The initial equipment for my first baby: what I really needed and what didn't have to be
© Trendsetters – stock.adobe.com
When I was pregnant, I started pretty early on to print out all the PDF checklists from the Internet and then go through everything I needed and didn't need with my midwife. Since each of these checklists sometimes contained many pages with a lot of duplication, she was not able to go through every point with me and explain everything. And so, even with these checklists, I didn't really know what I needed for the initial equipment and also how I needed it.
Being a little organizational freak like me, I made an Excel list for the initial equipment in which I listed all the things I need (with hours of preliminary research on each individual item), where they can be ordered and at what price included Link. I mostly ordered from babymarkt* and babywalz*. So that the things don't come exactly when nobody was at home and I then have to pick up these large boxes myself at a post office, I waited until the last working day before my vacation (I had four weeks left before maternity leave) and everything ordered at once. 🙂
I gradually ordered clothes and small things. As a woman, you have to restrain yourself a bit with online shopping, otherwise you really order too much. Especially when it comes to clothes and diapers – because you get a lot of both things for free. 😉
What did I need for the initial equipment for my baby?
In the following you will find the things that I found on all the checklists for the initial equipment of the large sites such as babycenter, babyclub, penaten etc., each with a comment as to whether I think it makes sense or not (green dot: useful/practical , orange dot: can/do not have to, red dot: superfluous). However, every baby is different, just like the mother, so this is my list – but my comments may help you with your own baby essentials checklist. As a first time pregnant I sometimes find it very difficult to decide what you need and what you don't and how exactly you use it. Questions arise like: cleaning the buttocks with care wipes or with water and a cloth? What do I put my baby on in the apartment or outside in the pram? Wrap body or normal body that you pull over your head? What are the differences between molleton, gauze and burp cloths? Lambskin or a footmuff (for a winter baby) in the pram, or both?
Most of the time, the search terms on Google are followed by the terms “experience”, “comparison”, “tips” and “forums” alternately to see what The best thing for my son is (you want to do everything right the first time), what I really need and how it is with the other mums, so that you are well prepared.
However, you don't have to worry at all, you grow into the role of mother very quickly and I can assure you that you will smile at all the questions you asked yourself before the birth how some things work with the baby. Personally, my funniest question afterwards was: Does the adhesive side of the nursing pad go to the breast or to the bra? 😀
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< /p>© Photographee.eu – stock.adobe.com
Checklist: the hours of childbirth
• Maternity card
• Insurance card
• ID card
• warm socks
• Labello
• camera for the first shots
• short nightgown that can be opened completely at the front
• comfortable slippers
• Soft bathrobe
• Massage oil for contractions massage
I didn't need much to give birth. The hospital bag was always with you and well filled, but you only need very little for the hours of birth.
Mother's pass & insurance card & ID card: A must!
Warm socks: I read on the internet that giving birth is easier with warm feet. I wore normal cotton socks so I didn't have to walk around the delivery room barefoot – that was enough for me personally.
Labello:Since I already have a slight addiction to Labello, a Labello at birth was also indispensable for me. Otherwise, it is said that the lips get dry due to the many contractions and that you should bring a labello with you.
Camera/smartphone: I had my own iPhone with me, but my husband did did take the photos after all, so that's more of a point for the escort!
Other clothing such as nightgown, bathrobe, comfortable slippers, etc.:I didn't need it! In the delivery room I got these disposable hospital mesh pants with the giant bandages and the hospital nightgown, which is open at the back and you just tie it. I wouldn't take any slippers with me, as they probably get dirty very quickly (either from the amniotic fluid or other liquids that you didn't expect before 😉 ) Before that, I was in the delivery room and was examined from time to time, there are shoes , which you can get in and out of quickly.
Massage oil: I had it with me but didn't need it. In the hospital, the midwives also have their own oils to induce labor or soften the cervix.
