When there’s a newborn baby in the family, there are so many items you simply have to get. You’ll need all the right products for feeding and nursing your baby, bathing them – and decking out their nursery so it’s a wonderful place for them.
If it’s your first time on the pregnancy merry-go-round, your ears might already be ringing with loads of free advice from other people about what products you simply must have. But keep calm, take a few deep breaths, sit back and read our guide here where we tell you what are the essentials.
What kinds of clothes do newborns need?
Babies grow out of their clothes very quickly so only buy a few in each size at first. As far as sizes go, 000 is intended to fit babies from 0-3 months and size 00 is for babies from 3-6 months. Some bigger newborns might be ready to go straight into a size 00.
It’s also a good idea to choose clothes for your newborn baby which are easy to put on and off and at the same time they’re comfortable for your baby. Another great tip is to dress your baby in layers because if anything happens and the top layer gets dirty – no problem – you just take that layer off and you’ve always got a couple of spares in your baby bag.
Clothes should be comfortable, soft and easy to take care of. Stretchy jumpsuits that fasten at the front are best, as well as tops with envelope necks, which are easier to get over your baby’s head. It’s also important to look out for clothes with a low fire hazard label. Newborn rompers and jumpsuits should have this label.
Clothes made from cotton are a good choice. Cotton clothes will keep your baby cooler in hot weather than clothes made from synthetic fibres. Cotton also washes well and is gentle against your baby’s sensitive skin.
Metro Baby has a beautiful range of organic cotton clothes including bodysuits, beanies, growsuits, onesies and a whole lot more. You can take a look at their full clothes range here.
How many clothes do newborns need?
You’ll need plenty of changes of clothes because your baby can get dirty a few times a day.
Here’s a guide as to what you’ll need to see you through for a newborn baby:
- six singlets
- six jumpsuits
- two jumpsuits for nightwear
- three tops
- two cardigans or jackets (just in case)
- three cotton bunny rugs and three muslin wraps
- a couple of cotton hats
- a few pairs of socks.
Feeding your baby and introducing solids
As babies get older, they start to need solid food so they can get enough iron and other essential nutrients for all the growing they need to do.
For about the first six months of life, babies use the iron stored in their bodies from when they were in the womb. They also get some iron from breastmilk and/or infant formula. But babies’ iron stores go down as they grow. And by around six months, they can’t get the iron they need from breastmilk or infant formula alone.
Introducing solids is also important for helping babies learn to eat, giving them experience of new tastes and textures from a range of foods. It develops their teeth and jaws, and it builds other skills which they’ll need later for language development.
Most babies start to show signs they’re interested in food by around six months but it can be a bit later for some babies. It’s not recommended you introduce solids before four months though.
Here’s what you’ll need both for breastfeeding and feeding some early solids for your new baby:
- Lots of bibs – including plastic ones
- Burping cloths
- Breast pump
- Bottles – including anti-colic bottles
- Breast pads
- Thermal bottle carrier
- Lots of dummies
- Plastic knife, fork and spoon set
- Nipple shields
- UV Sterliser
- Bowls, plates and cups with a suction cup
- Sippy cups
- Storage pods
- Food warmer
- Pacifiers
- High chair or nursing chair
Take a look here at the wide range of products for nursing and feeding your little one at Metro Baby.
When to give your baby a bath
Babies need baths only two to three times a week and it’s nice to make it a special and exciting time for them. You can bath your baby at any time of the day and it’s a good idea to choose a time when both you and your baby are relaxed and you won’t be interrupted.
Some people recommend turning off your phone as it’s dangerous to leave your baby unsupervised – even a few seconds – when they’re in the bath. They can drown quickly in very shallow water so stay with them at all times. Also, make sure you use a thermometer or check the water temperature with your wrist to check it’s OK for your baby.
If bathing relaxes your baby, you can use it as a way to settle your baby in the evening. Some babies sleep longer after an evening bath. You can bathe babies in a baby bath or the main bath in your home. Before bathing your baby, make sure everything you need is within your reach.
Here’s what you’ll need to bath your baby:
- Baby bath
- Sponge
- Bath toys – anything from a plastic cup to a rubber duckie
- Bath book
- Room and bath thermometer
- Wash cloths
- Towels, mini towel or hooded towel
- Bath rinser
- Non-slip bath mat
- Baby shampoo and baby oil
- Step stool for mum or dad
Take a look at the full range of Metro Baby’s bath products here.
What you’ll need for the nursery
You’ll need a baby cot and it’s a good idea to know you can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) by sleeping your baby in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6 to 12 months.
You might need a fan or a heater as well to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. The safest place for a plug-in floor fan is on the opposite side of the room, away from your baby.
Here’s a list of what else you’ll need in your baby’s nursery:
- Change table and change mats
- Cot and mattress
- Fan or heater
- Change table
- Nursing chair
- Small table
- Night light
- Cot accessories such as sheets, mattress protectors and blankets
- Toys, mobiles and stuffed animals to keep your baby company
For the full range of items for your nursery, look here at Metro Baby.
Other essentials for your baby
We’ve covered a lot of the items you’ll need but here’s a few more, including some extras for your baby’s safety and health:
- Child car seat which meets the Australia/NZ standards
- Nappies – both cloth and disposable – you’ll always need these
- Pram and/or stroller
- Carrier or sling
- Toys and games
To see the full range of learning toys and games from Metro Baby, visit here.
Metro Baby is Australia’s one-stop online baby shop. With exceptional customer service, they stock a curated selection of specialty baby products from the most renowned and reputable brands locally and internationally.
For more from The Carousel about breastfeeding, visit here.
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