Baby's dowry: a complete educational program! What to buy for the birth of a child

It is believed that before the baby is born, you cannot buy a dowry for him. It's worth making a list of things for your baby to understand which purchases you can put off and what you'll need soon after birth.

At the beginning of the maternity leave, you already need to prepare a package of things for the baby (he will need them in the maternity hospital):

1. 3 sets of clothes: vest, blouse, plus rompers, scratches, socks.
2. Diapers for newborns.
3. Caps: thin and flannel.
4. 3 light and warm diapers. It is not necessary to take them: most maternity wards offer their own sterilized diapers.
5. Wet wipes, soap, powder, diaper cream.
6. Electronic thermometer.

Shopping for a newborn (it is better to purchase a list of things for the maternity hospital in advance) depends on the rules of the obstetric department. Clothing and hygiene products will be required in the Mother and Child ward; In a department where mother and child stay separately, only diapers are needed. In the children's department, the baby will be swaddled and brought to the mother for feeding at certain hours.

Less urgent purchases can be postponed out of superstition, but in the period from birth to discharge there will be little time to select and deliver the goods. Without a new mother, relatives risk choosing something that she won’t like or seems unnecessary. Future parents can make bookmarks in advance on the website of the online store or write down the name of the stroller model or the manufacturer of the overalls.

However, there is a risk that the goods will be out of stock on the day of discharge. Some stores have a service: the buyer pays part of the amount for a stroller or crib and thus reserves a position in the warehouse. After a certain number of days you will need to pay the balance.

Expectant mothers who do not believe in omens choose and begin to buy a dowry for the baby already in the early stages of pregnancy. They like to prepare gradually and enjoy the process.

Psychologically, a woman prepares for motherhood from the moment she learns about her new status as a pregnant woman. By carefully preparing baby clothes and planning the environment in the room where the baby will sleep, the expectant mother will be able to receive a charge of positive energy and will already experience maternal feelings.

Ivan gave birth to a child, ordered him to carry diapers: the ABC of shopping

It is clear that the needs and capabilities of each family are individual. Including one in which they are actively preparing for the birth of a child. But a relatively universal list of what you need to buy for the birth of a child still exists. It includes the following categories of things:

• For sleeping: crib or cradle;
• For walks: stroller;
• Products and devices for care and hygiene;
• A set of clothes and/or diapers;
• And if for some reason you cannot breastfeed, then: bottles, a sterilizer, a set of brushes and the mixture itself, suggested to you by an experienced pediatrician-neonatologist (the latter is a must for those who for some reason do not plan to breastfeed).

Of course, each category requires a more detailed approach. So:

Hygiene

When studying what you need to buy for a newborn, it is important not to ignore this category of dowry. What you will definitely need:

• diapers - 2 small packages (sometimes you can only choose diapers that suit a particular baby after trying several different companies);
• baby wipes;
• nail scissors with safety tips;
• cotton pads;
• baby powder;
• body milk;
• herbs for baths - string, chamomile, linden, herbal teas;
• comb with soft bristles;
• terry towel or corner towel;
• baby washing powder.

What a newborn baby needs: nutrition

If the baby is breastfed from the first days of life, then the mother will need the following things: a breast pump, bottles for storing breast milk, a sterilizer for baby dishes and special bras that are convenient for feeding.

If the newborn is fed formulas, then in addition to the formulas themselves (prescribed by a neonatologist), you will need: feeding bottles, a set of brushes and a special sterilizer for washing baby dishes, a thermos for feeding while walking or on the road.

What a newborn baby needs: sleep

Don’t believe those well-wishers who will convince you that newborn babies scream 24 hours a day - this is not true. If the baby was born on time, he is healthy and is in a normal emotional and social environment, then in the first month after birth he will sleep about 17-18 hours.

This means that you need to take special care of the place where your baby will spend so much time. So, for a healthy, restful sleep, your baby will need:

1. Crib or cradle for a newborn;
2. Waterproof oilcloth (it is better to choose “breathable”, the child will not sweat or sweat on them);
3. 2 blankets: thin and warm (choose from flannelette, wool or down - depending on the weather conditions and climate in which you live). Although recently, pediatricians are increasingly less likely to include blankets in the list of the most necessary things for a newborn, advising instead to purchase a special “sleeping bag” - it maintains the same temperature at any time of the year and in any weather.
4. Minimum 2 sets of bed linen. If you put your child in a sleeping bag, then, accordingly, you only need sheets. Duvet covers and pillowcases are not useful.
5. Flat pillow. As a rule, a child sleeps without a pillow for up to a year. But if, in your opinion, it is necessary, orthopedists advise buying the flattest one - no higher than 1 cm. Otherwise, the baby’s still mobile vertebrae may not form correctly.
6. A special “nest” for the baby. This product should be included in the shopping list for a newborn in case the baby is not sleeping well and “calls” you more for reassurance than for hunger. The “nest” is a limited space lined with soft fabric, from which the baby cannot fall out, but from where it is very easy to get him out. You can place the “nest” on the parent’s bed. The measured breathing of a sleeping mother and father will calm the baby. At the same time, for the sake of safety, it is better to place the nest against the wall, and not from the edge of the bed. And under no circumstances cover your newborn with your blanket!
7. Pacifiers for newborns. This purchase is not mandatory. It is believed that pacifiers help the baby calm down and fall asleep faster. But not all children and all parents are willing to use them.

