Having a baby is both a daunting and exciting time. Changes to your body can
be scary and some find the pressures of pregnancy hard to cope with, while
others are lucky enough to sail through having that ‘glowing’ look throughout. Here I was at 33 weeks pregnant with my third child, finding
pregnancy harder to bare the second time around. Juggling my toddler twin girls, business and career took a toll on me at the end of the day! With my first pregnancy I was
super organised and had my baby list organised well in advance with many items
bought for the nursery and my hospital bag packed! This time I
realised I have not done anything – of course I had the twin’s old nursery furniture and clothes but was rather complacent
with regards to everything else thinking I will never need that much really… But I had to do some research and
created that all important newborn checklist! Lots of lists out
there seem to omit, as far as I’m concerned, important parts. Of course whether you see the items
on the list as an essential or not will be down to personal circumstances, but
hopefully this provides a fairly exhaustive list to prepare you for the first
few months from which you can pick and choose items to suit you as well as pick
up some information regarding products that I found useful. *thank me later* *wink*
Newborn Essentials for the Nursery
Every new Mum wants to create that perfect sleeping environment for their little one, it needs to be fresh clean and most of all ready and perfect for when the little one arrives. Many Mums also like to try and buy their nursery furniture abroad but with the rise in the dollar, it will be advisable to build our own. *Buy Nigerian*
Nursery Furniture:-
1) Cot or cot bed – perhaps the first piece of furniture you will buy. Whether you buy a cot or a cot bed will largely depend on space as the cot is slightly smaller and whether you want to be able to change the cot into a day bed for when your baby becomes a toddler. Choose between a variety of designs and colours from custard and mustard craft. If you want a real statement piece, contact us today!
2) Cot or cot bed mattress – You can choose
between foam and springs as you would an adult mattress. The best in the market for your baby.
3) Baby changer/ Cot Top Changer – you will need somewhere to change your baby. As long as you have a comfy mat for the baby to lie on this could be the floor (often the safest especially once your little one starts to roll), or on top of the cot using a cot top changer, on a specific baby changing unit or on top of a chest of drawers. Whatever you choose you will want plenty of room to house all those nappies, wipes and creams!
4) Chest of Drawers/ Wardrobe – It is quite unbelievable the amount of clothes your little one will get through. A chest of drawers is probably the best option when storing clothes as they are all so small but you may prefer a wardrobe to hang up those pretty dresses with drawer space included to home the little things. If your room is large enough you may decide that you would like both a wardrobe and chest.
5) Moses Basket and Stand – Most new Mums will use a moses basket as the
first bed for their baby. Not only is it portable so that the baby can be near
you at all times but as it is smaller it is warmer and cosier for the baby
providing that extra protection and comfort they cherish after having been in
the womb for so long.
6) Nursing Chair – I remember a comfortable chair being really essential during those endless sleepless nights. previously I used to feed the twins in bed in my room but when I saw the light after about 4 months lol, a comfortable nursing chair was really important. You may choose a rocking or gliding chair to help soothe both you and the little one, or you may choose a static chair. Our "Alex" Rocker is still available to order at custard and mustard craft.
Nursery Bedding:-
1) Moses Basket fitted sheet and waterproof mattress protector
2) Swaddling blanket (great to cocoon your little one to help them sleep) in the early weeks.
3) A baby blanket which can be tucked into the sides of the moses basket and cot
4) Cot or cot bed fitted sheet and waterproof mattress protector
5) Baby sleeping bag if you decide not to use sheets. I found them great as you did not have to worry about the sheets coming untucked and the baby getting underneath them. There are a variety of weights to choose from as well as designs.
Newborn Essential Clothes and Accessories:-
1) Baby sleepsuits
2) Baby body suits for day long sleeve and short sleeve
3) Trousers/ Skirt/ leggings
4) Cardigan/ long sleeve top
5) Hat
6) Socks
7) Scratch mitts
8) Bibs
Toiletries and Bathtime:-
1) Newborn Nappies – whether you choose disposable or washable you will need a lot!
2) Baby Wipes – it is recommended however to only use cotton wool and water during the early weeks to protect newborns’ delicate skin.
