There are baby checklists that are like shopping lists for a new life.
What they often don't say: You don't need that much at all.
Really not.
Not the thirtieth pair of trousers in size 56. Not the high-tech bottle warmer with Bluetooth. Not the five-tiered changing table.
All you need is the essentials and a little trust. Everything else can be bought later if needed.
Here's our essentials list: reduced to the bare necessities. For everyone who wants to avoid consumer stress and impulse buys.
Wrap
- Approximately 7-14 Lybbie diapers in size 3-7kg. In the very beginning, babies have a lot of bowel movements, and you'll probably have to change them every few hours. Having more diapers on hand is definitely helpful. We even have suitable sets for your initial supply: a 7-diaper set and a 14-diaper set.
- 1-2 wet bags (one large one for home and one small one for on the go)
- a few washcloths for washing and cleaning bottoms
- A few disposable diapers for the first few days after birth (meconium is passed in the first few days and is very sticky) OR diaper liner that can be placed inside your Lybbie diapers and then disposed of.
Not absolutely necessary:
- Diaper cream: this is only needed with disposable diapers, as a protective barrier for the skin so that the chemicals in the disposable diapers do not irritate the skin too much.
- Changing table: with a molton cloth or a towel, changing diapers is much easier and can be done anywhere – on the floor, on the carpet, on the couch, in the bathroom or in bed.
Sleep
- safe sleeping solution (side cot, mattress with protector, parents' bed) and spare fitted sheet
- 2-3 pajamas (or the onesies from daytime)
- 2 sleeping bags (warmth depending on the time of year), so that you always have a spare sleeping bag (babies often spit up and wet themselves)
Breastfeeding/Feeding
-
2 nursing bras (some have integrated nursing pads)
-
1-2 bottles with newborn-sized teats
- 1 pack of infant formula (for emergencies, in case breastfeeding doesn't work out)
Not absolutely necessary:
- Breast pump, because you can easily and free of charge borrow one from the pharmacy with a prescription from your gynecologist.
On the way
-
1 baby sling or carrier (greatly reduces the baby's crying and leaves your hands free)
- 1 infant car seat with Isofix (even if you're not using a car, an infant car seat is always helpful in case you need to take a taxi). If you're planning to travel by plane, make sure the infant car seat is suitable for air travel (many aren't).
-
Optional
- stroller
Care
-
1 rectal thermometer
- 3 muslin cloths (babies sometimes spit up)
- Ultra-sensitive laundry detergent (e.g., DM or Rossmann own brand) for white laundry and also diaper laundry (can also be used for the whole family)
- Ultra-sensitive color detergent (e.g., DM or Rossmann private label) for colored laundry (can also be used for the whole family)
-
Optional
- Almond oil (you can use it to moisturize baby's skin and also care for the diaper area)
Not absolutely necessary:
-
Use a washing lotion, as soap can irritate delicate baby skin.
-
1 baby nail scissors (you shouldn't cut the nails at first, later you can use regular nail scissors or clippers)
Clothing
-
5–7 wrap bodysuits
-
3-5 rompers
-
1 baby hat for the first few days
-
Optional
- Outdoor overalls (for births in cold seasons)
Not absolutely necessary:
- Baby socks, because babies regulate their temperature through their hands and feet.
Further
- Baby blanket to lie on (or you can simply use a normal blanket)
And the rest can be bought at your leisure once the baby is here and you see what the child and parents need.
