When you first see that positive on a pregnancy test, if you are like me, you’d typically begin researching everything you need to get before the baby arrives. I like to be prepared, I love babies, everything about babies, and getting excited to spoil babies.
Preparing to get everything ready and settled before a new baby arrives can be stressful, exciting, overwhelming, scary, and crazy all at the same time. Sadly, there’s not much to say other than you will feel all those things when preparing to have a baby. That’s just the way it goes, but for the most part, you will be excited and willing to do everything you can to feel secure in welcoming a new life into the world. I am here to help you determine what is necessary and what isn’t.
How Did We Feel When We First Found Out I was Pregnant?
Going back, when we found out we were pregnant with E, we started planning right away. We started making lists of things we wanted to get and things we needed to get. We also began saving up for medical bills, knowing we would have some once she arrived. We started getting rid of things we no longer needed, decluttering the apartment as we would say. We began making space so that we would have room for more baby-type things. We also lived in Rexburg, Idaho, at the time, going to school, so we ended up moving to a different apartment across town, so we could have more space, and it was cheaper as our current apartment rate was about to go up.
What Did We Purchase For Our Newborn?
Once our families found out we were expecting, we got a lot of hand-me-downs and other baby items that were no longer needed for them. Needless to say, it worked out great for us, but we still needed the necessities to make sure our little bundle of joy would be taken care of. Here is a list of things you do need when preparing to have a baby:
- Diapers (size newborn and size 1, because you don’t know how big or how small your baby will be)
- Wipes (you cannot change a baby without these! Some people say to use unscented, but I don’t think it matters unless your baby has a skin allergy/sensitivity)
- Diaper rash cream (A Must with new babies, and all babies. They are used to being naked all the time, diapers and clothing are going to rub and irritate their little bodies)
- Nail trimming gear (we use a little kid-friendly electric grinder. It still works for my toddler).
- Nose cleaner of some kind (we use the bulb syringe).
- Swaddle blankets (newborns like feeling warm and snuggled up, as that’s how they were for the last 9 months of their little life).
- Burp Cloths (you can use other things like paper towels… but burp cloths are handy and well worth it to just have on hand.)
- Bassinet (some kind of bassinet for the first 5 months of your baby’s life to have in your room is important. We use a pack n’ play.)
- Carseat (You can’t leave the hospital unless you have a carseat, and you can’t go anywhere unless you have one in the first place. Get a good, sturdy, safe infant car seat for their first bit of life. You don’t need anything fancy, but if you want something a little fancy, we use the Doona.
- Binkies (My first daughter didn’t like binkies, and refused to take one, but my second has taken to them, and it’s been life-changing. We use the Philips Avent Soothie.)
- Bottles (If you are planning to nurse, pump, or formula feed, bottles are handy to have. I would recommend an anti-colic bottle such as Dr. Browns)
- Bottle Brush (To clean bottles, you will need a bottle cleaning brush; do not use the same one as you do for the rest of your dishes.)
- Breast Pump (If you are planning on nursing, or feeding with a bottle, a breast pump is going to be necessary to keep from engorgement and getting mastitis. Your health insurance should also cover the majority of one, if not all, of the price. Double check with your insurance to see what they do cover.)
- Formula (If you are planning on formula feeding your baby, you need a good formula. Do your research, talk to your baby’s doctor, and decide what would be best for your baby)
- Teething Toys (Your baby may start teething earlier or later than other babies. My oldest got her first tooth right at six months old, and my second has yet to get any teeth, and she’s almost eight months old.)
- Clothes (Everyone needs clothes at all ages. Babies will mostly just live in onesies and pajamas. We never really used white onesies except underneath other clothes. So get the colored ones if you want a little fun, not to mention white stains easily. Make sure you get weather-appropriate clothing for all seasons.)
- Toys/books (children need play in their lives to learn and grow. Having age-appropriate toys and books will help them expand their minds!)
I’m sure I missed some things, but these are the things I know you will need for sure, give or take some personal preferences and whatnot. What your baby needs more than any of these temporal things, though, is to be loved and nurtured. If you have any questions or want more specifics on what you will need for your baby when he/she arrives, feel free to fill out the form below, and I’ll gladly answer anything I can, as best as I can.
Now, here is a list of things you don’t necessarily need, but things we wanted, along with everything above that has made life so much easier raising our babies:
- Car Cameras (We tried the mirror thing, but I saw too many news articles about fires starting, and it scared me, and having to constantly glance back distracted us too much, so we opted for looking at the front, where a little screen showed our beauties from their cameras.)
- Baby Monitor (Some people prefer the sound ones where you only listen for the cries, but I like to see my babies and know that they are safe and sleeping well.)
- Baby Gate (baby gates are necessary if you have stairs, but we didn’t like the plastic ones that you have to physically move and store, so thanks to some family members, we got a retractable one that has been helpful)
- Baby Tub (We just got a simple baby tub, it has an infant insert, and you can use it up to toddler if you want to.)
If you have things that you just need to have but aren’t required, then I say try it out (within reason, of course.) If that certain baby bottle will appease you, try it. If you want to get the adorable little outfit, even though it’s not going to fit them forever. You know the pictures will be worth it, right? In all seriousness, don’t be afraid to try new things if you want to see how something works for you and your baby.
Are All These Things Neccessary For a Newborn?
Every baby, every parent, and every family is different. You will hear that over and over again, but it’s so true. What works for your first child may not work for your next, and vice versa. Be logical, be smart, and stay within your budget as best as you can! Don’t overspend because you feel it’s required of you, stay within reason, and utilize the things you have, the people you know and trust, and remember that you can do hard things!
You are an amazing parent, or parent-to-be, trust your instincts, trust that you will know what to do, and that you can do it!
“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.”
McKenna Sanders
The Mom, Wife, Dream Life Blog
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