Walking into a baby superstore can be an overwhelming experience. What cot/bassinet/pram/car seat/stroller is best? What about a bouncer, or a rocker? Cloth nappies or disposable nappies? Then there is a multitude of clothing, toys, bedding and nursery decor to peruse.
Babies. They are big business. Like all big businesses they play on peoples emotions, in this instance, it's parents wanting the best for their little bundles of joy to come.
But what do babies really need?
This is our fourth baby, and I can honestly say from hindsight and experience they don't need a lot and the vast majority of what they do need can be bought second hand in beautiful condition for a fraction of the cost of new.
So I thought I would write a list of what I think babies need and what we use.
Car seat
A safe car seat that meets current Australian guidelines is essential. Unless you have someone who you know and trust with a lightly used car seat to gift you, generally I would buy this new.
If accepting a secondhand car seat make sure it comes from someone you know and trust, that it hasn't been in an accident, check all straps carefully for damage/fraying and the plastic base for any signs of wear and tear before using.
Cot
We did a combination of co-sleeping and cot sleeping. But having a safe place for baby to sleep is a must. There are heaps excellent quality cots available second hand. Having a cot with a side that drops down is helpful for lifting babies in and out. Especially if you are short like me!
You might like to buy a new mattress for your baby to ensure a safe, clean sleeping space. Baby mattresses should be firm with no gap between the mattress and cot side which could pose a SIDS risk. A cot mattress can be bought brand new from around $80.
Bassinet
Totally optional and not necessary. But I like to have a bassinet as they are easily portable and it allows me to keep baby near me in the early days.
These can be picked up in beautiful condition for around $50 secondhand. I'm looking out for a timber-framed, mesh sided bassinet to help baby keep cool in the hot sub-tropical summer.
Stroller/pram
I gave up on prams. They are big, bulky and a total pain to lift in and out of the car. We live on a farm so a pram is not suitable to take baby for walks in. I do however have a light-weight stroller with a seat that leans back though which is helpful to put baby down for a sleep in if out and about for long days.
If you decide a pram/stroller will be something you need, make sure you look second hand where they are readily available for a bargain price. It's worth doing your research and choosing a good quality item that will last you many years. There are people out there who buy several prams/strollers until they find one they like, so if you look hard and are patient you can get a practically brand new item.
Carrier/woven wrap
Babywearing is my choice of baby transport. Babies like to be held. They are meant to be held. There is nothing more frustrating than pushing an empty stroller whilst trying to hold a baby and wrangle other children. Babywearing allows me to be hands-free and attend to the other things that need doing comfortably whilst my babies biological need of being close to me is being met.
If you are buying a baby carrier I suggest joining your local babywearing group. Ergo, Manduca and Tula are excellent, optimal, affordable buckle carrier options. Look for a carrier that allows babies hips to be in an "M" shape to ensure they have a good seat and their legs are not left to dangle down. Carriers like the Bjorn are common, but not optimal in relation to hip health and will quickly cause discomfort to both wearer and baby.
Henry was a child with bad reflux and wrapping him on my front/back was the best way of helping him get relief from the acid that would burn his little throat.
Online Facebook babywearing groups are a wealth of information on this topic. I'll link to a couple below and they have second-hand groups for selling wraps and other various carriers.
Adelaide baby wearers
Babywearing buy, swap, sell group
Baby wearers Western Australia
Sunshine Coast baby wearers
Melbourne baby wearers
Nappies
We started with our first baby William using disposable nappies, but when we had Angus we transitioned to cloth nappies and never looked back. I read a statistic somewhere that simply replacing 1 disposable nappy with a cloth nappy saves about 300kg of landfill/year. It blew my mind and from that point on I decided I wanted to do better for the environment. The same cloth nappies I bought with Angus are now onto our third child and still in great condition.
I wrote a post about cloth nappies and what we use HERE
Clothing
Babies are small and squishy. They don't need excessive frills, jeans or fussy clothing, no matter how cute they look on the hanger. Soft, natural fibres, simple, comfortable clothing is best. Think Pajamas. Look at the season baby will be in and plan accordingly, soft layers can be helpful on those tempramental days. This baby will be born in a sub-tropical summer where the days are hot but the nights can cool down. Our babies wardrobe looks a little like this and it will depend on how chucky your baby is and how often you plan on washing. I like to have about three days worth of clothing, and I have generally have had chucky babies.
10-12 short sleeve/singlet onesies
8-10 long sleeve onesies
4-6 pairs of socks
4 light cardigans
6-8 singlets
4 L/S tops
4 leggings/light pants
1 sunhat
2 light cotton beanies (hospital air conditioning can be drafty)
6 muslin wraps
4 light blankets
2 dozen terry square nappies to clean up spills
3 sets of cot sheets
3 sets of bassinet sheets
2-3 Mattress protectors
8-10 Bibs
Other things that you might like to consider:
Dummies
A small softie/comfort item
A few children's books
Rocking chair
Cloth breast pads
Breastfeeding singlets/bras
Lamp to keep things dark during night feeds
Thermometer
Baby bath (or they can simply shower with you!)
Quilt or blanket for baby to have a stretch and kick on the floor.
Babies first softie should be simple. Nothing to choke on, soft and preferably made from natural fibres. I have made many of these Waldorf cuddle dolls for small babies.
Once again a lamp, rocking chair, baby bath, blanket, children's books are all items which are readily available second hand.
