If we are always well informed about what we will have to bring for the stay at the maternity hospital, we sometimes feel lost once we return home. However, it is easy to simplify life by planning, buying things in advance (and not bothering with everything that can wait).
As much to know right away, once your baby is born, you will not want to leave your home, you will live the first days in a bubble, centered on your little one and your days will go by so quickly that you will be hard pressed to find time to take a shower. So going shopping will be your last concern. To save you time and peace of mind, we tell you everything you can buy before giving birth to simplify your life.
Baby will wash
He will therefore need a bathtub. You can buy it or choose to bathe baby directly in your bathtub.
Good to know, there are reducers, not essential, but very practical so as not to waste water unnecessarily.
Here's what you'll need to plan for:
- Liquid soap adapted to his skin, cotton squares (in large number) compresses and antiseptic for cord care.
- Towels "provided for" are practical but not mandatory, a classic towel does the trick very well.
- Diapers, wipes and cotton.
- Wipes
- Cottons
- Cleaning liquid
- Remember to prepare towels to place under your baby during the change. These towels get dirty quickly, plan a lot!
To forget : the bathrobe: not very practical and without much interest with a baby
Baby go to sleep
Your baby will therefore need a place to sleep. But buying a bed is not, contrary to what you might think, an obligation at first. If you have a carrycot with your stroller, for the first few weeks, it will be able to sleep perfectly in the carrycot. Very practical to put next to your bed if you do not want to sleep too far from your baby, it will still have its rest area.
Later, you can invest in a crib that it will keep for (approximately) its first three years.
Smart buying : the evolving bed. From crib to bar, it becomes a crib when the bars have become useless. A good investment that can last ten years.
Baby will eat
Even if you plan to breastfeed your baby, buy a bottle before birth (at least). Not only can you use it to give baby water, but you can also be prepared for anything without having to run around looking for something to feed your baby. In the same spirit, you are planning a can of infant milk that could be of immense service to you. What if you don't use it? You can always resell or give it away. It will not be lost.
Consider also buying a supply of bibs.
Good to know : those who put on by the head protect well but babies generally do not like it. Prefer the bibs that close with a Velcro, easier to attach and detach especially when you have only one free hand (you will understand very soon).
Later, you can invest in a high chair, baby cutlery, a glass with handles …
Baby will move
The carrycot can be used during the first weeks to move baby by car. If it is equipped with the material to attach it securely to the back of your car and the net that keeps baby in his bed. The cumbersome, cumbersome and more and more often decried leaves more and more often the place with the seat shell adapted to the infants.
The stroller is not necessarily essential for the first days, but it is still very practical. Prefer the evolutionary strollers, more interesting financially. Some stroller frames are designed to be used with a maxi-cosi, then with a rearward facing stroller, then this stroller seat is installed facing the road.
A few years from now, you will certainly prefer to buy a lighter and less bulky cane stroller.
=> Which birth stroller to choose? <=
Baby will dress
Before birth, mainly plan bodysuits (lots), pajamas, small socks, hats and enough to cover baby to go out if baby is born during cold periods.
If you buy clothes in very small size (birth size) do not plan too much. Some babies do not go through birth size at all and dress directly in size 1 month. Many put on birth size clothes only the first few days, so there's no need to overinvest. Plan a little birth size and a little 1 month, you will be ready. (except, of course if you are told that you are at risk of having a premature baby. In this case, also plan to wear a few premature clothes).
Good to know : It is best to wash all new baby clothes with a suitable detergent before making him wear.
To forget : little dresses and little outfits. Baby is so much better at first in pajamas.
For the night, a bodysuit, pajamas and a sleeping bag will do the trick.
And of course, already buy your supply of Le Chat Bébé detergent. You will be able to spend the first weeks serenely without having to watch with anxiety the level of your container of detergent lower. A baby gets very dirty and his clothes may be very small, you will have a lot of laundry to do for him (clothes, bath towels, change towel, bibs …).
Later, you can have fun and buy … "big" clothes: dress, pants, shoes …
For you
Breastfeeding bras if you plan to breastfeed, it's really more practical.
for the rest of the clothes, the first days you can put on your pregnancy clothes (like most new mothers) or put on your clothes before pregnancy (then this is a much rarer case, but one that exist).
For your family
The good idea: cook (you or your partner) large quantities before giving birth and then freeze portions so that you always have something to eat after birth, when the time is running out. You can also stock up on ready-made frozen meals. It's a safe bet that once you get home, you won't have the urge or the opportunity to go into the kitchen.
If you are used to drinking bottled water, buy a few packs, this will save you the first days of having to carry them with a baby or a maxi-cosi in your arms (perfect for bodybuilding but not necessarily pleasant).
For the races, if you are not already a follower of the formula, it may be time to test home delivery or the drive but which still requires to equip / harness / transport baby to pick up his food.
Here you are, you are ready, you just have to wait calmly for the birth of your baby and take advantage of this calm before the storm … of feelings.
Tip: starter kits for baby equipment
Many manufacturers of baby care products or baby accessories offer convenient starter kits that contain everything parents need for the first few months with a baby. The advantage: you do not have to think about all the little things and thus save a lot of time when buying babies.
And even if the starter kits seem quite expensive: if you buy all the products individually, you will have to spend even more. With these kits, you save yourself stress and money.
To make your decision easier, we have looked at different starting sets: Which sets really make sense in their composition? Where is the good value for money? What products are good quality?
Here are 4 starter kits particularly appreciated by new parents:
1. Philips Avent MEGA-SET natural starter kit
The complete set includes everything you need to feed and care for your baby. Mothers particularly praise the good quality of the bottles and the simplicity of operation of the sterilizer. Also practical: the baby care set included.
> Here is the Philips Avent starter set
2. Birth clothes kit
This kit includes 6 pieces to accompany the first days of baby and wrap it in softness.
Practical, there are sizes from premature to 6 months.
> Here you can find the Vertbaudet baby clothes kit
3. Lot of birth bodysuits
Do not hesitate to invest in a lot of bodies, you will use many. These are particularly practical for dressing a newborn since they attach to the front and therefore should not be put on the baby's head (which he often hates). Perfect for changing baby gently without shaking it.
> Find here this batch of 5 H&M crossed bodysuits
4. Baby care set
A complete, practical and compact care kit with 9 accessories: 1 digital thermometer, 1 baby fly by oral suction, 1 pair of scissors, 1 nail clipper, 1 file, 1 bath thermometer, 1 hair brush, 1 teething ring and 1 gum massager.
> The care kit can be found here
And what do you think are the essentials to buy BEFORE giving birth?
Read also
8 things that get cool when your baby grows
Baby toiletry bag, the essentials and the useless
7 things I wish I had been told before giving birth