Ultimate guide to new-born essentials

 New-born essentials are the very and only basics that your baby needs. Becoming parents for the first time can be overwhelming. Taking care of yourself, your partner and along with that making sure that you have everything that the baby MIGHT need. And with all the suggestions in the ever-evolving world of social media, it becomes even more confusing.

I know that feeling. During my pregnancy I’ve watched numerous videos and made a consolidated list of essentials for my new-born. Sharing the same with you here.

1.      Baby diapers or cotton langotis: New-born babies pee around 8-10 times a day, on an average. Also, their skin is super soft and sensitive. Invest in a good baby diaper that is super absorbent and soft (on baby’s skin) at the same time. Go for the diapers which have a wetness indicator. So, you don’t have to keep checking the diaper. You can also opt for cotton langotis if you don’t want to use diapers. But make sure to check the langoti on a timely basis. Because being in wet langoti for long periods is harmful for the baby.

2.      Quick Dry sheet – Even if you are using baby diapers, it is good to have a quick dry sheet. I used to place one right below baby’s bedsheet as a mattress protector. It can also be used during diaper free time. Quick dry sheets are easy to clean and carry.

3.      Baby Wipes – Baby wipes are a must for the little ones. It not only saves you from the mess of dripping water and wet hankies but also gives you the ease of using it on the go. Wet wipes are a saviour during traveling or doctor visits. They also help in keeping baby’s skin moisturised while doing their job of cleaning. I even used it for quick sponging on the go.

4.      Baby wash clothes – Baby wash clothes are excellent for cleaning baby’s tongue and mouth. They can also be used as burp cloth. I have used wash clothes even for sponging my little one. Always go for the cotton or linen wash clothes. They are super soft on baby’s skin and do not lose their softness even after multiple washes. Here’s a link to one of the wash clothes I have used.

5.      Baby Blanket – New-borns love being warm and cozy (well, who doesn’t?). A soft and warm baby blanket is all you need. My baby is going to be 2 years old very soon, but he still uses (and fits in) the same blanket I bought for him as a new-born. Go for the ones which you can use during summer as well as winters. I opted for a gender-neutral colour so I can use the blanket for a longer period without worrying about specific colours.

6.      Woollen set – Be it a summer baby or winter baby, woollen sets are a must have. I would advise you to go minimal and not buy extra sets, to avoid wastage. My baby was around 3.7 kgs and was also quite tall for a new-born. None of the caps which I had bought were of his size. I was very disappointed because I was very much attached to the pieces which I had bought even before my delivery. So, to avoid all these, buy only a couple initially. Once the baby arrives you will have a better idea and can go all out and about with shopping.

7.      Baby grooming kit – You essentially need a bathing soap, shampoo, baby lotion and nail clippers in the baby grooming kit. I opted for the brand ‘Himalaya’ initially but had to switch because my baby got rashes sometimes. I switched to ‘Sebamed baby cleansing bar’. I feel the Sebamed products are much gentler on the baby’s skin and leave them hydrated and soft. My new-born developed a form of cradle cap and was prescribed medicated shampoo by our pediatrician. But later I started using the Sebamed soap as shampoo too. For the lotion we are still hooked with the ‘Himalaya baby lotion’.

8.      Caps, mittens, booties – Buy at least 3 to 4 pairs of caps, mittens, and botties. Baby’s nails grow at a faster rate with all the oil massages. So, it is best to keep their hands covered with mittens to avoid incidents of scratching. Botties are different from regular socks as they do not have the elastics. They are completely made of cotton cloth and are recommended for longer use.

9.      Rash cream – If you are planning to keep your baby in diapers exclusively, then rash cream is a must. New-born skin is hypersensitive and longer use of diapers can sometimes cause rashes. Make sure you have one handy just in case.

10.  Baby towel – I would suggest going for a plain cotton one or a soft microfibre towel for the baby. There are a few cotton blends too but they might be rough on baby’s skin. Rather than going for a particular baby towel you can opt for a regular microfibre towel. This will not only serve the purpose but will be useful in the long run as well.

11.  Baby clothes – While buying clothes for the baby keep in mind that the first fabric touching a baby’s skin should always be cotton. Have at least 8 to 10 pairs of clothes washed and ready. I started shopping for my baby a few weeks before my due date. Since it was just me and my husband, I prewashed all the clothes, caps, mittens, socks and arranged them in the cupboard. This way you won’t have to struggle once you are back from the hospital. Also, I would suggest going for gender neutral options, so you won’t have to regret buying certain pieces, later.

A few things to keep in mind:

·         Even if you are keeping your baby in diapers, I would suggest you give at least an hour of diaper free time.

·         Always wash new-born clothes especially their wash clothes, burp clothes etc. in lukewarm water.

·         Use a baby friendly cleanser for washing new-born things. I have been using the BabyHug liquid cleansers till date.

·         Sponge and massage the baby daily.

·         Do not put any oil in baby’s nose or ears without doctor’s approval.

These are the very essentials that you will need for your new-born once you are back from the hospital. I have a separate blog post on Hospital bag essentials.  Do check it out so you do not miss out on anything. You can also check on my other blogs here. I hope this will help you in preparing for the arrival of your little bundle of joy. Happy Parenting! 😊