That aside all babies really need is a whole lot of cuddles, milk, love and time. They don't need musical mobiles, expensive high chairs, bulky play mats and toys with all the bells and whistles.
Keeping things simple really is best.
Much love,
Emma
xx
A little baby Henry
Babies. They are big business. Like all big businesses they play on peoples emotions, in this instance, it's parents wanting the best for their little bundles of joy to come.
But what do babies really need?
This is our fourth baby, and I can honestly say from hindsight and experience they don't need a lot and the vast majority of what they do need can be bought second hand in beautiful condition for a fraction of the cost of new.
So I thought I would write a list of what I think babies need and what we use.
Car seat
A safe car seat that meets current Australian guidelines is essential. Unless you have someone who you know and trust with a lightly used car seat to gift you, generally I would buy this new.
If accepting a secondhand car seat make sure it comes from someone you know and trust, that it hasn't been in an accident, check all straps carefully for damage/fraying and the plastic base for any signs of wear and tear before using.
Cot
We did a combination of co-sleeping and cot sleeping. But having a safe place for baby to sleep is a must. There are heaps excellent quality cots available second hand. Having a cot with a side that drops down is helpful for lifting babies in and out. Especially if you are short like me!
You might like to buy a new mattress for your baby to ensure a safe, clean sleeping space. Baby mattresses should be firm with no gap between the mattress and cot side which could pose a SIDS risk. A cot mattress can be bought brand new from around $80.
Bassinet
Totally optional and not necessary. But I like to have a bassinet as they are easily portable and it allows me to keep baby near me in the early days.
These can be picked up in beautiful condition for around $50 secondhand. I'm looking out for a timber-framed, mesh sided bassinet to help baby keep cool in the hot sub-tropical summer.
Stroller/pram
I gave up on prams. They are big, bulky and a total pain to lift in and out of the car. We live on a farm so a pram is not suitable to take baby for walks in. I do however have a light-weight stroller with a seat that leans back though which is helpful to put baby down for a sleep in if out and about for long days.
If you decide a pram/stroller will be something you need, make sure you look second hand where they are readily available for a bargain price. It's worth doing your research and choosing a good quality item that will last you many years. There are people out there who buy several prams/strollers until they find one they like, so if you look hard and are patient you can get a practically brand new item.
Carrier/woven wrap
Babywearing is my choice of baby transport. Babies like to be held. They are meant to be held. There is nothing more frustrating than pushing an empty stroller whilst trying to hold a baby and wrangle other children. Babywearing allows me to be hands-free and attend to the other things that need doing comfortably whilst my babies biological need of being close to me is being met.
If you are buying a baby carrier I suggest joining your local babywearing group. Ergo, Manduca and Tula are excellent, optimal, affordable buckle carrier options. Look for a carrier that allows babies hips to be in an "M" shape to ensure they have a good seat and their legs are not left to dangle down. Carriers like the Bjorn are common, but not optimal in relation to hip health and will quickly cause discomfort to both wearer and baby.
Online Facebook babywearing groups are a wealth of information on this topic. I'll link to a couple below and they have second-hand groups for selling wraps and other various carriers.
Adelaide baby wearers
Babywearing buy, swap, sell group
Baby wearers Western Australia
Sunshine Coast baby wearers
Melbourne baby wearers
Nappies
We started with our first baby William using disposable nappies, but when we had Angus we transitioned to cloth nappies and never looked back. I read a statistic somewhere that simply replacing 1 disposable nappy with a cloth nappy saves about 300kg of landfill/year. It blew my mind and from that point on I decided I wanted to do better for the environment. The same cloth nappies I bought with Angus are now onto our third child and still in great condition.
Clothing
Babies are small and squishy. They don't need excessive frills, jeans or fussy clothing, no matter how cute they look on the hanger. Soft, natural fibres, simple, comfortable clothing is best. Think Pajamas. Look at the season baby will be in and plan accordingly, soft layers can be helpful on those tempramental days. This baby will be born in a sub-tropical summer where the days are hot but the nights can cool down. Our babies wardrobe looks a little like this and it will depend on how chucky your baby is and how often you plan on washing. I like to have about three days worth of clothing, and I have generally have had chucky babies.
10-12 short sleeve/singlet onesies
8-10 long sleeve onesies
4-6 pairs of socks
4 light cardigans
6-8 singlets
4 L/S tops
4 leggings/light pants
1 sunhat
2 light cotton beanies (hospital air conditioning can be drafty)
6 muslin wraps
4 light blankets
2 dozen terry square nappies to clean up spills
3 sets of cot sheets
3 sets of bassinet sheets
2-3 Mattress protectors
8-10 Bibs
Other things that you might like to consider:
Dummies
A small softie/comfort item
A few children's books
Rocking chair
Cloth breast pads
Breastfeeding singlets/bras
Lamp to keep things dark during night feeds
Thermometer
Baby bath (or they can simply shower with you!)
Quilt or blanket for baby to have a stretch and kick on the floor.
Babies first softie should be simple. Nothing to choke on, soft and preferably made from natural fibres. I have made many of these Waldorf cuddle dolls for small babies.
A second hand rocking chair gifted to us.
That aside all babies really need is a whole lot of cuddles, milk, love and time. They don't need musical mobiles, expensive high chairs, bulky play mats and toys with all the bells and whistles.
Keeping things simple really is best.
Much love,
Emma
xx
