10- Must Have Baby Products for the First Year
10 Must-Have Baby Products for the First Year
If you're expectant with your first child, chances are you have no idea of the newborn products you’ll need. We thought ahead and prepared a guide of all the essentials you should have for the first year. The products range from baby clothing to safety products. Take a look.
Welcoming a newborn baby can be very exciting and very scary at the same time, especially if it's your first time. One thing that makes the first-year smooth is having all the necessary products the baby will need.
We have prepared a detailed checklist of all the must-have newborn products to make work easier for you. Starting from feeding, bedding, diapering to clothing, we've got you covered.
Check this out:
Baby Clothes
Baby clothes are sized by age. However, some brands can vary in their sizing, so it's crucial you check weight and height description to help you find the right outfit.
Some babies wear three-month outfits straightway and never need the newborn size. But since there is no way of knowing, it's safe to have a few newborn outfits.
Also, buy a few clothes with the next size that your baby will need before they get there. Kids grow up really fast.
Accepting hand-me-downs and buying second-hand clothes can help you have multiple size options to choose from.
The best newborn products as far as clothing is concerned should be soft, durable, and roomy. They should also be made from materials that can withstand multiple washings. Avoid clothing with ribbons, tassels, and strings to avoid choking hazards.
Consider organic clothing as it is made with no chemicals or harsh dyes. The setback is they are a bit expensive. Regardless of the cloth type, you can use friendly detergents to avoid skin irritation.
2. Car Seat and Stroller
The first journey with your baby will be from the hospital to your home. Most hospitals will require you to have a car seat to make sure the baby is safe. The car seat is also to ensure you have a smooth ride during clinics and outings. Invest a reasonable amount of time in choosing the best car seat and don't compromise on quality for a cheaper one.
Another gear you need is a baby stroller. You obviously want to take your baby around the neighborhood. It's crucial you choose the best umbrella stroller in the market to allow your baby to sit and nap comfortably during walks without getting sunburns.
3. Diapers and Wipes
This should be on the top of every must-have newborn product list. Babies use the most diapers and wipes in their first year. The number will reduce as they move towards their first birthday. So, stock up on lots of them as they're a necessity.
With that said, diapers are one of the most sensitive newborn baby care products because of diaper rash, which is very common. To avoid the latter, choose a quality diaper and make sure it fits to prevent skin irritation.
As for the wipes, you can choose to go with reputable brands or any wet wipes for the purpose. Make sure they're hygienic and safe for the baby.
Consider having a changing station at home with all these products. There is a good amount of diaper-changing in the first months, and the changing station makes it easier.
4. Feeding Essentials
Whether you'll be bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, it's essential to have enough bottles and nipples. Newborns only drink around 4 ounces of milk at the beginning, so you can start with four ounce-bottles and upgrade to 8 ounces as the baby grows.
You'll also need milk bags, formula, and a breast pump as they're the most critical baby products needed for a newborn for the first year.
Once your baby is six months old, they'll probably be ready to eat solid food. It's therefore good to have food smashers, baby spoons, washcloths, bibs, and bowls on standby. A high chair with a tray also comes in handy as you can move it around and attach it to your dining table set.
5. Bedding Essentials
It's vital that you make sure you research the best products for newborn babies when shopping for your baby's beddings.
However, for starters, you can co-sleep with your toddler. This way you'll have your baby close to you, making feeding easy.
When you decide to move them to their crib, find one that has perfect safety features and an excellent mattress to ensure your baby is comfortable.
Also, avoid leaving quilts, blankets, and pillows as it could increase the risk of SIDs. Using Swaddlers instead of blankets can help prevent suffocation issues as well.
6. Bathing Essentials
You can give your newborn a bath once the umbilical cord dries and falls off. You can either place the baby bathtub in your tub or use the kitchen sink. Make sure you choose a tub that is strong and durable. Remember to include shampoo and no-tears formula baby wash on your newborn baby bath product list. To avoid any chemicals, use no fragrance shampoo and body wash.
Include newborn hair products to detangle the hair as combing their hair can be painful for them.
After the bath, wrap your baby with a soft hooded towel, and use washcloths to clean the ear area.
You can also add a few toys in the tub to make the washing experience playful for the baby.
You'll also need other products for grooming purposes like baby oil. The newborn baby girl products are similar to newborn baby boy products at this age, so don't stress too much.
7. Safety Needs
You need to make sure your baby is safe even when they're in another room. Fortunately, there are both audio and video monitors in the market that can help you watch your baby.
A baby monitor becomes even more critical once the baby starts to roll and crawl as they can easily injure themselves.
Before your baby starts moving, make your home baby-friendly to prevent accidents by adding safety gates, latches, outlet covers, etc.
8. Baby Carriers
While you're on the go, it's not always possible to hold your baby in your hands the whole time. And at times, you prefer not to carry your baby stroller with you. For this reason, it's essential to have a baby carrier. It helps you snuggle your toddler close to you and still be hands-free. Therefore, you can use one while you're at home doing chores or taking care of older kids.
As with any other baby product, a baby carrier should be chosen with utmost care. The straps and harness should be secure enough to hold the baby and allow you to support them. Although baby carriers come with multiple benefits, it's recommended you use them only when necessary.
9. Baby Entertainments
Babies love to have fun, and you'll also be able to move around the house when they're engaged. Every newborn loves a pacifier, so that should be the first toy you get for your baby. Play gyms and bouncy seats also work well for kids who aren't mobile yet. They enjoy the sights, sounds, and other bouncy features.
Once your toddler starts to move, you'll need to upgrade toys to rattles, musical toys, and other interactive games.
10. Health Care Products
After getting the best products for newborn babies to cater for their daily needs, you'll need medical products. It's crucial that you have a few healthcare items with you. They include a first aid kit, digital thermometer, teethers, baby brush, etc.
Also, talk with your pediatrician to learn what over-the-counter medications you need to keep in the house.
Final Thoughts
We hope our newborn products checklist will help you in the preparation of your newborn. Visit our blog for more articles on baby products, and get first-hand reviews to help you choose the right products.
About the author
Rachel Burns is an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and companies from around the world. In addition to writing articles and promotional materials, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
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