Baby dowry: list of necessary purchases for a newborn

How not to get lost in a baby store before the birth of a child? How not to buy everything, right down to the tenth bottle brush, which in the end may not be useful later? Our editors have prepared for you dowry lists for the baby and mother. Here you will find something you can’t do without and something that is not necessary to buy, but can be very helpful in caring for your child. Plus, here you will find many valuable gift ideas for families who have just welcomed a new baby!

What clothes does a newborn need:

Usually it is advised to start with size 56 (height 50-58 cm - newborn), but if the child’s parents are tall, then you can immediately buy size 62 (height 59-64) for a standard child of 1-3 months will be just right!

1. bodysuit with long sleeves (cotton; with fastenings between the legs with buttons; 2 pcs. size 56 and 3 pcs. size 62);
2. bodysuit with short sleeves (cotton; with fastenings between the legs with buttons; 1 piece size 56 and 1 piece size 62);
3. overalls (“slips”) (cotton; with closed heels; with fasteners at the front; 1 piece size 56 (warm), 1 piece size 56 (light) and 3 pieces size 62)
4. socks or booties (cotton; 2 pairs for newborns sizes 8-9 and 2 pairs in the next size)
5. caps (thin - 1 piece of size for a newborn, warm - 2 pieces of the same size and 2 pieces of the next size - warm and thin);
6. outdoor hat (1 pc.)
7. discharge kit (overalls, cap, envelope)
8. mittens for little ones (“anti-scratch”)
9. a set of diapers (the quantity depends on whether you are going to swaddle the baby). The modern childhood industry offers cocoon diapers with Velcro or zippers - 2 of them are enough.

What else may be useful (depending on seasonality or mother’s preference):

1. vests (cotton, warm and light)
2. warm blouse (size 62) 1 piece
3. wool socks for outdoor use (1 pair of sizes 8-9 and 1 pair of the next size)
4. rompers (cotton, warm and light)

What sleep accessories does a newborn need:

1. crib
2. mattress (preferably natural fillers (coconut flakes, buckwheat husks), and the cover (cover) is made of wool or cotton; the mattress should be elastic and dense (there should be no dents on it after sleep);
3. bed linen (2 sets);
4. light flannel or flannelette blanket (2 pieces: for the crib and for the stroller);
5. oilcloth (2 pcs.: for the crib and for changing). You can use waterproof disposable diapers;

Things that might come in handy

1. mobile is a musical toy (electronic is much more convenient than mechanical)
2. canopy, bracket and lining (soft sides) for the crib;
3. pillow (low; the entire width of the crib, so that the baby’s head does not roll onto the mattress when he moves in his sleep);

Children's room

The arrangement of a children's room depends primarily on the capabilities of each family - does the apartment have a separate room, or are you planning to allocate a place for the baby in your bedroom? One more thing - are you planning to co-sleep or will you put your baby in a separate crib?

Regardless of this, there are basic things that will be difficult to do without:

A place to sleep. This could be a large crib with a pendulum mechanism, an additional cot for safe co-sleeping, or a special children's cocoon for sleeping in the parent's bed. Some parents place the baby in their bed without a cocoon, but this is not safe, at least in the first 3 months.

Mattress. Many cribs are already sold with it, but there are models where the mattress is not provided. When choosing a mattress for a crib, remember that it must be rigid enough for the baby’s spine to form correctly. Most often, mothers choose mattresses with coconut filling. It would be good if the kit comes with a removable waterproof cover that can be washed if necessary.

Bed linen and bumpers for the crib. If your baby sleeps alone, take care of his bedding in advance. Bright colors and pictures can excite the baby and disturb his sleep, so it is better to choose solid sets of calm colors. The sides should not be too soft, and must be securely attached to the sides of the crib. Choose bed linen and bumpers made from natural materials. Children under 2 years old do not need a pillow, because their head-to-body proportions differ from those of an adult.

Place for clothes and changing. There are chests of drawers with drawers and a built-in changing table, there are separate portable changing tables that can be placed even on your bed (unless, of course, you are afraid that the baby will pee everything around), there are soft inserts for the changing table that can also be used on any flat surface.

Blanket. Flannelette or knitted blanket. It is convenient to cover your child with it at home and on a walk in the warm season. Can be replaced with a sleeping bag or envelope.

Waterproof sheet with elastic or oilcloth. Sometimes accidents happen in the form of leaking diapers, and such a sheet or oilcloth saves the situation - you don’t have to wash and dry the entire bed. In principle, if you use disposable diapers, you can put them under your baby.

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Optional things that will make your life a lot easier in the first month of a newborn’s life:

Hanging organizer. This is an optional purchase, but if you're short on space, you can buy or make your own hanging organizer with pockets and hang it on your crib. There you can place creams, cotton swabs, napkins, an aspirator and other small items so that it is all at hand.

Humidifier - if the apartment has dry, hot air, be sure to use a humidifier. The mucous membrane in the nose of newborns is very delicate and dries out easily. Because of this, pathogenic bacteria can enter the baby's body.

Mobile, night light and canopy for the crib. These purchases are definitely not mandatory, but they add coziness and convenience. By the way, you can make a mobile with your own hands, it’s not difficult at all.

Baby Monitor/Video Baby Monitor. The most optional of purchases. However, if you have a large house or go out of town, a baby monitor or video baby monitor can make your life a lot easier.

What is a baby monitor? (Click to expand text).

A baby monitor is a small receiver that is installed next to a baby's crib. The “walkie-talkie” that comes with it allows the mother to hear that the baby has woken up, even if she is, for example, in the kitchen. The video baby monitor is equipped with a screen and camera so that you can not only hear, but also see what your baby is doing.