Checklist: Postpartum in the hospital
• ID cards of both parents, birth certificate of the parents
• Acknowledgment of paternity and declaration of custody > if you are not married
• Marriage certificate or certified copy from the family register of the marriage > if you are married
• 2-3 shirts
• 2 comfortable trousers, e.g. B. Sweatpants
• 1 cardigan
• 1 nursing bra and nursing pads
• 2 towels in different sizes
• Disposable washcloths
• Cosmetics, toiletries
< p>Papers/Documents:Some clinics will forward the documents you need for your sparrow's birth certificate to the relevant registry office. Here you should simply find out what it looks like in your clinic. If everything goes well, it is very practical and makes your way to the registry office easier, especially because you have to do this within the first week (three days of which you are already in the hospital and it is possible that the days are unfavorable, so that an additional two days fall on the weekend).
Clothes:Two T-shirts (with an extra opening for breastfeeding might be useful, but I didn't need it) and two jogging pants were enough for me. A cardigan for when you go out for breakfast or for a little walk down the hall is also great. I read about some of them that they sweated a lot and needed several shirts – that was not the case for me. A nursing bra and a pair of nursing pads were also enough. For example, my milk came in on the 5th day after giving birth.
Care:Personally, I couldn't shower in the hospital, I was just too exhausted and still in pain, so I found disposable washcloths super handy. Washing things like toothbrush and toothpaste of course and cosmetics were a must for me, because a little make-up is very nice for visitors.
Checklist: Discharge
My son was born in October, it was about 15 degrees during the day, so I can only write about what I put on him and what I needed. (However, you can find the things at this point again below.)
• Wrap body in size. 50
• Tights in size. 50
• Socks
• Shirt & Romper in size 50
• Baby hat
• Wool jacket in size. 50
• Baby blanket made of wool
• Hat
• Baby seat for the car
• Baby gloves
• Baby shoes
Clothing:My son weighed 2,830g, so I definitely needed a size 50, even there was room in it. I made sure everything was 100% cotton. If I were to buy the things again, I would definitely buy the things like body, tights and socks made of wool (in slightly cooler temperatures) because it keeps you warm but also absorbs moisture well if the babies should sweat. I had already bought the jacket and the baby blanket made of wool. I didn't need gloves in October, not even to protect against scratches, because my midwife said they should be free so that the babies learn to feel. You definitely don't need baby shoes!
Baby blanket:The checklists always include a size, which is actually not that important, I had the Disana baby blanket made of 100% merino wool*, which is 80 x 100 cm, and I am very happy with it. Made of wool, it keeps your baby cuddly warm without sweating underneath. And you can also use it as a light blanket in summer. Not only in babies, but also in toddlers! (It's just great if you can use the initial equipment for longer than a year.)
First equipment checklist: baby's clothes in the first 3-4 weeks
(for a winter baby)
• 6 (wrap) bodies, 2 in size. 50, 4 in size 56
• 3 rompers incl. shirt in size. 56
• 2 woolen jackets
• 3 tights
• 1 socks for newborns or woolen socks
• 2 hats for newborns
• 2 pairs of mittens, both for outside and as scratch protection for inside
• 2 pajamas, 2 each in size. 50/56 and size 62/68
• Baby shoes
• Hooded jackets
• Baby blanket made of wool
• Wool hat
• Wool overall
My tip: don't buy too much! You can still buy baby clothes after the birth. B. six small cotton socks that I never put on my son.
I usually find the checklists for baby's first clothes much too long and too much. For example, you don't need “6 baby socks” – one pair is enough, since the baby still has the tights underneath and babies don't normally get their feet dirty. Only bodysuits and tights you should have a few to change into, for example, since it can happen that they sow everything beyond the diaper. Once you've got a feel for how to dress your baby properly, you can buy or order things afterwards.
Since the babies put on quite quickly, especially in the first three months, I think onesies are really nice for the first few weeks, and you can wear trousers and shirts to him or her afterwards. After birth, they are all very delicate. From size 62/68 I find rompers too big again, so I put my son on top and pants/leggings.
