Welcoming Baby Starter Pack

One of the happiest yet scariest times in a person’s life is when they become a parent for the very first time, after all, babies don’t come into this world with their very own instruction manual!

Caring for a new life can be quite daunting and with all the advice which will get passed your way, it can be difficult to know what’s best. With all the new responsibility, knowing exactly what you need can be a headache to work out – here are a few of the essential things you will need for your new baby:

• Clothes: Onesies are the most practical outfits to have in the beginning. Having six on hand is a good idea as you may need to change them several times a day. There’s some great clothes for babies out there so you will never have to worry about walking around for hours looking for clothes.
• Nappies: If you are using disposable nappies, keep two packs on hand at all time. On the other hand, clothe diaper users need at least a two day supply.
• Wipes: Having these on hand will make nappy changes much easier but avoid using any fragranced wipes and only use wipes after the first few days.
• Dummies: Keep a couple of these in various places so you can access them when needed. Keep in mind if you are breastfeeding, it may be best to wait a bit before introducing them.
• Carry Bags: Every parent needs a bag to carry their baby’s gear around with them.
• Milk bottles: For those babies that are bottle fed, mums should have anywhere from 4 to 6 bottles.
• Socks: These are a must to keep the baby’s feet warm so again, about six pairs is an ideal number.
• Mittens:  Not only will these keep baby’s hands warm but they can also protect the baby from scratching itself.

Keep in mind this is a rough guide and some parents may wish to purchase more or less. Having a baby is a special time in any parent’s life so it’s good to be prepared. In Finland, for the past 75 years, expectant mothers have been given a baby starter pack by the government. This is like a starter kit filled with clothes, sheets and toys.