In the Nursery
1. Cot – Best to get one that has one or both sides that can be pulled up and down, with different heights for the mattress base (3 is good). This way your back and belly won’t hurt so much when you bend to put baby down or carry him up.
a. Mobile
b. Mattress – a firm one that won’t sink so that baby won’t suffocate when he rolls over
c. Blanket - for swaddling
d. Bumper – unnecessary until baby is perhaps 10 months
e. Cot sheets
f. Mattress protector
2. Changing unit/ mat – A mat is portable, but a changing unit could double as drawers for storing all the nappies and bb clothes. See #3.
3. Cupboard/ chest of drawers for storing clothes etc. – Or clear space in your built-in cupboards
4. Clothes
a. Body suits/babygros/onesies
b. Mittens – don’t need many, one pair will do actually
c. Bootees – a pair will do
d. Tops - long and short sleeves
e. Bottoms – shorts and trousers
5. Sleeping sack
6. Cotton balls/ baby wipes
7. Cotton buds – for cord care, NOT for ears!
8. Room thermometer
9. Baby thermometer (for underarm temperature readings)
10. Nail clippers (or you could use scissors specially designed for cutting bb fingernails)
11. Nappy rash prevention cream (e.g. Bepanthen)
12. Oil for wind (Yew Yee oil)
13. Baby belly belt - to wrap round the waist after putting on Yew Yee oil
14. Woodward’s Gripe Water
15. Nappies - newborn babies need to be changed 10-12 times a day. Buy enough nappies to keep you going for at least the first few days or so.
16. Baby Monitor
17. Burp cloths – something to keep your clothes from getting spit-ups and vomit. These can be traditional muslins which can be used as general covers for furniture, bb changing etc.
18. Playpen (later purchase)
19. Bouncer/ Walker (later purchase) – there are some who argue that bouncers and walkers actually impair babies’ ability to walk properly
20. Stairgates (later purchase)
21. Rubber protectors (later purchase)
First-aid Kit
1. Paracetamol for babies – also called infant suspension
2. Antihistamine for babies
3. Tea tree oil
4. Cold/chest rubs for babies
5. Fever plasters (e.g. Kodomo cooling adhesive)
6. Teething gel (for when bb's older)
7. Sunscreen
8. Mosquito repellent
9. Ointment for cuts, scratches and bites (e.g. Lucas’s Papaw Ointment)
Bathroom
1. Wipes/ Sponge/ Bath mitten
2. Baby bath tub/ newborn bath support
3. Hooded towels
4. Mild baby bath/ shampoo (use very little) - e.g. Eubos or iGreen Buds
5. Baby oil – for occasional use or massages
6. Dish/ container (to put water for washing baby’s face)
7. Baby powder (make sure it doesn’t contain talc)
8. Cord spirit or alcohol swabs – for care of the umbilical cord stump
Laundry for Baby Clothes & Nappies
1. Buckets with lids - separate ones for clothes and cloth nappies
2. Baby friendly detergent - e.g. Pureen (no enzymes, whiteners or softeners)
3. Tea tree oil or lavender oil solution - add in final rinse to take away the smell of wee and poo
Feeding Time
1. Milk bottles & small sized teats - if breastfeeding there is really no need to get newborn teats (Avent size 1), unless planning on letting someone else bottle-feed bb once in a while
2. Bottle scrub brush with nipple brush attached
3. Bottle warmer – optional, as can use bowl with warm water
4. Sterilising equipment – e.g. large pot or electric steam steriliser
5. Tongs (to handle hot bottles)
6. Breast pump
7. Expressed milk containers/bottles
8. Nursing pillow (optional)
9. Highchair - for when bb is older. Don’t need to buy straightaway
Going Out
1. Car seat – rear-facing for newborn
2. Baby sling/ wrap/ pouch (optional)
3. Pram/ stroller - get one that is suitable for newborn babies (with lie-flat position)
4. Diaper bag, containing:
a. Day's supply of diapers
b. Wet wipes
c. Plastic bags for disposing soiled diapers/ ziplock bags for cloth nappies
d. Diaper rash ointment/ baby powder
e. Small toys and/or books
f. Ice packs to keep liquids cool, e.g. expressed breast milk
g. Baby formula (if not breastfeeding)
h. Bottle or a spill-proof cup (if needed)
i. Spoon and fork (if needed)
j. Change of clothing for both baby and mommy (in case of boo-boo accidents)
k. Lightweight receiving blanket or muslin (could be used as burp cloth or cover for bb)
l. Water bottle for mommy
m. Snack for mommy
n. Antibacterial spray/ no-rinse handwash
Mummy Stuff
1. Breastfeeding clothes
2. Nipple cream (e.g. Bepanthen) - actually, you might not need to resort to creams: express some breastmilk to moisten the sore area and then leave it to air has helped me
3. Nursing bras – I find these the most comfy and easiest to breastfeed*
4. Nursing pads
5. Sanitary pads - for the first few postpartum weeks. Periods tend to be delayed when one breastfeeds
6. Disposable panties (Optional)
Notes:
CHOOSING A PRAM/ STROLLER/ TRAVEL SYSTEM
There are several types, which can be confusing to choose. It certainly was for us. Given the knowledge I have now, I would have made a different purchase.
