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BabyStar
What you need list is provided by BabyStar located at 85 Adelaide Road Newtown WELLINGTON (between the basin reserve and the hospital (phone 04 939 2225).
THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
We realise it can be daunting walking into a baby store when pregnant with your first child, unsure of what you really need, how things work and which are the more essential and useful items to use. As a new mum myself I remember what it was like and the mistakes I made. I hope this guide will be useful to you. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me or arrange a time when we can go through the list and work out what you have and what you’ll need.
Remember You will receive many gifts especially clothing. It is not essential to have every item six months in advance, but if working to a budget it is good to be prepared. Pre wash all clothing, bedding, towels in pure soap (lux/persil sensitive/ecostore) before using whether the item is new or preloved. Biological washing powder can cause reactions.
CLOTHING
4-8 Cotton singlets / bodysuits worn summer under clothing and winter under woollen singlet.
2-3 Woollen singlets with cotton singlet underneath to avoid rashes.
2-4 Gowns provide easy access to change nappy without waking. Look at neck lines, drawstring bottoms and mittens are handy (cotton).
8-12 Stretch ‘n’ grows / all in ones – babies need changing often in the first weeks, always have plenty spare.
2-6 Wool cardies / cotton in summer as wool requires hand washing. The more you have the better.
3 Cotton hats for inside the house and wool/merino beanies for out and about especially in winter.
4-8 Socks / booties. Booties look nice but look for pairs which will stay on.
1-3 Scratch mittens keep hands warm and stop tiny nails scratching their face.
2-8 Bibs for spills, dribbled milk – must have.
TIPS Find somewhere to keep babies clothes – draws, stackable baskets or wardrobe dividers are handy* A bucket for soaking soiled clothes with a sealable lid is handy to remove stains*Regularly check babies draws removing items that no longer fit and replacing those that do. Sometimes babies grow so quickly you miss putting them in something really cute!
AVOID Scratchy fabrics, acrylics, back fastening items, ribbons or ties near the face, polar fleece sleepwear.
WRAPPING/SWADDLEING A BABY
Most babies like the security of being wrapped up firmly and will settle to sleep more quickly. Use gauze wraps in summer and flannelette wraps/bunny rugs in winter. Not only will wrapping provide security but it makes a newborn easier to handle and catches spills before they hit clothes. Wraps are also useful over the shoulder for winding and on the change table.
BATH / CHANGE
Think about where you are going to do babies bathing. It is difficult to bath a newborn in an adults bath as
It is hard to lean over the side and hold onto baby at the same time. The best place to bath baby is in the kitchen as the bench is at the right height,and the bath can be emptied into the sink. Normally these areas are set up for water and easy to heat. If your change table is portable take this into the kitchen then everything you need is there.
Baby Bath Think about size and depth. Baby baths are used for a long time especially if you don’t have a bath at home and make great water play for toddlers.
Bath Support
Optional – a piece of towelling on a frame which supports baby and leaves both hands free to wash (never leave baby unattended on one of these).
Change Table
Very useful to have everything you need for changing in one place and at a reasonable level so as not to cause back pain. Think about space and storage.
Change Pad
Can be placed on a table, desk or bench if space is a problem. There is no safety strap or storage though.
Bath Thermometer
Its hard to judge the correct temperature so eliminate the guess work.
1 – 2 Baby Towels
thinner than our towels to get into skin folds and a hood to keep head warm after washing hair.
6 –12 Baby Flannels For bathing, changing nappies, wiping spills, noses. You can also use gauze squares.
TIPS A changing area is worth a lot of consideration as in the beginning you will be changing babies nappy for up to 10 times a day so you need to be doing it at waist height, with a straight back and have everything available at arms reach so you never turn away from baby on the change table. . Have your change table fully stocked with everything you could possibly need including changes of clothes and wraps for those little explosions! A change table is a worthy investment if it saves you from future back problems. Look for the right height, portability (if required) and storage possibilities. A unit that can store all your clothes and linen is great to save space
Baby wash, shampoo and lotions are not necessary but make baby smell nice and can soften baby’s skin. Look for products with natural ingredients and perfumes so as not to cause irritation. Baby balms and lotions are useful in avoiding and treating nappy rash. Massage is a treat for you and baby and can help settle a restless child.
