Newborn Checklist - Everything You Might Need Before Your Baby Arrives

Being a first timer parents was a daunting task, especially when it comes to what to buy to welcome the arrival of our baby. The more we dwell about the list of items to buy, the more anxious we became. However, the reality is that shopping for your baby is a pleasant and happy experience, and we are sharing our newborn shopping checklist to give you a rough idea what you need to buy.

1. Baby Swaddle - depends on individual baby, our baby does not enjoy being swaddled after a month. Nevertheless, we often use it to cover sofa before putting our baby on it. 

2. Receiving Blanket - especially helpful when discharging from hospital or bring your baby to clinic

As a newbie parents, undeniably there are thoughts to get everything new for our children. However, we accepted the "hand-me-down" mindset. Reason being newborn grows in an accelerate mode and soon the newborn clothes cannot be worn after 3 months. It is therefore unwise to invest a significant amount of money into new clothes and only found out these clothes needed to be changed again. 

4. Playmat - to be used when changing clothes/diapers for your baby

5. Musical mobile - Lullaby

1. Diapers - We used two types. One with better absorbality for night time. Can get S size instead of NB. 

3. Diaper / Rash Cream - Let a paediatrician attend if the rashes get serious 

12. Nasal Aspirator - must have!

14. Bandage Tape - To tape loose booties

2. Breastpump - manual or auto, your choice.

3. Breast milk collector - this is superb! While you are pumping at one boob, put this to collect at another boob

12. Sterilizer - we did not get one actually as we use the traditional hot water method

13. Food Warmer - we had one but eventually resorted to using hot water to heat the milk

14. Nursing Bra - I prepared 2 set but eventually we get more, as it more comfortable to be worn if you are latching your baby

5. Travel Changing Mat - extremely useful!

6. Baby Musical Mobile Crib - This is important! It keeps our baby entertained for some time and allow us to attend to other daily chores such as toilet break, cooking or handling our dog. 

7. Portable Baby Bed Crib - It can be used as a supporting when you want to play your baby on sofa and keep you hands-free. 

The choice of Baby Cot, Play Pen or even both is entirely up to you. Upon discussion with our friends, we opted to have playpen over baby cot as it is cheaper, easier to assemble and keep, ideal for a smaller house and serves as a function as a bed and baby playground. It ended up as a good decision, as our little girl did not enjoy sleeping on her own mattress during daytime. She only sleep in her playpen at night and spend the rest of the day sleeping / playing in our bed instead. 

1. Loose Pants / Sarung - you need this when going to clinic

The list may look extensive but trust us, you will be able to manage it. Not necessarily all the items are needed as you may have a different thought, but this serves as a general guideline on what you might need to buy.