There’s an old joke that parents are people who have photographs in their wallets where their cash used to be. It is true that babies can be very expensive, particularly the first one where you will legitimately need to buy a lot of baby supplies. At the same time, however, first-time parents are popular targets for advertisers and can easily wind up buying a lot of items they later discover they could well have lived without. Here, therefore, is a brief guide to your genuine new-parenting essentials.
Car seat and pram / buggy
Assuming you’re going to be transporting your baby by car, you need a car seat. That’s the law (and common sense). You’ll also need a way to get your baby around your local streets. Think carefully about how you are going to use your pram before you buy it. If you’re in a city, then being able to fold it up for storage (or on transport) may be a huge plus, but if you’re in the countryside, you might be better off with a sturdier buggy for off-road walks.
Cot and bedding
Even if you prefer to have your baby in your own bedroom for their earliest days, they still need their own cot and bedding. It’s dangerous to have them sleep in their parents’ bed.
Baby bath, bathing supplies and grooming tools
In particular you’ll want special baby nail clippers to keep their nails short enough to stop them scratching themselves.
Baby medical kit
Any decent-sized pharmacy will have everything you need to put together a basic medical kit for your baby and if you wish there are plenty of ready-made kits to buy, alternatively there are plenty of reputable online sources which will give you guidance as to what you need.
Baby monitor (and nightlight)
These days baby monitors can generally transmit to a dedicated baby monitor and/or to an app on your phone. We’d suggest you invest in at least one dedicated monitor so you can keep an eye on your baby while you’re using your phone. Some systems can generate lighting, but if not it’s a good idea to leave a nightlight by your baby’s cot. That way it’ll be easier for you to find your way to them for those inevitable night-time trips.
Utility bag
As a minimum, you need a bag which will allow you to carry the necessities for changing your baby and either contain or provide a surface on which to change them. In theory you can carry your baby’s other items in your regular bag, but in reality, it is often helpful to have a dedicated “baby bag” with all of their necessities organized in one place and separate from each parent’s own items.
Nappies and wipes
It may seem like a good idea to stock up on nappies before the baby is born, but we’d suggest against it. Even if you buy a premium brand you may discover that your particular baby just doesn’t like it. Obviously, however, you are going to need some.
Feeding supplies
These will depend on whether you’re breast or bottle feeding or a combination of both. There are a number of essentials for breast feeding or bottle feeding, depending on which route you choose to take. Whichever method you choose, you are going to need to be prepared for satisfying a voracious appetite so anything which makes that easier for you is probably a good buy. Even in the early days, before your baby is anywhere close to being weaned, a good supply of bibs is very helpful.
Clothes
You’ll need them and you’ll need several changes of them, but not a mountain of them. Six of everything is probably enough if you’re fine with doing laundry every couple of days. You can buy more, but remember that babies grow really quickly.
Books and toys
Babies enjoy books and toys, but, to begin with, only buy a few yourself. You’ll probably find yourself gifted with plenty when the baby actually arrives and, if not, then you can go out and buy more if appropriate.
Peter Scully
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