If using cloth nappies:
-2 – 3 dozen nappies.
-Washable or disposable nappy liners.
-4 – 8 overnaps depending on type.
-Nappy bucket with sealable lid.
-Nappy wash (nappysan or baking soda or vinegar).
-Rubber gloves to protect hands.
-Somewhere warm to dry, or a dryer.
It’s hard to conceive what it is going to be like when baby actually arrives and therefore difficult to imagine how you can best prepare. The baby will be waking every three to four hours in the beginning and you want to get into a good routine. By setting out yours or the baby’s room effectively you can make the night time feeds smooth and optimize your sleeping time. Have a change table completely set up with nappies, clothes, spare linen (more often than not they will wet through nappies clothes and bedding in the first couple of weeks) so when baby awakens you can change them, feed and get them back down as quickly and smoothly as possible. Have the room as dark as possible so baby remains sleepy after their feed. Have a comfy chair for you to feed in; water and a snack ready if breast feeding.
BABIES FIRST BED
While it is fine to put a baby straight into a cot from birth it is worth while having some form of portable sleeping equipment for the first couple of months as it means baby will always be near by. You will find you will get more done or relax more easily if you have them sleeping in the lounge with you during the day as you won’t have to keep creeping into the bedroom to check on them (quite often they will sense you and wake up unnecessarily). It also gets them used to sleeping through everyday noise (useful for later).
Bassinet, Moses baskets and hammocks last from newborn until 3 – 9 months depending on the style and size of your child. Always buy a new mattress when using a borrowed or preloved bassinet, they’re inexpensive and won’t carry dust mites or bacteria. Look for portability, wheels with locks if there are other children around, storage friendly, clean and safe. Good airflow is also a consideration.
-2 Mattress Protectors. Either wool, rubber or Dr. Sprott cover(follow instructions carefully), and under blankets. Always use a mattress protector.
-2 - 3 Sets of Bassinet / Cot Sheets. Ideally good cotton or cotton blend.
-2 Wool Aircell or Merino Balnkets
At least 2 Cotton bassinet/cot blankets.
-Pillowcases to put under baby’s head so if there are spills or dribbles you won’t need to change all the bedding.
-2 – 6 wraps either gauze, flannelette or cotton; useful in many ways to wrap baby, use as a towel, put over your shoulder for spills, use as bassinet sheets or a clean area for baby to lie.
-Cuddly blankets in cotton fleece, wool or polar fleece for the pram / buggy or car seat etc.
AVOID Polar fleece is great for using during the day and is easy to wash, but avoid using on baby’s bed as they can overheat. Duvets which cannot be secured and can flap onto babies face. Toys in the cots and anything with tags, buttons, ribbons and ties. Bumpers is baby is not in a safe T sleep. Sheepskins in babies bed.
HOW TO MAKE UP BABIES BED
It sounds so simple but sleeping baby safely is so important as you are not watching them all the time when they are settling/sleeping.
1. Put the mattress protector onto the mattress according to manufacturers instructions. I prefer to put it from babies shoulder area down so babies head is not lying directly on this (a pillowcase can catch spills)
2. Fitted sheet next securely tucked in
3. Safety sleep or wedge if you are using one.
4. Top sheet, I would advise putting the top sheet with the longest part going across the bassinet/cot (the opposite to what you would do on a bed). Secure the side further most away from you and the bottom tightly under the mattress and leave the section loosest to you to be tucked in once baby is in bed. This means you have more to work with and baby is less likely to kick off sheets/blankets.
5. Next a cotton blanket to put a layer between baby and the woollen blanket. Again Long ways across the cot/bassinet to make it easy to tuck in.
6. Finally a woollen aircell or merino knit blanket doubled over (can be single in warmer weather) and secured tightly so unable to flick back onto babies face.
