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If you have read my earlier post, you would know I mentioned regret, in believing the INDIAN old wives tale of not buying stuff for your baby before she/he is born. Yes, it’s considered taboo or not so lucky.
But, the ordeal that you may go through sans this planning is one that you would want to avoid.
In many countries, around the world, the culture is to announce the gender of the baby as well as keep the nursery, clothes and all necessary items ready for the arrival of the baby. Most couples in other cultures will get or buy baby gear, clothes, furnishings and baby care toiletries much before the baby’s due date.
The big upside about doing this is:
When you come home with your newborn, you have everything in place, right from diapers to lotions, crib to stroller, baby bedding to baby towels, and most importantly storage, everything just makes it so much easier.
Being ready before hand with all these items means no worrying to buy these later and that, sending out someone else to buy these means a compromise on your choice of colour, quality or brand. Frankly for the 1st month, you really don’t have time to go out and walk the mall or stores to get these things.
When we came home with my newborn, thanks to a very helping sister in law, I did have a crib ready, however it was a little vintage style of crib, mainly used in Indian homes called ‘jholi’ .
My baby was sometimes comfortable in it sometimes not, so I could not figure out if it was the best for her.
She also gave me a stroller from Mee Mee which was absolutely a blessing as my baby was most comfortable in it when I would put her in it, at home or outside. She slept, fed and played in it a lot.
Diapers, bottles, sterilizers and clothes were then brought mostly by family and of course they have good taste so I was relieved as it may not have been my choice of brand or colour but it was a BIG help.
At this point I did regret not researching enough on what baby gear and stuff I wanted for my child earlier.
There are many things to consider, and to make it easier for to be moms or new mommies reading this, I have listed a few of 'GOOD TO HAVE' THINGS you should invest in before your baby arrives.
Crib/Co-sleeper :
A flat crib or infant bed is of utmost importance so that your baby, even if she/he sleeps in your bed as her own bed or bedding, and if no bed, she can independently sleep in the crib. Look for cribs, which are heighted so as to easily pick up the baby or put her/him to sleep.
Try these brands or products, I have a Graco playard and it arrived a little late but it was of very good use.
Baby rocker/bouncer :
Baby Rocker or bouncer are a good bet to keep your baby busy and in the same room as you are in working or relaxing or cooking. Try these brands
Baby Stroller
Probably the most important item for small outings and trips to doctors or parks. Try these brands
Baby bed with mosquito net
So helpful this product, if the baby sleeps in the bed you sleep, plus the mosquito net is an added advantage. Try these products
Baby bather : Only if you bathe baby by yourself ( I did not, I had a nanny do it) Try these brands
Bottle sterilizer/Bottles
Feeding baby with cup and spoon is a no no option if your baby is going to wake up every 2 – 3 hrs and that too at nights, when you would be terribly sleep and groggy to hold on to baby and the milk cup. To make feeding easier, I simply used a milk bottle; there are so many varieties and brands. Also, the baby ends up drinking a large amount at one go and so easy to feed. So bottles is a very good option for feeding while still on liquids and Bottle sterilizer is one easy option next to boiling water. Just rinse and brush up the bottles with accessories and place it in the sterilizer and voila, within 9-10 minutes you have a bunch of bottles ready to be used. Try these brands
The favourites and products I’ve mentioned above are strictly for a Newborn baby and uptil the age of 3-4 months max. I will be listing a few posts later my mommy favs for age 4 months plus.
If you have read it uptil here, thank you so much and do read my next post “Feeding and Caring Routines for your newborn”.