A couple of friends, who are just about to enter the exciting, wonderful and daunting world of Motherhood, have been asking what are the "essentials" they should have once home from the hospital.... So here is my personal list...if any other Mothers out there have something to add please feel free to comment...
New born essential list:
1. Nappies: Very important:) but as you don`t know the exact size of your little bundle of joy get a pack of new born and the next size up. Rather wait to bulk buy as maybe you are also more of a Huggies or Pampers fan. Personally I like Pampers as I find them less bulky.
Sebastian was too big for new born nappies ... being born about the size of a 3 month old:)
2. Changing mat: When buying a mat take into consideration if it is easy to clean.
3. Baby wipes: It is best to clean your baby with wipes and warm water for the first couple of weeks and then I used wet wipes after six weeks or so. I found the Milette baby care brand to be good for the dry wipes (Found at the Migros is Switzerland) For the normal baby wet wipes it is best to check which ones are for sensitive skin.
4. Nappy rash cream: Important to get a good cream...I have been using one I found in HK and in Cape Town it is called Sudocrem. Sudocrem
5. Ear buds: To clean the umbilical cord with alcohol...not for the ears.
6. Thermometer
7. Nasal aspirator: Best to have one but honestly I have never managed to be very successful with it.
8. Clothing: If I am lucky enough to have a second baby one day I would definitely go and buy at least ten white baby grows with snaps down the front and that is what the little cherub would be living in....comfy, easy to wash and looks so cute. I would suggest to buy them slightly too big than too small you can always roll up the sleeve for a week or so...little ones grow fast....2 x cardigans, vests, elasticated pants, hat, socks, bibs. The rest you can buy later. Remember to wash them a couple of weeks before you are due!
9. Baby linen: 3 x fitted sheets, waterproof lining for underneath the sheet. Sleeping bag, cellular blankets, soft cotton blanket, swaddling blanket if you want to swaddle but don`t buy too many as I had four and never ended up swaddling Sebastian. Sheet for your pram or small sleeping bag if it is winter.
10. Baby washing powder: Clothing and linen to be washed a couple of weeks before your due date.
11. Bath time: Bath, 2 hooded soft baby towels, bath thermometer...which I found very useful. Baby no tears Shampoo,soap and body lotion, hairbrush and comb, cotton wool.
12. Feeding: Nursing pillow, sterilizer, bottles (even if you are planning to breast feed you never know), Avent worked the best for me..bottle brush to clean bottles. Breast pump was an essential for me! Breast pads, nipple cream...which I also got given at the hospital.
Nursing bra`s best to buy afterwards as you are not sure how big your boobs will get:) I bought one at the hospital which was convenient. Also buy hundreds of super soft cloths/muslin squares as you will live with one over your shoulder for all the dribbling and the million "oopsies" which will be coming your way...:)
13. Kitchen roll/paper towel: I would go and bulk buy 10 rolls of kitchen towel.. it is germ free as apposed to dish clothes and towels.
14. Pacifiers: Suggest to buy a couple as you will be amazed how they disappear..also suggest to buy the pacifiers which curve with the shape of the mouth as I found the flat ones with the big handles where very heavy and would fall out.
15. Baby monitor: At the Hirslanden clinic in Zurich you get given a 100chf voucher off the Avent monitor which you can buy when you are there. I have been very happy with ours.
16. Car seat: For winter you might want to get a warm sleeping bag which fits into the car seat otherwise you can use blankets.
17. Activity mat: This was great to have from day one.....remember even if it is not colour co ordinated with your living room babies love the bright colours. Fisher Price have some great fun ones with music and flashing lights for later.
Sebastian on his brightly coloured Fisher Price mat in HK.
18. Nappy bag: Best to buy your nappy bag before your baby is born... when you still have time to search for the right one. I went with discreet and practical (as I yet to find a fabulous looking nappy bag at a reasonable price) and bought the Joolz nappy bag which matched and attached easily to my pram. It has a fold up changing mat inside, bottle insulated compartments on both side of the bag which will keep your bottle either cool or warm. If you are looking for a bag take this into consideration and that you have enough space.
Oh and girls start brushing up on your nursery rhymes!!:)