IMPORTANT When putting baby into a cot make up the bedding half way down so babies feet are touching the bottom of the cot (see diagram). This way baby cannot shuffle down under the blankets.
We recommend lots of light layers of breathable natural fibres for bedding. Depending on your baby and the temperature of your house you will need to adjust how many layers you have. Test babies temperature but placing your finger down the back of the clothing between the shoulder blades they should feel neither cold nor clammy. Babies hands will always feel cold. In summer you may want 2 cotton blankets (or one which can be doubled over) and one wool thermaweave or aircell blanket. In winter you will want one cotton
blanket and two or more layers of a wool thermaweave or aircell blanket. Do not use duvets and bumper pads until the baby is (at the very least) six months old as they may flap onto their face.
TIP Get baby used to falling asleep by themselves from a very young age, to make for a better sleep right through child hood. Once baby has had their bath and a good feed, spend some time in their room getting them used to being in their, have the same routine of looking at pictures on the wall, talking to soft toys. Put on the same piece on music (a CD on repeat works the best) or a mobile with music so baby gets to associate this with sleep. Put baby down, the monitor on then go out and shut the door leaving the room very dark.
TRAVEL
CAR SEATS
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING A CARSEAT. Safety and comfort have to be the two most important considerations when looking at car seats. For starters you will need a car seat suitable for a newborn before you are allowed to leave the hospital. There are two options available here:
1) A Baby Capsule. These look like a bucket and will last from a newborn until the child is anything from 4 – 6 months old. They are very handy as you simply unbelt them enabling you to carry your sleeping infant around however DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SLEEPING NEWBORN IN THESE FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR AT A TIME. If on long trips get them out and give them a cuddle or lay them flat. They are not a carrycot or a rocking chair. Baby capsules are available for rent or purchase (worthwhile if you’re planning more than one child). If purchasing a second hand child restraint get someone from the plunket rental scheme to check it out first. Make sure it hasn’t been in an accident and that the straps are not worn or frayed. If in doubt avoid. Book your Rental capsule carseat from BABYSTAR well in advance.
2) A Convertible Car Seat. This is forward and rearward facing and will carry from newborn until 3 – 4 years until the child is big enough for a booster seat. These seats are fantastic as they last a long time and are comfortable. Plunket now recommends that children stay in a rearward facing position until they are 12 months old (to protect their neck and back in an accident); with a convertible car seat this is possible. The only disadvantage is that you have to take the child out every time you get out of the car as the car seat stays. These car seats are typically fitted with a tether strap which bolts into the car’s parcel tray and if so THESE MUST BE USED CORRECTLY. The tether stops the car seat from moving around and secures it during an accident.
We found it useful to use the baby capsule for the first couple of months until baby started having more awake time and got to heavy to carry then moved to a good convertible car seat.
OTHER USEFUL CARRIERS
As well as requiring some form of pram or buggy here are some useful products to help in getting out and about.
Front Pack
Fantastic when on public transport, travelling overseas, or where pram access is limited. Can also be used to settle baby or just for ease of transporting during the first six months. It will leave your hands free to do other things whilst still comforting your baby.
Sling
Used for centuries around the world to carry babies and toddlers. A sling is useful when breastfeeding in public and for getting things done whilst carrying your baby. Very comfortable for a sleeping infant.
Back Pack From about 4 months (depending on neck support) a backpack is very handy especially if you have stairs or difficult access to your home, take public transport, or go to events or even town when its busy and a buggy could get in the way. When just using around town or for an hour or two then a light weight pack with an external frame is all you need. If you want to do long walks, travelling or tramping look for a pack with a tramping style adjustable harness (you can carry up to a three year old), good support for the child, has weather covers, storage and most importantly is comfortable. For travelling look for a flat folding type.
PRAM OR BUGGY
As one of the most important purchases from a safe, practical and financial point of view what you buy needs careful consideration. A pram or buggy will be used in some cases everyday and for up to 4 years. Things to think about: How much walking do you really intend to do? If you’re planning on getting out and about a lot, long walks, maybe jogging or track walking or visiting the beach look for a good quality 3 wheeler buggy. As well as looking good these buggies will go almost anywhere, are easy to push and most are now suitable for a newborn. If you want something that is going to handle our gutters, hills and stairs go for a New Zealand made buggy which as well as being safe have been manufactured with kiwi kids in mind.