< /p>© nataliaderiabina – stock.adobe.com
Checklist for initial equipment: baby care
• Changing table with changing mat and disposable changing pads
• Baby bath with bath stand or bath bucket
• non-slip bath insert
• bath thermometer
• bath towels with hood, 100 x 100 cm
• washcloths or gauze washcloths
• baby nail care -Set
• good baby nail scissors
• baby oil
• moisturizing bath additive
• baby hairbrush with soft bristles
• clinical thermometer
• fever pacifier
• diaper pail with lid or an odor-proof system, e.g. “Sangenic”
• Diapers in the smallest size
• Separate wash bowl
• Wet wipes
• Some washcloths
• Wound protection cream for the buttocks
• Gall soap
• Molleton cloths
• Gauze diapers/gauze cloths/burp cloths (at least 6)
Changing table with changing mat: I found it very useful. – I ordered a changing top from Puckdaddy for my Hemnes dresser from IKEA and I love the top, especially with the ulterior motive that I don't have to buy a new dresser and can continue to use the old one after the changing time. A wipeable padded changing mat and then a disposable changing mat on top, which I change every 4-5 days as needed. My midwife said it would be nice to have a wide changing surface and so far I am very happy with it. This gives my son space to stretch out his arms and I can put old and new clothes on either side of him when changing diapers.
Carrycot:I needed it until my son could sit up, around the age of 8 months, and I put the baby bath in our bath. I was very satisfied with the baby bath from Rotho*. I actually think that all baby baths are okay, they are all relatively cheap. I've read on some forums that parents bathe their babies in the sink. That wouldn't work for us because it's much too small and when he comes to the pool, it's also much too cold for him. Some also come into the big tub with mum or dad – that wouldn't be for me or for us in the early months either. I didn't need the tub attachment, at first I put the tub on a bench that's in our bathroom, later in the big tub because he kicks his legs a lot and the water just squirts out. With the bath bucket, I can imagine that you can't use it for long, especially when you have a big baby. They will certainly still fit in at 6 months, but you can't really clean them that well. (And then they can't really move around in it either.)
Non-slip bath mat:You definitely don't need it, because you keep the little ones while bathing. Might be an issue if they can already stand or walk.
Bath thermometer: I got myself a bath thermometer, but never really used it. My midwife was there when I bathed for the first time and she said it should be pleasantly warm on the skin and since then I have adjusted the water temperature according to my feelings.
Hooded bath towels: They are really cute , but completely soft towels are also sufficient.
Washcloths and gauze washcloths: You can bathe them with both normal washcloths and gauze washcloths. We also use the gauze washcloths to clean our faces every day. But two to three are enough for this.
Baby oil: Babies don't need baby oil at the beginning either. I had found almond oil from the pharmacy on the Internet and also bought it. I didn't use it that often though.
Bath additive: Babies don’t need any care products at first, clear water for bathing is enough.
Baby hairbrush: I had one with goat hair, like the natural hairbrush from reer*, my child had a lot of hair when she was born. However, you don't necessarily need them.
Baby nail scissors: My midwife recommended that I buy good and expensive ones. I did and am also very satisfied with the baby nail scissors from Zwilling*. Lasts well into infancy!
Fever thermometer: Very important! I used it to measure his temperature almost every day in the early months. Also to know if I dressed him too thick or too thin. I can imagine what a fever pacifier is, but I didn't need it personally.
Diaper pail: I got the Diaper Champ* because I read that you can use simple garbage bags there and don't need expensive cassettes for it. However, my husband didn't think it was great that dirty diapers (even if they are in the diaper pail) are in the bedroom and so I sold the diaper pail again after a full garbage bag. We now have a large normal garbage can on the balcony (to the bedroom) in which we throw the diapers. If we didn't have that and I had to decide how to deal with the full diapers, I wouldn't be sure anymore whether a diaper pail like the Diaper Champ would be something for me. The regular size is also relatively small and small things like throwing away a wet wipe doesn't work either.
