Let's Prep: The FULL Baby Inventory

The arrival of your baby is one of the most special moments in your life, but also one that requires quite a bit of preparation . It may feel overwhelming to think of everything you need for your baby shower and what is really useful. Especially with all the commercials that come your way and the well-meaning advice from friends and family about must-have baby products and maternity items.

In this blog, I share my top recommendations, from essential basics to smart must-haves that make life as a new parent just that little bit easier. I am not sponsored. If I recommend a certain brand, it is because I have personally had good experiences with it. My advice is purely based on my experience with baby care and maternity care.

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Wool Blanket

This wool blanket from Disana is first on the list for a reason. The wool is wonderfully soft and does not itch. This blanket is 80 x 100 cm, thin and stretchy, making it perfect for wrapping your child comfortably. Thanks to the ideal size and flexible material, this blanket is particularly suitable for wrapping your baby. Thanks to the insulating properties of wool, you can wrap your baby in it without clothes. This makes skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding easy, which gives an enormous boost to your milk production. A newborn baby drinks 8 to 12 times a day, so this saves you 8 to 12 times changing. Do the math. To make it extra safe, you can put a swaddle cloth like this one over it. This way you combine the advantages of skin-to-skin feeding, wrapping and saving time.

Car Seat

Whether you choose a hospital or home birth, a car seat is essential. Even with a home birth, it may be necessary to transport your baby safely to the hospital. The Maxi-Cosi Pebble offers a good price-quality ratio and is a good all-round choice. This seat offers excellent safety and ease of use, so you can go out with peace of mind! Curious about what a good car seat should meet and how to install it safely? Read this blog for more tips!

Baby sling

In the first few weeks, when your baby is still very small and light, a baby sling is ideal. Choose a fabric baby sling for indoors, because it is comfortable and has no hard buckles. Wearing a baby sling promotes bonding between parent and baby. For many babies, it is soothing and helps with crying and restless behavior. A baby sling gives you the freedom to have your hands free for daily activities, such as household chores or grocery shopping. Moreover, carrying your child is also just a fun experience!

Diapers

Newborn babies can have a dirty diaper 8 to 12 times a day in the first few weeks, especially when breastfeeding. So make sure you have enough diapers in size 1 at home. You can choose these from Pampers. I also have good experience with the diapers from Kruitvat.

Baby wipes

When the skin is often wet, the skin barrier becomes weaker and is less able to protect itself against irritants. This is especially important for baby skin, which is still very vulnerable. That is why it is essential to protect and care for baby skin well, especially after bathing or during diaper changes. Therefore, use unscented wipes. This way you can minimize the chance of diaper rash and irritation. WaterWipes wipes are well tolerated by most baby skins.

Diaper Caddy

Especially in larger homes, a diaper caddy is a handy addition. With a diaper caddy you can be flexible and change your baby in different places in the house. Fill the caddy with extra clothes, hydrophilic cloths, underlays, diapers, diaper ointment and body lotion, so that you can easily take care of your baby without having to constantly walk back and forth. Especially after giving birth, this is a welcome relief. You can use any basket, crate or diaper caddy that you like.

Tip: Do you use a diaper caddy? Make sure you have two of your care products such as diaper cream, body lotion and other essentials. That way you can keep one set in the caddy and the other set in a fixed place, so you always have everything at hand - whether you are upstairs or downstairs!

Hydrophilic Cloths

Muslin cloths are versatile and indispensable for baby care: they can be used as a bed sheet, burp cloth, wrap, swaddle cloth, and washcloth, thanks to their soft, absorbent and easily washable material. Make sure you have at least six soft, beautiful cloths of approximately 70x70 cm. These will come in handy every day, for example to put over the mattress in the crib or as a bed sheet during feeding. Supplement this with six muslin washcloths of approximately 20x14 cm and consider buying one or two large swaddle cloths of 120x120 cm. In addition, it is useful to keep at least six cheaper cloths separate that can get dirty for cleaning up spit and feces. This way you can keep the beautiful soft cloths beautiful and soft for longer.

Chest of drawers

When choosing a changing table, it is important to consider the height and width for an ergonomic position during diaper changes. For most people, the ideal height is between 90-100 cm. The width should provide enough space for all the necessities, usually between 80-100 cm. A safety edge helps prevent your child from rolling off, and a moisture-resistant finish makes cleaning easier. Ideally, choose a changing table with smooth-running, deep drawers that provide enough space for diapers and that you can open easily and quietly with one hand at night. This meets all these requirements. Want to save money? The IKEA MALM comes pretty close to a changing table, but is often too low. By adding legs, you can raise it to over 90 cm. Combine this with a tray extender with edges and you have a functional and affordable changing table!