Things to look for when purchasing a 3 wheeler buggy:
1.A deep flat layback position for a newborn baby.
2.A good harness system.
3.Fold down size (will it fit in your boot with groceries or luggage).
4.Will it fit through your doorways at home?
5.Ease of movement (a fixed wheel is great for jogging and offroading but look for a moveable front wheel for manoeuvrability around shops and busy streets).
6.Height of handle.
7.Length of use, what length and weight will the buggy take.
8.Do the brakes work well?
9.Size of parcel tray.
10.Pneumonic tyres.
11.Do you like the look (as you may use it everyday)?
Finally something to think about (and very hard when you’re only on your first) but if there is a possibility you may have a second child within 2 –3 years it is worth looking at which buggies can convert from a single to a double without having to buy a whole new buggy.
Now if you’re more likely to drive to wherever you need to go, park and then walk around the shops a bit or want something smaller and don’t think you need 3 large wheels, a compact 4 wheeler pram with a good layback position for a newborn may be more suitable than a buggy and will cost a lot less. Although buggies are incredibly useful, especially around Wellington they are not essential for everyone. Look out for these features when buying a pram:
1.A deep flat layback position.
2.Ease of movement (fixed and flexi front wheels).
3.Rubber tyres not plastic.
4.Good brakes.
5.A decent harness system.
6.Easy to fold / unfold.
7.Will last at least 2-3 years.
8.Make sure parts and service are available within New Zealand.
9.The ability to adjust the handle so you can push while looking at the baby is useful but a good window in the canopy will also do.
FEEDING
Make sure you have a good supply of washable or disposable breast pads. It’s not necessary to purchase breast pumps, bottles and sterilises before the birth but be aware of what’s available. This equipment is worth having if you want a break from feeding and to share the role with Dad, friends and family. It also means you can go out without the baby and is essential if returning to work.
A lumbar support can be useful as initially feeding can take an hour or more which means you could be sitting for quite a while. A breast feeding pillow will support the baby at breast level leaving your arms free to position baby and for reading or having a drink or snack.
BREAST CARE
Pregnancy Bras
If your breasts are tender as they are getting larger and heavier try wearing supportive bras without wires. Often these won’t be pretty but strength and comfort has to be the priority. Also try wearing a supportive singlet with a shelf bra to bed this may help.
Feeding Bras
Have these fitted from 37 weeks onwards. DO not be tempted to buy and wear these early on in your pregnancy as by the time you have had the baby there will not be much support remaining. It is important to get a good comfortable fit as your bust will increase and decrease in size a number of times in the first couple of months. Buy at least a couple of feeding bras as they come in contact with milk and therefore need to be washed everyday.
Nipple Soreness
Once you have started feeding there can be soreness for a number of reasons and the best person to speak to is your midwife or a lactation consultant. You can try a lanolin nipple cream (warm with your fingers before massaging in) to help. Or if needed nipple shields may provide necessary relief while you get used to positioning baby.
Feel free to talk to our staff about items for feeding and breastcare.
USEFUL ACCESSORIES
Baby Bag
A hardwearing easy to clean bag large enough to transport all the necessities, robust and easy to clean as well as attractive as it goes everywhere with you. Look for water proof pockets and somewhere to store bottles. Buy a type of bag you would normally use so if you are a handbag person look for something similar eg.don’t buy a back pack unless you would normally use one.
Musical Mobile
Stimulate and entertain or soothe and relax the baby with musical cot mobiles. Babies love having something above their bed to focus on. Remove from the side of the cot once baby is 5 months old or is reaching for the mobile.
Black and white freize
As baby can only see black and white in the beginning these will entertain, stimulate and eventually tire out a young baby.
