The Bare Necessities for Newborns & Parents

Preparing for your newborn baby arriving can be overwhelming so here is a guide to getting the essential gear required for those first few weeks. The list can seem endless once you think about what you might need; pushchairs, cots, nappies, blankets. Here I will try and cut through the confusion and give you a guide to the top ten necessities as chosen by mothers and in a budget friendly way. Baby clothes During the day you will need at least two baby grows because of changing and feeding. You need a warmer baby grow for the night during colder weather. To ease the expense you can ask friends and family if they have any hand-me-downs and sometimes you can save a few pennies buying online. For His Bottom Try eco-friendly disposable nappies and buy in bulk to save money. It is worth giving re-usable nappies a try because you save a lot of money long-term. People are nervous to try them but you can always give yourself a time-frame, say of a few weeks to see how you get on to see if you can stick with them Food If you are breastfeeding ensure you, mum, eat a well balanced, nutritional diet to help you make the most nourishing milk. Breastfeeding is considered best for babies and it saves you time and money because you do not have to faff around with bottles, sterilisers and heating up milk. If you are unable to breastfeed or choose against it then remember to purchase a steriliser, bottles and spare teats. For Sleeping Moses baskets are usually used for newborns because they are portable. After about six weeks you will find that your little one is much more of a wriggler so you will probably stop using it. As it is such a short-term requirement ask friends and relatives for one to borrow. Cot For later on you will need a cot and there are many things to consider. You need a cot that conforms to current safety regulations. Think about the size you require, what it is made of and whether you would prefer a cot with drop-down sides. Cots very so much in design, size and price so have a good look on the internet. You may be able to get a good and safe cot second-hand but always purchase a new mattress. Blankets & Sleeping Bags Sleeping bags are now very popular for newborn babies because they do not kick them off however most parents begin with cotton sheets and the loose knit type cotton (cellular) blankets, the reason being they are easy to layer so help with keeping your baby at the right temperature by adding or taking away a blanket if your baby is too hot or too cold. You could also cut and hem sheets from an adult bed if you don’t want to buy sheets especially for a cot. Remember that a folded sheet counts as two sheets. For When You Are On The Move For the early days shop around for a sling or carrier that protects your back. These are so helpful because you keep your hands free. It is worth spending your money on a good quality design as protecting your back is extremely important. Pushchairs The range is overwhelming and there are some real bargains to be found. When you are looking around consider your budget, the weight and size you want, do you need an adaptable cars seat or travel system with it? Family and friends will be able to advise you too. For You! Before the big arrival make sure you have stocked up with nutritious meals in the freezer that are easy to heat and serve as you will need all the time-saving you can stock up on. Make sure you have enough comfy, baggy clothes ready to wear in your wardrobe. By Eirian Hallinan