New Baby, the real essential buys.

What do you really need for your newborn? Make sure you get the necessary items before the nice-to-have!

There's no end of baby related equipment and no limit to the money you could, and are probably tempted, to spend on your new baby. What you really need is another matter. If you check off the list of essentials first then you'll know how much money you've got left to splash out on those not-o-necessary-but-terribly-cute things, and a few little luxuries to make your life easier.

A car seat - for a newborn (rear-facing)

5 or 6 babygrows for a newborn - While the newborn baby size of clothes will probably be too small in less than two months, it’s still wise to buy several sets of the basic essentials as you’ll be changing them often. Even if you get lots of baby clothes as gifts they’re not likely to be these perhaps boring, but utterly indispensable, basics. Which also goes for…

5 or 6 baby vests

Scratch mitts

Two or three cardigans or a couple of cardigans and a jumper.

Outdoor suit or set in winter – If you have a winter baby you’ll need extra layers for out of doors.

A couple of pairs of baby socks or booties for out and about

A bonnet

Nappies – If you go for disposables, which you might find easier in the first couple of weeks while you’re adjusting, you’ll need quite a few of these as your baby will need changing every couple of hours. If you’ve got space then try and stock up for a week or so to make life easier on yourself later. There are lots of different brands out there, so you might want to get a recommendation from a friend or from ThinkBaby. If you’re going for reusable nappies you’ll need at least 24 to get you through two days, and more if you don’t have a tumble drier. Don’t forget the fastenings

Waterproof pants - If you’re using reusable nappies you’ll need several pairs of waterproof pants for over the top (unless you have the all-in-one kind). You might also want to think about disposable liners that can be flushed down the loo to minimise the nappy soiling

A changing mat or unit that’s easy to wipe clean

Baby wipes and cotton wool for changing and top and tailing

Baby bath, bowl or newborn bath support for an adult bath - There are plenty of options when it comes to bathing baby, and it’s really a matter of personal preference

Baby bath - A mild bathing formula is optional for baby, many mums prefer to use no cleanser at all on their baby's soft skin

A couple of small towels for after bathing, as soft as you can afford. The variety with hoods are particularly cosy for baby

Feeding accessories - Bottles, teats, bottle warmer, a steriliser or sterilising fluid and brushes if you are bottle feeding (you’ll need these later if you are breast feeding but want to be able to express milk too)

A crib, moses basket or cot – depending on your preferences. Many parents like to keep their newborns in a crib or moses basket by their bedside for the first few months

Bedding - for the baby’s cot. Your baby will need the right size mattress for their bed, fitted with a waterproof cover and soft fitted cotton or flannel sheets. To cover baby you can use either layers of cellular cotton blankets or a baby sleeping bag

A couple of blankets for the pram or buggy

A pram or buggy suitable for newborns (you might prefer to carry your baby around in a sling for the first couple of months)

For mum

Nursing bras, breast pads and somewhere comfortable to sit and nurse if you are breastfeeding

Squares of muslin or muslin nappies to protect your clothes when feeding or winding

Maxi pads to manage post-labour flow

Nice to have

A sling for carrying your baby on your front in the first few months and / or a backpack or papoose to carry the child on your back when she’s heavier later

What you can probably forget about

Soft toys – they’re cute and tempting, but you’ll probably receive lots of soft toys for your new baby as gifts, so it’s a good area to exercise restraint if you’re on a budget, though we know you're going to buy at least one. If your friends turn out to be far more practical with their gifts then you can always buy toys later.

Here is an easy to copy, paste and print list for you to take to the shops!!

Shopping for a New Born Baby        

Things that are required

Swaddling blanket x2

Cot (plus mattress, sheets and blankets)

Car seat

Pram/buggy/travel system*

Six sleepsuits/ long sleeved suits

Six vests/ short sleeved suits

Two cardigans/ jackets

Shawl or snow suit

Hat, mittens and bootees

Changing mat

Nappies

Bottles/teats/bottle bottle brush (only needed if not breastfeeding)

Nursing bra and breast pads 

Loads of bibs

Plenty of towels/ flannels/ muslin squares (for bathing and dribbles!)

Loads of kitchen roll and cotton wool pads

Brush and comb* Only one of these

Things that are helpful

Moses basket/ crib (plus mattress, sheets and blankets)

Baby bath

Baby box or bag

Sling

Bouncy chair

Baby monitor

Changing bag

Steam steriliser

Breast pump

Baby lotion

Baby wipes

Bath thermometer

Nail scissors

Nappy wrapper

Checklist for Bedtime and Night feed

Swaddling blanket x2

Nappies

Bottle warmer

Kettle

Ready Made Packets of baby milk

Muslin clothes

Bibs

Travel nappy changing mat

Baby grows

Lots of love, Patricia x

Mummy 101 Series. Swaddling

Swaddling can be a controversial subject among some, but as a professional maternity nurse  having cared for hundreds of babies and my own lovely of daughter I absolutely adore swaddling.
The benefits of swaddling for mother and baby are countless, and whilst I am an advocate of swaddling, it is of course entirely down to each individual family, just like breast vs bottle.
Here are my argments for swaddling.

More Sleep
The most tried and true theory of swaddling is that babies sleep longer when wrapped securely. And a good wrap is just the key. Research proves that when effectively swaddled, babies will sleep significantly longer stretches.

Safer SleepResearch demonstrates that when swaddled correctly, babies are less likely to experience Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are more likely to stay asleep on their backs, and are less likely to get caught in loose blankets. 

Feels like home
Before birth, the tight space inside the womb provided a warm, tight, and secure home for your baby. Outside the belly, babies miss those feelings and cry-out for the touch and comfort of swaddling.

Self-SoothingSwaddled babies have been shown to soothe themselves back to sleep when snuggly wrapped—an incredibly important little feat when the clock strikes three am. 

It's like milkJust as milk is necessary for your baby to grow and survive, touch is equally as important. When you can't be skin-to-skin with your baby, snuggly wrapping is the next best thing.  

Less Crying, More SmilesBabies who are swaddled frequently spend more hours of the day in a state of calm, are less distracted and over-stimulated, and are better rested, making everyone smile more. 

Better on the BreastWrapping up your little one not only keeps your baby tightly secured, but also allows her to be less distracted and focus more on the task at hand-getting latched on correctly for a warm meal. A good latch is the key to successful breastfeeding, and a calm, attentive, and swaddled baby is the key to a good latch.

Prevents FrightThe Moro or “startle” reflex, which is set off by sudden movement or the sensation of falling can result in fright and crying. Snuggly wrapping your baby prevents triggering this reflex and avoids unnecessary upset. 

Smarter BabiesThis is yet to be scientifically proven, but it appears that frequently swaddled babies may be more alert and attentive because they spend less time crying and are better rested.

Once you get the hang of swaddling, which looks way more complicated than it really is you will be so glad you mastered it, I teach swaddling as well as many other essential new born baby skills and techniques to expectant parents on a regular basis in West London, so if your near there why not contact me at info@freelancematernitynurse.co.uk to find out more about up coming classes. I also sell gift vouchers for this and they make great presents for baby showers!

If your not able to get to my classes here is a simple but effective illustration of who to swaddle baby.

Here are some excellent links to some of my favourite swaddling clothes sellers, including traditional and modern versions.

Mamas and Papas

Blossom Mother and Child

Hamill Baby

Eden and Anais

Feel free to post any questions or email me direct at info@freelancematernitynurse.co.uk also feel free to visit the website at Freelance Maternity Nurse.

Happy swaddling! Lots of Love, Patricia x