Feeling overwhelmed and under prepared. Maybe basic questions, apologies in advance! But... I seriously have no idea what I need to organise before bubs arrives in a few weeks. We've got very minimal, apart from the big items and some gifts, and I just keep procrastinating! I am in Australia and close to a supermarket :-) due mid March.
* What do newborns sleep in?
* What size do they generally wear?
* How many newborn nappies will we realistically need? And what is the best brand?
* What are some "essentials" (after the big items obviously)?
* What are some money wasters that I don't need?
* What happens if I have no milk in the hospital? Or if bub ends up in special care (have been warned of the possibility), how do I start the process? Do hospitals have pumps if bub isn't with you?
* As a back up, best brand of formula for newborns? And what do I do for bottles?
* What about expressing at home? (I've read that you can't start until 6-8 weeks?) Then how often do you express?
*Anything else?!
Help!
Additionally- we are discussing the need for a change table and breastfeeding chair? Worth having or just space consumers?
10 Replies
Most typical newborns start in a 0000 or 000 (Aussie sizing), some actually have an age guide too which makes things much easier, eg. Birth to 3 months, 3-6 months etc. Nappies are sized by weight, I'd go with 2 boxes to start with. They generally do grow out of the newborn nappy size fairly quickly end you can always duck to the supermarket for more is you look like you're getting low (unlessnyou live rurally in which case it may be better to get more than that). Wipes are the things you can literally never have enough of.
What do newborns sleep in - generally newborns live in onsies for comfort and convenience. Assuming your in Australia, you're expecting a summer babe you'll probably want some light cotton long onesies, some short sleeved legless Indies, and plenty of singlets. Aim for about 6-7 of each.
Your baby may like being swaddled in bed or may prefer a sleeping bag, that's entirely yours and baby's preference. If swaddling you'll need about 6-8 muslin wraps (or light cotton baby blankets). Of using a sleeping bag you'll need one suitable for the temperatures of the season.
Obviously the must haves include carseat, bassinet or cot, bedding, pram and highchair down the track.
Bottles, breast pump and even a can of formula (even of you're planning on Breastfeeding, it's good to be prepared).
Change table, baby swing or seat, tummy time mats and other 'play stuff', plastic baby bath, baby carrier, nappy bag, dummies/pacifiers, baby monitor - none are absolute essentials but they certainly can make life easier.
Little things that often get forgotten about can be - Breast pads, maternity pads, regular period pads, lots of underwear, comfy clothes for yourself after the birth, nappy rash cream (I like sudo cream or bepanthen) and baby oil - all other lotions and potions are an unnecessary money making gimmick. They don't need soaps and shampoos and powders, literally water and a soft washcloth is all you need mostly.
Absolute wastes - anything you pick up and can't immediately work out its function and why on earth it costs so much you probably don't need.
Of you're still in doubt and a bit overwhelmed by it all, take someone experienced shopping with you or ask the sales assistants in stores. They'll happily point you in the right direction.
Good luck, exciting times ahead!
What do new borns sleep in?
Onsies! If your in Australia its summer so those summer onsies are great or if your house gets cool from air con, long cotton onsies.
I usually stick with short onsies and wrap bub in a muslin wrap. We get HOT nights
What size?
0000 or 000. Have both ready. My first baby was little and wore 0000 but my second baby was so long he went straight into 000.
How many newborn nappies?
Get a couple of boxes/packets. You don't need to stockpile like crazy cause you can duck into the super market if you run short so dont stress.
Baby essentials?
Muslin wraps (for summer)
Baby towels/face washers
Baby bath stuff. I've loved the gaia brand for all my babies.
Baby swings are super handy, not essential though.
Breast pads if ur breastfeeding, bottles and formula if your not.
Bum wipes.
Pram blankets
Dummies
Bibs for projectile milk spews
Bum rash cream
Money wasters?
Wipes warmers
Nappy bin
Try not to feel too overwhelmed. If you find you've forgotten something, you can alwayd send someone to target with a list once bubs cimes along i sent my mum twice haha!
In summer my boy slept in a singlet and nappy, he really only wore clothes when we left the house and once the weather cooled down. It certainly made it simpler for middle of the night changes.
Babies don’t really need much. Somewhere to sleep, nappies, a bottle or two (in case), you really can pick stuff up as you go and find you need it.
