Find out which baby goods are absolutely necessary from the very beginning so that you can store up before the arrival of your child.
Nappies for Baby
It’s likely that you’ll be keeping yourself busy in the months or weeks leading up to the birth of your baby by purchasing all of the nursery and baby supplies you’ll require for the first few days and weeks after the arrival of your little one. Take a look at the items on the list that follows to ensure that you have all of the essential tools at your disposal.
Equipment for your newborn that you will require from the beginning
Baby car seat
When we polled parents in June 2020 about the many baby things they had purchased, the most popular item by far was a car seat. We were told by approximately 76 percent of people that they had at least one at their home or in their vehicle. Each child safety seat that we evaluate is put through a crash test. Take a look at our comprehensive and objective reviews of baby and child car seats to find out which models are the safest and most user-friendly, as well as which ones you should steer clear of purchasing. We also highlight models that parents should steer clear of purchasing altogether.
baby stroller
A stroller or pram that can be used beginning with the newborn stage
According to the results of our poll, seventy-two percent of parents own some type of baby carriage, be it a pushchair, pram, stroller, or buggy. If you have a newborn baby, you will need to select one that may be used starting from the moment the baby is born. This indicates that it needs a seat that reclines sufficiently back to provide the flatter posture, or it needs to be compatible with travel systems so that the seat may be replaced with a carrycot or a car seat. Every stroller that we evaluate is put through a battery of tests to determine its level of robustness, stability, and longevity. Do not let yourself be seduced by trendy brand names or posh materials. Check out our Best Buy pushchairs to find which models we found to be the most outstanding after extensive testing. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, check out our shopping guide for the best pushchair. It will walk you through the process of selecting the finest model for you and your new child, helping you avoid making an expensive mistake in the process.
baby pram
For infants, a Moses basket, crib, cradle, cot, or cot bed may be used.
When it comes to deciding where their child should sleep, parents have a wide variety of alternatives at their disposal. A Moses basket, crib, cradle, or cot can normally be used beginning at birth and continuing for up to six months, whereas a cot bed can be used beginning at birth and continuing until your child is approximately five or six years old. Although it is the most expensive of the available options, purchasing a cot bed is actually the most cost-effective choice because it will be used for a significantly longer period of time. In our poll, we asked parents whether they used a regular cot or a cot bed, and 49 percent of respondents said that they owned a cot bed. Only 27 percent of parents utilised a crib or cradle, while 25 percent chose for a bedside crib as their child’s primary sleeping arrangement. However, 47 percent of parents preferred to use a Moses basket.
The Moses basket is small, portable, and cosy; nevertheless, it can only be used for the first few months of a baby’s life.
The rocking motion of a cradle or crib may assist a baby in falling asleep; however, these options are typically more expensive than a Moses basket.
A bedside crib is a crib that is attached to your bed and has a drop-down side, allowing you to quickly reach your baby in the middle of the night to feed them.
Cots come in a variety of sizes but are often larger than the options discussed above; as a result, you should be able to make use of them for a longer period of time.
It is essential that you get a sturdy coffin bed because these beds are designed to last the longest. You may learn how to pick a cot bed that is appropriate for your child by reading our buying guide for cot beds.
The mattress as well as the bedding
You are going to require a proper mattress in addition to bedding. Our guidance on the safety of cot mattresses and infant bedding describes what you may need to purchase, and our reviews of cot mattresses can assist you in locating models that have successfully passed the most recent safety assessments.
Nappies
When they are initially born, babies go through between six and twelve diapers per day on average, and they will go through approximately 4,000 disposable diapers before they are fully potty trained between the ages of 18 and 24 months. We compared market-leading Pampers against store-brand diapers sold by Aldi, Lidl, and other grocery store chains like Tesco and Morrisons. Pampers came out on top in every category. You can find out how to save money by reading our reviews of the best disposable nappies, and if you’re interested in being more kind to the environment, you can learn how to save money by reading our reviews of the best reusable nappies.
