Having a baby is exciting, but preparing for his or her arrival can be overwhelming for first-time parents. You need to prepare the baby products you will need long before your child arrives. Buying these items can be very expensive if you do not know what to prioritise.

Babies need many things as they grow up, but during their first few weeks, they do not need much. Create a layette list to help you prioritise important items. A layette list is a list of basic items your baby will need for the next nine weeks after birth. Use the layette when shopping for items to avoid making unnecessary purchases.

Baby Furniture and Other Baby Gears

Many first-time parents cannot wait to find a crib for their little one. This is one of the most important things you should buy for the baby. Get a childproof baby crib. There are many cribs with rounded sides and non-toxic finish in the market. You can also save money on children’s furniture by getting a convertible crib. There are products that serve as a crib and a changing table at the same time. You can transform these into a full-size child’s bed later on.

You should also invest in a good child car seat. This will be useful not only for the first few months, but until your child is two years old. Buy waterproof cover for both the car seat and crib mattress to ensure your baby does not leave any stains on your cloth cover.

A baby monitor will also come in handy if you are a busy parent. Having a baby monitor will let you do household chores without having to check on your baby. Many monitors can cover different distances. You can also choose whether you want the traditional audio baby monitors or a wireless digital video baby monitor.

Clothing Needs

The number of clothing items you need to buy depends on how often you do laundry. Get five to ten rompers for day use, and the same number of sleepers or nightgowns. Make sure you buy cotton rompers, as cotton will keep your baby cool without irritating his or her skin. Get a couple of cold weather sleepers if you live in cooler areas. You will also need five to seven pairs of socks and mittens to keep your baby warm. Get a couple newborn hats as well, especially if your baby arrives in winter.

Bath Items

Decide whether you want to use disposable diapers, cloth nappies, or both. Disposable diapers have chemicals that may cause rashes and other skin problems. Cloth nappies, on the other hand, will require frequent washing. Get two packs of disposable diapers or enough reusable ones to last a couple days. Babies can use as many as ten in a day. You should also have a pack of baby wipes and three to five washcloths around. Have a waterproof pad and baby power ready for diaper changes.

You can buy a hooded towel or use an adult towel for bath time. Make sure you only use gentle baby wash for your baby’s head and body. Shampoo is too harsh, especially on a newborn’s skin. Finally, buy baby nail clippers and a digital thermometer. You can purchase other baby products later, but these are the basics you will need for the first nine weeks.