As an expectant mother, you need to prepare for the baby since newborns do need many things. To be well prepared, purchase items the baby will use from the time they are born to about one year.

Purchase things that will make your life and that of the baby easier every day. Baby items are in several categories: clothing, bath time, feeding time, diapering, nursery, travel, and entertaining gear. Under these categories are many specific items the baby will need for his day-to-day life.

Below are some of the important baby products that you will need as you prepare for your special delivery.

1.   Entertainment Gear

The baby will need toys and other comforting things to keep him busy and entertained when not asleep. Entertainment items include pacifiers, infant bouncer, play gym, swaddling blanket, baby swing, and rattles. The baby will enjoy having familiar and comforting things around him.

2.   Travel Gear

Though a newborn, the baby will travel with the parents, such as regular medical check-ups and jabs. A baby is delicate and will need comfortable travel gear that will hold him safely. Invest in a good quality car seat, BOB’s strollers with full reviews on the quality, baby carrier, baby bag, diaper bag, portable play yard, and a travel system. Ensure all the baby travel items are of top-notch quality for the baby’s safety while on travel.

3.   Baby Clothing

There are so many cute little clothes in the market for babies. Young ones are spoiled for choice, and deciding what you need could be overwhelming. To be on the safer side:

  • Purchase clothes that are a size bigger.
  • Ensure the clothes’ head, arms, and legs openings are big enough to put them on and remove easily.
  • Purchase a good supply of the following clothing; onesies, socks, rompers, undershirts, gowns, half shirts, pajamas, sweaters, booties, pull-on panties, and gowns. You may also add to the shopping a winter coat, mittens, infant swimsuit, sun hats, and baby sunglasses.

4.   Diapering Essentials

Before you go shopping, decide if your baby will use disposable diapers or cloth diapers. Diapers come in varying sizes for different baby sizes. Purchase a quantity to use for the first few months to know which size and type best suits your baby. Though diapers are ranked for ages, some could be too small or big for your baby. Though diapering can be a messy job, it’s easier when you have the right essentials. Get for the baby fun diaper-changing games or toys to distract him. Diapering items include diaper pails, baby wipes, diaper rash cream, and diapers (either disposable or cloth)

5.   Feeding Time Essentials

In the first few months after birth, babies eat very often. Purchase items such as breast pump, lanolin cream, burp cloths, bibs, breast pads, nursing bras, feeding bottles, their nipples and brushes, and dishwasher basket for the bottles. It is advisable to sterilize the baby’s feeding items to kill bacteria to prevent any infections. To do so, you will need sterilization essentials such as steam, electric, or microwave sterilizers which use steam to sterilize feeding items. Remember to purchase portable sterilizing items such as a sterilizing bag and a single-unit sterilizer to use when traveling.

6.   Baby Care and Bathroom Items

Babies enjoy their bath time as it is relaxing. However, bathing a newborn is not an easy task since the baby is fragile and requires tender care to bathe him. Having the right essentials make this process easier. It becomes a time to bond and have fun with your baby. Some of the supplies to get for baby’s bath time are a baby bathtub, baby toys, baby nail clippers, hooded baby towels, soft washcloths, bathtub spout cover, rinsing cup, thermometer, baby soap, baby shampoo, and baby lotion. On items like a baby bathtub, decide first if you will bathe your baby in a baby bathtub, sink, or a regular bathtub.

It is wise to shop for a baby before it comes, as once the baby is born, life can be overwhelming. Babies also need a lot of stuff, as the list above reveals. Therefore, early shopping is helpful. To be ready for your baby, take time and go through each of the categories listed above as you shop. If you do so, you’ll be prepared with the basic things your newborn will need. There are plenty of other additional baby items you could get. Take your time to find out what else you will need to have an easy day-to-day life with the newborn.