photo credit: allspice1

There are quite a number of things to prepare before a new baby’s arrival. Every parent’s purchasing power or the ability to provide for the new baby will vary. From the very beginning, it is advisable to differentiate the things that go under ‘needs’ and those that go under ‘wants’. This will prevent unnecessary purchases and a waste of money.

Below are a list of things commonly prepared to greet the arrival of a new baby. Consider it as a checklist and beside each item you may note down whether it is a ‘need’ or a ‘want’. There are some things that you may need to purchase more than one item such as the baby’s vest or nappies.

Things for the baby

• Clothing
- Cotton vests (or dresses for girls)
- Stretchsuits
- Sleepwear
- Socks and mittens
- Shawl or blanket
- Baby’s hat
- Cotton nappies or disposable diapers

Tip: The baby will outgrow the newborn clothes very fast, so it is not necessary to purchase in big quantity. Buy two or three sets as starters and get new clothes later on as the baby will continue to grow at a fast rate. Use cotton nappies during the daytime and disposable diapers at nighttime to save money on the disposable diapers.

• Feeding Equipment
- Bottles and teats
- Sterilizing equipment
- Milk powder or formula

Tip: Combining breastfeeding and using milk powder will reduce your cost of buying the formula. This is what I did, breastfeeding at night and using milk powder during the daytime when I am at work.

Tip: It is advisable not to use pillows, quilts, duvets or cot bumper as these can be a hazard to the baby.

• Bathing equipment
- Portable baby bath (normally made of plastic)
- Soap and shampoo
- Baby powder and lotion
- Diaper rash cream
- Big and small towels

• Baby carrier
• Baby chair
• Rocker
• Car seat
• High chair
• Prams or pushchairs
• Changing bag or traveling bag
• Baby monitor
• Toys

As you can see, it is a long list. If you have a tight budget, get essential items only in the beginning. Purchase other items later on if there is a need. Bear in mind that the baby will outgrow some things very fast like clothing, the baby chair and rocker. I know of some moms who don’t mind to use second hand stuffs as they realize that their baby will not be using them for long.

When I had my third child, I was still using the things from my first child (7 years apart) including the clothing. My advice is to clean and maintain all the things as best as possible and they actually last for years.