Diapers:For the beginning, two normal packs are sufficient, e.g. B. Pampers New Born size 1. I wouldn't buy that much in stock because I got two diaper cakes, a diaper bouquet and a diaper motorbike, for example, so I had way too many sizes 1 and 2 to start with. If the diapers should go empty, you can send someone out or buy them yourself. From the beginning I chose disposable diapers, so unfortunately I can't comment on cloth diapers. Personally, I'm too lazy just to clean it, I notice that when my son shits all over the bodies and I have to wash them by hand with gall soap before I put them in the washing machine.
Shared wash bowl: I didn't need it, a simple plastic bowl will do too.
Wet wipes: Since I only wanted the best for my son, I first cleaned his buttocks with warm water and a cloth, the rough stuff beforehand with a soft, dry cleaning cloth. However, since he didn't get sore and had no other problems, I switched to wet wipes (sensitive) very quickly. Find it much more practical for me.
Baby cream for the bottom:I got the wound cream from Weleda Calendula*, actually I hardly use it, only when I go in with the clinical thermometer. Every mom has to see what the baby's bottom looks like and which cream works best.
Gall soap:My midwife recommended it to get the kaka out of my clothes. Unfortunately, I still can't quite get the color out of the clothes. In order to save myself that, I try to change the diapers relatively often, so that nothing comes out of the diaper. My son kept coming out, especially in the first few weeks, which leveled off after six weeks because the stool has also become more regular (1-2 a day, before that it was in almost every diaper) and I know better when his diaper is full.
Moleton towels: I don't think you really need them. I ordered three and only use one under the fitted sheet so that if he spits it doesn't get on the mattress.
gauze towels:Burp cloths are my constant companion (until my little one was about 9 months old), I always use at least two at the same time, one as a head pad and one during and after breastfeeding in case something should come up again.
You don't even need many baby products from the drugstore, such as cotton pads, wipes, etc.!
Otherwise you don't need that much. Cotton pads, cleaning pads or other things that you find in the baby department at Rossmann or dm invite you to buy them, because they are not that expensive and you think that you will use them somehow, but until now they just stand around with me.
Checklist: Breastfeeding
• Nursing bras
• Nursing pads
• Nipple ointment
• Nursing pillows
• breast pump
• 2 bottles (150 ml) with teat
• a thermal bottle or box
• bottle and teat brush
• nursing nightgown or nursing pajamas
• Breastfeeding tea
• Breastfeeding oil
Since I breastfed my son exclusively for the first six months and didn't have any problems with it, unfortunately I can't say anything about bottle feeding. For all of you who want to breastfeed, my tip: put the baby on very often. I've been one of those people who woke their baby up to breastfeed at first. Especially in the early days, the milk in your breast has to be produced and the amount has to be adjusted, so I still think it makes sense to latch the baby often.
Nursing bra:I have tried bras from Medela, babydream (Rossmann) and from H&M. I didn't like the ones from babydream at all, the ones from H&M were fine and I'm very satisfied with the ones from Medela*. Only buy a maximum of one or two pieces during pregnancy, as the breasts get much bigger when the milk comes in and you sometimes „full“ have breasts. I now use two alternately and that's enough for me.
Breast pads: A must for me, otherwise my tops would be constantly wet. Here I tried the ones from Lansinoh, babylove and Philips Avent – I found the one from Lansinoh* by far the best!
Nipple ointment:It hurts like hell, especially in the first few days, my nipples weren't bloody, but they were sore. But that settles after two to three weeks and you no longer need the ointment regularly. (I thought I would have to buy several hundred tubes of nipple ointment, but it only hurt at first.) I used Lansinoh* and am very satisfied. But there is also said to be pure wool fat in the pharmacy, which is said to be cheaper and just as good.
Nursing pillow: I have one, but I have to say that I hardly ever use it. However, I have read from many that they love their nursing pillow and have already used it to sleep during pregnancy.
