What does a baby need ?

Hugs, kisses and lots of love ? Yeah right 🤣

With shopping for two kids and multiple friends kids born in North America, I have created a running list of items that are either mandatory or nice to have for a newborn baby (about 0-3) based on my experience 😊. Hope this is useful for anyone new to parenthood or being parents in US/Canada !

#babyshopping #motherhood #baby #babyregistry #momlife

Here is a list of items that you probably need for the baby for sure :- ---------------------------------------------

• Car seat and stroller

• Baby carrier

• Diaper bag ( bag style if you plan to travel a lot and neutral color if hubby will use it a lot )  

• 0-3/3-6 months clothes (avoid NB size as kids outgrow them soon so 0-3 is best option

1. Side snaps  : Life saver especially in Newborn stage. Try getting them with mittens

2. Onesies  : Look at videos how to remove them as there is trick to it ( over shoulder through lower body instead head

3. Sleepers : Make sure its zipper style and not buttons. Preferably the zip open bottom to top for easy nighttime diaper changes

4. Pants : Few pants to pair up with onesies/side snaps

• Baby blankets - cotton (Aden and Anais) and flannel

• Wash cloth or burp cloth , bibs, 2-3 baby towel

• Socks , cap, mittens (very few if you have sleepers or onesies with mittens)

• Baby bath tub (Newborn friendly)

• Baby shampoo - Burt bees, Honest or any good brand

• Diapers ( One NB box and Size 1) or cloth diapersif you prefer

• Wipes or wash cloths if you prefer

• Rash cream

• Body lotion like Baby Aquaphor / Cetaphil Baby

• Baby oil for massage (Burtbees, Coconut oil)

• Nose Frieda or similar product for cleaning nose, Saline drops 

• Forehead Thermometer

• One or two baby bottles ( Usually just get free ones with baby registry and once you know what baby likes buy more)

The above items are good for first few weeks and you can always add more based on your need and the more you learn about the baby.

Once you get the necessary items sorted, the below items are nice to haves that just make life easier for new (or seasoned) parents:-

• 1-2 Fancy outfit for photography but otherwise kids look good even in diaper :)

• Toys for tummy time like baby jungle though best toy is your face

• Baby swing or rocker (my kids didn’t like swing ( tried from a friend) only rocker)

• Crib , Crib mattress , sheets or Bassinet if you don’t want to co-sleep (I always had crib for my kids)

• Baby pillow (mustard) to avoid flat head

• Diaper pail and refills 

• Additional baby changing kit ( can hold few diaper, some wipe and a changing pad)

• 2-3 changing pads ( I didn’t prefer changing station just used end of crib but if you have space go ahead)

• Breast feeding pillow - I prefer boppy since it’s nice for breast and bottle feeding and propping the baby up once their neck is stable . Brestfriend works if you are set with breastfeeding but its probably not otherwise useful.

• Maternity bra for breastfeeding

• Breast pump bra, storage bags if pumping

• Breast pad if you breastfeeding

• Microwave sterilizer (If you plan to travel abroad . Electric one is expensive and only works with particular outlet)

• Research available bottles and buy once baby starts bottle feeding based of baby preference, colic situation etc

• Research formula options ( Used euro brand due to cleaner ingredients) - Get free packs from companies and buy more based on baby preference

• Swaddle blanket ( halo brand, swaddleme up etc ) or learn swaddling with blanket

• Feeding cover cum car seat cover

• 2-3 Pacifiers 

• Video or audio monitor

Once the baby grows more toys , high chair, feeding sets etc are required but this list is

good to start.

There are many companies in US/Canada that giveaway free baby stuff as promotions so utilize those to get an idea about products. Lookout for my NB tips and tricks , Postpartum blogs as well !