Are you expecting? Are you counting down the days until your due date and eagerly awaiting the arrival of your new baby? If you’re having a baby, you’re probably working through lists of things to buy. But what do you actually need, and what can wait until after the baby is born?
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Newborn essentials
Even if your due date is weeks away, it’s always best to be prepared. Babies can come earlier than expected. If you go into labor earlier than planned, the last thing you want is to be panicking about nappies and sleepsuits. Once you’ve had your scans and everything looks ok, you can start planning for the new addition. It’s easy to get carried away and want to buy everything. But there are lots of things you won’t actually need.
Before your baby arrives, it’s a good idea to stock up on changing supplies and clothes. In the early days, you may feel like your time is spent changing nappies and swapping vests and baby grows. Ensure you have a stash of nappies, wipes and nappy cream in your nursery. Newborns go through a lot of clothes, so invest in plenty of basic vests and sleepsuits. You don’t need to spend a fortune on clothing. But it’s understandable to want to treat your new bundle to some special outfits. It’s an exciting time, and you may want to splash out on an outfit for them to come home from hospital or for a special occasion, like a family birthday party. If you’ve got a little boy, you may have dreamed of buying their first pair of dungarees or a hat with bear ears. If you’re expecting a little princess, you may be looking forward to buying baby headbands and colored tutu dresses.
You’ll need a car seat to transport your baby home from hospital, and for all those trips out to meet friends and family. Search online to compare models and read reviews. Take a look at sites like http://www.babycenter.com/best-convertible-car-seat for recommendations. It’s also wise to buy a changing table and a bag. You’ll also need plenty of bottles and sterilizing equipment. Many parents also choose to buy a Moses basket or a rocker for their baby to snooze.
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Getting ready for birth
You may be focused on shopping for your newborn. But it’s also essential to make sure you’re ready. Pack a hospital bag in the run-up to your due date, just in case you go into labor early. You’ll need some comfortable clothes and sleepwear, a dressing gown, and toiletries. You’ll also need breast pads, nursing bras and clean underwear. You might also want to take some magazines, snacks, and some soothing music with you.
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Shopping is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new arrival. It’s tempting to go into a store and buy everything in sight. But the truth is that you don’t need to buy everything straight away. Invest in the essentials and a few treats, and you can get everything else once your newborn has entered the world.