Bouncer or Rocker
Baby is raised and no longer just staring at the ceiling. This is very useful for when you need your hands free. You can put an activity gym in front of the baby for it to look at and reach for. Rockers have similar functions but may also soothe baby.
Safe T Sleep
As well as keeping baby sleeping on their side or back the Safe T Sleep also stops blankets from being kicked off, the baby from moving around the cot and gives them a sense of security.
Baby Monitor
Useful when baby is sleeping in another room from you so you can hear when they awaken. Look for suitable distances, good clarity, battery back up, portability and a light that tells you when it’s working.
Activity Gym
Babies need stimulation from a very young age and will love to look at an activity gym, especially those with mirrors and bright contrasting colours. These toys have a relatively long life and are a worthwhile purchase.
WHAT TO TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL
FOR YOU
Remember you will not automatically go back to your pre-pregnancy size so take clothes which will be loose and comfortable.
-Pyjamas, nightdress or light clothing with easy front access.
-Dressing gown and slippers.
-Toiletries, hairbrush, toothbrush.
-Sanitary pads (plenty of high absorbency).
-Breast pads.
-Comfortable cotton underwear.
-Feeding bras.
-Tissues.
-Magazines or books.
-A journal or baby book.
-Camera.
-Phone numbers of people to call.
-Any music, aromatherapy etc for labour.
-Juice and snacks for when feeding (high energy snacks such as museli bars as you will become very hungry when feeding).
FOR BABY
3-4 Changes of clothes (remember to take a nightie, hat and socks into delivery):
-Singlets.
-Hats, socks and mittens.
-1 cardigan.
-Car seat and outfit to take baby home (especially cardigan, hat and blanket).
Take baby’s first outfit into delivery as they do not provide particularly attractive or soft clothing in hospital and your baby will end up wearing it for a couple of days until their first bath.
DO NOT TAKE VALUABLES INTO HOSPITAL OR LEAVE ANYTHING WORTHWHILE IN YOUR CAR WHILST IN DELIVERY.
FINAL WORDS
Maisy is now one and these were some of the most useful items we had:
HIGHLY RECCOMENDED
1. Safe T Sleep
2. Exasaucer (5months plus)
3. Breast feeding Pillow (has so many uses)
4. Tiny Love Black and white freize
5. Anglecare sound and movement monitor
6. Change table with baskets underneath
7. Sling (especially when she got older)
I hope you have found this guide useful, if you have any questions or would like to know more about different products please feel free to contact myself, Cam or any of our staff, they all have kids of their own and are there to help. For help planning your nursery or for a personalised shopping consultation please contact the shop and book an appointment with me at a time that suits.
Best Wishes
Lisa and Cam at
BabyStar located at 85 Adelaide Road Newtown WELLINGTON (between the basin reserve and the hospital (phone 04 939 2225).
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List for The Dad/Partner/Support person
Antenatal
- Learn how to change nappies
- Learn how to bath a baby
- Organise car seat and know how to use it
- Keep petrol in car
- Film in the camera
- Phone cards
- List of phone numbers
- Know how to contact your LMC
- Organise baby area
- Make up the cot
If planning a Hospital Birth:
- Hospital bag
- Organise who is looking after children, pets, house
- Food, drinks to take to hospital
- Know how to get to hospital
- Where to park at hospital
- Waterproof covering on car seat/bed mattress
If planning a Home Birth
May be asked to provide the following:
Washing up bowl
Towels
Sanitary towels
Torch/spot light
Container to put the placenta in
Hot water bottle or heater to warm baby clothes and towels
The room needs to be kept warm for when the baby is born, and running water is helpful (cold and hot)
A working phone, though the most midwives carry a mobile phone
During Labour
- Time some contractions: how long and time between start of one to start of next
Offer:
- Support
- Massage
- Drinks, Ice to suck on
- Heat Pack
Postnatal
- Restrict visitors if partner tired (allow for rest during the day)
- Email message or message on answer phone
- Baby Bathing
- Laundry
- Home Safety
- If needed buy:
- Cabbage leaves for engorged breasts
- Flowers!
Groceries-think about shopping online
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