Wipes for babies
There are some people who choose not to use baby wipes, particularly parents who are more concerned about the environment. If you do intend to use them, though, you should be prepared to continue purchasing them for the duration that your child requires diapers. The costs could add up over time. There is a considerable price gap between store brands sold in supermarkets and well-known brand names sold elsewhere. It is in your best interest to give store brands a shot because, if your infant can tolerate them, you will end up saving money. In this in-depth look of baby wipes, you’ll learn more about the products, including what components you should be on the lookout for.
baby Towel
Towel
Look around for a plush towel that you may use exclusively for your infant.
Changing mat or changing unit
While nappy changing mats are cushioned and have edges that are slightly elevated to prevent your baby from rolling off the mat, a changing table allows you to change your baby’s nappy at a waist height that is more comfortable for you.
bibs and cloths made of muslin
These can shield your baby’s clothing from any messes that may be made by accidents or spills. If you are winding your baby after feeding them, placing a muslin over your shoulder will protect your other clothing as well.
Scratch mittens
These are designed to prevent children from scratching themselves in the face.
Wool from cotton
Facilitates a variety of cleaning and caretaking responsibilities.
Shawl or blanket
When you are out and about with your child, it may come in handy to have this.
Bras de poitrine
You have the option of using breast pads that are washable, disposable, or even thermal, and it’s likely that you’ll need to use them even if you’re not breastfeeding your new baby.
mother and child
If you plan to breastfeed your child, some baby gear is absolutely necessary.
Feeding bra
Look for a bra that is not only comfortable but also supportive and has some give in it so that it can expand to a larger size as the milk comes in. You should never allow it to compress your breasts because doing so could make it simpler for milk ducts to become clogged. Obviously, the cups need to be simple to open and close, and they should provide a generous amount of space for your child to eat. Do not make purchases too early because your bra size may fluctuate; instead, wait until the final month of your pregnancy to get two or three new bras. Call the NCT at 0845 8100 100 to schedule a free personal fitting if you need assistance determining what size bra to purchase.
Breast pump
Using a breast pump to express milk for your child is a method that can be both speedy and uncomplicated. Choose between: Electric breast pumps are often more expensive but are advantageous in terms of speed, durability, and ease of use. Manual breast pumps are more affordable, quieter, and more portable than electric models; however, using them might be more taxing and time-consuming. According to the results of our poll, 34% of new mothers used an electric breast pump, while 31% opted for a manual model.
Bottles for infants
To ensure that you always have a supply on hand, it is a good idea to make an investment in at least five bottles and teats. Either you are going to give your baby breast milk that you have expressed or you are going to feed your baby using a bottle, thus you will need these. Have a look at our buying guide for baby bottles for additional information on what to get and where to get it.
Cleaning and sterilising apparatus
Because of how sensitive babies’ digestive systems are, you will need to sterilise your baby feeding equipment rather frequently to ensure that it is fully clean and free of any germs. There is a wide variety of sterilisers available, and our poll found that 38% of parents use an electric steam steriliser, 36% have a steriliser that works in the microwave, 21% choose a cold water steriliser kit, and 15% go for a more expensive UV steriliser.
cute baby
Other helpful infant equipment that should be taken into consideration.
Baby monitor – check out our reviews of baby monitors to determine whether you want an audio, video, or smart baby monitor for your little one.
A digital thermometer is recommended by 92 percent of parents, according to the results of our most recent survey.
A high chair, and don’t forget to take a look at our reviews of high chairs!
When your toddler begins to show signs of becoming more autonomous, installing stair gates is an absolute must. Please make sure that you read our reviews of the stair gates.
The discomfort associated with teething can be eased with the use of teething toys; however, you should be careful about whatever teething toy you purchase because we discovered problems with them when we evaluated them.
Changing bag: 67 percent of parents say that their changing bag is essential to their parenting. Ensure that you select one that has a multitude of pockets.
Nail clippers that are small and inexpensive, both of which can be found at most pharmacies.
Dummies are used with their children by 64 percent of all parents, according to surveys.
The purchase of a baby bath or bath supports does not require a significant financial outlay (a washing-up bowl in the sink or the bath will do fine).
