A baby’s needs are very basic. However, choices available in the market complicate things and make you want to buy more than what your baby really requires. To avoid such situations, chalk out a list of items that your baby will need in the first few weeks after his\her birth. Prepare this list during your pregnancy, you can find out from friends and relatives what they thought was really necessary in the first few weeks for their baby.
Here is how you can go about planning the necessities:
Clothing
Your baby will need 5-7 rompers and 3-4 all-in-one sleepsuits, more if you don’t plan to laundry them frequently. If the weather is cold then you’ll also need a cold weather sleeper, some caps and socks.
Nappies and Diapers
Babies may need to change their diapers 10-12 times a day. Keep cloth nappies or diapers that will suffice for two days at least. Even if you are using cloth nappies, keep a pack of disposable diapers handy.
You will also need 2-3 nappy changing mats to place under your baby, so as not to soil your bed sheet.
Feeding Needs
You’ll need some nursing bras and breast pads if you are breast feeding or 5-8 bottles if you are bottle feeding. You will also need some bottle brushes and a sterilizing method in the latter case. Keep a few burp cloths handy.
Bath time Baby Needs
You will need a baby bath tub, a gentle baby soap, some cotton wool to clean baby’s face, a sponge to bathe the baby and a couple of small towels.
Bedtime Needs
If your baby will sleep in a cot then you need a firm mattress, some tight fitting sheets, cotton blankets, a night light and a room thermometer to monitor the baby’s room temperature.
If you are co-sleeping with your baby, then you’ll need a small mattress on top of your own mattress, a few sheets, a cotton blanket and a few pillows on baby’s sides to prevent him from rolling off the bed
Baby needs to be taken for regular weight check-ups and immunizations.
In addition to these material needs there are some emotional and physical needs of your baby. Show your love to your baby, cuddle her, talk to her, listen to and play with her and respond to her cries promptly.
