words Alexa Wang
When it comes to preparing for a new family member, the internet is full of massive lists of must-have items that can end up costing you a crazy amount of money and have you sitting at home two years later realizing you didn’t use half of it. The following will explore the bare minimum guide for what you need for a newborn.
Of course, you will end up getting more than what’s on this list, but this contains the essentials. Everything beyond this isn’t needed and can even wait until after the baby is born, and you know his or her personality a little better.
As a side note, clothing has been skipped over in this list because people love giving baby clothes as gifts and more than likely, you’re going to end up with more than you can use before he or she grows. Likewise, people are endlessly trying to give away their gently used baby clothes.
Something For Them To Sleep In
There are a wide variety of options available in this category, so don’t assume it’s a crib or anything. More and more parents are opening themselves up to things like cosleeping or hybrid sleeping options. Baby’s in Finland sleep in cardboard boxes. There are sleeping devices that are designed to fit comfortably in your bed with you while keeping your little one safe and comfortable. You can go with your gut instinct on how you’d like your child to sleep, but of course, you might change your mind later on, and that’s okay.
Something For Their Bottom
You might want to go the disposable diaper route; you might want reusable, washable diapers. Maybe you want to have both with you so that you can choose in the moment what works. Either way, you need to get something for your little one’s bottom. Err on the side of more rather than less as who’s to say when you’ll feel like running to the store right after birth or how eager you’ll be to do laundry with a gorgeous two-day-old baby snuggled up in your arms.
Something For Them To Travel In
At some point, you’re going to want to be able to move around with your child but have the option to use one or both of your arms. Carrying devices come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, so you have lots of options. Think about your comfort and baby’s comfort and pay attention to details like the size and habits of mom and dad. The best baby carrier for petite moms is going to be a bit different than the best carrier for parents who are addicted to jogging. Again, use your instincts here for what feels right, but be open to changing things up if you’re not pleased with how something feels.
Something To Protect Them
With the race of technology only beginning to show its impact on our culture, behaviour, and health, many parents feel the need to take some protective measures for their little ones. There are blankets and caps that block electromagnetic waves if those are something you’re worried about. The World Health Organization has listed them as a potential problem, but be your own judge. The verdict won’t be in on how damaging electromagnetic frequencies are for many years still.
If You Drive: Something To Keep Them Safe In The Car
If you live somewhere where you drive, you’re going to need a car seat that meets the legal standards for safety. Almost all car seats available nowadays double as a carrier which means if you look for one that detaches and can be carried into your friend’s house, you’re saving yourself money and space in your home.
If Your Live In A Highly-Polluted Area: Something To Keep Their Air Clean
If you live somewhere where the air pollution isn’t great (keep in mind that no matter where you are, indoor air is about five times more polluted than outdoor air), you might want to look into an air filter for the room the baby sleeps in. If air filters are out of your price range, you can gain a few more house plants as they can help remove toxins from the air and improve oxygen levels. Clean air is a real problem, with an estimated 1 in 5 deaths occurring prematurely because of compounds in the air.
The above list is short and sweet. Yes, it’s fun to gather up cute items for your baby, but it’s also nice to know that the essentials list is small and pretty easy to follow. Everything else can wait until you’ve found your rhythm as a parent (and rediscovered it because your kid expanded his or her sense of the world and rediscovered it again, etc.).