The hospital I had my son at gave out a showbag that had some helpful lists on some suggested amount of clothing.
Baby clothes have age guides on them or on the rack above the clothes there is usually a guide. I’d suggest at least 7 outfits. I’d go for onesies for day and night, newborns don’t really need normal clothes.
Boobs. You need boobs. You won't use half of what you buy so don't stress. You can buy as the need comes up as long as you have a few 0000 clothes
My son was a big baby and was in 000 when born, my daughter was small and 00000 were too big. It all depends on the baby.
Definitely body suits/onsies for sleeping
Change table was a waste of money for me, I used it 3 times and then gave it away because it was just more stuff I didn’t need.
High chair/feeding chair is quite useless as it’s not recommended to feed babies solids until 6 months when their tummies can handle it. So for 6 months it will sit there doing nothing. In any case I think high chairs are quite big and bulky and I would definitely recommend the ingenuity seat, they are amazing and small.
I could never have enough wipes. Wipes are still the biggest thing we use in our house.
I use curash baby shampoo, my daughter had really bad cradle cap and it’s amazing but one bottle lasts forever. My daughter is just about to run out of her first bottle and she is 9 months old.
Needs for me were definitely nappies, wipes, a swing or bouncer, breast pads, maternity pads and lots of them and lots of nice comfy blankets. The blankets were mainly because if Bub had a blow out of the nappy or spewed, swapping and washing a blanket was definitely easier than scrubbing the carpet and dissembling the play mats or swing. Dummies were a must for my son, but my daughter refused them so that depends on the baby.
Even if you’re breast feeding I would say definitely a tin of formula and a bottle just in case. My milk didn’t come back for my 2am feed so luckily I had bottles and formula or I would have been screwed.
Nappy rash cream, I personally use am-o-Lin, and one thing that most people forget is PANADOL. You may not use it for months, but when you need it, you may not be able to get it.
Dont stress!! You will know as you need it. You cN pick itup easilyenough. Better than spending money and having all this useless stuff.
1. A plain goats milk soap.
2. 4 or 5 size 0000 and 000. Onesies, singlets and pj sets, muslin wraps, thin blankets and one thicker blanket.
3. I suggest a pack of flannelette nappies as theyregreat fornappies/ spew rags/ spills, everything. Also small face cloths.
4. One box Nappies and wipes.
5. Baby panadol and thermometer. You wont need it right away but will be happy to havw it right n hand when you do.
6. Most of all take care of yourself. Save for a massage or two. New undies. New clothes that fit your new body,good food, takeaway delivery nights etc. You will probably spend $100 or so in the first week either on bottles and formula or on your boobs, or both. so i really just suggest saving your money and take it as it comes.
I know its hard when the shops make you feel like you need all this stuff, and you need to be ready, but you really dont.
Waste - porta cut unless you travel a lot (baby probably will refuse to sleep in it anyway and you basically need an engineering degree to assemble them 😅).
Pram accessories - (tell me why again I just paid $60 for pram mudflaps?).
Nipple shields - pure useless bits of garbage.
Nappy bins and nappy disposal bags - nappies wreak enough havoc on the environment without wrapping them in copious amounts of plastic, not to mention the bins and the liner refills are really expensive.
Anything that claims to "aid sleep" hahahahahah - yeah right 😅
Expensive formulas (unless medically necessary) - some people will think this is a bit controversial but they are all basically the same ingredients, and if it's a less popular brand you have less worries of it selling out.
Lastly - adorable but fussy outfits. They'll most likely stay at the back of the wardrobe.
Sounds like you're covered above for all the necessites.
😂 lol! at pram accessories. I bought a pram cup holder for my first! Never used it once.
Lol, I had my big expensive pram fully pimped out (must've looked ridiculous 😂), it all came off eventually because it got in the way. In fact my big expensive pram was a waste, my cheap target layback stroller got used more.
You need 3-4 long onesies and 3-4 short onesies..0000 or 000 ..they grow so fast so that's all you need to start..New born nappies, wipes, nappy bag...cloths...breast pads if B f... pads for you and a crib for your room..beanie if cold and new born socks..bottle and formula if you're doing that..baby bath with very mild soap...pram...wraps and blankets...don't stress..you can get the rest later..enjoy your bub :)