In this article you will learn the following
You are pregnant and the anticipation of your baby is increasing. You would prefer to buy everything at once and furnish the baby room with everything your heart desires. We know.
But before you fall into a shopping spree and buy things that you may not even need, we have prepared a checklist with the basic equipment for you and your baby. You can go through them piece by piece and be sure that nothing important is forgotten.
Initial equipment: Larger purchases
Larger purchases are those that may take longer to buy than, for example, care products or clothing.
The stroller is a good example of this. It is usually right at the top of the checklist for the baby's initial equipment. There are so many models on the market – from cheaper to the price of a used car. It can take weeks or months before you have agreed on the right model and you may have to order it.
So please plan the larger purchases in good time so that you are on the safe side and don't get excited have to make important decisions at the last minute.
- Dressing table + changing mat:
You definitely need a chest of drawers or a place to store your baby’s clothes and care products. Any type of chest of drawers that you can stand upright on is actually suitable.
There are very nice and practical changing attachments that you can attach to the chest of drawers with a few simple steps. Make sure that there is enough space for the baby and that there is storage space for diapers and care products.
- Pram
When buying the stroller, take your time and test different models if possible. Make sure that the pram can be converted into a buggy, that it is not too heavy and, above all, suitable for everyday use. It should be height-adjustable (mom and dad want to push it comfortably) and easy to fold (if you want to put it in the trunk of the car, for example). Rain protection is usually included, otherwise you can find it relatively cheaply in drugstores.
A sheepskin is often used as a cuddly mat for the baby in the tub. Please make sure that it is a close-cropped, biologically tanned, real fur. Especially in the cold months, it insulates your baby in the tub and at the same time ensures that your baby does not overheat in summer.
- Padded footmuff (for winter)< /li>
There are lined footmuffs for infants. These are very practical in winter, as they keep you warm and you don't have to cover your child with a huge blanket.
- Sling
< p>A beautiful and intimate alternative to the pram are slings. The babies feel very safe through the closeness, the body heat and the heartbeat and are reminded of the good times in the womb.
Specialist shops offer competent babywearing advice and you can often borrow and test different alternatives. Some parents swear by a simple sling that you knot. It is probably the most flexible option. There are also carrying systems that are a bit more technical and easier to use thanks to Velcro fasteners or click systems.
- Extra bed
There are many different opinions and attitudes about where and how a baby should sleep at first. A nice option is an extra bed. This can usually be attached to the side of the parent's bed, so that the baby can sleep in its own bed, but still feels close to mum or dad. There is also the option of closing the side bed with a side rail and turning it into a bassinet with castors. Also an important point for the initial equipment of your baby.
There are certain mattresses, mattress protectors and sheets for all types of extra bed.
- Baby seat for the car
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As with a stroller, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of infant carriers in good time. There are also several reputable providers here that you should simply look at and test yourself in a specialist shop. The important thing is that it should be relatively light so that you can also carry it with one arm with the baby in it and also be easy to install and remove.
Important: The baby should always be transported with its back to the direction of travel , as newborns cannot hold their heads up independently in the event of an accident.
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Initial equipment: clothing and everyday life
There are just incredibly cute clothes for babies and you want to buy all sorts of things right away. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, you should shop with the handbrake on, because you actually get a lot for free and babies outgrow things incredibly quickly. However, a certain amount of initial equipment is of course useful and necessary.
The quantities in the following list are rough estimates and values based on experience. In any case, it's good if you have at least one body too many up your sleeve than one too few. Furthermore, the choice of clothes always depends on the season, for example in summer your baby needs a sun hat rather than a lined cap.
- Bodysuits
Bodysuits are one of the most important pieces of clothing for newborns: we recommend at least 10 pieces. Depending on how big you want your baby to be, you can buy most in size 56. Wrap-around bodies are best to start with, as you don’t have to pull them over your baby’s head.
- Tops
The same applies here as for bodysuits: We recommend around ten tops for your baby, preferably with large head openings. Short-sleeved in summer, with long sleeves or a jacket in the colder seasons.
- Trousers /tights
Here it comes naturally also depending on the season. Leggings with feet are great: If it's cold, you can simply pull socks over them and your baby's feet will stay nice and warm.
We recommend 6 tights or leggings for the initial equipment.
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Rompers are super practical and there are suitable for every season. Get 5 pieces, then you are on the safe side.
- Socks
Babies often have cold feet. Get 3 pairs of thick and 3 pairs of thin baby socks, then you can decide which socks are suitable depending on the temperature.
- Cap
It is best to ask your midwife for advice on which hats you need for your baby. Babies are not yet able to regulate their own temperature and can lose heat through their heads. Under all circumstances you need a suitable hat for outside.
- Sleeping bag
You need two sleeping bags to start with, so you have one always have one ready to change. In some hospitals you also get a sleeping bag for the birth.
Again, pay attention to the season: in winter your baby needs a thick one, in summer a light one is enough. Particularly important: Do not buy the sleeping bag too big and make sure that the neckline is not too big so that the sleeping bag cannot slide up and over your baby's face.
- Pajamas< /strong>
Depending on the season, you will need about three pajamas for your baby. Pay attention to the room temperature and the time of year: it may be appropriate for your baby to only wear a bodysuit under the sleeping bag, but in winter babies need warm pajamas underneath.