3) Cotton wool
4) Top and Tail bowl/ Bowl for water to clean after nappy changes
5) Nappy sacks or nappy bin. Get the ones that keeps in the smell and saves endless piles of nappies stacked up at the back door for disposal outside. Perhaps not an essential but you can get a lot of newborn nappies into the bin and I think a small luxury worth spent.
6) Nappy Cream – another luxury but one that worked wonders
7) Baby wash - a wash gentle enough for newborn skin and hair - I recommend aveeno products
8) Baby Bath
9) Bath thermometer – not an essential but I found really reassuring
10) Bath Towel
11) Bath Toys – not an essential but a rubber duck to keep your baby entertained won’t break the bank!
12) Baby nail clippers – it is unbelievable how quickly little ones nails grow and how easily they scratch themselves!
Health and safety:-
1) Thermometer – a real essential for checking your newborn if you feel they are unwell.
2) Calpol – the infamous pink medicine which is always good to have on hand if your baby gets a sudden temperature which needs bringing down.
3) Baby Monitor – you can choose between video monitors and those where you can just hear the crying. I chose a BT monitor this time without the screen as I felt if I had the video as well I would just be constantly watching her on the screen like I did the twins and would never sleep or do anything!lol This one has been great – it has a silent option if you want but the unit has a display of lights from green to red so you can tell how loud the baby is being. It also has options to play music in an attempt to soothe as well as talk to your baby.
Feeding:-
1) Steriliser – if you have decided to solely breastfeed you may decide against one of these. However I found it a good idea to give Alexis a bottle of expressed milk fairly early on to give me a break and to allow my husband to enjoy the feedtime cuddles!! Again I chose the Philips Avent electric steriliser I find it really easy and quick to use with plenty of room to sterilise a large number of bottles.
2) Breast Pump
3) Bottles and teats
Out and About:-
1) Car seat – Nowadays it is important in Nigeria to have a car seat.
2) Buggy
3) Baby Carrier – whether you choose a sling or rucksack although not a strict essential I found it incredibly useful.
Playtime:-
1) Play mat
2) Baby bouncer
3) Cot mobile – not strictly for playtime but some babies will find these soothing to help them sleep
Essentials For Mums! :-
1) A changing bag
2) Maternity Pads – the not so nice bit
3) Breast Pads – even if you decide not to breast feed your breasts might leak a little
4) Nipple Cream – if you wish to breastfeed this is a MUST unless you are very lucky!
5) Lavender Oil – for post birth bathing! *thank me later*
6) Nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed.
Ok so I think that is pretty much it. Please let me have your thoughts if there are any products you would recommend or I have missed out, but hopefully this article has provided some useful information with regards to those newborn essentials in the early months!
Newborn Essentials for the Nursery
Every new Mum wants to create that perfect sleeping environment for their little one, it needs to be fresh clean and most of all ready and perfect for when the little one arrives. Many Mums also like to try and buy their nursery furniture abroad but with the rise in the dollar, it will be advisable to build our own. *Buy Nigerian*
Nursery Furniture:-
1) Cot or cot bed – perhaps the first piece of furniture you will buy. Whether you buy a cot or a cot bed will largely depend on space as the cot is slightly smaller and whether you want to be able to change the cot into a day bed for when your baby becomes a toddler. Choose between a variety of designs and colours from custard and mustard craft. If you want a real statement piece, contact us today!
3) Baby changer/ Cot Top Changer – you will need somewhere to change your baby. As long as you have a comfy mat for the baby to lie on this could be the floor (often the safest especially once your little one starts to roll), or on top of the cot using a cot top changer, on a specific baby changing unit or on top of a chest of drawers. Whatever you choose you will want plenty of room to house all those nappies, wipes and creams!
4) Chest of Drawers/ Wardrobe – It is quite unbelievable the amount of clothes your little one will get through. A chest of drawers is probably the best option when storing clothes as they are all so small but you may prefer a wardrobe to hang up those pretty dresses with drawer space included to home the little things. If your room is large enough you may decide that you would like both a wardrobe and chest.
