Having all the right baby gear can make looking after your baby a little less stressful. Below are some of the items that often get forgotten when shopping for your baby.
It’s important to note that you don’t NEED to buy all of the following items – they’re simply useful to have. If you’re on a tight budget, focus only on the most important items as listed at this guide.
Swaddle blankets
Blankets will help to keep your baby warm and cosy. Swaddle blankets are specific types of blankets designed for swaddling.
What is swaddling? This involves snugly wrapping your baby up like a burrito. This can help newborn babies to sleep at night by giving them the feeling of being back in the womb. Snugly wrapping the blanket also prevents it from coming off and going over your baby’s face.
Swaddle blankets may come in the form of blanket-like sleeping bags. Such blankets cannot come off and will keep your baby’s legs and body snug.
Baby carrier/sling
Baby carriers and slings allow you to carry your baby on the front of your body while keeping your hands free. This could allow you to do housework tasks without having to put down your baby. Baby carriers and slings can also come in use when travelling to places that may not be pram friendly – this could include negotiating lots of steps or rugged outdoor terrain.
Carriers tend to consist of firm straps and buckles for more solid support, which may be what you want when going hiking somewhere. Slings are made of a single piece of fabric and tend to offer a more loose support for everyday use.
Baby bath
Bathing a newborn is something that a lot of parents don’t think about until they have to do it. Those with short arms may struggle to support and wash their baby while leaning over a bathtub. This is where a baby bath can come in use.
Baby baths are small tubs that can be filled with water offering your baby the support it needs. They tend to be fairly cheap, making them worth a try.
Pacifier clips
A lot of moms give their little ones pacifiers to soothe them. Pacifiers can often get dropped on the floor, which can result in them getting dirty or lost. Pacifier clips can prevent this from happening.
These clips typically take the form of straps which help to attach the pacifier to your baby’s clothes. If your baby spits out their pacifier while you’re pushing them in their pram and you don’t notice, you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty or lost as it will stay attached to their clothing. They’re very cheap to buy, making them worthwhile.
Nursing pillow
If you decide to breastfeed your baby, you may want to consider a nursing pillow. This is not so much for your baby, but for you. Breastfeeding in bed or even on a sofa can get uncomfortable – nursing pillows can help to offer support to your back and your elbows.
Nursing pillows typically take a crescent-shape (they look a bit like a large neck pillow). You don’t have to spend a lot to get a comfortable nursing pillow.
Portable crib
When traveling with your baby, it’s important to consider where your baby will sleep. Many hotels are able to provide a crib, but not all hotels. If you’re going camping or staying around a friend’s house, it is unlikely that there will be a crib to hand – which means you have to bring your own.
Portable cribs are designed to easily fold away so that you can easily pack them away and carry them. Some are more compact than others – in fact, there are some that are able to fit into a suitcase.
Baby nail clippers
Trimming your baby’s nails is another thing you may not have considered. While you won’t have to do it too often, it’s a task that will need to be done at some point. Because babies have tiny fingers and toes, you’ll want to use some tiny nail clippers rather than some regular sized ones.
Baby nail clippers are excellent for the job. They can allow you to cut with much more precision. These are sometimes available in baby grooming kits, which may also contain other items like toothbrushes, tweezers and hair brushes.
Thermometer
Worried that your baby may have a fever? A thermometer is useful to have in your home so that you can read your baby’s temperature.
There are thermometers targeted at babies. However, a regular health thermometer is usually all you need. Consider a digital thermometer for the most accuracy.
Bottle brush
Your baby’s bottles need to be thoroughly cleaned between uses. Some bottles are small and awkwardly shaped, which can make them difficult to clean with a regular sponge. A bottle brush allows you to get into all the corners of the bottle.
You can buy sets of baby bottles that come with a bottle brush. Alternatively, you can buy a bottle brush separately (these brushes aren’t just useful for baby bottles, but also awkwardly shaped glasses and flasks).
Baby formula containers
Many moms use baby formula either as a supplement or alternative to breastfeeding. Baby formula milk powder typically comes in giant tubs, which can be awkward to carry around with you on the go. Formula containers are useful for helping you to carry small measures of formula milk powder instead of the whole tub.
There are a few different designs of formula milk container. Some have multiple compartments allowing you to carry several pre-measured portions of powder.
Baby monitor
A baby monitor is a useful device that often gets forgotten when shopping for baby items. It can allow you to keep an eye on your baby while they are in another room asleep.
Basic baby monitors operate like walkie-talkies, transmitting any sounds that your baby may make. Others are able to take video footage in night vision, which you can watch on a screen. Most parents nowadays opt for the latter type of monitor. It’s worth taking the time to compare different models.
Baby bouncer
Baby bouncers are chairs for babies that gently bounce or vibrate. This motion simulates rocking your baby, helping to keep them soothed without having to physically rock them. Baby bouncers can be useful for when you need to put down your baby and do housework – the rocking motion will keep them happy and you can strap them in to prevent them falling out.
There are a few different designs of baby bouncer on the market worth looking into including ones that you can rock manually and ones that rock themselves. Compare models to find the best option for you.
Playpen
Babies will eventually refuse to sit still in a baby bouncer and will want to crawl. Once this crawling stage begins, you may want to consider buying a playpen. This gives your baby a safe controlled space to crawl in while you carry out important household tasks such as washing up or moving furniture.
Playpens can take the form of fabric netted boxes or hard plastic barriers. There are models designed for indoor use and models designed for outdoor use. Take the time to decide which option is best suited to you.
Blackout curtains/blinds
Blackout curtains and blinds can help to block out all outdoor light. These can be worth hanging up in your baby’s bedroom to help your baby sleep through the night. Babies can be very sensitive to light and some may develop a habit of waking up at the first glimmer of sun in the morning unless you use blackout curtains/blinds.
It’s up to you whether you opt for blinds or curtains. Blackout curtains tend to offer more insulation, making them great in the winter, while blackout blinds provide more ventilation, making them ideal in the summer.
Night light
While blackout blinds and curtains can be useful to stop the sun coming in, you may not want your baby’s room to be completely pitch black. When you need to attend to your baby in the night for feeds, you need to be able to see where you’re going. Turning on the overhead light is likely to make your baby more awake, making it harder to get them back to sleep. An ambient night light can help to provide a constant glow that is less disruptive.
A night light could be attached to a wall or freestanding. Most night lights run off replaceable batteries, although there are plug-in and rechargeable options.
Splash mat
Another simple item that can be useful is a splash mat to put underneath your baby’s high chair while they are eating. This can help to catch any food they may fall off onto the floor. If you’ve got laminate floors you may not necessarily need this, but if you’ve got carpets it could be useful for preventing stains.
You can buy splash mats in all different designs. Splash mats tend to be very cheap, making them a worthwhile purchase.