Breast pump: An electric one can be prescribed by the doctor and borrowed from the pharmacy. I bought a basic Philips Avent* manual breast pump to pump for dad every now and then when he's at home with the little one. Again, I was advised not to give him the bottle until he learned to suckle properly.
Bottles with teat:Makes sense when pumping. 🙂 But I have to say that you get a lot of bottles for free or for free, especially during pregnancy. Or, for example, there was a bottle with the manual breast pump that I got.
Thermo bottle or box: I didn't need it.
< strong>Bottle and teat brush: I could do without it before.
Nursing nightgown or pajamas: I didn't need it. I'm wearing normal clothes and I'm fine.
Nursing tea:I drink breastfeeding tea, I don't know if it's really beneficial, but I drink it regularly. 🙂
Breastfeeding oil: I don't use it.
Checklist for initial equipment: babies at home
• 1-2 soothers up to 6 months
• Bed or cradle/bassinet – ideally convertible to a cot
• Mattress with mattress protector
• Flat pillow for the baby's head
• Duvet
• waterproof mattress pads
• 2-3 fitted sheets
• Baby and crawling blanket
• Baby hot water bottle
• Cherry pit bag
• Sleeping bag size. 56/62
• Baby monitor
• Music box
• Baby rocker
• Dummy chain
• Clutching toys, rattles or comforters
• Night light
Soother: As soon as the baby was able to suckle properly, I gave him the pacifier to calm him down, that was about two weeks for me. After that, he was still feeding well at the breast, with no nipple confusion. Some lists say you need six. I only needed one or two pacifiers, he got along well with the ones from NUK, now we also have those from Philips Avent, whose teats are different, but he takes them well too.
Extra bed: We have the classic side bed from babybay in the maxi version*, i.e. a little wider. In the first few months he will also sleep in our bedroom, we haven't even set up the children's room yet. Since we have a box spring bed, we also use the babybay for box spring beds, which is wider from the lying surface than the original babybay. I can't imagine the area any smaller, since our son always stretches his hands out to the left and right when he sleeps and the bed is already a bit too narrow at three months.
Mattress with mattress protector:I bought my son the Brise Light with integrated moisture protection from Traumeland (fits in babybay maxi beds). I'm very happy with it, but I have to say that a simpler one would have done the trick. Then a folded Molton cloth and then the fitted sheet on it.
Flat pillow & Duvet: Little babies don't need it. It is recommended not to cover the babies at night, but to pack them in a sleeping bag. We only have a muslin cloth as a head pad so that spit-out milk does not get directly onto the bed sheet.
Waterproof mattress pads: After a long research, I didn't really understand what that is exactly. You can read how I do it in the section above. Maybe these mattress pads replace the part of the mattress in which the moisture protection is integrated.
Baby and crawling blanket:I didn't need it. If necessary, I would only buy it if it was really necessary and not in advance, because such a blanket takes up a lot of space and it would be a shame if you didn't use it after all.
Hot water bottle & Cherry pit pillow: I have both at home, but have never used them because my son had no problems with flatulence or his tummy.
Sleeping bag:My midwife told me not to buy too big so that the head doesn't slip through the opening. So I got the size from alvi. 56/62 as my first sleeping bag and it worked for about 10 weeks, after which I had to get a new one. I ordered the first sleeping bag from alvi, both the outer and inner sleeping bag. But I didn't use the inner sleeping bag (I would never buy it again!), but always put my pajamas on under the outer sleeping bag. Before that, I had googled for a long time how to put all that on him and how other mums do it.
Baby monitor:It probably doesn't have to be, but personally I find it very practical! We have the Philips Avent baby monitor and are very satisfied. My friend has a video baby monitor and when she was with her son she found the video feature much more useful. So it's probably more practical with the video function, but if you didn't know it before, you don't need it either. But if you already know it, you will miss the function. 🙂
Bouncer:We received the baby bouncer from Babybjörn* and thought it was great, we probably wouldn't have gotten one ourselves. Therefore: Doesn't have to, but can! This way, if the little man doesn't want to lie down, he can also „sit“ if you don't have a free hand to carry him.
