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Essential tips for starting out with baby

Babies are superbly designed. Better than anything a company could make. The best anyone can do is to design things that work perfectly with babies, helping them to grow safely and naturally. A lot of companies claim to be baby experts. IKEA designers and product developers have a perspective that’s a little different: a baby is part of a family, and if everyone who cares for the baby is feeling good, the baby will feel good. It’s not just about your baby – it’s about baby and you. Together.

A white SUNDVIK cot in the bedroom

Baby prep checklist

Four good ideas: Block-out blinds or curtains mean you can make your baby’s room dark when necessary. But get a night light so you have a slow-glow option when you need it. A nursing pillow, LEN nursing pillow for example, can make feeds easier and more comfortable. Stock up on washcloths. Babies burp a lot.

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A lit SOLBO LED table lamp sits on a MAMMUT stool in the dark in the middle of the floor in a child’s room.
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Natural baby zone

Babies are born with very thin skin, they take lots more breaths than an adult and they’re highly sensitive to light and sound. All this means they’re a fragile package. Make home as chemical-free, soft and calm as possible. You can trust that everything in the IKEA baby range is designed with their safety in mind, with zero tolerance for harmful chemicals.

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A blue/white floral pattern GULDVÄVARE duvet cover 1 pillowcase for cot
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Music for baby

In their first months, a baby’s eyesight and hearing is still developing. Light and shade matter more than colour, and melody matters more than words. The movement of leaves or a mobile over the cot will capture baby’s visual attention, and a voice in song or a musical toy such as the KLAPPA caterpillar will make them prick up their ears.

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A KLAPPA musical toy, shaped like a caterpillar, lies on a babycare mat on top of a white SOLGUL changing table.
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You need less than you think

If you’re a seasoned pro you already know this, but for the first-timer, a baby can feel like a step onto another planet. You are ready to buy 10 of everything, plus back-up supplies in case you run out. Surplus guaranteed. Sure, baby deserves your best – but quality is more important than quantity.

A small child wearing a dotted top, brown shorts and long brown socks lies on its back in a white cot.

Seriously, you’ve got this

A mountain of advice awaits every baby carer. The deeper you dig, the more contradictory it seems to become. This reality could turn you into a bundle of stress – which is the last thing your baby needs. Relax, trust your own gut instincts and remember that it’s just advice.

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A small child stands in a SUNDVIK cot looking at its father who is sitting on a bed beside the cot holding a soft toy.
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Made for baby milestones

One thing’s certain with babies – they’re always changing. It can make buying things feel like a waste. No sooner are they bought than babies are past needing them. IKEA products are designed with that in mind. From adjustable cots with a detachable side to the SUNDVIK changing table that becomes a chest of drawers, you can adapt many products so your child can use them for much longer.

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A white TOFTAN waste bin
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