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BabyStar
What you need list is provided by BabyStar located at 85 Adelaide Road Newtown WELLINGTON (between the basin reserve and the hospital (phone 04 939 2225).
THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
We realise it can be daunting walking into a baby store when pregnant with your first child, unsure of what you really need, how things work and which are the more essential and useful items to use. As a new mum myself I remember what it was like and the mistakes I made. I hope this guide will be useful to you. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me or arrange a time when we can go through the list and work out what you have and what you’ll need.
Remember You will receive many gifts especially clothing. It is not essential to have every item six months in advance, but if working to a budget it is good to be prepared. Pre wash all clothing, bedding, towels in pure soap (lux/persil sensitive/ecostore) before using whether the item is new or preloved. Biological washing powder can cause reactions.
CLOTHING
4-8 Cotton singlets / bodysuits worn summer under clothing and winter under woollen singlet.
2-3 Woollen singlets with cotton singlet underneath to avoid rashes.
2-4 Gowns provide easy access to change nappy without waking. Look at neck lines, drawstring bottoms and mittens are handy (cotton).
8-12 Stretch ‘n’ grows / all in ones – babies need changing often in the first weeks, always have plenty spare.
2-6 Wool cardies / cotton in summer as wool requires hand washing. The more you have the better.
3 Cotton hats for inside the house and wool/merino beanies for out and about especially in winter.
4-8 Socks / booties. Booties look nice but look for pairs which will stay on.
1-3 Scratch mittens keep hands warm and stop tiny nails scratching their face.
2-8 Bibs for spills, dribbled milk – must have.
TIPS Find somewhere to keep babies clothes – draws, stackable baskets or wardrobe dividers are handy* A bucket for soaking soiled clothes with a sealable lid is handy to remove stains*Regularly check babies draws removing items that no longer fit and replacing those that do. Sometimes babies grow so quickly you miss putting them in something really cute!
AVOID Scratchy fabrics, acrylics, back fastening items, ribbons or ties near the face, polar fleece sleepwear.
WRAPPING/SWADDLEING A BABY
Most babies like the security of being wrapped up firmly and will settle to sleep more quickly. Use gauze wraps in summer and flannelette wraps/bunny rugs in winter. Not only will wrapping provide security but it makes a newborn easier to handle and catches spills before they hit clothes. Wraps are also useful over the shoulder for winding and on the change table.
BATH / CHANGE
Think about where you are going to do babies bathing. It is difficult to bath a newborn in an adults bath as
It is hard to lean over the side and hold onto baby at the same time. The best place to bath baby is in the kitchen as the bench is at the right height,and the bath can be emptied into the sink. Normally these areas are set up for water and easy to heat. If your change table is portable take this into the kitchen then everything you need is there.
Baby Bath Think about size and depth. Baby baths are used for a long time especially if you don’t have a bath at home and make great water play for toddlers.
Bath Support
Optional – a piece of towelling on a frame which supports baby and leaves both hands free to wash (never leave baby unattended on one of these).
Change Table
Very useful to have everything you need for changing in one place and at a reasonable level so as not to cause back pain. Think about space and storage.
Change Pad
Can be placed on a table, desk or bench if space is a problem. There is no safety strap or storage though.
Bath Thermometer
Its hard to judge the correct temperature so eliminate the guess work.
1 – 2 Baby Towels
thinner than our towels to get into skin folds and a hood to keep head warm after washing hair.
6 –12 Baby Flannels For bathing, changing nappies, wiping spills, noses. You can also use gauze squares.
TIPS A changing area is worth a lot of consideration as in the beginning you will be changing babies nappy for up to 10 times a day so you need to be doing it at waist height, with a straight back and have everything available at arms reach so you never turn away from baby on the change table. . Have your change table fully stocked with everything you could possibly need including changes of clothes and wraps for those little explosions! A change table is a worthy investment if it saves you from future back problems. Look for the right height, portability (if required) and storage possibilities. A unit that can store all your clothes and linen is great to save space
Baby wash, shampoo and lotions are not necessary but make baby smell nice and can soften baby’s skin. Look for products with natural ingredients and perfumes so as not to cause irritation. Baby balms and lotions are useful in avoiding and treating nappy rash. Massage is a treat for you and baby and can help settle a restless child.
If using cloth nappies:
-2 – 3 dozen nappies.
-Washable or disposable nappy liners.
-4 – 8 overnaps depending on type.
-Nappy bucket with sealable lid.
-Nappy wash (nappysan or baking soda or vinegar).
-Rubber gloves to protect hands.
-Somewhere warm to dry, or a dryer.
