Having a new baby is like embarking on a thrilling adventure filled with countless decisions for new parents to navigate. It can feel overwhelming to separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves when preparing for your little one’s arrival. Amidst the sea of adorable baby products, it’s easy to convince yourself that you need it all, but in reality, simplicity often reigns supreme. Every baby is a unique bundle of joy, and as a mom who welcomed her second child in her early thirties, I’ve learned to distinguish between the baby essentials and the extras. Here’s a guide to the baby items you truly need during the first year, and those you can skip.

SLEEP

Let’s talk about the cornerstone of your baby’s day – sleep, the activity they’ll be mastering for the most part of their first year (fingers crossed).

Sleep Essentials

When it comes to sleep, the basics are crucial. Babies, especially new-borns, are recommended to sleep in a crib primarily for safety reasons:

1. Safety Standards: Cribs are designed to meet specific safety standards to ensure that the baby’s sleep environment is secure. They typically have slats that are spaced apart to prevent the baby from getting trapped or suffocating.
2. Firm Mattress: Cribs come with firm mattresses, which are essential for newborns as they reduce the risk of suffocation. Soft surfaces like adult beds or sofas can pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
3. Absence of Loose Bedding: Cribs are designed to be free of loose bedding, such as blankets and pillows, which can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a bare crib with just a fitted sheet for the baby’s safety.
4. Security: Cribs have high sides that prevent the baby from rolling out during sleep, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
5. Stability: Cribs are stable structures that provide a secure sleeping space for the baby. Other sleeping arrangements like adult beds or sofas may not offer the same level of stability.
6. Long-term Use: Cribs are designed to accommodate the baby as they grow, providing a safe sleeping space for the first few years of life.

Items you wanna add might include:

• Crib

• Crib Mattress and Sheets

• Baby Monitor: While any baby monitor can do the job, this one has been a game-changer for me. I had one in each of baby’s nursery. It provided peace of mind and was incredibly easy to use with my phone.

• Baby Swaddles: Baby swaddles are a must-have for a snug and secure slumber. We had two – one in use and one in the laundry – and they were a lifesaver.

• Wearable Blanket: To align with safety guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, opt for wearable blankets or sleep sacks to keep your baby cozy without loose bedding or toys.

Sleep Nice-to-haves

• Bassinet: A bassinet can be a handy addition to your baby’s sleep setup, although a crib works just as well. Bassinets are convenient for early infancy, offering portability and proximity to parents. To consider bassinet vs crib, it’s most about personal preferences, space constraints, and lifestyle choices.

• Crib Hanging Toys: While crib hanging toys (also known as nursery mobile) are not deemed essential for a baby’s sleep environment or development, they can offer benefits like providing visual stimulation for cognitive development. Some mobiles feature soothing sounds to help lull babies to sleep, acting as a distraction before bedtime. Safety guidelines recommend keeping the crib free of loose objects, including hanging toys, to reduce the risk of suffocation or strangulation. If utilised, ensure the crib mobile is securely attached and out of reach to ensure the baby’s safety.

Sleep Optional/Maybe-not

Avoid using pillows, bumpers, or baby quilts in the crib to maintain a safe sleep environment. A flat sleeping surface without loose bedding is recommended to minimize the risk of suffocation.

FEEDING

Let’s focus on the primary source of nourishment for now – milk. We’ll save the solid food discussion for another time.

Feeding Essentials

• Anti Colic Bottles: Although anti-colic bottles have more components, they are highly effective and chosen by many parents for alleviating colic symptoms in babies. Even for babies that do not experience colic quite often, such anti-colic bottles can help greatly when it comes to infants with gas. Besides, parents also need to pick among different bottle materials, the two most commonly considered nowadays are glass bottles and PPSU bottles.

• Bottle and Nipple Brush

• Electric Kettle with Temperature Control:

• Burp Clothes

• Breast Pump: For breastfeeding mothers, a breast pump is indispensable. Mothers with strong milk supply can consider a convenient, hand-free option like the Elvie, Medela Freestyle which allows for easy pumping without cumbersome tubes, enabling mobility while pumping. Meanwhile, mothers who hope to increase the breastmilk production might want to pick electric breast pump such as Medela Sonata or Medela Pump. The Medela brand itself is well trusted by lactation consultants and commonly used in the hospitals for new mothers.

Feeding Nice-to-haves

• Flannel Wipes: Flannel wipes offer a sustainable alternative to disposable wipes, perfect for gentle cleaning after meals and reducing paper towel consumption.