Main considerations when buying one:
1. Seat must be able to allow newborn to lie flat
2. Portability – will it fit into your car boot? Will you be using it to catch taxis, MRT?
3. User-friendliness – how easy is it to fold up and open
4. Stability - choose a stroller or pram with a wide base. You want to be sure that the carrier cannot tip over.
5. Only use a stroller with proper restraints. Good restraints should secure your baby at the waist with a guard between the legs so he can't slide out.
6. Check the brakes. They should be secure and easy to operate.
7. Be sure it has the storage capacity you need. A basket under the seat may offer more stability than a basket at the rear.
8. Stroller's fabric - is it washable? is it the right type for your climate?
9. How long do you want to use the stroller? Do you wish to keep it for your second/third child?
10. Your budget!
Different types:
1. Prams – can be rear-facing (i.e. baby lies facing the pusher of the pram) or front-facing, or adjustable for both ways.
2. Travel systems – all-in-ones that include a car seat
3. Strollers – these are very lightweight and can be folded up easily. To be used only for toddlers.
Useful websites:
www.strollers.com/choose-stroller.php
Given what we know now, hub unit said he would probably have chosen a McLaren as they are lightweight and very portable. Ours is a Peg Perego A3 (sounds like cars don’t they?!) that only folds in half so it takes up a lot of space in the boot.
However, I would probably have opted for a pram that can be adjusted to face the pusher as well as face forwards. This way, when the baby is still very small, I can look at and talk to her while pushing the pram – important for baby’s development.
CHOOSING AN INFANT CAR SEAT
The main points to note:
1. The car seat has to fit the car! We had a hand-me-down – a MaxiCosi Priori – and when we fitted it into our car, we found that the seatbelt isn’t long enough for the recommended method of securing the seat. We have to use a different method of securing the car seat with the short seat belt…one that isn’t as secure as I would like.
2. Infant harness – is it a 5-point belt up harness? Ours is only a 3-point (as the car seat is an older model.
3. Do you want a base for the car seat? This base will be permanently installed in the car, while you can take out car seat more easily.
4. Avoid secondhand car seats unless you are very sure of the family that used it and are certain they had no car accidents and had taken care of the seat properly. It is like buying a car really!
Car seats can sometimes double up as a carry seat, i.e. when the baby is very tiny, you can bring him around by carrying him in the seat with the handle. However, the car seat is VERY heavy and post-partum you should NOT carry the baby in the car seat. You might injure yourself and will take a much longer time to recover from the delivery. I know, because I did it!
Web resources:
www.strollers.com/car-seat-buying-guide.php
WHERE TO SHOP FOR BABY STUFF
Shops - Singapore
The first two are next to each other at 83 Kaki Bukit Ave 1, Shun Li Industrial Park
- Baby Kingdom (allegedly the better of the 2 here)
- Baby Hyperstore
- Mothercare outlets – expensive stuff but knowledgeable (some) staff
Shops - Malaysia
- Planete Enfant
- Mothercare
Online - Singapore
www.babytown.com.sg - you may find great bargains here
www.kidsmall.com.sg
Whoopeekiddies
Online - Malaysia
The Babyloft
Jonas Jodie
* The Moms in Mind Basic Cami Bra and Seamless Spaghetti Cami Bra - Moms in Mind
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