Newborn Essentials: Getting Ready for Baby

Waiting for your baby's arrival is as exciting as shopping newborn essentials. Oh how I love buying baby stuff EVERY single time we go to the mall!

As a soon-to-be mom and a "millennial" :P, I'm not really sure on the things I need to prepare for my baby. So, me and Zohan's Dad started asking our relatives, friends, colleagues and we googled and read a lot (Oh yes! Google is our best friend and our go-to for information). Then, I listed them down. 

Others start buying as soon as they know the gender of their baby, well as for us, we waited until after our baby shower was held. You wouldn't want to be buying the same stuff with what your friends/relatives might give right? 

Here are the things we got for Zohan...

His feeding, travel, nursery, care, clothes and diaper essentials.

(Do note that some stuff here were acquired sometime after Zohan's birth. You'll never completely know what you and your baby's needs until he arrives. Zohan is more than a month now.)

Feeding Essentials

• Bottles

We got some of his bottles from our baby shower and we just added more to it. We chose Avent bottles because I heard from friends and read some forums/reviews that it's one of the most popular brands out there when it comes to feeding bottles. Good quality and features. I preferred the natural type due to its wide neck and breast-similar nipples. This is according to the theory that babies would have some sort of nipple confusion and may not anymore latch when you are breastfeeding, once you introduce bottles. If you notice, most of our bottles are the big ones (260 mL), I don't find buying the smaller ones practical since after a few months babies would take larger feeds. Newborns won't be able to hold the small one either right? Just make sure that you have the right nipples. They have the slow flow for newborns. If you will be bottle-feeding, it's nice to have around 6-8 bottles. Personally, I planned to breastfeed Zohan. Have you heard of breast milk is best for babies? Yes? I heard it too. That is why. Wondering why I got some bottles? Just wanted to prepare in case my breastfeeding goals fail. Oopsie. Haha. And, I also thought that I will be using it soon when I go back to work. I only have two months of maternity leave though. But if you are a breastfeeding advocate and would be a full time mom, you probably do not need to have this unless you will be pumping milk.

• Breastpump and Storage bottles

Another thing we got from our baby shower is the manual breast pump. It wasn't really one of the essentials I thought of but I encountered them on some essential list I researched. They say that it is a modern mom's new essential. Thus, we placed it on our baby shower gift registry. As of this writing, I am determined (I guess? Haha) to continue breastfeeding once I go back to work. Not only you are giving the best milk to your baby but at the same time practical. I need a breast pump to do this while at work. This led me to read more about breast pumps. It went on for days and nights (got addicted to reading reviews and forums) when Zohan is asleep or breastfeeding. So, planning to buy an electric pump. ^_^ I haven't completed yet the pumping essentials but I got some storage bottles already.

• Brush and Thong

Also got the Avent brush for cleaning bottles and the thong for lifting accessories and bottles from the sterilizer.

• Sterilizer

Also given to me! Yay! Can't wait to share our sterilizer story. We were at the mall looking for a sterilizer, so there were ladies doing the sales talk. Here and there for different brands. One of our colleague told us that they got Avent before and it didn't last, so we decided that we'll just buy the cheaper one if that's the case. The one we chose was on sale that day and the sales lady was more excited than us that she left her stand and assisted us in buying other baby items. Then, Zohan's dad called a friend to seek advice from what we have put on the basket. While he was on the call, I am at the counter paying already. Just when the sterilizer was about to be scanned, he interrupted and put it out. If you could only see the sad look on the sales lady, you will still think of buying the sterilizer after knowing that our friend was giving her Chicco sterilizer away, like I did. However, (what will I do with two sterilizers?) I ended up not. There are lots of sterilizers out there. Before, (the old school system) bottles are just placed in boiling water. It's up to you on what to choose for as long as it does what it's supposed to. If you have around 6-8 bottles, then you might just use this twice a day. I do sterilize our bottles every after washing. 

• Milk powder storage

I remembered the first follow up check of Zohan a week after he was born because of his breastfeeding jaundice. Although, I breastfeed him, we also got formula milk to supplement his milk needs. Upon going to the hospital, I brought the whole can of milk because I realized I didn't have a storage. I could have just transferred it to any smaller container at home but I didn't mind anymore and just brought the can. Haha. It's not convenient.

