Survival Kit for New Parents

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Welcome to the exciting world of parenthood! If you are embarking on this epic journey and feel as overwhelmed as I did, it can be hard to know which way to turn. It’s certainly useful to be equipped with a survival kit tailored for the newest addition to your family. In preparation for your adorable bundle of joy, I’ve been reviewing the kit that we’ve gathered and put together a selection of baby essentials that we found to be useful in our journey and that will undoubtedly make your parenting adventure a breeze (or at least a bit smoother).

First and foremost, let's talk about the essentials. Unless you’re happy for baby poop to be all over your home, you will need nappies. Whether you opt for the convenience of disposable nappies or the charm of cloth, make sure to stack up on them. We found Aldi nappies to be good but when she hit size 3 (UK size), we started having regular leaks over night and decided to use Pampers Baby Dry nappies which have a ‘stop & protect pocket’ at the back to help keep everything inside the nappy until baby wakes up for a change. Baby wipes are convenient for keeping tiny tushies squeaky clean, so choose ones with a high water content and no perfumes to avoid any unwanted reactions. As an alternative, you could use cotton wool pads and warm water as this will be gentle on your baby’s tush.

After thinking about output, we should also deal with input! Baby bottles, a breast pump and formula (if you choose not to breast feed or want to use a combination) are all on the menu for feeding time. We invested in a manual pump, an electric pump and also a Hakkaa (which is a hands-free, silicone breast pump that employs gentle and silent suction to effortlessly express milk). You may also want to consider a pacifier; they didn’t work for us but I know a lot of parents who swear by them to calm down crying bubbas. I was gifted a nursing pillow from a friend who no longer needed it and this was absolutely fabulous. It made those initial long feeds so much more comfortable. Then, as your little one grows, get ready for their first foodie adventures with a baby high chair and age-appropriate utensils. Check out my blog on weaning for helpful tips in this regard.

Baby bath time can be a really enjoyable experience

For bath time adventures, a baby bath tub, baby shampoo and wash, as well as baby towels and washcloths, are essentials for post-bath snuggles. We found a bath thermometer really helpful to ensure the perfect water temperature and ease the fear that the water is too cold or too hot.

For cozy nap times, swaddle blankets are a game-changer. Not everyone agrees with swaddling but we found that wrapping our bundle of joy in snug swaddles would instantly calm her down and often led to those dreamy ZZZs.

Creating the perfect sleep sanctuary involves a cozy baby bed or crib with dreamy sheets, blankets, and mattress protectors. For soothing background noise, consider a white noise machine like Ewan the Sheep Deluxe. This is a particularly helpful white noise machine as it can fix to the side of your baby’s cot and listens out for your baby.  If your baby cries, it will start back up again.  Keep an eye on your little one with a baby monitor, ensuring pure peace of mind, especially during nap times.

Health checks are covered with a baby thermometer and a baby first aid kit for tiny health concerns.  

Now, let's dive into the world of baby fashion. Whether your little one is a mini fashionista or a superhero in the making, get ready for wardrobe changes galore. Consider using platforms like Vinted for budget-friendly and barely used baby outfits; it's a fantastic way to dress your baby in style without breaking the bank. Babies grow so quickly that they are in and out of outfits in no time so it’s not worth buying all their outfits brand new.

When you're on the move, a baby carrier (this is the one we have) or sling becomes your multitasking superhero, allowing for hands-free baby-wearing. We were lucky enough to be gifted a sling by my sister-in-law but we were initially apprehensive about using it with our precious cargo as you have to tie it yourself and then trust it to keep your little one safe and secure. However, after watching an online tutorial and giving it a go, we realised that we had been missing out not using it from the start. No longer were we nap trapped and suddenly we had freedom; I even managed to make banana bread and malt loaf for some late night snacks whilst our bubba peacefully slept in the sling.

One thing that I still find particularly helpful is having a packed changing bag at the ready. Having it packed and ready can make trips out much more manageable since babies come with a lot of kit and the thought of gathering it all together (particularly for a quick trip to the shops) can be quite daunting. We like to keep ours packed with a small changing mat, nappies and wipes and a few changes of clothes.

For all those upcoming adventures, it is definitely worth investing in a car seat and a pram. We were very lucky to be gifted the Silvercross Reef set by my partner’s mother. This includes a first bed folding carrycot, an infant carrier, changing bag, footmuff, phone holder and snack tray. It’s a sturdy piece of equipment and pretty heavy but I can tell that it’s good quality and it will last for a long time. We also have a much lighter and smaller pram (the Joie Baby Tourist) from John Lewis which is useful for travelling about a bit on public transport.

Youtube has a variety of go to videos that can instantly make a baby smile, sometimes mid-meltdown

Stimulate playtime with baby books and toys, and for those moments when you need a little extra help, you can always consider a few online resources. If you are struggling with a screaming baby, the Happy Song by Imogen Heap has saved us on many an occasion; our baby seems to stop mid tantrum as soon as that song comes on. I also know many people try to avoid screen time for little ones but in times of desperation, short videos by Hey Bear Baby Sensory (brightly coloured dancing fruit and vegetables on a black screen) and Miss Rachel (a former New York City preschool teacher who sings songs for little babies and toddlers) on YouTube have been so helpful.

All the above recommendations have worked for us but every family is unique, so mix and match these essentials to fit your style. Don't forget to read reviews and do some research to find the perfect picks for your budget. And to make the shopping experience even easier, Amazon offers a handy Wishlist for expectant parents with access to over 100,000 baby items, curated lists, a tracker to help with thank yous and the option to share your wishlist with friends and family. You can even add items from other shops that are not available from Amazon in order to keep your Wishlist all in one place. Plus Amazon Prime members get free shipping and expectant parents can save 15% on one of their baby wishlist purchases. 

Happy parenting!