Pregnancy is an exciting time. Besides all the new experiences and little kicks in the belly, there is a lot to plan, because when a baby comes into the house, everything should be available, what parents and child need. To make planning and shopping a little easier for you, we at Elternkompass have put together a list of everything you need for your baby’s first outfit.
Table of contents
Baby First Equipment – Checklist
Many parents-to-be are surprised by the large selection of baby products. But what do you really need and which products and aids for everyday life you should not do without? We’ll tell you.
Here we have listed everything you need for your baby besides cute little rompers. Of course, there are many manufacturers for each product, so the choice is often not so easy. Therefore, we have tested some baby products for you. If you need help with the selection, then take a look at our product tests. Four mothers have tested and evaluated a wide range of products for the first baby equipment especially for you.
Nursery & Furniture
Safety & Health
Breastfeeding accessories
Diapering & Care
- Baby bath
- Heater
- Diaper pail
- Changing table
- Changing mat
- Wound cream
- Diapers
For on the way
Do I Really Need All This?
Yes, definitely. However, with some similar products, you can choose one over the other, such as whether you’d rather have a sling or a baby carrier. Otherwise, all of the listed are really a super recommendation – they are either necessary, practical in everyday life or a great addition, such as the baby bouncer, which not only soothes your baby, but also provides a lot of fun.
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Nursery & Furniture
A baby needs its own crib in the long run, of course, but do you also need a side bed, bassinet and travel crib? Side beds give babies a sense of safety and security, as they can lie right next to mom or dad at night. For mothers, they have the advantage of not having to get up at night when their little darling is hungry. Babies can sleep in the parent’s bed with them and still have their own area, so parents don’t have to worry about getting it wrong while they sleep. So a side bed is a super practical recommendation for the first months after birth.
A bassinet, on the other hand, is a great daytime solution. It is typically equipped with wheels, so it can always be pushed to wherever mom or dad happens to be. This has the advantage for parents that they can always keep an eye on their baby and babies also sleep better near their parents.
Some parents also use the travel cot as a bassinet as a substitute. This is especially worthwhile as a 2in1 solution if you often go to the grandparents or on vacation. Travel cots can be folded easily and compactly and therefore take up little space when not in use.
A pucksack is a great addition if your baby frequently wakes up from sleep. Especially the very small ones often move their little arms uncontrollably during sleep and thus wake themselves up. A pucksack provides the necessary tightness to avoid uncontrolled movements. At the feet, however, the pucksack should offer sufficient freedom of movement to promote the healthy development of the hips.
Music box, play bow and baby bouncer are nice additions that provide both entertainment and relaxation. Babies enjoy the gentle rocking motion of a baby bouncer and some models even have a built-in play bow. Most babies fall asleep better with a music box. A great tip is to place the music box on the baby’s belly during pregnancy. This way, the baby gets used to the melody and feels reminded of the womb after birth when it is played. A beautiful play bow, on the other hand, provides lots of fun and entertainment. All three products also effectively promote the development of your baby. The play bow trains the motor skills, the music box the concentration and the baby bouncer promotes the sense of balance.
A high chair makes feeding easier, especially for toddlers. Many can also be used into adulthood. With a high chair your little darling is already early directly at the family meal at the table. Our tip: There are also baby beds that can be converted into a high chair with accessories, so you do not need to buy two different pieces of furniture.
Safety & Health
Have you ever wondered what love balls have to do with baby’s first equipment? Many people don’t even know what love balls can do. Love balls are great for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles after birth and should therefore not be underestimated.
A baby monitor is particularly practical, as parents always know whether their baby is sleeping peacefully or not – even if they are not in the same room. Meanwhile, there are even baby monitors with breathing control to prevent sudden infant death syndrome.
Pacifiers and baby bottles should definitely be cleaned before each use. In the first months after birth, baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed and serious illnesses can quickly occur. Therefore, the purchase of a good sterilizer should not be missing from the baby first equipment. If you do not have so much space in your kitchen, then a microwave sterilizer is recommended, which does not take up space on the kitchen counter.
At the latest when your baby starts crawling, your home should be childproof. When toddlers discover their environment, everything is touched and thoroughly examined. That’s why you should install fuses in the sockets to protect your child from dangerous electric shocks. A good corner and edge protector is also recommended to avoid painful bumps and wounds.
