Before your baby arrives: How to prepare for your baby’s arrival

The to-do list is limitless when it comes to getting prepared for your little one. Understandably, we all want the best for our children.

With all different emotions like joy, excitement, nervousness, and fear, it is difficult to focus on one task, let alone go through multiple chores for the new member of your family. All these roller-coaster emotions are only natural.

To make things less intimidating for you, we’ve listed some of the necessary items you need before the big day arrives. So, buckle up, enjoy this unique journey, and do not forget to take care of yourself along the way!

Breastfeeding

According to WHO, breastfeeding is vital in the first hour of birth as well as in the first 6 months of life. This is because mother’s milk includes all the nutrients and vitamins for your baby to thrive. It also provides natural immunity against diseases. If you have enough milk and are willing to do it, you can continue breastfeeding for up to 2 years and beyond.

With that said, breastfeeding comes with its own challenges. Sore nipples, low milk supply, engorgement, and exhaustion are some of the most common problems new mothers encounter. That’s why it’s important to speak to a lactation consultant before the baby arrives.

We also recommend you check out breastfeeding guides from reliable sources such as John Hopkins Medicine to learn more. Rest assured, with a little time, support, and patience, you will overcome breastfeeding challenges in no time.

On the other hand, many women prefer formula feeding or are unable to breastfeed due to medical complications. Thankfully, there are many formula brands for most healthy full-term infants. Make sure you consult your health care provider before you choose a formula. Brands tend to differ when it comes to ingredients, amounts, frequency, and the way they affect your child’s metabolism.

Baby Bottles

There is no single best milk bottle. However, there will be a certain brand that your baby will fancy the most. Luckily, the market offers a lot of alternatives.

Baby bottles come with a wide range of glass and plastic options. Along with the material, there are additional features such as teats shapes, flow rate, sizes, and bottle liners that lessen the air bubbles in the milk. There are specifically designed bottles for babies with colic and latching problems, too.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed, make sure you have options for your baby to choose from.

Bibs & Wipes

With your due date approaching, prepare yourself for messy spills and drooling all around! Bibs and burp cloths will be an essential part of your baby’s kit as they not only keep your clothes clean but also protect your little one's soft and sensitive skin from drool and spit-ups.

However, some perfumes or ingredients in wipes may be unsuitable, and some fabrics may cause rashes or irritation. Choose wipes formulated with organic formulas and pay attention to the pH-balance. It is best to buy a small package of wipes to see if there will be any reaction on the skin.

Last but not least, you might want to change your wipes once your child starts on solids. Toddler poop is more intense than a newborn’s, therefore you will need a heavier-duty wipe.

Bathing

Water has a soothing effect on babies as the lukewarm waters remind them of a mother’s womb. The first years of a newborn require a minimal three baths per week, mostly sponge baths for their delicate body and soft skin. So, make sure you have the right set-up like a baby seat or tub for the daily spa treatments for your little one..

Baby skin is comparatively gentler than adults. Therefore, it is essential to use body wash and shampoo with natural ingredients and tear-free formulas. Developed with natural elements, AVEENO® offers a wide range of baby wash and shampoo for different baby skin types..

If your baby has dry or sensitive skin, it is best to opt for a formula that contains natural oat extract. Oat extract acts as a protective ingredient by restoring skin’s normal PH and is known for its nourishing and soothing properties. The AVEENO® Baby Daily Moisture Wash & Shampoo, cleans your baby’s skin without drying and leaves a fresh fragrance behind. You can use it on a daily basis..

It is best to moisturize your little angel after every bath. As the baby's skin is thin, it loses moisture very quickly. This makes the skin prone to dryness. AVEENO® offers three different ranges of body moisturizers for babies from normal to dry skin, very dry to itchy skin, and eczema-prone skin.

The AVEENO® Daily Moisture Lotion is made with natural colloidal oatmeal that protects newborns' delicate skin by keeping them hydrated. Oat is the most recommended natural ingredient by dermatologists. Colloidal Oatmeal helps maintain the skin’s moisture level and protects dry skin. If you are looking for something to use on a daily basis, the AVEENO® Daily Moisture Lotion is the perfect product to ​​​​keep your little one’s skin smooth, soft, and healthy-looking.

If your baby has an itchy skin which dries quickly, you can choose the ​​AVEENO® Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream. The hypoallergenic, fragrance and paraben-free formula is clinically proven to moisturize the skin for 24 hours.

The AVEENO® Baby Dermexa Moisturizing Cream, on the other hand, is designed for baby eczema-prone skin. Formulated with Ceramides and Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, it prevents dryness from recurring and strengthens skin’s barrier function.

Clothing & Cleaning

The best part about the newborn is the newborn itself, but a close second is all the cute little clothes you get to buy before your little angel arrives. Tiny, adorable shirts and shoes can be tempting to buy but make sure you choose one size bigger as newborns grow out of their small-sized clothes within weeks.

Moreover, it is suitable to dress your little bundles of joy in extra layers as babies have more sensitive skin.

Clothing also includes the necessary bath supplies such as towels and washcloths. Always use a soft towel for your babies’ delicate skin to avoid redness or rashes. Preferably, use a towel with a small hood that will be cute and will help in easier drying.

Furthermore, make sure to wash baby onesies and beddings separately before use with a baby-friendly detergent to decrease the irritant particles.

Nursery

Whether it’s the brightly painted walls, fluffy animal pillows, or baby toys, nurseries turn out to be the most beautiful room in the house. It is also one of the most fun activities to complete before the baby arrives.

The prime item in a nursery is the crib. Cribs come in various types such as convertible, traditional, mini, and travel cribs.

Standard cribs, also called traditional cribs, are full-sized cribs with four sides while mini cribs are the smaller versions of them and ideal for nurseries with limited space. If you want to turn your baby’s crib into a toddler bed, then convertible cribs are to go for.

Do you often travel or take your baby to their grandparents’? Then you should opt for a travel crib, which is lighter and easier to set up. Whichever design you choose, make sure that the product follows CPSO standards and regulations.

When it comes to mattresses, it is important that it is flat, firm, and fits in the crib perfectly.

Buying a diaper changing table is entirely up to you. You can buy a brand new or transform a regular dressing table with a countertop placed on top. Most women prefer changing tables as they provide a separate place for all the baby’s essentials such as lotion, powder, wipes, and hand sanitizer within arm’s reach.

A glider or rocking chair might also come in handy as you will be spending a lot of time in your baby’s nursery. It should be comfortable and give nice support to your neck and back as you breastfeed.

Finally, a baby monitor will give you a feeling of comfort when you are enjoying your well-deserved tea break during your baby’s nap time.

It is never enough!

Like we’ve said in the beginning, this list of essentials is just the tip of the iceberg before the baby arrives. So, take a step back, breathe, and let things move at your own pace.