Finding out that you are going to be a parent can be very exciting. You will be bringing a little bundle of joy in the world, but it is important that you take the time to properly prepare for your little one to come home with you. Many first-time parents do not have any idea what items they truly need for their baby and end up sending their money on items that seem great in thought, but are not actually as useful as you thought they would be when it actually comes to using them.
There are certain items that are essential when you have a baby. The following guide provides you with a few tips and tricks to use to ensure that you have everything that you need to ensure you are properly prepared for your little one.
Invest in a Crib for Your Baby to Sleep In
Bassinets are adorable pieces of furniture to add to a nursery, but they simply are not practical. Your little one will grow out of a bassinet within a few months and you will then have to invest in a crib for them to sleep in. It is best to invest in a crib from the beginning so that you do not waste any of your money.
Invest in a convertible crib. This is a crib that can convert from a crib to a toddler bed, to a regular size bed over time. This allows you to get the most bang for your buck when investing in a place for your child to lay their head.
When you buy a crib, it will not come with a cradle mattress. You need to take the time to look for a cradle mattress that does not contain any chemicals, is hypoallergenic, and in brand new condition. You do not want to buy a used mattress for your child because it could have cleaning products on it that your child could be allergic to.
Invest in Clothes for Your Baby to Wear
Your baby will need clothes to wear after they are born. If you have chosen to wait to find out the changer of the baby until it is born, you can always purchase gender neutral clothes for him or her to wear for the first few days. Clothes with ducks, bunnies, or even monkeys on them can all be used as gender neutral options.
When you buy clothes, be sure to buy them in a few different sizes and leave the tags on them. You will not know how large or small your baby will be when they’re born and they will be in a larger size than the day they are born within just a few weeks. If they are too large for the clothing that you purchased for them, you can take back the items and exchange them for larger options.
Invest in a Car Seat for Your Baby
In order to bring your baby home from the hospital, you need to have a car seat to place in the car that will be driving them home. It is best to purchase a car seat that is designed for use when the baby is an infant and when they are a toddler so that you do not have to worry about investing in multiple car seats within the first few years of the baby’s life.
It is important to buy a car seat for your baby in brand new condition. It can be risky to buy a used car seat because you will not know if it has been in an accident. A car seat that has been in an accident will not be able to provide the same protection that a car seat that has not been involved in an accident will be able to provide.
You will more than likely not have everything that you need for your baby the day that they are born. You will need a baby monitor, diapers, and bottles, but they can all wait until the baby arrives. Just do your best and provide your child with all of the love and support you have to give.