Get Ready
This is probably the most exciting part of your pregnancy – shopping for the new arrival! You can’t wait to get your hands on those pretty little dresses or smart tiny suits. But, hang on! First, you need to reorganise your house, only then can you look into shopping for your baby.
You would need to make space for baby’s stuff in the:
- kitchen - baby bottles and equipment for expressing milk
- laundry area - diapers and baby clothes
- bathroom - baby’s bathtub and toiletries
- living room - baby’s day-crib and toys
You would also need to ensure that you have a reliable refrigerator and freezer.
Baby’s room
Television shows often feed us with images of a baby’s room painted in pink or blue with a cot at one corner, complete with musical mobiles. In reality, it is not always practical. You may not have the extra room or it could be more functional to let your baby sleep in the same room as you.
Whichever the case may be, try to do the clearing of the room or a section of a room early in your pregnancy, while you are still energetic and mobile. If you wish to have the room painted, it is sensible to get someone else to do the job for you.
The baby’s room should be safe and well ventilated but free from draughts.
Bedding
The items to complete the bedding requirements are a baby cot, bedsheets and perhaps, a cot bumper. Pillows and bolsters should only be provided for one-year-olds and above.
Cot
When you are scouting for a baby cot, it is important to ensure the following:
- The cot must be sturdy.
- There should be no protrusions that your baby’s clothes could get caught on.
- There should be no place where the baby can trap his fingers. The mattress ought to fit without any gaps. If there are, the gaps should not be more than two fingers wide.
- The space between bars should be between 25mm and 60mm to prevent the possibility of the baby slipping through.
- The height between the mattress base and the top edge of the cot should be higher than 60cm so that the baby cannot climb out.
- The paint used should be lead-free.
- The drop-down side must lock securely.
Sheets
There are flat and fitted cot bedsheets. Choose those that suit your convenience and budget. Ideally, they should be made from cotton.
Cot bumper
A cot bumper is a padded piece of fabric which you place around the cot to prevent the baby from hitting his head or hands on the bars. It also helps to keep away draughts besides providing baby with interesting motives to focus on.
However, there are concerns about the safety of a cot bumper. There are risks of suffocation and even strangulation should the cot bumper become loose. In addition, the very function of blocking draughts could lead to overheating.
If you decide to use one, ensure that the fabric ties are fastened securely. During the hot seasons, you may want to remove it temporarily to prevent the cot from being overheated, unless it is in an air-conditioned room and the temperature can be adjusted properly.
Clothes
A baby’s frequent regurgitation of milk, perspiration, drooling, and uncontrollable passing of urine and stool, demand that his wardrobe be large in size. There must be numerous sets (at least six) to cater for current wear, those in the wash and those that are drying. He would need bodysuits, vests, long trousers, short pants, mittens, bootees, bibs and sun hats.
Garments should have adequate opening for easy dressing and undressing. Buy those in natural fabric and avoid those with hard scratchy labels.
Your baby would also need bath towels and plenty of flannels.
Diapers
Diapers come in the form of cloth diapers, disposable diapers and a hybrid between the two. You would need some of each type to accommodate your baby’s need.
Cloth diapers – the advantage of cloth diapers is that you buy them once only for multiple use. They may even last until your baby is potty-trained. In addition, they are also more airy since they do not have the waterproof layer found in disposable diapers. The down side is that they require more of your time and facilities for soaking, washing and drying. You would also need to buy safety pins for use as fasteners, nappy liners, a bucket with a tight-fitting lid for soaking and a nappy steriliser.
Disposable diapers – these are more costly in the long run but this is offset by the convenience they offer. You would not need to change the diaper as often (compared to a cloth diaper) because they have a larger capacity. Changing your baby’s diaper becomes a breeze too. Typically, disposable diapers are made up of three layers – the one-way liner, soft absorbent padding to distribute moisture into the pad, and waterproof backing.
All-in-one diapers – these are the cloth version of the disposable diapers. A cover which is leak-proof is sewn onto a cloth diaper. It can be washed and reused but requires longer drying time.
Pocket diapers – these are the same as the all-in-one except that the cover is not sewn onto the diaper itself. Instead, you insert a diaper in the cover that acts as a pocket. So, you only need to change and wash the inserts.
Travel
Your baby would need an infant car seat or baby capsule for his journey home from the hospital. Alternatively, you could purchase a convertible child restraint that can be used from birth through to the toddler stage.
If budget is a concern, you could opt for a second-hand carrier but check that all the fittings are complete and in working condition.
Other equipment
A changing table is a much needed piece of furniture to reduce the strain on your back and shoulders. You could also make use of any firm surface that is suitable in height. Some changing tables incorporate shelves underneath for baby’s essentials such as pins and toiletries.
During bath time, a baby’s tub with an inclined shape and non-slip ‘stopper’ insert would provide a safer environment. Besides raising the baby’s head above the water, it also prevents him from sliding down.
If you have to bottle-feed your baby, get about six bottles and teats. Even if you breast-feed, you many still need a few bottles for expressed milk. For sterilising, use either a large pot for boiling or a sterilising unit.
When you are out and about with your baby, use a specially designed bag that keeps milk cold and water hot in the bottles for up to several hours. Locally, it is also known as a warmer.
