The Essentials of a Birth List

Preparing for the arrival of a baby is not always easy. Between toiletries, clothes, meal necessities or furniture for the bedroom, the list seems endless. There is a tendency of omitting the essential!

And if you are first-time parents, being propelled into the world of childcare is all the more exotic. So many products, accessories and gadgets are offered on the market that we often end up getting lost.

So, to save your budget and above all to help you prepare for the birth of your little one, here is the birth list, in other words the essentials to prepare at the time of birth.

Essential Items for the Baby's Suitcase

To avoid panic situations on the day of delivery, you absolutely must prepare your suitcase in advance. You will be able to go to the maternity ward without having to go through the “rush” box at the last minute. And since you need things for the baby, but also for the future mother, here is the birth list including the essential effects for the birth and the arrival of the newborn. This way, you won't be burdened with unnecessary stuff.

For the cherub:

• 6 Bodysuits
• 3 Bras or vests
• 6 Pajamas
• 6 Top and bottom sets
• 3 Beanies
• 3 Pairs of socks
• 3 nappies
• Birth diapers
• Cleansing gel
• 3 towels
• 1 Bath thermometer
• 2 sleeping bags
• Blankie
• Cotton
• Warm clothes for the outing
• Cosy/carrycot

This list already takes into account the “what ifs”. It is therefore useless to bring more things.

For Mom :

• 3 Pajamas
• 3 Nursing bra
• 1 dressing gown
• 3 Panties
• 3 towels
• 1 Maternity pillows
• Sanitary napkins
• 1 Pair of slippers
• A toilet bag
• Breast pads
• A city outfit to wear when returning home

These documents and administrative papers are of course to be included in your luggage:

• ID card
• social security card
• Insurance card
• Medical file
• Family book or early recognition of baby for unmarried parents

The Little One's Clothes at Home

When you get home from the hospital with your little angel, you will have to bring extra things. Here are the main essential accessories and clothing.

For baby in summer:

• Short-sleeved and long-sleeved bodysuits
• Pajamas
• Leggings
• Little shorts
• Light sweaters
• Hat
• Pairs of socks and slippers
• A few comfortable sets

For baby in winter:

• Hats and mittens
• Vest/Bra
• Long sleeve bodysuits
• Leggings with feet
• Pairs of woolen socks and slippers
• Wool bodysuits
• Wool pilot suit
• Wool or down blanket
• Fleece sweaters
• Wool hats
• Mittens
• Baby nest or footmuff

For a newborn, we recommend that you opt for cross clothes until the ^3rd month. This will make dressing and undressing easier. In addition, with such clothes, you will not have to handle your baby too much. Natural materials such as cotton or wool will be preferred for clothing worn next to the skin.

And since a baby grows very quickly, there is no need to fill the dressing room with clothes, because the baby may not wear them all. Also, during the first three months, do not plan too many "dressy" outfits, since at this time going out will still be rare. Finally, don't buy all the clothes in advance. Just think about the essentials and then shop as the child grows.

Baby's Meal Items

You must prepare the baby's meal items in advance and with the greatest care. Pediatricians recommend taking the bottle every three hours during the first and second month of the child. Breast milk will be given as long as necessary. In the fifth month, the baby will begin to adopt a varied diet. You will then need the following items:

• Bottles and teats
• Milk
• Milk measuring box
• bibs
• Mixer-cooker robot
• High chair
• Bottle warmer
• bottle sterilizer
• Meal storage boxes
• Plate and cutlery

If you are breastfeeding, include the items below in your birth list:

• Nursing pillow
• Nursing bra
• Draws milk
• Nursing clothes: nursing sweatshirt, zipper top…
• Breast pads
• Soothing cream

If you have decided to bottle-feed your little angel, remember to bring pacifiers of different shapes and sizes. Indeed, a baby has his preferences. Be attentive and patient to find the model that suits him best.

For his first meals around the ^5th month, he will probably not yet be able to sit up properly. It is best to feed him directly in his deckchair or on your lap for the first few times. The high chair will therefore not be really useful before the ^7th month. And since it takes up enough space, it is better not to install it too early.

The Essentials in the Baby's Room

Even if baby sleeps with you during the first months of his life, it is essential that he has his own space. This will allow him to gain confidence and not depend too much on your presence. This will make it easier to leave him alone for a few moments, for example when you have to go to the toilet. Anyway, the following items are the useful things in the room dedicated to the toddler:

• Cot and mattress
• Musical mobile
• Fitted sheet
• Mattress pad
• Sleeping bags
• Changing mat
• Changing table
• Storage baskets
• night lights
• baby monitor
• Armchair: for relaxing moments with baby or to feed him comfortably
• Blankie
• Pacifiers

When buying your baby's cuddly toy, take several of them. You can thus leave some in key places such as your home, the nursery, in the car… For the bed, it is preferable to opt for a model with adjustable height. This will prevent you from bending too low in his first year or having a bed that is too high when he has the ability to stand.

Finally, you are advised to install a soft light in his room as a wall night light , so as not to attack his retinas. This, because he is almost always in a lying position, facing the ceiling. Too much light may cause some vision problems.

Accessories and Toys to Stimulate Baby's Development

It is important to stimulate the senses of the little one. This not only allows you to develop your reflexes, but also to gradually work on your motor skills. To do this, you must capture his attention and encourage him to act on his own. You will therefore need various accessories:

• Playmat
• Transat
• Mobile
• Trotter
• Park
• Early learning games: rattle, tactile book, stuffed animals, multicolored toys, cubes...
• Swing

Your baby's toys should go with his development phase. For the first few months, for example, cubes or books will not necessarily be the best choices. Whether or not to acquire a playpen will largely depend on the layout and space available in your home. This equipment occupies enough space, although it greatly promotes the baby's safety. When moving independently, the park will limit its area of ​​exploration.

Things for Trips and Walks with the Baby

Your birth list should include items to take with you when the baby goes out. Some of the items mentioned below will be useful to you as soon as you leave the hospital to go home, as well as for outings:

• Stroller
• Baby carrier
• Footmuff
• Angel's Nest
• Blankets
• Diaper bag
• Umbrella bed
• Pacifier clip
• Car seat

If you often travel by car, an evolving car seat will be useful to you. Some models adapt to a newborn and can be used until the age of 3 or 4 years. For sunny days, don't forget baby's sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin.

Prioritizing Baby's Health: Essential and Unwavering

It is more than essential to have a medicine box for both you and your baby. You will then need:

• A disinfectant like Betadine
• Cotton and compresses
• A medicine to lower the temperature in case of fever
• Medicine for stomach aches
• A special nasal spray for children in case of colds

You should receive these drugs only under the prescription of a pediatrician. Before you get them, ask for his opinion, as well as the dosage to which you must comply. In this way, in case of extreme emergency, you will have the basic medicines to relieve your angel at home while waiting to go to the pediatrician.

A Few Extras

In addition to these elements already mentioned to welcome your little treasure in the best conditions, some additional gadgets and accessories can be practical. Moreover, this list is not exhaustive.

For example, you can purchase certain accessories and furniture: mirror, light garland... everything is permitted as long as it offers you the possibility of comfortably approaching this new stage of your life.

Do not hesitate to adapt your birth list according to the sex of your baby. You can buy cute little headbands for a girl or a rocket wall or table lamp for a boy.

Final Words