Good Parenting

When youÂ’re expecting your first child, itÂ’s exciting, exhausting and a little scary. Set foot in the baby section and there are a zillion adorable little things. How do you know what you really need and what are just nice perks? Especially when youÂ’re on a tight budget, understanding the essentials is key. We compiled a checklist from our experience to help you figure out what you need for your newborn baby and where you can save some money.

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BabyÂ’s Nursery: You and your baby will spend a lot of time in the nursery, so making it comfortable is a top priority. Decorating your childÂ’s room is a fun way to help you prepare for your little one to enter the world.

Essentials:
____ A crib is the foundation of the nursery. Pass on the antique crib and select a newer model with lots of safety features.
____ Choose an organic mattress. Your child will spend many hours sleeping on it. Skip the chemicals of traditional baby mattresses. ItÂ’s worth the expense.
____ YouÂ’ll also need at least 2 fitted sheets and several soft swaddling blankets.
____ Glider, rocking chair or very comfortable seat. Often these are available second hand. YouÂ’ll be much more comfortable and that will make baby happy.

Nursery Perks: bassinet, cradle, dresser, décor, mobile

BabyÂ’s Bath Time: Most babies love bath time. After all, itÂ’s playtime for them. ItÂ’s the perfect time to take care of their health and hygiene, too.

Essentials:
____ A baby bath tub will make bathing your newborn much easier and safer. Beyond that, youÂ’ll need
____ some soft towels,
____ a gentle baby wash/shampoo and
____a few washcloths. BabyÂ’s skin is very delicate. A mild lotion can help, especially in the winter.
____ First Aid Kit with baby nail clippers, baby thermometer, medicine dropper and nasal aspirator

Perks: bath toys, hooded towels, baby comb

Diapering: You will need lots and lots of diapers. A clean and dry baby is a happy baby.

Essentials:
____ To start with, get a few packs of disposable newborn diapers. You will probably use 5 or more diapers a day.
____YouÂ’ll also need a diaper rash cream and
____diaper wipes.
____ A portable diaper changing pad is very convenient to use both at home and when youÂ’re out and about with baby.

Perks: changing table, diaper wipe warmer, sealed diaper disposal or trash can

Clothing: During the first year, youÂ’ll go through at least 4 sets of clothes because babies grow so rapidly. People love giving clothes as gifts because they are fun to shop for. Since youÂ’ll need so many outfits in the first year, a great way to save money is to ask friends to pass on clothes that their kids have outgrown.

Essentials:
___Onesies, pants, pajamas, sleepers, bibs and socks are what your little one needs in the beginning. As they get more mobile, youÂ’ll need more clothes and shoes. Perks: baby gown, booties, bonnets

Out and About: YouÂ’ll want to take your little sweetheart out and show her off and sheÂ’ll love to see the world too. When it comes to the car seat, make sure to buy it new. Everything else can be second-hand as long as itÂ’s in good condition.

Essentials:
____ Car seat. YouÂ’ll need a rear-facing car seat for the first year. Consider getting a convertible car seat that can take you through all the car seat stages as your child grows.
____ Stroller. Sometimes you can get a good deal when you buy a car seat and stroller together as a set.
____ Diaper Bag. This will go everywhere with you and also function as your purse. Find one you love.

Perks: Umbrella stroller, infant carrier/backpack

Safety Items: ItÂ’s best to prepare safety items early. Even though your baby canÂ’t do much at first, it wonÂ’t be long before heÂ’ll be rolling and crawling. The time will go quickly, so itÂ’s best to get this done ahead of time.

Essentials:
____ Smoke alarm
____ Safety gate for stairs
____ Electrical outlet covers
____ Safety locks/latches
____ Window guards and blind cord holders

Perks: Baby monitor, carbon monoxide alarm, corner and edge bumpers, additional gates

Feeding: Your need for feeding supplies will vary depending on if you decide to breastfeed exclusively, bottle-feed or a combination of both.

For breastfeeding youÂ’ll need the following essentials:
____ breast pads, nipple cream, nursing pillow, nursing bra, privacy cover

For bottle-feeding, youÂ’ll need these essential supplies:
____ bottles, formula

Perks: High chair, breast pump, breast milk storage containers, bottle warmer, bottle sterilizer, bottle brush

Essentials for Mommy: DonÂ’t forget to give yourself a break and get a good nap when baby is resting.

While the list seems long, this is a special time for you and your baby . Savor it and enjoy your little one while creating a safe and nurturing environment for your family.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 at 8:03 pm and is filed under Good Parenting.