This post is brought to you by Mary Johnson.
Becoming a mom for the first time can be confusing. Parents-to-be worry about how they will raise their child, what their child will need from them and also what products to buy. Sometimes, looking at the amount of stuff that is out there for newborn babies can be mind-blowing and can cause parents to worry about affording it all. Trust me, everything that you see is not essential, there are just a few items that you will need from day one, the rest you can pick up if you should need them at some point. Here’s our list of the essentials.
Baby Bag
If you want to take your baby out anywhere, you are going to need to take a lot of things with you. Nappies, a change of clothes, spare bottles, muslin cloths, bibs and wipes, for instance, are all essentials. Treat yourself to a nice, luxe bag to carry all your baby’s things in. A beautiful Gucci women’s bag can easily transform into a super chic diaper bag, we recently found a good selection on luisaviaroma.com. They make you feel a little bit special, even on those days when you’ve not had much sleep.
A Car Seat
A car seat is a legal requirement in most countries and you will definitely need one just to take your baby home from the hospital. This is an item that you should never buy second hand, if it has been in an accident it could well be compromised and not be safe for your child. Always buy this item from a reputable seller.
Children’s Book
It is never too early to start reading to your child. Even from the very start, they will love listening to the sound of your voice. You could read anything to them to be fair, they would never know as a newborn but if you buy some children’s books you can make an early start in encouraging their love of stories.
iPad
There will be times when you just need to have something to entertain your baby while you quickly do a job. An iPad is ideal, you could put something bright and cheerful on there and let your baby watch it while you get some jobs done. Colors are known to stimulate their brain synapses, anyway, so it’s a bit of a win-win.
A Convertible Stroller
A convertible stroller is essential for getting out and about. The simpler it is to fold down, the better because it makes it easy to get into the car or on the bus. We also recommend going light-weight as much as you can, it just makes it so much easier to push.
A Swing
Babies love the swinging motion, it can keep them entertained and even help them fall asleep. Trust us, on those days when your baby doesn’t want to be put down, you will be grateful for that swing keeping them rocking just for the five minutes of peace it can give you.
A High Chair
This item is maybe not essential from day one but you will need it once your baby can sit up and is ready to start trying solid food, which is usually between 4-6 months old. It is the safest way to feed them and if you put mats underneath, the cleanest way too.
A Breastfeeding Pillow
This is a must if you will be breastfeeding. Holding your baby in the right position during their feeds can be tiring on the arms. A pillow makes it more comfortable for baby and also for you. If you position it in the right way, you won’t need to hold them, leaving your arms free to do other motherly duties.
A Nursery Camera
This little baby is going to be your world and you will do anything that you can to protect them. A nursery camera might seem like a step too far now but trust me, when they are here you will worry about everything. The cost of a nursery camera is a small price to pay for your peace of mind.
It is absolutely normal for new mothers to worry about having everything in place that they or their baby might need. This list should go some way to help conquer any fears that you have about not having the right equipment in place before the big day arrives.
