Our ultimate list when you're expecting a baby
Beautiful IKEA nursery
Let’s start with the bedroom. When it comes to furniture, you don’t have to go all out. Here are the nursery essentials:
- Crib and/or cot (after a few months a crib is too small);
- Changing table (with drawers, for extra storage);
- Babycare mat;
- Nightlight (with sensor) for next to the dresser (for night-time changing sessions);
- Small storage (boxes);
- Baskets/boxes with compartments for the dresser drawers;
- Wardrobe;
- Cot mattress;
- Soft baby blankets, wool is ideal;
- A few sheets;
- 2 fitted sheets;
- 2 seamless metal hot water bottles + hot water bottle bags
- 2 molton covers
- Baby monitor
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Many IKEA baby beds grow with your child. After a few years you can remove a side and put in new bed linen. So handy!”
Mayra Louise - Editor
Baby wardrobe checklist
The next step: fill the wardrobe with cute baby clothes. A little warning: don't buy too much! They only wear those first sizes for a very short time.
Just buy baby clothes size 56, that will be fine for the first two months. Many baby shower lists state that you only need 1 piece of some clothes. Babies sometimes throw up some food. An extra sweater or cardigan is very handy then.
- 6-8 rompers
- 2 romper suits
- A few pairs of pants, go for nice soft fabrics
- 2 cardigans
- 3 shirts
- 1 jacket
- Children's coat-hangers
- A few pairs of socks
- Slippers or thick socks
- 2 or 3 hats
- A closet or wardrobe
Tip: don't buy baby clothes that you can't open at the bottom. Seriously, it's incredibly inconvenient when changing. Rompers with a flap are nice because you don't have to put them on over the head. That saves some whining.
The extra space in or under a changing table comes a long way when it comes to storing clothes. Still, a wardrobe can be handy. It's nice to be able to hang things up and not have to cram them in. And with everything together - from bedding to shoes - it's secretly quite a lot off!
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Does your baby sleep in a sleeping bag after a few months? You can continue to use the blankets in the stroller, for example.”
Mayra Louise - editor
Baby daily care checklist
Baby care involves a lot of stuff. From bath time to changing, this is what you really can't do without!
- Baby bath;
- Baby towel with hood;
- Bath thermometer;
- Baby shampoo;
- Baby wash gel;
- Hairbrush and comb;
- Hydrophilic washcloths;
- Digital fever thermometer;
- Burp cloths (You might use multiple per day, so honestly get about 10);
- 12 muslin squares normal and XL, also nice to swaddle your baby;
- Diapers;
- Baby wipes;
- Diaper pail;
- Sudocreme or other good diaper cream;
- Baby oil, body lotion or other smooth cream for the delicate baby skin;
- Nail scissors and sand files.
Everything for breastfeeding and bottle feeding
If you want to breastfeed, the following items are a must:
- Nursing pads;
- A few nursing bras;
- Breast pump and bottles.
Since you can't be sure that your breastfeeding will start, you can choose to purchase a breast pump after giving birth. You can also buy it shortly before your due date so that returning it is not a problem.
You also need a few things for bottle feeding:
- Baby food;
- 3 bottles and teats;
- Bottle and teat brushes;
- Sterilizer;
- Bottle warmer (or microwave).
A sterilizer for the microwave is super handy for extra cleaning of the bottles and teats, then you don't have to boil it. Handy tip: do it every night before you go to bed. Another tip: a kettle with which you can boil water up to 40 degrees. A real solution when making bottle feeding.
When your baby is ready for solid food, you will definitely need a bib and baby spoon nodig.
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Also, don't forget...
And now for the final baby essentials we recommend for your checklist. These are mainly items you will need at home and away from home.
- Stroller;
- Car seat;
- Baby sling or baby carrier;
- Diaper bag;
- Playpen and playpen blanket;
- Baby monitor;
- Baby bouncer.
Buying baby stuff is super fun, but pay special attention to the practical aspects. A stroller that is easy to fold is especially handy if you live in an apartment building without a lift. That way you can easily carry it from upstairs to downstairs and vice versa.
Also look around you to see what you can possibly borrow from people. Sometimes you don't need certain items that often, then it helps if you can borrow it once in a while.
Hang a music mobile above the playpen. With this, and with a rocking chair, you create a moment when you have your hands free.
It is not a must, but a final recommendation: a nest where your child can lie and sleep wonderfully. Super nice for the first few months!
