite quickly.

Where will my baby sleep in the day time?
Some parents put baby to sleep in a pram with a carry cot during the day time when they are tiny. Others use a Moses basket, and others get a nice bouncy chair and let them have a nap in that. It is important that you can keep an eye on your child whilst you are around and about, and it is good to give them a strong sense of daytime and nighttime right from the start.

Changing Time
Buy a couple of changing kits and a changing bag for whilst you are out and about. If you have a house buy a changing kit for both upstairs and downstairs, so that you do not have to spend the whole day running up and downstairs every time your baby needs to be changed. Ensure you have some nappy sacks (they don’t need to be expensive, cheap ones will do fine!) or a nappy bucket if you are going to use reusables. Always have a change of clothes ready for your baby next to the changing mat, this way you don’t have to leave your baby whilst you search for a clean set of clothes.

Cotton Wool or Wipes?
Cotton wool pleat and cooled boiled water make effective wipes for babies or there are commercial nappy wipes. If you are going to use nappy wipes use sensitive skin ones at first as some of the fragranced ones can be a little harsh on new skin. Wipes are convenient and effective.

Bath time
Some mums get a baby bath, other mums don’t, again it is up to you! If you have a big bathroom sink use that until they get too big for it! If you would like a baby bath, often they can be found cheaply second hand on car boot sales or your friend might have one. Often they don’t get used for very long so can be in excellent condition, even if not brand new!
 

As far as toiletries go choose ones that are designed for babies, preferably organic ones. A nice quality baby soap and shampoo is probably all you need, unless you would like to have a full compliment of products (which is equally fine!!) A soft towel with a folded over corner is a nice idea as you can put your baby’s head into it gently and wrap the rest of the towel round your baby’s body.
 

Feeding Equipment
If you are going to breast feed you will need a nursing bra, but don’t get fitted for it until you are either in your last week or so of pregnancy or you have just given birth. Your breasts may grow slightly towards the end of the pregnancy and it is vital that you get a bra to fit your new shape.

You may go up in both cup size and your measurement around your rib cage so it is important that you don’t simply potter off an get your regular size without checking first! Good bra shops have specially trained fitters, or you could measure yourself with the help of your friend or partner and calculate the correct measurement.
I am planning on breast feeding therefore I don’t need bottles do I?!
Even if you breast feed you may still need to buy bottles so that your partner can offer your baby a feed (of expressed breast milk or formula) if you are not around for whatever reason or if you need to get some sleep. If you are not going to bottle feed regularly you could probably get away with buying only 3 or so bottles.

www.mothercare.com do some bottles that will sterilize in the microwave without you having to buy a sterilizer which may work well if you are going to primarily breast feed (unless of course you don’t have a microwave!!) If you like breast feeding and would like to express you may need a breast pump but perhaps you might be as well to see how breast feeding goes before you buy a breast pump.

If you are going to bottle feed it is recommended that you buy around 6 per baby, as well as a bottle brush, sterilizer, and some formula milk.

Buying a buggy
If you have decided that you are going to let your baby sleep in the pram during the day you will probably need a pram with a carry cot which lies flat.Otherwise you will probably manage with a simple buggy suitable from birth, along with a footmuff and raincover. Things to look out for include how small it folds up, how heavy it is to lift, how difficult it is to put up and down with one hand (it has to be easy when you have a toddler in tow)

Bigger wheels are generally better than smaller wheels, and buggies which have swivel wheels which can also be locked is also a fabulous idea (fixed wheels tend to mean you have to lift the front end of the buggy up when you want to turn corners which can slightly strain your back)

Make sure you can fit it through your front door, this especially applies to double buggies (for those of you with either twins or a baby and a toddler)

Car Seat
There are two main types of car seat suitable for the very young baby - “bucket type” car seats and reversible ones. Bucket type are the sort of ones you see people carrying about, which last until your baby is around 9 months old. Reversible ones are suitable up to around age 3-4 as they turn round and face forwards after around 9 months of age. Ensure that the one you choose suits your car as not all car seats go in all cars. If your parents or partner have cars and are likely to take your baby ensure that the car seat is suitable for their car too.

Baby Clothes
At first babies tend to wear a pair of scratch mitts, nappies, body suits and baby grows and an all in one snowsuit for going out in if it is winter. Later on when they get older they will need a more elaborate wardrobe.

Choose baby grows suitable for a baby that is 0-3 months old, as some bigger newborns will only wear a baby grow that is labeled up for newborns only once before growing out of it. If you need to buy a smaller size this is fine, as at least your baby will grow INTO a bigger outfit!

Choose bodysuits that have poppers underneath the crotch, this prevents them becoming uncomfortable when your baby wriggles a bit. It also helps keep your babies nappy in place.

Baby grows are best if they have front fastenings and poppers, I once had one that was back fastening which was very fiddly especially when baby has a floppy head still.

If possible choose cotton fabrics rather than synthetic.

Scratch Mitts are something that some parents use to prevent their baby scratching themselves with their little nails.

Bibs - for newborns buy creamy coloured ones with velcro fastening or ones that just pull over the head, tie up ones are dreadful to use. Once your baby is weaned it is a good idea to co-ordinate the colour of their bib with the colour of their baby food (tomato based things tend to stain creamy coloured bibs!!)

Nappies
You can get several types of nappies

 When buying reusable nappies ensure you know what additional items if any you will need to get to go with them (some need liners or covers, others need nappy nippa fasteners) Many offer nappy trials where you can for a small fee try a range of different types of nappy on your baby to see which is going to be best for you. See the Reusable nappy suppliers list on the Links Page of this website

 

 

 

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Disclaimer: Any advice you take you do so because you believe in your own mind that it is right for you and you do so completely at your own risk. Always get immediate medical help if you have any health concerns.

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