A small life hack for those who need a video nanny occasionally, but don’t want to spend money on it. You will need an unnecessary smartphone and 10 minutes of free time. Install a messenger application with video calling capabilities (for example, Skype) on both your phones. Register two different accounts, it will take you 5 minutes. Now make a video call on your main phone, and leave the second one near your baby’s bed, so that it can be seen on your phone screen. Don't forget to turn off the microphone on the phone you still have, so as not to scare your child with loud noises! Ready. You can go about your business without worrying about missing your baby's wake-up call.

What to buy for a newborn for walks:

1. stroller;
2. rain cover for stroller;
3. mosquito net for stroller;
4. mattress for the stroller (if it is not included with the stroller);
5. car seat (preferably with a carrying function; 0-13 kg);

Things that might come in handy

1. sling;
2. baby carrier or basket (for example, if you don’t have a car)
3. stroller pendant (toys on a string).

Hygiene products for newborns:

1. sponge (natural, sea);
2. baby shampoo;
3. nourishing milk or cream;

4.wet wipes;

1. cotton pads;
2. disposable diapers (newborn size (2-5 kg) and reusable
3. water thermometer;
4. soft hair brush;
5. comb;
6. cotton swabs with a limiter;
7. large terry towel (preferably with a hood, 1 pc.);
8. small thin towel for hands and face (2 pcs.).
9. baby washing powder (for the first months, soap powder is better; if you take another, please note that the composition should not contain optical brightener);
10. bath and “slide” in the bath

Things that might come in handy

1. massage oil;
2. a ladle for watering the baby
3. bubble bath or any bathing product;
4. liquid talc for diapers;

19. lap for swimming from 0+

1. scissors with rounded ends (for nails);
2. Changing table or board (a very convenient thing for taking care of mother’s lower back). If you don’t feel like spending money on it, you can ask your friends or buy it on Avito.

Safety and environmental friendliness of the stroller

• Pay attention to the design and materials from which the stroller is made; if possible, ask the seller for accompanying documents.
• Check how durable the plastic parts of the structure are, especially the handles for carrying the cradle (if it is removed from the chassis).
• The hood must have a ventilation system.
• Check if the stroller has reflectors, because you will often have to walk in the dark (especially in winter), and it is important that drivers see you.
• It is advisable that there are seat belts inside the stroller: they will come in handy when the child learns to sit down (after 6 months).
• The fabric inside the stroller must be removable for washing.
• The absence of dangerous parts of the stroller within the child’s reach - for example, scratching parts, sharp protrusions or structural elements that change their position when moving.

What could be the design of the wheels?

• The larger the wheels, the more maneuverable and stable the stroller is. Swivel wheels (in some models only the front ones, in others - all four) make the stroller more manageable. This is important for urban conditions. Models with three wheels are even more maneuverable, but they are considered less stable and are more difficult to get up and down stairs.
• Many manufacturers have front wheels that are much smaller than the rear ones. This is done for reasons of better controllability. But when purchasing such a model, remember about our uneven asphalt: the diameter of small wheels should still allow you to overcome them if the stroller does not provide the ability to install larger “winter” wheels.
• Wheels can be either inflatable rubber or filled with special foam, or plastic, with or without bearings.
• Inflatable wheels cushion better on uneven surfaces, but they can be punctured, unlike those filled with special foam or plastic ones (more “shaky”).
• There is an opinion that inflatable wheels are better suited for Russia. But it all depends on your living conditions and road conditions.

Finally, the stroller is chosen, and you can think about other devices and devices for the baby.

Newborn first aid kit:

1. string, chamomile (these herbs are brewed and added to the baby’s bath; they have a wound-healing and bactericidal effect);
2. “Bepanten” ointment (to apply to diaper rash or redness on the baby’s skin and to the nipples if there are cracks);
3. solution of “green stuff” 1% (in the absence of potassium permanganate, it can be used to treat the umbilical wound);
4. hydrogen peroxide solution 3% (for treating the umbilical wound);
5. sterile pipette (2-3 pcs.; in order to drip 1-2 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution onto the umbilical wound);
6. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate solution 5% and crystalline potassium permanganate; used to treat the umbilical wound (1-2 times a day); and for bathing the baby, a slightly pink solution is needed: first, potassium permanganate is diluted in a glass, then poured into a bath; it is better to have a white baby bath colors to see the exact color of the resulting solution);
7. adhesive plaster (for children);
8. aspirator, nozzles and drops "Otrivin" baby for cleansing and moisturizing the nasal cavity
9. thermometer (electronic);
10. several urine bags and containers for tests

Things that might come in handy

1. chlorophyllipt (alcohol solution). This is a natural herbal preparation that fights staph infections. May be useful for any inflammation on the baby’s skin and for the mother with mastitis;
2. furatsilin (in tablets) for preparing a solution for treating the eyes and nose;
3. solution of borax with glycerin (used to treat the oral cavity when detecting thrush);
4. gas outlet tube (for constipation_
5. “Sub-Simplex” (a drug that acts only in the intestinal cavity (is not absorbed into the blood), breaks the wall of the gas bladder, which reduces pain in the baby’s abdomen);
6. glycerin-based laxative suppositories;

Share not only joys, but also expenses with your loved ones

A note to future (and slightly frightened) parents who, in slight confusion, are now trying to calculate their newborn happiness. Look around! You undoubtedly have relatives, friends and colleagues who are eager to give gifts to your young family on such an important and pleasant occasion - a long-awaited addition.

It would be a sin not to take advantage of this! Before they have time to raid the children's store and buy you nice but completely pointless gifts (in the form of stuffed elephants and crocodiles, a children's tent, silver spoons or a briefcase for a first grader), show them a list of things that you really need right now. And let the gifts not be surprises - this is precisely that rare situation in which cold calculation, pragmatism and obvious savings bring more happiness to a young family than stupid generosity.