It’s hard to conceive what it is going to be like when baby actually arrives and therefore difficult to imagine how you can best prepare. The baby will be waking every three to four hours in the beginning and you want to get into a good routine. By setting out yours or the baby’s room effectively you can make the night time feeds smooth and optimize your sleeping time. Have a change table completely set up with nappies, clothes, spare linen (more often than not they will wet through nappies clothes and bedding in the first couple of weeks) so when baby awakens you can change them, feed and get them back down as quickly and smoothly as possible. Have the room as dark as possible so baby remains sleepy after their feed. Have a comfy chair for you to feed in; water and a snack ready if breast feeding.
BABIES FIRST BED
While it is fine to put a baby straight into a cot from birth it is worth while having some form of portable sleeping equipment for the first couple of months as it means baby will always be near by. You will find you will get more done or relax more easily if you have them sleeping in the lounge with you during the day as you won’t have to keep creeping into the bedroom to check on them (quite often they will sense you and wake up unnecessarily). It also gets them used to sleeping through everyday noise (useful for later).
Bassinet, Moses baskets and hammocks last from newborn until 3 – 9 months depending on the style and size of your child. Always buy a new mattress when using a borrowed or preloved bassinet, they’re inexpensive and won’t carry dust mites or bacteria. Look for portability, wheels with locks if there are other children around, storage friendly, clean and safe. Good airflow is also a consideration.
-2 Mattress Protectors. Either wool, rubber or Dr. Sprott cover(follow instructions carefully), and under blankets. Always use a mattress protector.
-2 - 3 Sets of Bassinet / Cot Sheets. Ideally good cotton or cotton blend.
-2 Wool Aircell or Merino Balnkets
At least 2 Cotton bassinet/cot blankets.
-Pillowcases to put under baby’s head so if there are spills or dribbles you won’t need to change all the bedding.
-2 – 6 wraps either gauze, flannelette or cotton; useful in many ways to wrap baby, use as a towel, put over your shoulder for spills, use as bassinet sheets or a clean area for baby to lie.
-Cuddly blankets in cotton fleece, wool or polar fleece for the pram / buggy or car seat etc.
AVOID Polar fleece is great for using during the day and is easy to wash, but avoid using on baby’s bed as they can overheat. Duvets which cannot be secured and can flap onto babies face. Toys in the cots and anything with tags, buttons, ribbons and ties. Bumpers is baby is not in a safe T sleep. Sheepskins in babies bed.
HOW TO MAKE UP BABIES BED
It sounds so simple but sleeping baby safely is so important as you are not watching them all the time when they are settling/sleeping.
1. Put the mattress protector onto the mattress according to manufacturers instructions. I prefer to put it from babies shoulder area down so babies head is not lying directly on this (a pillowcase can catch spills)
2. Fitted sheet next securely tucked in
3. Safety sleep or wedge if you are using one.
4. Top sheet, I would advise putting the top sheet with the longest part going across the bassinet/cot (the opposite to what you would do on a bed). Secure the side further most away from you and the bottom tightly under the mattress and leave the section loosest to you to be tucked in once baby is in bed. This means you have more to work with and baby is less likely to kick off sheets/blankets.
5. Next a cotton blanket to put a layer between baby and the woollen blanket. Again Long ways across the cot/bassinet to make it easy to tuck in.
6. Finally a woollen aircell or merino knit blanket doubled over (can be single in warmer weather) and secured tightly so unable to flick back onto babies face.
IMPORTANT When putting baby into a c
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List for The Dad/Partner/Support person
Antenatal
- Learn how to change nappies
- Learn how to bath a baby
- Organise car seat and know how to use it
- Keep petrol in car
- Film in the camera
- Phone cards
- List of phone numbers
- Know how to contact your LMC
- Organise baby area
- Make up the cot
If planning a Hospital Birth:
- Hospital bag
- Organise who is looking after children, pets, house
- Food, drinks to take to hospital
- Know how to get to hospital
- Where to park at hospital
- Waterproof covering on car seat/bed mattress
If planning a Home Birth
May be asked to provide the following:
Washing up bowl
Towels
Sanitary towels
Torch/spot light
Container to put the placenta in
Hot water bottle or heater to warm baby clothes and towels
The room needs to be kept warm for when the baby is born, and running water is helpful (cold and hot)
A working phone, though the most midwives carry a mobile phone
During Labour
- Time some contractions: how long and time between start of one to start of next
Offer:
- Support
- Massage
- Drinks, Ice to suck on
- Heat Pack
Postnatal
- Restrict visitors if partner tired (allow for rest during the day)
- Email message or message on answer phone
- Baby Bathing
- Laundry
- Home Safety
- If needed buy:
- Cabbage leaves for engorged breasts
- Flowers!
Groceries-think about shopping online
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