• Food and Milk Warmer

I'm not sure if this will be very useful but I think it will come in handy especially when I pursue my pumping goals. So we got this Avent warmer. Initially, we plan to buy the Chicco warmer because it's a bit cheaper, however, the sales lady cannot explain its features. Haha. We even joked and advised her to read the manual first then we'll get back to her. We really did. Haha. After roaming around in the store and seeing her reading, still she wasn't able to explain well when we got back to her.  But that is not the ultimate reason though 😜, I found that the Avent warmer was on sale that day with almost same price with Chicco and I prefer to have the same brand with my bottles. Although, we have a water dispenser at home that comes with a hot water feature and an electric heater that boils water quickly, I think this is more convenient. It will warm milk faster and can also be brought during travel. 
Update: It comes with a defrost feature that will help thaw frozen milk.

I would also like to add a high chair but we do not have it yet. Planning to buy soon when he starts to eat solids.

Travel Essentials

You could still travel without the list below but for the sake of convenience, I prefer to have them. 

• Stroller

This Graco Fastaction Foldsport stroller was a gift from Zohan's lolo. We accompanied him when he bought this. The reasons we chose this one are because it's a three-wheel stroller which makes it easy to maneuver, it's somehow lightweight and can be folded easily (one-second fold), and it has a multi-position reclining seat, expandable canopy and has a storage basket. I love this stroller! Zohan loves to sleep here too. Since we do not have a baby rocker yet, we are using this, especially when he wants to change scenery. Yes, it helps when a month old baby cries already. Haha. Hoping to use this when we go to the mall, park or just a walk in the neighborhood.

• Carrier

Photo grabbed from BabyCompany

Carrying your baby is such a wonderful experience but not for long hours. Haha. It is a way for you and your baby to bond. So we decided to buy this Piccolo 4 in 1 carrier, which means you have four different ways in carrying your child. I think we bought the gray one (coz' I haven't opened it yet). There is also the cloth type, which is softer, but we got this one first. I think we'll love it. Hoping to use it soon since it is not recommended yet to be used on newborns.

We also have a ring sling carrier which is softer since it just made of cloth. It can be used with newborns and up. 

• Diaper bag

We got one from our baby shower and I also bought another one. It is where I put Zohan's stuff when we go out -hospital, mall or just nearby. It comes with a changing pad. But I don't think it's necessary to buy this. You can use any other bags you have even backpacks.

Nursery Essentials

• Crib

My family bought us this wooden crib. I suggested it to them because I read that this kind is more durable. It is a 28 by 54 inches crib with a huge mosquito net around. It is a big crib and I think Zohan can still use this when he becomes a toddler. The only concern I have that I didn't realize was the small space we have since we live in a condo unit. We'll figure it out on how to better arrange it. Nonetheless, I love this crib but I just wish that we live in a bigger house. So I suggest that if you have a small space like ours, you buy the smaller one.

• Musical Mobile

This sea-animal themed musical mobile was given by our same colleague who gave us the sterilizer. How generous right? Hehe. It plays wonderful baby lullabies and displays color changing stars through the projector. It is attached to the crib to entertain the baby and help in his development. 

• Co-sleeper

A gift from his lala. When Zohan is not in his crib and is with us in the bed, we place him in his co-sleeper. It's a good idea to put him here so that he have his own space.

• Comforters and Pillows

Of course, the crib wouldn't stand alone. We also received a lot of comforters and pillow sets. It's a good thing that you have more than one for changing purposes. You never know when it gets dirty.

• Walker

The walker wouldn't be used right away but sooner or later it will be. We got it also as a gift.

Zohan's dad also plans to buy the baby rocker because he feels that it would help in putting Zohan to sleep. It's an alternative to the duyan that we know. That would be hard to set-up in the Condo due to the restricted space.

Care Essentials

• Health and Safety Kit

These were the things I did not have in mind- the small stuff but very important. We got this also from our baby shower ^_^ The one on the left is a safety 1st kit containing aspirator, thermometer, nail cutter, nail file, etc. while on the right is an ear thermometer. Although, we already have a simple digital thermometer, I preferred having this ear type. I believe it's quicker and safer to use. I suggest that you bring your own in the hospital for hygienic purposes. Nurses monitor the baby's temperature when they do rounds.