Dummy chain:We also got it as a gift and it's also practical. As a gift with letter names, it is also a very nice gift for birth, I think. Of all the gifts we received, this is my favorite because it doesn't take up much space, it's really useful, it's personal, and you can put it in the baby keepsake box later. 🙂
Gripping toys, rattles & Cuddle cloths: You get a lot of them for free at the beginning and I personally didn't need them at the beginning. Rattles and teething toys only become interesting from four weeks.
Night light:Sooner or later, a night light will come in handy. There are many cute ones in the shape of a cloud, stars or the moon, but they are all battery-powered and not that practical in the long run, as you usually open the clasp with a screwdriver to change the batteries, and then the battery too doesn't last that long. I love the AUKEY* bedside lamp because you can charge it with a mini-USB and it lasts up to 200 hours on the lowest setting. Various levels of brightness are also included.
Checklist for initial equipment: taking a walk with baby
• Stroller with stroller bag (made of lambskin in winter)
• Rain cover
• Baby sling/carrier
• Baby seat for the car
• Sun visors for the car
• Diaper bag
Pram: We bought the Hartan VIP XXL second-hand and are very happy with it. Getting a new pram for almost €1,000 was too expensive for me. And I have to say, the second hand one works too. For the winter I have two mattresses in it (one bought new and one from the old owner – my midwife said that a lot of cold gets through from below and as long as it is still enough from the height, I can leave both in), a lambskin* and then the Mucki P5 footmuff*. I thought this combination was just great, so my little one was cozy and warm.
Rain protection: I bought the rain protection from dm. I personally find the rain cover a bit bulky, but I've seen other manufacturers do the same.
Sling/baby carrier: When I was pregnant, I immediately bought the manduca* baby carrier because I had only read good things about it. When my son was born, I only then dealt with the topic of slings/baby carriers and went to two breastfeeding consultations until I was finally sure what to put on the little one, how to carry him correctly and how to adjust the straps. However, for the first few weeks we did without it because he was still so delicate, but after two months it was a great fit and we felt comfortable and safe. He didn't like it at all the first two times, so I thought I bought the baby carrier for nothing. But after that I wore it almost every day and we both loved it! I wore it until he was about 1 year old and weighed about 10 kilos, after that I didn't anymore.
Car seat for the car: We have the CabrioFix* model from Maxi-Cosi and are very happy with it, without the Isofix station. Buckling up with the belt also works. Above all, you save some money here and later you have to buy a new car seat as soon as it is a little larger again.
Sun visors for the car: I bought them, but still not needed. But that will surely come.
Diaper bag: I didn't need a diaper bag for the first six months. A normal bag, in which you can put a few things, was completely sufficient. It wasn't until my sparrow started eating porridge and he was no longer so tied to me because of breastfeeding and he was more often with my grandparents that I found a diaper bag useful from then on. I have one like this typical diaper backpack* and I am completely satisfied. I think they're all similar, just with a different branding sticker.
You don't even need the checklists about “With baby on a long car trip/on vacation”, “Baby's first aid kit”, “For the apartment, garden and bathroom” at the beginning. Because after 1-2 months you get a feeling for what you need and what you don't. In addition, you usually don't travel in the first few weeks, because you actually belong in the confinement or are more likely to be at home or just outside to go shopping. If, when the time comes, you don't want to forget anything, you can look on the Internet if necessary, just as you quickly looked at checklists before a trip so as not to forget anything.
I hope you found my baby essentials checklist useful. The anticipation of the baby with getting all the things is really a very good time – enjoy it! Above all, everything is still so new and exciting. 🙂 I can imagine that it will still be fun with the second child, but that special feeling like the first time will certainly not be there. 🙂
I wish you a great pregnancy and all the best for the birth! ♥
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