Organisational Checklists for New Mums
by Donna Thomson
As an expectant mother myself, I know just how much planning is involved in preparing for a new baby. Whether your first child or a fourth (like me), it is helpful to have resources on hand to guide you through what you need to have for baby's arrival and what you need to prepare in relation to taking baby for outings and things like giving baby a bath.
There's nothing worse than taking baby on an outing, finding that baby has messed his or her outfit, and then realising that you didn't bring a change of clothes. Or, giving baby a bath then realising that you don't have a place to set him or her down to get dry and dressed. These things may seem logical and fairly basic, but when you are sleep-deprived and suffering from "mummy brain", it sometimes isn't as easy as you think to be organised. So feel free to print off the suggestions below and use them as checklists.
BUYING CHECKLIST
Clothing
- 6 sleepsuits
- 2 cardigans
- 6 singlets or bodysuits
- 4-10 outfits (baby will outgrow sizes quickly so it's best to have a small selection in a few different sizes)
- 3-4 receiving blankets (weight will depend on season)
- 1 soft cap
- 1 sunhat
- Scratch mittens
- Socks and bootees
Bedding
- 1 bassinet or carrycot
- 1 cot
- 1 mattress
- 4 fitted sheets
- 1-2 mattress protectors/underblankets
- 2 cot blankets (weight will depend on the season)
Bathing
- Baby bath and stand
- 2 soft towels
- 2 soft sponges or facecloths
- Baby liquid soap/shampoo
- Pair of baby nail scissors
- 1 baby brush and comb set
Breastfeeding
- 3 nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Breast pump and accessories
Bottle Feeding
- 6 bottles with teats and covers
- Sterilising kit
- Bottle brush
- Baby infant formula
General Feeding
- Bibs
- Cloths for spit-ups (e.g. to put over your shoulder when burping baby)
- Plastic bowls and soft spoons
Changing
- Change table
- Nappy change bag with portable mat
- Nappies - approx. 36 cloth or 2 packs of newborn disposables
- Nappy sacks
- Changing mat
- Nappy rash cream
- Cotton wool
- Baby wipes
- Tissues
If using cloth nappies you will also need:
- Pins or fasteners
- Liners
- Nappy covers/pilchers
- Nappy steriliser
- 1-2 nappy buckets with lids
Other Items
- Baby car seat/capsule
- Pram/stroller
- Baby sling or carrier
- Dummies/Pacifiers - if you choose to use one
- Baby sunscreen
- Baby thermometer
- Baby paracetamol
- Teething gel
- Teething ring or toy
- Assortment of baby toys
Some of the above items are optional or can be purchased a few months after baby comes, such as a cot if you use a bassinet first, a highchair, a pram if you use a sling/carrier first, and so on.
Don't rush out and buy everything yourself either. You will no doubt receive lots of clothes and other items as gifts from family and friends, so decide which things you really want to purchase yourself then keep a list handy for when others ask how they can contribute.
Consider the season your baby will be born into, too. In the warmer months you will want lightweight, short sleeve clothes and blankets, a sunhat, and even baby sunscreen. In cooler months, and depending on your location, you will need various layers of clothing and even a snowsuit or two.
OUTINGS WITH BABY
It can be quite harrowing heading out with baby for the first time. It's a great idea to stock your nappy bag in advance so that you aren't frantically trying to remember what you need to take and many times you may need to rush out the door quickly so having a stocked bag will help you feel much better prepared. For the same reasons, I advise restocking the bag straight away when you return from an outing when things like the number of nappies and supplies used is fresh in your mind to replace.
If you receive samples of baby powders and creams these are perfect travel sizes for the nappy bag! You will notice that I've added a teether, teething gel and baby paracetomol to the nappy bag list. So often baby will seem fine but things go awry when you reach your destination. Having these pain soothers on hand will be worth their while at those times.
What you'll need:
- Nappy change bag with change mat
- Nappies - at least 6
- If using cloth nappies you may prefer to use disposables while out, or take spare fasteners, liners and nappy covers.
- Baby wipes
- Tissues
- Nappy rash cream
- 2 dummies/pacifiers - if using
- Baby paracetamol
- Teething gel
- Teething ring or toy
- Nappy/plastic bags - for dirty nappies and soiled clothes
- 1 baby blanket/sheet - depending on weather
- Bottle with boiled water
- Formula to add when needed to make the bottle up
- Spare breast pads
- Change of clothes - at least one
- Jacket/cardigan
- Toys - particularly something you can attach to the pram
BATHING BABY
Still looking at outings, sometimes you will stay overnight somewhere. All of the above supplies are still relevant but you will want to take perhaps three changes of clothes, sleepwear and extra nappies. For bathing baby at a different location you can easily take a little bottle of baby wash and one of those soft baby supports so that you can bath baby in a full-size tub if needed. Alternatively you can even place a facecloth on the bottom of a vanity basin or laundry tub and give baby a bath that way.
For general bathing in the home however, here are suggestions for what you will need and some tips for getting the job done as smoothly as possible...
What you'll need:
- Baby bath and stand (or place on a sturdy table to save your back)
- Change mat/table
- 1-2 soft towels
- Cotton wool
- 1 soft washcloth
- Clothes - including singlet to dress baby in
- Nappy (and accessories if using cloth nappies)
- Baby bath liquid
Tips:
- You can bath baby at any time of day, though it's best to do it when baby is usually calm and well-fed. Try to stick to a regular time each day to get baby into a routine.
- Make sure that the room is warm and free of drafts. If it's winter, use a heater to warm the room beforehand.
- Have all supplies ready and within reach before getting baby prepared for the bath. If you are using a baby bath on the usual change table stand, make sure you have an alternative change mat/surface to put baby on after the bath.
- I like to lay one clean towel on the change mat. I use another towel around baby while I wash the face and head then use that towel again to wrap around baby when he or she comes out of the bath. Once baby is dry, I remove the wet towel and baby then lies on the dry towel on the change mat while getting dressed. I can then use the dry towel as the bath towel the following day.
- During baby's first few baths, the umbilical cord will still be attached. It is fine to gently wash around the cord and pat dry with a towel.
- Also during the first month or so, use one cotton ball to clean each eye, wiping gently in one motion from the inside corner of the eye to the outside corner. This helps prevent infections in the eye.
These checklists and tips have been provided as a guide. Feel free to modify the lists to suit the supplies you have, the season baby will be born into, your location, and your other choices such as feeding and changing methods. All the best with your new baby!