7 must haves for a new born baby | Baby shopping guide (Updated [month] [year])

Read 7 must haves for a new born baby based on my experience. These must have baby essentials made my parenting journey in the first 3 months a breeze.

Rosy lips, chubby cheeks, 10 little fingers, 10 little toes — your little bundle of joy is going to be with you any day now. You have spent each day, week and month awaiting the precious arrival of your newborn. The wait to hold your angel, cuddle them, and just feel the rush of love.

But of course, along with this comes the next part that women love – SHOPPING !!

People all around you are quick to chime in with lists of prebaby must have items you’ll need once baby arrives. I too was flooded with opinions and suggestions and recommendations, uuff the list goes on. But all of them failed to mention the key details.

Yes, I definitely need a car seat, stroller —but with so many options out there, how do you know what kind to get? When they say to get a teether, what should I be specifically looking for ?

You will surely have your usual never-ending lists of Rompers, hygiene products, blankets, diapers etc.

But today, let me share my 7 practical must haves for a new born baby. Tried and tested with an active son in the country known for the most unpredictable weather.

7 must haves for a new born baby

Car Seat with Stroller

I am glad to see many parents in India today understand the importance of car seats and thus invest in car seats ensuring the safety of their child.

Tempting as it may be, resist buying a used car seat. Safety regulations have changed over the years, and you need one that meets all current guidelines.

Travel systems are more popular these days wherein you have the car seat and the stroller cum bassinet. These are more practical solutions rather than purchasing 5 different systems. These cater right from birth till age 3.

What to look for when buying a car seat

Make sure you get a car seat which also attaches to your stroller. So in case the baby dozes off during a drive, you do not have to physically carry the car seat or wake up the baby. So slide baby’s car seat out of its base/unstrap it and stealthily snap it in place on your stroller in a matter of minutes

Baby Carrier

This was a savior for my back and neck. Little R was(is) a clinger. He loves his hugs, cuddles and especially naps on my lap or against my chest. My sister gifted me Ergo baby Original Phoenix Baby Carrier Marine.

I have used it with the baby insert from Week 2 of his birth when we went for his first doctor check. And I still baby carry him and he is most comfortable tucked against me especially in the cold Holland winters.

What to look for when buying a baby carrier

Make sure you try it on before you buy it. Make sure it has easily adjustable straps on your shoulders and hips so you can evenly distribute the weight (and save your back some pain). Also, make sure you watch plenty of videos of wearing the carrier and practice it before actually using it with the child.

Diaper Bag

Where do I even start on this one? You need to pack a zillion things in that one bag and you need to make sure it doesn’t snap when you really need it. I am an overcautious mom and tend to over pack. But you have to be prepared. AND if you have to carry your diaper bag, purse and a gift for people you visiting plus a wailing, uncooperative baby – well thumbs up.

What to look for when buying a diaper bag

Serves both purposes of a purse and diaper bag. My diaper bag is stylish and serves as my purse. That’s right — there is such a thing as a stylish, all-purpose diaper bag. Make sure it’s got tons of pocket space and easily attaches to your stroller (absolute must), you’ll be good to go.

Sudocream or similar

I wanted a cream which served as a diaper rash cream, antiseptic, moisturizer; in short the world in itself. I did not want to carry a zillion products.

In Holland, I came across Sudocream and it was the AAhhhh moment !! My prayers have been answered. I have been using the antiseptic cream to help combat acne, cold sores, nappy rash and dry skin. Be it inflamed, angry spots, redness, sunburn, ingrown hairs, eczema, or grazes. It’s like a dermatological first-aid kit all in one. I have a different facial cream for my son but for everything else – Sudocream.

What to look for when buying cream for your baby

– Make sure the product is child friendly and ingredients are complainant. It should not be perfumery. Even WebMD suggests to use petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide based cream. Sudocream is both lanolin and zinc oxide based.

Baby swing

Another savior in foreign land where you do not have the comfort of the beautiful intricate palna’s (cradle) of India.

It wasn’t practical to get one shipped here.

So instead I purchased the Ingenuity Inlighten Sway Seat. It doubled up as a play gym as my son gazed towards the hanging toys. The soft delicate music and self-rocking mechanisms got me extra time to complete household chores. Little R would even sleep in it. I used it till 4 months as he started to turn sideways by then.

What to look for when buying a baby swing

Look for comfort and the possibilities of extended use. Mine swayed side to side as that is how he preferred to be swayed. Some move back and forth so choose the one which fits your child’s sleeping pattern.

Bath Chair

In Holland, Little R’s dad used to bathe him. That was the bonding time between father and son. When I visited India, we had the maalish aunty come over to give Little R his daily maalish and bath. He refused to lay down on her feet for the bath. The crying just wouldn’t stop. A wriggling, screaming, shouting baby smeared with oil – I was scared stiff that he will slip out of her hands. Baby Chair to the rescue. This was the best purchase ever.

What to look for when buying a bath chair

Make sure your child sits comfortably on the chair. The neck is properly supported with your one hand. Use the other to bathe and wash the child. Make sure to place it in the sun to avoid bacteria growth and dry it.

Crib Mobile

Little R was gifted a crib mobile as one of his aunt’s. He is 9 months old and he still enjoys it as much as he did earlier. Crib mobiles are a great way to soothe the baby as well as develop focus and concentration. The bright images, soothing music and monotonous movement of the toys also lull a fussy baby to sleep.

Montessori approach has 4 important mobiles that can be prepared by the mother at home to help in the development of the child in different aspects. Well, that’s for another read

What to look for when buying crib mobile

Avoid flashy lights and loud buzzing music. The mobile is there to soothe and comfort the child. I personally love the animal themed mobile from Tiny Love as the music are snippets from Mozart and Bach.

Well, this is my take on the must-haves for a newborn. Every child and delivery is different. Many things like nursing pillows, breast pumps can be added to this baby essentials checklist. But for me, these are my 7 precious jewels that made my parenting journey in the first 3 months a breeze.

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must haves for new born baby

Do tell me what helped you in your parenting journey and what is your must have for a new born baby using comments below

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Neha Khanna
Neha Khanna

Neha is a certified counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Certification in Jolly Phonics training from Jolly Learning, British Council, Victoria Carlton – ICE (Australia) and CPD college (Ireland). A proficient and certified English TEFL instructor from the London Teacher Training College. She is a certified ABACUS and handwriting improvement instructor as well. She has 10 years of international experience in the field of education. With 4 years of teaching experience at University of Mumbai as an Assistant Professor at an A grade engineering institution. Neha comes from a family of teachers (all her sisters are exceptional teachers in prestigious schools) and her logical choice upon graduation was to take on Teaching. She has taught the College Freshman year in the Engineering program for a couple of years while also working on her Masters in Computer science. She got herself additionally TESOL and ECCE certified. After marriage, her husband and Neha were fortunate to get an opportunity to travel across the globe (Singapore, Malaysia, India and 2 stints in Netherlands.) Since she had to give up her job as a college Professor, she took on a second career by combing the two things that she is most passionate about – TEACHING AND CHILDREN. Neha is now currently living her passion in Netherlands and striving to lay a strong foundation in Language Arts using Jolly Phonics and helping children rediscover the joy in learning. She writes her experiences on her blog https://pearlbuds.wordpress.com/

4 Comments
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  1. The brands recommended are the top in the category. We used 6 of the 7 you mentioned with the exception of baby carrier

    • Thanks a lot Ananta. Wow that’s amazing. Yes at times I feel there is a reason why done brands are expensive. The security and quality of those brands is worth spending money on ..

  2. Amazing list of products for new mommies. I was not aware of the sudocream available in the market!

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