First time parents can often find the process extremely overwhelming as well as exciting. This is completely natural, there is a lot of uncertainty involved with having a child, and the feelings of trepidation that you have with your firstborn are just as likely to come back if and when you have subsequent children. It’s not really something that you can get used to, especially because every pregnancy is different and your personal experiences can vary a lot between pregnancies and births.

Despite the anxiety that many parents experience, there is still a lot that needs to be set in motion before the baby arrives, and plans need to be made for their arrival. Early pregnancy days can feel hazy when we look back on them because they are often a whirlwind of changing hormones, changing lifestyles, medical appointments, and preparations. At some point among the emotions and upheaval, you’re going to need to find the time for some shopping.

Unfortunately, babies don’t come supplied with everything you need to get started. Once your baby is born, it’s on you to make sure that you have at least the basics and essentials in place ready for them. Many parents will tend to over prepare and this can lead to them feeling stress unnecessarily. You can reduce this stress and spend less time and money on your shopping by sticking to the things you will need for the first few months of their life.

A nursery

New parents will often prefer to have their baby sleep in their bedroom, at least for a little while. If this is the case for you then you need to make sure your room is ready for their arrival. Whether they’re sleeping in a newborn-safe cot, a bassinet or something else appropriate, it will need to be placed in an area of your bedroom where the child won’t be in direct sun and won’t be in a draught. These two factors can make your baby too hot or too cold, and can be unhealthy for your baby as well as making it harder to keep them comfortable.

Unless you have an en suite, you’ll probably want to dedicate some space for a changing table, or make sure you have a flat area large enough for a changing mat at the very least. Of course, if you are planning for your baby to have their own room then you’ll obviously need somewhere for them to sleep, some storage for newborn clothes and accessories, a changing area, and a chair for you to sit on during night feeds.

Feeding

Whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or plan on doing a mix of both, you will need a supply of bottles and teats, as well as a means of sterilising them and a means of warming their milk or formula. There are different types of teat on the market so you’ll want to do your research to find a type that will work for you. Breast pumps are a good idea if you plan to express and store your milk, and you’ll need baby-safe airtight storage to keep in the fridge.

Clothing

Whether you’re having a boy or a girl, clothes for newborns need to be safe, comfortable and practical. Baby bodysuits with press studs or poppers on the legs are ideal and you will want at least several of these in rotation. They can be layered under other clothing for extra warmth, or worn by themselves or under a nice cosy blanket depending on the weather. Natural fibres like cotton are best for the layer closest to the baby’s skin because they are more gentle, but they are also durable and easy to wash.

As well as body suits, you will want to get some separates for your newborn. Vests and leggings work well for newborns, and can make changing easier. They also work as a good base layer for colder days. Long sleeve tops and cardigans, especially ones with cuffs, are great because they help keep your baby warm without adding a lot of bulk, and they can also be worn over vests and bodysuits.

Once you have a baby you’ll realise that you can never have enough socks. More than any other item of clothing, these go missing the most, and are something that will be washed many times so they need to be durable.

A nursery

Feeding

Clothing

Resources:

What You Need to Buy Before Bringing Your Newborn Home