6) Nursing Chair – I remember a comfortable chair being really essential during those endless sleepless nights. previously I used to feed the twins in bed in my room but when I saw the light after about 4 months lol, a comfortable nursing chair was really important. You may choose a rocking or gliding chair to help soothe both you and the little one, or you may choose a static chair. Our "Alex" Rocker is still available to order at custard and mustard craft.
Nursery Bedding:-
1) Moses Basket fitted sheet and waterproof mattress protector
2) Swaddling blanket (great to cocoon your little one to help them sleep) in the early weeks.
3) A baby blanket which can be tucked into the sides of the moses basket and cot
4) Cot or cot bed fitted sheet and waterproof mattress protector
5) Baby sleeping bag if you decide not to use sheets. I found them great as you did not have to worry about the sheets coming untucked and the baby getting underneath them. There are a variety of weights to choose from as well as designs.
Newborn Essential Clothes and Accessories:-
1) Baby sleepsuits
2) Baby body suits for day long sleeve and short sleeve
3) Trousers/ Skirt/ leggings
4) Cardigan/ long sleeve top
5) Hat
6) Socks
7) Scratch mitts
8) Bibs
Toiletries and Bathtime:-
1) Newborn Nappies – whether you choose disposable or washable you will need a lot!
2) Baby Wipes – it is recommended however to only use cotton wool and water during the early weeks to protect newborns’ delicate skin.
3) Cotton wool
4) Top and Tail bowl/ Bowl for water to clean after nappy changes
5) Nappy sacks or nappy bin. Get the ones that keeps in the smell and saves endless piles of nappies stacked up at the back door for disposal outside. Perhaps not an essential but you can get a lot of newborn nappies into the bin and I think a small luxury worth spent.
6) Nappy Cream – another luxury but one that worked wonders
7) Baby wash - a wash gentle enough for newborn skin and hair - I recommend aveeno products
8) Baby Bath
9) Bath thermometer – not an essential but I found really reassuring
10) Bath Towel
11) Bath Toys – not an essential but a rubber duck to keep your baby entertained won’t break the bank!
12) Baby nail clippers – it is unbelievable how quickly little ones nails grow and how easily they scratch themselves!
Health and safety:-
1) Thermometer – a real essential for checking your newborn if you feel they are unwell.
2) Calpol – the infamous pink medicine which is always good to have on hand if your baby gets a sudden temperature which needs bringing down.
3) Baby Monitor – you can choose between video monitors and those where you can just hear the crying. I chose a BT monitor this time without the screen as I felt if I had the video as well I would just be constantly watching her on the screen like I did the twins and would never sleep or do anything!lol This one has been great – it has a silent option if you want but the unit has a display of lights from green to red so you can tell how loud the baby is being. It also has options to play music in an attempt to soothe as well as talk to your baby.
Feeding:-
1) Steriliser – if you have decided to solely breastfeed you may decide against one of these. However I found it a good idea to give Alexis a bottle of expressed milk fairly early on to give me a break and to allow my husband to enjoy the feedtime cuddles!! Again I chose the Philips Avent electric steriliser I find it really easy and quick to use with plenty of room to sterilise a large number of bottles.
2) Breast Pump
3) Bottles and teats
Out and About:-
1) Car seat – Nowadays it is important in Nigeria to have a car seat.
2) Buggy
3) Baby Carrier – whether you choose a sling or rucksack although not a strict essential I found it incredibly useful.
Playtime:-
1) Play mat
2) Baby bouncer
3) Cot mobile – not strictly for playtime but some babies will find these soothing to help them sleep
Essentials For Mums! :-
1) A changing bag
2) Maternity Pads – the not so nice bit
3) Breast Pads – even if you decide not to breast feed your breasts might leak a little
4) Nipple Cream – if you wish to breastfeed this is a MUST unless you are very lucky!
5) Lavender Oil – for post birth bathing! *thank me later*
6) Nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed.
Ok so I think that is pretty much it. Please let me have your thoughts if there are any products you would recommend or I have missed out, but hopefully this article has provided some useful information with regards to those newborn essentials in the early months!
Thanks alot, I found this very helpful for a first time mum
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