What clothes are needed for newborns

• Slips. They resemble overalls. The baby feels cozy and comfortable in them. You can buy several of them with short, long sleeves, warm (made of flannel) and light (made of cotton).
• Bodysuit. Many parents like this type of clothing due to its reliable and comfortable fit between the child’s legs. The lower back always remains closed, the fabric does not ride up.

VIEW CLOTHING FOR A NEWBORN

• Bonnets. Light and warm. The baby's body thermoregulation is not yet perfect, so it is better to wear a cap even at home if the air temperature is not higher than 20 degrees.
• Booties, socks, “scratchies”, two pairs each.
• Several flannel and cotton or calico diapers, if you plan to swaddle the baby. As a modern alternative to diapers, you can consider special cocoon envelopes.

Things for a newborn for the cold season

If the baby was born in winter, at the end of autumn or at the beginning of spring, then to the list of things for the newborn you should add a fleece “undercoat”, warm overalls with sheepskin or holofiber, a hat that will cover the ears and forehead, and mittens.

Things for a newborn that you can wait to buy

• Toys. Rattles, crib mobiles, soft cubes, etc. are undoubtedly necessary things for a newborn, but he will begin to respond to them no earlier than in a month, so you should not purchase them in advance.
• Sides. Soft bumpers in the crib will protect the baby from hitting the bars, but for the first 2 months of life, babies do not know how to roll over and lie almost motionless, moving only their arms and legs. If you buy bumpers, then only around 3 months.
• Bottles. They need to be purchased immediately if artificial feeding is planned, but in the case of breastfeeding, they can not be purchased until the first complementary foods with water, juices and compotes are introduced.
• Various things for relaxation and entertainment of a newborn - chaise lounges, developmental mats. Postpone their purchase until the baby becomes actively interested in the world around him.

What a newborn baby needs: bathing

The fun procedure of bathing a baby should be done daily and correctly. And for this procedure to be enjoyable and adequately presented on your Instagram, it is advisable to have the following things in the house:

1. Baby bath. It is better to buy it in advance, but you can use it on occasion. Let us explain: if the birth went well and the child was born healthy, then from the first day it is allowed to wash and bathe him in tap water with the addition of a decoction of linden blossom or chamomile. Experts advise doing this in an “adult” bath, in order to train the baby’s innate breath-holding reflex under water in the process. In general, bathing in a large bath is on the list of first hardening procedures for a newborn! Well, a baby bath will help you out where for some reason there is no running water: at the dacha, while traveling. It’s also convenient to warm your baby’s feet in a baby bath during a cold.
2. Swimming circle This is a miracle of modern sports technology: in the event of an “accident” it does not burst, but deflates very slowly. It’s pleasant and convenient to bathe your baby in it—you don’t have to constantly bend over and hold the baby under the back.
3. Swimming cap with foam blocks around the circumference. If a super swimming circle is not on your list of essential things to buy for the birth of a child, and you still don’t agree to bend your back over the bathtub, a cap with foam blocks is a godsend for you. This simple device keeps the newborn on the surface of the water, preventing him from turning over and drowning.

Attention: no bathing cosmetics are included in the list of necessary things that a newborn needs for the first time - namely, in the first month. No foam, gels, or liquid soap should be added to the water. It is advisable to bathe the baby only in herbal decoctions (linden blossom, chamomile, string, pine extract) or simply in water. Starting from the second month of life, you can gradually soap your little one with “tearless” foams, at first once or twice a week, then more often.

When to prepare for the birth of a child

Parents should consciously approach the arrival of a new family member, gradually filling the house with the necessary things, thinking through every little detail. A woman should not dump all her worries on the future father, who will have to hastily independently prepare the home for the return of his wife and child from the maternity hospital, instead of rejoicing at the accomplished event. If a couple adheres to superstitions that there should be no baby items in the house before the baby is born, you can negotiate with the store by booking the item before the due date and order delivery after birth.

Preparing the room

Important to remember! A woman after childbirth is emotionally and psychologically confused if this is her first child. Therefore, before the couple’s life is divided into “before” and “after,” calmly, without fuss, you need to prepare to provide everything necessary for a small family member.

