Nesting? Baby Must Haves If You’re a New Or Expecting Mum
If you’re pregnant and feeling the urge to clean and organise your home in preparation for your baby, then you might have entered the “nesting phase.” It’s that overwhelming desire to get your house ready for your little one, and the instinct is said to be the strongest in the third trimester and the weeks leading up to the delivery.
When nesting strikes, mums experience a sudden burst of energy and an intense need to focus on tasks related to their baby. This makes it the perfect time to start shopping for baby essentials, so you can have all your gear the minute your bub arrives.
But with so many baby items on the market, you’re probably wondering if there are any you can skip and which ones you cannot live without. Don’t fret – here’s a checklist of the essentials you and your baby need for the first 3 months!
Newborn Clothing
Newborns grow quickly, so it’s best to avoid shopping for too many clothes as they might no longer fit after a few weeks. A good rule of thumb is to always size up in clothing so your little ones can grow into it over time. Here are some of the must haves:
- 4 to 8 singlets
- 4 to 8 sleepsuits
- 4 to 8 shirts (choose ones with snaps or envelope folds at the shoulders)
- 4 to 8 pairs of leggings or pants (bodysuits can also be an option)
- 1 to 3 cardigans or jackets (look for ones that can be buttoned at the front)
- 4 to 7 socks or booties
- 1 to 3 newborn hats or beanies for colder weather
- 1 to 3 pairs of mittens
- 2 to 3 bibs
Newborn Feeding
You’ll be feeding your newborn around the clock, so it’s a must to have tools that can greatly make the process easier for you and your baby. Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, here are the essential baby supplies you’ll need for mealtimes:
Breast pump
If you plan to breastfeed, investing in an electric breast pump is best, as these are suited for regular and daily pumping. The Eonian Care Smart Double Electric Breast Pump expresses milk quickly and efficiently and lets you pump liquid gold from both breasts simultaneously. This saves you time and can even boost your milk supply.
Milk storage bags
Freezer friendly storage bags like the Eonian Care Breast Milk Storage Bags with 2 Pump Adapters ensure none of your liquid gold goes to waste. These are pre sterilised and BPA free and easily attach to your breast pumps to lessen the chances of contamination.
Nursing bra
It is recommended to breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months up to a year. It is also ideal to nurse your baby directly from your breast during the first 6 to 8 weeks before you start expressing your milk. To help you with this, invest in a few pairs of a high quality nursing bra, like the Eonian Care Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra. This will help support your breasts and offer easy access when nursing.
Feeding bottles
If you’re exclusively pumping, having a lot of bottles on hand can make mealtime easier. You can clean bottles in one big batch instead of constantly washing them throughout the day.
Invest in a feeding set that grows with your baby, like the Eonian Care Baby Bottles & Feeding Solutions Value Set, which are BPA free, anti colic, and leakproof. You can quickly transform the magic cups into a bottle, sippy cup, food container and more by swapping the lid attachments. It also complements your breast pump as you can store and feed breast milk from it!
Steriliser
Sanitising baby feeding items and breast pump parts is a must during baby’s first 3 months, especially if they were born premature or with a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment. If you can, shop for an all in one steriliser, like the Eonian Care Electric Steriliser, Dryer, and Baby Bottle Warmer 3 in 1, for cleaning and drying your feeding bottles, breast pump and other feeding essentials. It’s easy to operate – just place the items inside, and they’ll be ready for use after every wash.
Apart from the items above, some optional items include:
- Nipple and bottle brush
- Nursing cover
- Breast pads
- Nipple cream
Newborn hygiene and grooming
Bathtime is a great way for parents to bond with their newborn. To make the process easier, prepare everything within reach before you even take their clothes off. Here are some of the essentials you’ll need:
- Baby bathtub
- Bath mat (to prevent slipping in the tub)
- Rinsing cup
- Soft washcloths
- Hooded bath towels
- Gentle baby shampoo and soap or body wash
- Baby oil or lotion
- Changing table or cushioned changing pad
- Diapers
- Diaper cream
Baby Wipes
Wipes are a lifesaver, especially for quick cleanups throughout the day. Shop for a handy wipe dispenser that can keep your wipes fresh and moist, like the Eonian Care Re-heatable Wet + Dry Baby Wipe Dispenser. It has an easy to open lid and a non-slip suction plate, so it stays in place as you pull all the wipes you need. You can even pop it in the microwave if you need warm, wet ones!
Nail trimmer
Caring for a newborn also require cleaning their hands and feet, so a nail trimmer, like the Eonian Care Electric Baby Nail Trimmer, is another essential item. First time parents might benefit from this as it’s designed to be gentle and safe, with an anti slip edge and a 2 speed switch so you can file baby’s nails quickly. It is also extremely quiet, so you can groom your little one while asleep – the perfect time to do so!
While waiting to meet your little one, the checklist above can be a great starting point to help you prepare for the coming months, as caring for a newborn is sure to be hectic. But keep in mind that this phase can also be unpredictable, so don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect. Remember, the most important person that your baby needs is you!