Changing Cushion

Choose a comfortable changing pad. There are coverless pads that you can easily rinse off in case of accidents. This is hygienic and saves time and washing. A pad with a cover is often cheaper. Make sure you have multiple covers , so that you always have a clean one at hand.

Care set

This care set contains all the essential products for your baby's care. The set contains a nail file with fine grain, an aspirator, and a plastic brush that is ideal for use in the bath to remove, for example, the last traces of amniotic fluid from the hair. A wooden brush would be less suitable for this, because it can rot when in frequent contact with water. The set also contains a comb and a tongue brush.

Vitamin D + K

From day 8 after birth, babies in the Netherlands are given daily vitamin D and K to prevent blood clotting problems, among other things. Preferably choose a supplement where you do not have to administer too many drops to reach the recommended amount. Such as this one from Vitakruid where only 6 drops in total are sufficient. This way the chance of spitting back is much smaller.

Thermometer

In the first few days after birth, you will need to take your baby’s temperature regularly, and sometimes even more often. A rectal thermometer is the most reliable and is therefore recommended for newborns. Choose a thermometer with a flexible tip and a fast reading. This makes the measurement as stress-free as possible for your baby, while still giving you accurate results. This thermometer from Braun is considerably faster than most other thermometers. When your baby cries very loudly in the middle of the night while taking his temperature, you realise how important these things are. A fast and comfortable thermometer really makes a difference.

Bath

After birth, your baby is often still covered in vernix (skin grease), which protects and nourishes the skin. Once the vernix has been absorbed and has done its job, it is time for a bath. This foldable baby bath is ideal for small spaces. It is compact and easy to store. This bath is also super handy outdoors, for example on a warm summer day. Especially in small houses this is a real godsend!

Bath cape

After bathing, use a bath cape to keep your baby warm and comfortable. One or two bath capes are usually enough. I don't have a specific preference for a brand, but this one from Koeka is of good quality and lasts a long time.

Bath Thermometer

A good room temperature has a big impact on your baby's sleep quality - and therefore yours too. This thermometer is multifunctional: it not only measures the temperature in the baby's room, but is also suitable for bath water. This way you can easily create a comfortable environment for your little one, without having to buy two thermometers.

Shampoo & Washing Gel

After the vernix has been absorbed, you can wash your baby's hair with shampoo to remove any traces of blood and amniotic fluid. For both shampoo and shower gel, I prefer Naief.

Body lotion and oil

After birth, baby skin can be very dry. That is why regular application is important to prevent skin cracks and infections. The body lotion from naif spreads easily, absorbs quickly and does not stick. If you use a diaper caddy, make sure you have an extra tube of cream. That way you always have one in the nursery and one in the caddy. You can also consider purchasing a set of minis . These fit perfectly in your diaper bag, so that you always have a cream at hand to care for your baby's skin.

Co Sleeper

It is recommended to let your baby sleep in a co-sleeper for the first 6 months. This crib is placed safely next to your bed and has an open side, so you can easily reach your baby without getting up. Ideal for nighttime feedings and comforting, while your baby still has his or her own safe sleeping space. Preferably choose a co-sleeper that is adjustable in height and has a reflux position to adjust the angle of the mattress. This can help with reflux complaints and ensures a better night's sleep. The Maxi Cosa Lora and the Bednest are both very nice options. Do you want to know more about co-sleepers and what the best options are? Then read my extensive blog about co-sleepers for tips and inspiration!

Mattress

When buying a baby mattress, it is important to follow the guidelines for safe sleeping. Choose a firm, breathable mattress that fits the crib exactly, without gaps where your baby can get stuck. A washable, removable cover and moisture-resistant materials are useful in case of accidents. Also make sure that the mattress is free of harmful substances, for example with an Oeko-Tex® or CertiPUR quality mark. Additional pillows or padding are not necessary according to the safe sleeping guidelines and can even be dangerous.

Fitted sheets

It is important to have at least two sets of fitted sheets for your baby's crib.

Babies often suffer from leaking diapers, spitting up, or other accidents. With an extra set on hand, you don't have to wash immediately and your baby's bed always stays fresh and hygienic. Also make sure that the fitted sheet fits well on the mattress, so that it stays firmly in place and cannot come loose. This contributes to a safe sleeping environment.

Sleeping bag

A sleeping bag is the safest choice for your baby's sleep. Choose the right model, adapted to the season. For example, you have summer models and winter models. Some sleeping bags have detachable sleeves so that they can be used in both cold and warm nights. Choose one that is 70 cm long. These are useful in the spring and autumn months where the weather can be changeable. This way your baby can sleep comfortably.

Bean bag

A seed bag is a very nice and safe way to warm your baby's bed. In addition, it can be used to relieve cramps. Finally, you can use it to relieve muscle pain after giving birth. This seed bag is extra long and therefore very versatile.