What you need to care for a newborn

In order for your baby to be healthy, clean, neat, cheerful and angelically charming, you will have to devote some time a day to wiping him here and there, changing clothes, lubricating him, powdering him and trimming him. For this you will probably need:

1. Changing board or special chest of drawers for changing. The advantages of the board are its maneuverability: it can be installed on any flat surface, in any room. The advantages of the chest of drawers are that it is equipped with convenient devices and drawers for storing everything you need to have on hand: creams, powders, diapers, diapers, clothes, etc.
2. Diapers. There are two types (not brands - there are a million of them! but types) of diapers: disposable and reusable. The latter, as a rule, are made entirely from natural materials (merino wool, bamboo fiber, cotton). A set of 6-8 natural diapers is enough for a newborn to last a whole year. Reusable diapers do not cause allergies or diaper rash if they are changed on time, since they allow air to pass through, regardless of the degree of fullness (disposable diapers for the most part “breathe” only while they are dry).
3. Strategic stock of disposable diapers and wipes.
4. Special (including medical) products for face and body care. Your pediatrician or visiting nurse will tell you which ones. Since every newborn - like an adult - has unique body characteristics, even when choosing ordinary powder, baby or massage cream, it is useful to consult with a specialist.
5. Special care items: manicure scissors, a special children's comb, cotton swabs with a limiter (for cleaning the ears and nose), an aspirator for cleaning the nose.
6. And finally, one of the most important components of this category is a special first aid kit for a newborn , where all the medicinal drops, powders, sprays, syrups and ointments the baby needs will be stored (separate from your medications!). What exactly should be in a first aid kit for a newborn and infant is a separate reason for the article.

What does a newborn need for walks and entertainment?

The duration of the first walks with the baby largely depends on the weather. If your baby was born in the summer or late spring, then you can go out on the promenade from the first day and for at least three hours at a time. However, when the outside temperature is below minus 10 degrees, doctors do not recommend going outside at all.

By the way: newborns can best endure long walks in a special backpack - a sling, which limits their space to the usual volumes. They hear the beating of their mother’s heart, familiar from the womb, and feel absolute comfort and safety.

Here is a list of everything you will definitely need for a walk with your newborn:

1. Stroller - cradle or transformable stroller;
2. Sling, backpack or carrier;
3. Sling jacket. An indispensable thing for winter exercise - it is voluminous enough to cover both mother and baby.
4. Special baby bag where you can put diapers, a thermos with milk or formula, napkins, spare clothes for the baby and a book for mom.

It is believed that at first a baby does not need any special toys. In the first month of life, the baby still sees very dimly, has trouble focusing his eyes, and is not able to take or grasp anything. However, at the same time - attention! - The baby already hears perfectly. Therefore, it will be useful to buy this for him:

• Rattles. Ophthalmologists say that despite the effect of severe myopia, a newborn sees the world up close almost like an adult. And he especially “loves” to look at what makes sound. Therefore, choose rattles of bright colors for your baby and, when communicating with your baby, keep them at a distance of about 30 cm from his eyes.
• Musical mobiles for the crib, stroller or car, which should also be placed at a distance of about 30 cm.

What documents does a newborn need?

The newborn is also a citizen of his state, so he must also have documents. Already, while in the maternity ward, the baby receives his first documentation. To do this, dad must fill out the paperwork:

• First, at the maternity hospital, take a medical card prescribed by a doctor
• Then get a certificate from the parental department
• Go to the registry office, where you will receive your baby’s birth certificate and a certificate
• With this documentation, contact social security to receive benefits for the baby
• You will also need to register your baby at your place of residence.
• At the end, be sure to get a health insurance policy

Documentation for a newborn

Not necessary, but makes life a lot easier: a list of additional things

The items and devices listed below are not among those that are absolutely necessary at the birth of a child. But with their help, the life of a young family will become more comfortable and calmer. Therefore, we suggest acquiring the following “helpers”:

1. A special chair with several vibration modes (helps to quickly calm and rock the baby). And for opponents of vibration devices, we suggest taking the master class “9 effective ways to calm a crying child.”
2. Steam humidifier. It will be especially useful for those who live in the center of large cities, and therefore need a clean, fresh and not overly dry climate.
3. Baby monitor. The device will allow you to hear whether the baby is awake or not, even if you are the owner of an estate and have gone to another outbuilding on business. It will also be useful if you place the child in a stroller standing on the balcony (or in your own garden), and the balcony door is closed due to frost. Typically, the signal travels within 100-150 meters.
4. Car seat. Here it is necessary to make a reservation: the safe presence of a baby in a car is mandatory, unconditional and not subject to any discussion. Another thing is that for a newborn you don’t have to buy a classic car seat right away (which will still have to be replaced with a more spacious one), you can buy a special carrier that is fastened with seat belts or a transforming cradle with the function of safe fixation in the car. Here, the main criterion for purchasing should be the characteristics of your personal car.
5. Container for used diapers. This wonderful device will be especially loved by those who do not have a garbage disposal in their home, but still prefer that the apartment retain a pleasant smell even with the generation-next pooping frequently.
6. “Slide” in the bathtub , which allows you to bathe your newborn if you are alone or alone.