1. Hair clipper/cutter - to cut baby's straying hair.
2. Nail cutter
3. Pacifier - if needed. Update in 2017: My first child (in 2010) suck it like a pro the very first time I introduced it to him but my second child (in 2017) flatly refused it.
4. Toys - Buy toys that stimulate the baby's senses. E.g. toys that are colourful and has subtle movements (for sight) and toys that produces sound and music (for audio). I also play baby's classical music at a soft volume. Make sure all toys are clean, do not have sharp corners and are not painted with toxic paint. I particularly love buying stimulating toys that doubles up as a teether - it's so baby-friendly! You know, babies really put everything into their mouths
5. Digital ear/forehead thermometer - Oftenly used. Buy a good one
6. Bodysuits/Shirt and pants set - for cold and hot weather (or air-con and outdoors), 3-5 sets each
7. Mitten, booty, cap, and bib - 5 sets each
8. Baby wrap - cotton cloth to wrap baby, 3 sets, buy really soft ones for more comfort
9. Disposable diapers - or nappy with nappy liner, safety pin and nappy pants
10. Changing mat - for the endless diaper changes. Placed on floor or bed. Note: my baby cot comes with a changing table - its appropriate height is a back saver! Lesser backaches than if you change on the floor or bed. See no. 26
11. Wet wipes - for feeding spills and diaper changes
12. Tissue - lots of it
13. Cotton wipes - to clean face and eyes with warm water (also called cosmetic wipes)
14. Cotton swap - to clean nose, outer ear and belly button with warm water. (also called Q-tips)
16. Baby powder and lotion - if using
17. Hand sanitizer - can sterilize hands after changing diapers and I also use it to clean stool-stained areas with tissue on changing mat immediately
18. Baby shower gel - head-to-toe, tear-free
19. Several small cotton cloth - to wrap around index finger wet with warm water and clean baby's gums, tongue and teeth - instant toothbrush.
20. Towels x 2
21. Bath tub - mine's given by the hospital, reuse for subsequent child.
22. Bath non-slip mat - to put in bath tub to prevent baby slipping off
23. Bath toys
24. Baby bath thermometer - I was given one which is like a card and it's really helpful in making sure water is not too hot or cold, no guessing required
25. Baby carrier, pram and car seat - for travelling with baby
26. Baby cot - with mattress and sheets, side bumper, pillow, bolster, blanket, mosquito net, soft toys. To save space, I bought an all-in-one that is a playpen, changing table and baby cot.
27. Baby hammock - if using
28. Milk bottle - 3-5 sets
29. Water bottle
30. Bottle sponge cleaner (see pic below)
31. Bottle sterilizer - omit this if you are sterilizing the milk bottles in a pot of hot water
32. Baby utensils liquid cleanser - to wash milk bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, nose cleaner etc. Buy those that can also be used to wash vegetables too. My fav brand is Pigeon (see pic below)
33. Milk powder
34. Milk powder dispenser/container
35. Breast pump
36. Nursing pad
37. Diaper Bag - with changing mat and milk bottle holders/bag. Mine's given by the hospital
38. Plates, bowl, fork and small spoon with long handle - to stir milk in bottle and to feed the baby mashed food
39. Blender/masher and steamer/boiler - to cut/mash and cook food respectively
40. Play mat - for tummy time or learning to crawl. I bought a thick mattress protector from Ikea and used it as a mat
41. Baby seat/high chair - for feeding time and playtime. I used the baby pram for this. It made the baby so mobile around the house and can even be tilted down for baby to take a nap. Makes things so much easier and less back-breaking. Thumbs up!
42. Baby detergent - use this esp. if baby has very sensitive skin
43. Baby nose suction/cleaner - I buy the Pigeon brand. As advised by many fellow parents, the non-tube type is better
44. Fabric Freshener - antibacterial, clears odours and germs, eg. febreze. I used it to clean baby's bedding/mattress, seats, cushions of pram, and other difficult-to-wash stuff that is stained by baby's urine or beverage/food spills. Warning: After spraying on fabric, air completely before use! In addition, I've read you can actually make your own fabric spray and they're said to be safer for your baby. Just goggle it :)
45. Storage for baby stuff - I store baby toys in a large reusable carrier bag. His clothings, folded in half and sorted in small boxes in cupboards and drawers. And his ironed clothes on small hangers for children. All from IKEA. Don't forget drying racks and clothes pin too.
Milk bottle sponge on the left and the Pigeon liquid cleanser to wash my baby's milk bottles, pacifier and teething toys. My boy is no longer a baby already but I'm still using both. I use them to wash the whole family's water bottles and to wash fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticides and bacteria. It's also great for removing the fishy, onion and garlic odour from my hands after I cook. And it removes the sticky and oily residue on the hands after my boy and I played the Plasticine or Play-Doh.
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| My Ikea loot! Courtesy of my ex-colleagues ;) |