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One thing that happens when you announce you’re having a baby is that everyone has an opinion. Thankfully, with some aggressively enforced boundaries in place, that isn’t always a bad thing. Something I (a currently eight-month pregnant woman) has learned is that mothers want to help, and if you find the right people, they’ll be like angels sent from heaven when it comes to figuring out what newborn baby essentials you need, or should consider buying, before they’re born.
I somewhat bravely decided to go to my Instagram Stories in a plea for help this week. With a quick message along the lines of “I know this will overwhelm me but what do I actually need to buy for a baby even if I don’t want to buy a single thing?” and the answers came swiftly. The consensus was: not a lot. Most agreed that a place for the baby to sleep, a pram, and a car seat are the necessities and everything else is a bonus.
One person even pointed out that in a small apartment, I likely don’t need a baby monitor because I’ll always be within 10 metres of the baby. Meanwhile, another suggested that because of that small apartment, I absolutely need a smell-trapping nappy bin. I’m equally grateful to both of these people, in fact, these are the kinds of suggestions I actually needed and had not considered.
Of course, there are other necessities like clothing and nappies and wipes and something to feed your child (if you aren’t planning to purely breast feed), but from my crowdsourcing, I’ve learned that these items are extremely individual. What works for one with not work for another, so it seems there’s some trial and error involved here. Same goes for car seats — always check the safety ratings, and beyond that, choose what fits your lifestyle and routines.
What I was looking for, were recommendations for the little extra things I wouldn’t know existed before having a baby of my own. Such as, what makes a good nappy bag, and do I need a carrier?
After being asked by no less than five (not heaps, but not zero) people to share the list, I’ve decided to put the list of newborn baby essentials in one place for all first-time mums, especially those who may not have a few hundred mums on their follower list who are all-too-happy to lend a suggestion. Naturally, I’ve added a few chic options for things like prams and nappy bags, because I want to look good while parenting and maybe you do too.
The ELLE Edit Of Newborn Essentials
Pram
Ask any parent what the most-used item is that they bought before having a baby and their answer will be swift: a good pram. ‘Good’ may be subjective, but the consensus is that you need to love your pram because you’ll be using it a lot.
Choosing a Bugaboo, and specifically the Kangaroo, was really a no-brainer for me thanks to the chic design and usability. Suitable for newborns to 22.3kg, the Kangaroo is a single-to-double pram that can grow with your family, making room for two toddler seats (or a bassinet and toddler seat combo), and a platform for a bigger kid on the back. Plus, more than one friend praised this particular model for its generous under-basket, which fits a good amount of groceries and extra large wheels with great suspension, making it ideal for walks in Sydney’s inner west, where the pavements are often uneven.
Bassinet
Opinions for bassinets or sleeping choices in general seem to be where many parents part ways, and I can understand why. Personal preference, space limitations, and even the baby’s preferences after they’re born will all impact what exactly the best type of bed they sleep in is.
One thing that is for certain though, parents are either staunchly for or against the smart bassinet, and there is no in between. Many swear by the Snoo, a smart bassinet that uses sound and motion to soothe your baby, or the Cradlewise smart bassinet and cot, another option that bounces, soothes, and also lowers into a crib as your baby grows. Meanwhile, others say to select a simpler bassinet that sits next to the bed and has high safety ratings, end of. My personal approach is to start simple and then lean into smart cribs if I find myself internet shopping in a desperate middle-of-the-night mission if my baby won’t sleep.
CRADLEWISE
Convertible Smart Bassinet and Cot
SNUZ
SnuzPod5
HAPPIEST BABY
SNOO Smart Baby Sleeper
BABYREST
Alfie Bedside Bassinet
Nappy Bag
We can all pretend that function is more important than aesthetics but for me, when it comes to what nappy bag I use, I think both are equally important. After interrogating every friend who’s had a baby, I’ve deduced that it needs to be comfortable enough to carry, have enough pockets to stash all the necessities, be easily washable (whether that means wipeable, machine washable, or both), and be the right size for you. I’ve been cautioned against using a smaller pram caddy as my nappy bag, though they are handy to have for anything you want within reach while using your pram. As for aesthetics, here are a few of my favourites that tick the boxes.
PHILÉ
The Baby Bag
JUNI
The Everything Bag
MINICOTON X CIBYN
Basket Stroller Bag
PHILÉ
Pram Caddy
Baby Carrier
More of a nice to have than an essential, I will be investing in a baby carrier. I have it on good authority that babies either love them or loathe them (which seems to be a theme), so going into a store to try them on a few weeks after they’re born could be a good way to see which one is best for you both. Even so, these are the recommendations that came up repeatedly by seasoned parents.
ARTIPOPPE
Zeitgeist Denim Classic
PORTIER
The Limitless Carrier
ERGOBABY
Omni Deluxe Mesh Carrier
TULA
Wrap Baby Carrier
Changing Essentials
Aside from nappies and wipes, which I’ve been told will be chosen and switched up according to personal preference, there are a few changing products that could be helpful. A changing mat, for one, is a good option parents living in smaller homes that don’t have space for a full-sized changing table and may want a dresser to do double-duty (guilty!). Also, caddies dotted around your home (next to the bed and couch, for example) can save you from walking far for a quick change and also double as a snack/water/Kindle holder if you’re nap trapped while feeding.
LEANDER
Matty Change Mat
PHILÉ
Nappy Caddy
IKEA
Råskog Trolley
UBBI
Steel Nappy Bin
Extra Helpful Items
Along with the bigger items to care for your baby when you bring them home, I was also recommended some more practical items that are (according to the mums I spoke to) worth considering for the early days. Simple things you may not think of like a good quality water bottle and hydration sachets, and Silverettes, both for breast feeding. Many recommended something to “park the baby in”, like a bouncer, and good quality clothing (which doesn’t necessarily mean expensive!) that will keep baby comfy and make it easy to change nappies in. Nature Baby was a popular recommendation here, as were classic Bonds zip-up Wondersuits.
BABY BJORN
Bouncer Balance
SILVERETTES
The Original Silver Nursing Cups
FRANK GREEN
Ceramic Reusable Bottle
NATURE BABY
Welcome Home Gift Set
The post A No-Fuss Newborn Essential List Crowdsourced From Every Mother I Know appeared first on ELLE.