- Diaper bag for on the go
The diaper bag is an integral part of everyday life with a baby. There are special diaper bags that you can buy in a specialist shop, but a normal backpack or bag is also sufficient. The most important thing is the contents: changing mat, nappies, wet wipes, cream, spare body and preferably a plastic bag in case a little mishap happens.
- Music box/stuffed animal
Theoretically, you don't need a toy for the initial equipment. Babies can't even grasp. Nevertheless, it is of course nice when you get baby's first cuddly toy. It should be soft and not too big. A music box with a soft melody is also a nice idea.
- Baby monitor
A baby monitor is very practical: you can be relaxed in another room in the evening while the baby is sleeping and you can still hear immediately if something is happening to the baby. There are many different models, from cheap to expensive and with a built-in camera. Please test the range at first, then you are on the safe side.
- Overall
Important for the cooler season is a warming suit for outside. There are different variants, for example made of wool, boiled wool or down.
It is important that it warms your baby but does not overheat.
Initial equipment: breastfeeding and childbirth
< p>Breastfeeding in particular poses a new challenge for some new moms. Especially when it's the first child, you don't know what to expect, how everything works and what accessories you need.
- Nursing bra
It is best to get a suitable nursing bra before you give birth. There are specialist shops where you will get very good advice. The actual milk comes in about three days after the birth and you can count on one or two cup sizes more. In total you will need about three to five nursing bras to change into.
- Nursing pads
You will need nursing pads, especially at the beginning , to catch the excess milk and protect your clothes. They come in a variety of flavors – reusable or single use.
Get a couple of packs so you'll always have some on hand. They should not be missing from the initial equipment for your baby.
- Large pads
For the so-called weekly flow, you should get large pads. You will probably get a few copies from the hospital for the first few days, but after that you should definitely have a supply at home.
- Wool wax ointment
When breastfeeding, it often happens that the nipples are under a lot of strain and become inflamed. This can be very painful, as the babies still have to be breastfed regularly. Wool Fat Ointments
Ask your midwife or lactation consultant which cream they can recommend.
- Dappies
Dappies make excellent burp cloths for breastfeeding . The wipes are available in drugstores and specialty shops. Some babies spit up a lot, others not at all – that's why we recommend you have about ten of them at home.
- Nursing pillows
Some pregnant women swear by the shape of the nursing pillow even before they give birth. It is comfortable for sleeping because you can easily lay the growing baby bump on it.
After the birth, you can then adjust the nursing pillow while breastfeeding so that the baby is laid on it, thus relieving the arms
- Bottles and teats
If you cannot or do not want to breastfeed, you will need appropriate bottles and teats. Ask your midwife for advice on this. Optionally, you can also get a breast pump and freezer bags for breast milk.
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Initial equipment: care
For the initial equipment of your baby you need a few things that are essential for care. Get a small supply so that you have a basic set of care products at home right from the start.
- Nappies
Depending on size of your baby you need size 1 diapers (2-5 kilos). Size 0 is also available for premature babies or very tender babies. By the way, diapers are often given as gifts for baby showers or births.
- Heat lamp
A heat lamp is highly recommended for the cooler months. It feels nice for your baby when it is lying naked on the changing table and it is warm. There are many different models, for example with a stand or for hanging. Feel free to ask your midwife or a specialist shop for advice.
- Baby bath/bucket
Bathing for the first time – how exciting. Usually, the first bath takes place after the baby's navel has fallen off and healed. You can get a baby bath or a baby bucket. It is best to ask your midwife for advice. Ultimately, however, you have to try out what your baby likes better.
- Bath thermometer
The bath water for your baby should be 37 degrees warm be. There are special bath thermometers for babies that float in water and have a mark at 37 degrees. It is available in every drugstore.
- Washcloth
For gentle cleaning and care, you can use a washcloth and lukewarm water. When changing diapers, you can add a few drops of baby oil to the lukewarm water, which cares for and is good for your baby's delicate skin. Buy four to five washcloths or disposable washcloths from the drugstore.
- Wound cream
Since your baby's skin is initially very delicate and you have to change diapers quite often, you should get a good wound cream for the diaper changing area. It is best to ask your midwife if she can recommend a special cream. However, it is generally good if it contains natural ingredients such as calendula.
- Diaper pads
Diaper pads are great and protect against minor accidents when changing diapers. Simply place them on the changing table's soft changing mat. You can simply throw the changing pad in the trash if something goes wrong.
The documents are also available in every drugstore and should not be missing in any initial equipment. By the way, they are also great for on the go if you don't want to put your baby on a public changing table without a pad. They should not be missing from the initial equipment.
- Nail scissors
You don't need the nail scissors for the first few days, as you can only cut the baby's nails for the first time after about four to six weeks. However, it doesn't hurt if you already have them at home.
Nail scissors for babies are available in every drugstore. Nevertheless, it is best to buy them with the items in the initial equipment, then you can tick this item off the list.
- Fiber thermometer
< p>To check whether the baby has a fever, you should have a clinical thermometer at home as a precaution. This is available in drugstores or pharmacies.
- Baby oil
A nourishing baby oil should also be part of the initial equipment. You can put a drop in lukewarm water and use it to clean the diaper area or add it to bath water.
- Baby Laundry Detergent
Since babies have very sensitive skin, you should avoid using fabric softener. It is best to buy a detergent that does not contain any additives and is particularly suitable for sensitive skin.
If you are still looking for the right checklist for your pregnancy, we have the right article for you here!
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