After a newborn's nursery is stocked with necessities, parents may want to consider purchasing less essential newborn care products.
The article “Newborn Necessities” covered the basics needed to help a newborn baby sleep and stay warm, fed, and clothed. Here is a checklist of additional baby care items parents may want to consider purchasing:
Newborn Baby Hygiene / Feeding
- Changing table. A baby’s diaper can be changed on any variety of surfaces, but a designated changing table with all the changing items nearby is very convenient.
- Wipes warmer. Some babies do not like the feeling of a cold wipe during changes.
- Disposable changing pads. Baby will inevitably make a mess on the changing surface. Changing pads protect the changing surface and make cleaning up a cinch.
- Extra bottles and nipples. If baby is fed exclusively from a bottle, these will be invaluable. However, even if the baby only takes a bottle once or twice a day, extra bottles or nipples will allow parents to avoid washing a single set between feedings.
Baby’s Bed Time and Play Time
- Baby monitor. This allows parents to listen in on a newborn from another room, perhaps even another floor of the house.
- Secondary bed for baby. Even though baby may ultimately sleep in a crib, many parents prefer to room-in with their newborns for the first few weeks or months. A bassinet or cradle is perfect for this.
- Musical toy. Babies love music. A musical toy, such as a mobile, may prove invaluable when parents are desperate to calm a fussy baby.
- Swing. Babies love motion, so a swing is another one of those potentially sanity-saving devices when baby is fussy.
- Play gym. This is great for an older baby who needs to practice coordination and motor skills or simply burn energy.
- Rocking chair / glider. Many parents do not need a rocking chair to sit in while feeding or holding their babies. A nice recliner, regular chair, or even the bed will usually do; however, a dedicated rocker or glider is a nice luxury for a nursery. It will come in handy during late night feedings or any time baby needs to be cuddled.
Traveling with a Newborn Baby
- Car seat carrier cover. This is, typically, a water-resistant fabric cover for the top of an infant car seat that insulates the baby against the elements. It works wonders at keeping out cold drafts during the winter.
- Car seat protector. This is placed under the baby’s car seat to protect the car’s upholstery.
- Jogging stroller. Just like a regular stroller, but with larger and more durable back wheels, these are made for rougher terrain and faster maneuvering during a run.
Just for Breastfeeding Mothers
- Breast milk pump. A manual pump works just fine, but if time is of the essence, an electric pump may work more quickly.
- Breast milk storage bags. These are for storing pumped milk for later use.
Any of the items listed above can be placed on a baby registry, although parents may be more comfortable purchasing the more personal items themselves.
Newborn babies can be expensive, but with a little forethought, parents can minimize costs by only purchasing baby care necessities as well as limiting their budget for nursery decorations.
The copyright of the article Newborn Care Conveniences in Baby Products is owned by Lena Gott. Permission to republish Newborn Care Conveniences in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