• Skin Care

When we took Zohan out of the nursery, 24 hours after birth, we were given a baby kit from the hospital. It contained alcohol, diaper, betadine, lactacyd and etc. I was always conscious in sanitizing my hands with alcohol especially when holding Zohan. So an alcohol near me is very convenient. We also have cotton balls for cleaning his bum every diaper change. Soaking it with water would do and with alcohol when cleaning his navel. His cord fell of really fast that I wasn't even able to see it when he came to the room.

• Bathing

While in the hospital, the nurses were the ones who gave him quick sponge bath. Diluted lactacyd in a bowl of water was used in cleaning. Later on, our Pedia suggested that we use Cetaphil due to the starting appearance of dandruff. The pigeon liquid soap was bought before delivery and we didn't really know what brand to buy because there are a lot. I tell you. Baby stuff is indeed a huge business. Whose parent wouldn't want to buy anything for his child?

• Detergent and Bottle Cleanser

We got Cycles for washing his clothes and cradles for washing his bottles and accessories. All this time, I didn't know that babies have separate cleansers such as these, just learned this from my mom. Babies must be really sensitive and fragile. And I knew that when I first cradled Zohan in my arms. These are somehow expensive compared to the ones we use in our daily household, but if these are claimed to be safer and milder for babies then why not.

• Tub and Bather

The deluxe bather really helps especially bathing a fragile newborn baby. It serves as body support and cushion while bathing Zohan. We just place it in the gerbo tub that we got. 

Clothing Essentials

• Clothes, Socks, Mittens

It's one of the baby stuff that I love to buy - clothes. They are just so cute and adorable! But we didn't buy a lot because our little one will just outgrew them immediately. So just purchase a few enough for changing  and depending on your washing frequency. We usually change Zohan's shirt, pants, mittens and socks at least twice a day. It's good to have around 6-8 sets. If you also notice, most are in plain white, as this makes washing easier and seeing dirt.

• Blankets, Towels, Bibs

Newborns are adjusting to their new world, the outside world of their mother's womb, hence, they are seeking comfort. It helps to swaddle them. You can use the hooded receiving blankets or you can buy the swaddle me. We also have lots of lampins and blankets. We use around 5-6 of them everyday because we also use them as burp cloths. Some of our lampins are hand-me-downs from his lala. It used to be his dad's lampins. Amazingly it's still alive and is very useful. Also prepare washcloths for bathing and cleaning the baby. And last yet also important are the bibs, especially if you are bottle-feeding.

Diaper Essentials

I didn't know that diapers are costly until Zohan pees/poops on them almost every 2-3 hours. Fortunately, we also got a lot of them from our baby shower. We received different brands -Huggies, Pampers, Drypers and EQ- which is good so we could observe how Zohan's bum reacts on them. I couldn't tell the difference that much except for the Huggies newborn. It's too small for Zohan. I don't really suggest that you buy the expensive ones with super dry features for a newborn because you still have to change them every 2-4 hours. 

I included below my cloth diaper stash, which I only bought when Zohan is about a month already and when the diapers we got from the baby shower is about to ran out. I read about it and found that it's environment and bum friendly and also practical in the long term as compared to disposable diapers. What I love most about it, is the prints! It's so addicting. Haha. I even read that other moms have more than 30 stash just because of the prints. Same with other baby products, there are many brands of cloth diapers out there. Again, what I did was read tons of reviews, forums and blogs. It costs from 100-1,500 pesos each depending on the brand. What I got is the cheaper one with good reviews -Alva. Bought it online and ordered initially set of 6 for trial. If no rashes appear and if Zohan seems comfortable then I plan to buy more and use this whenever at home. :) Although, we still have the disposable ones on the side, which I plan to use when we go out.

So these are my considered essentials. So much stuff for a little person right? Haha. Lucky that we got most of these from friends and relatives. :) Heartfelt thanks to those people.

Newborn essentials do not simply mean the things you buy. It is also important that you load yourself with tons of information for your upcoming baby and you prepare yourself on how to be a mother. As a new mom, I read researches, blogs (which inspired me to write and create my own), reviews and forums and I relied on mother's instincts and the lolas. Hahaha. So good luck to expecting mothers out there! Enjoy!