Newborn Care 101: An All-In-One Guide For New Parents And Families

Newborn Care 101: An All-In-One Guide For New Parents And Families

24 Jun 2020 | 7 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

With your due date fast approaching, you must be busy preparing a list of baby essentials to purchase. After all, your munchkin’s arrival is a life-changing event, and you must be fully equipped to provide the right care and comfort to them.

But determining what your baby needs can be quite daunting, especially with the heaps of baby care products manufactured by companies. It is particularly confusing for new parents who may not know everything about newborn essentials. 

This is where a newborn care checklist can help and keep you fully prepared with all the necessary items. It can also prevent any unwanted expenditure or last-minute panic after your little one’s arrival.

To make things easier for you, we have curated a list of must-have baby essentials that are crucial, during the early months, starting from day one.

How to Prepare for Your Baby’s Arrival: What New Parents Really Need

What new parents need to know?
We have curated a list of baby essentials that new parents should start carting before their munchkin’s arrival / Image source: Pexels

Baby Diaper Essentials

Your baby will need quite a lot of diaper changes for the first few months of their life. Here’s a list of essentials you will need to keep your little one’s diaper changes comfortable and mess-free.

Diapers

These are one of the most basic baby care items you will need. Since your baby’s bottoms are going to be in contact with diapers a lot, opt for ones that are made with soft and chemical-free materials and are highly absorbent. This will help prevent irritation or allergies in your little one’s skin.

Bamboo Water Wipes

Since your baby’s skin is sensitive and delicate, using a rough cloth to clean their bottoms will only cause irritation or discomfort. Instead of using a cloth, opt for BabyChakra’s natural bamboo water wipes to gently clean your baby’s bottom and keep the area moisturised. 

The bamboo water wipes are formulated with 100% natural ingredients like bamboo fibre, aloe vera, almond oil, and vitamin E that nourish and soothe your baby’s skin and heal diaper rashes. In addition to these ingredients, the water wipes also contain organic jasmine and geranium oil, which prevent dryness in your baby’s skin and provide relief from irritation.

Diaper Rash Cream

The constant friction between your baby’s skin and the diaper can cause painful and uncomfortable rashes. These rashes, which are commonly referred to as diaper rashes, can be soothed using a diaper rash cream formulated with plant-based actives like moringa oil, calendula oil, neem oil, and shea butter. All these ingredients nourish your baby’s skin, offer relief from irritation, and also create a protective barrier in your baby’s skin to prevent the occurrence of rashes in the future. 

Changing Mats

Opt for changing mats that are durable and portable so that you can carry them while travelling as well. They will make on-the-go diaper changes much easier and mess-free, and they even come with secure belts, so you don’t have to worry about your baby sliding off and getting hurt. 

Baby Feeding Essentials

During the initial days, you will have to feed your baby round-the-clock. That’s why it’s crucial to have the following set of essentials at home.

Feeding Bottles

A feeding bottle is a must-have item if you are bottle-feeding your baby. Opt for bottles formulated with safe and chemical-free ingredients that can endure high temperatures.

Sterilisers

Invest in a good-quality steriliser that keeps your baby’s feeding bottles, pacifier, and soothers germ-free and clean.

Breast Pump

It’s always a good idea to keep a breast pump at home as it helps you express milk at your own convenience and provides relief from multiple breastfeeding problems, such as engorgement and soreness. 

Bibs

A bib is a useful baby item that can be used to wipe any milk spills and spit-ups while feeding your little one. Make sure to buy sift and muslin-based bibs to avoid irritation or discomfort in your little one’s skin.

Baby Bath Essentials

Baby bath essentials
Use plant-based and chemical-free baby bath products to keep your little one’s skin protected and nourished / Image source: Freepik

Since your newborn’s skin is tender, you need to be extra cautious while purchasing bath essentials. To make your little one’s bath time more comfortable, you need the following essentials:

Towels And Bathtub

Purchase a bathtub suitable for your baby’s size and make sure it is made with durable and safe-to-use materials. Also, have a set of soft and cotton-based bath towels ready. These towels should be highly absorbent to help dry off your baby quickly.

Moisturising Wash

Always go for a natural moisturising baby wash formulated with plant-based ingredients like pumpkin seed oil, moringa oil, strawberry oil, and rose oil to nourish and hydrate your baby’s skin and strengthen their skin barrier. 

Natural Strengthening Baby Shampoo

Opt for a natural and tear-free baby shampoo to nourish and cleanse your baby’s scalp and hair. Make sure the shampoo contains plant-based actives like hibiscus and organic curry leaf oil and coconut-based cleansers that gently clean your little one’s scalp and stimulate their hair follicles to promote strong hair growth.

Baby Wardrobe Essentials

Your little one will need the following wardrobe essentials in the first few months of their life.

Sleepsuits

These are specially designed to keep your newborn cozy and are perfect for nighttime use. You can buy a full set of sleepsuits with press-up buttons from neck to ankle for easier diaper changes during the night.

Onesies

Onesies are easy to put on and can be easily removed when needed. Avoid buying onesies with a lot of buttons and ribbons. Instead, opt for ones that have light and natural fabrics and buy slightly bigger ones, as your baby will grow pretty fast.

Socks

Socks help keep your little one’s feet warm all the time and are especially essential when three is a drop in the temperature. Buy at least 4-5 pairs of fuzzy and cute socks to protect your little one’s feet. 

Baby Nursery Essentials

Baby nursery essentials
Your baby’s nursery essentials include blankets, a crib, a baby monitor, and mosquito nets / Image source: Pexels

While your baby will probably sleep in your room in the first couple of months, it’s always a good idea to prepare their nursery well ahead of time. You will need the following essential items in your munchkin’s nursery:

Crib

Opt for a lightweight crib with a well-fitted mattress for your little one’s nursery. Avoid buying fluffy mattresses as they can suffocate and smother your baby. Instead, purchase light sheets and firm mattresses. 

Also, when you buy pillows, make sure they are tightly stitched and double-layered to prevent suffocation when your baby turns and twists during their sleep.

Blankets

Get a pair of good-quality and lint-free blankets that are light, soft, and breathable. You can opt for quick-dry sheets as well that absorb moisture swiftly, and keeps your little one’s bedding dry and comfortable. 

Mosquito Net

Mosquito bites can make your little one’s skin irritated and itchy. To protect your baby from nasty mosquitoes and other insect bites, purchase breathable mosquito repellent nets, and use them whenever you put your munchkin to sleep.

Also, invest in natural mosquito repellent patches formulated with organic and plant-based ingredients like lemongrass oil and citronella oil that offer long-lasting protection against insects and mosquitoes and keep your baby’s skin protected while they sleep. 

Baby Monitor

A baby monitor can help you keep an eye on your little one when you are away from their nursery. Plus, nowadays baby monitors come with multiple features that help you track your little one’s breathing cycle, sleeping pattern, and heart rate.

The items listed in this post are some of the few must-have items new parents should get their hands on before their munchkin’s arrival. Following this checklist will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and prepare you to care for your little one properly and keep all kinds of stress at bay.

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com

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