Breastfeeding & Accessories
For breastfeeding, some products are advisable to make your life easier both at home and on the road. Many mothers who have chosen a breastfeeding pillow do not want to miss it now. Depending on the shape and size, it already supports a peaceful sleep during pregnancy because it relieves the back. After birth, the baby is placed on the pillow and thus relieves the arms and shoulders of the mother. Smaller models are super for on the go and often have a handy bag with them.
Perfect for breastfeeding are also gauze cloths, which can be used as a burp cloth. However, they have versatile applications, for example, also as sun protection on the stroller or as a light summer blanket. Therefore, gauze cloths should not be missing in any well-equipped nursery.
If you want to breastfeed on the go, you should consider buying a good nursing cloth. Nursing cloths serve as a privacy screen for mother and child, so that you can feed your baby undisturbed and unseen even in a restaurant. Meanwhile, there are many fashionable nursing cloths on the market, which can also be worn as a chic scarf or top.
When babies are hungry on the go, the diaper fills up quickly. A good diaper bag offers enough storage space for all diaper changing utensils. Many models also offer an integrated changing pad and a wet wipe compartment and still look stylish, so they can also be used later as a beautiful handbag.
A good breastfeeding kit also includes nursing caps, nursing pads and a good pacifier. Pacifiers can be especially helpful for premature babies to get them used to sucking. Later, they serve as a sleep aid. Nursing pads also support sucking at the breast and are a great help for irritated nipples. With good nursing pads, you are protected from wet patches at all times.
Mothers who breastfeed can hardly do without a breast pump. It is seldom possible for a mother to have the time to be with her baby around the clock – an appointment or a date quickly intervenes, during which dad or grandparents are looking after the baby. A breast pump gives mothers the freedom to be away from their babies for a few hours and still provide them with healthy breast milk – simply pump the milk and you’re done.
Diapering & Care
Of course, diapers are necessary – and lots of them. If you want to save money and do something for the environment, cloth diapers are the way to go. However, most people opt for the practical disposable diapers. If you decide to use disposable diapers, then you should definitely consider buying a good diaper pail. Diaper pails have a special function, which makes them odor-proof. There are also already inexpensive models from about 10 euros.
Of course, a nice changing table is practical, because in addition to the changing area, it also holds plenty of storage space for changing accessories and possibly clothes wide. Most changing tables are available without a support. So you can decide for yourself what kind of changing mat is right for you. Nice and soft fabric or wipeable? A changing mat is definitely part of the baby first equipment, so that your baby lies safely and comfortably.
Sooner or later it happens to almost every baby: the little bottom is red, itchy and burns. Therefore, parents should always have a good wound cream at home to quickly provide relief. This can also be used super for irritated nipples.
For washing, it is worth buying a suitable baby tub. Many parents consider a baby tub unnecessary, always fits their child under supervision also in the parent bath. But most babies feel very uncomfortable in a large bathtub – so regular bathing can quickly become exhausting and means stress for parents and child. A baby bath, on the other hand, guarantees a relaxed bath for your baby and is easy on your back at the same time. In a small tub it is also easier to maintain the right bathing temperature.
Both after bathing and when changing diapers, little ones can quickly get cold. Especially in winter, it is therefore an advantage to get a radiant heater to avoid chilling. In addition to floor heaters, there are practical models that can be mounted on the wall directly above the changing table. This way your baby is always pleasantly warm.
For On The Way
A baby seat is of course a must if you are transporting your baby in the car, even on the first trip home from the hospital. If possible, it makes sense to choose a baby car seat with Isofix mounting, as this is easier to attach than a belt installation and there is also no risk of mistakes during attachment.
Also practical are of course a stroller and / or a buggy for on the road. So you can take your child comfortably everywhere. In addition, strollers and baby carriages usually offer a storage space for shopping and for the diaper bag, which saves your back. If you like to travel with a stroller or buggy, then you should not do without a good footmuff. Especially in winter, a footmuff is practical and also important to keep your baby warm.
Others prefer the sling or baby carrier, or buy these as a supplement to the stroller. Sling and baby carrier allow you to carry your baby with you and have your hands free at the same time. Many parents therefore like to use these products at home, because babies sleep very well when they are close to their parents. The advantage of a baby carrier is that it distributes the weight better than a sling and can therefore usually be used longer. It’s best to ask friends who use these products themselves beforehand and try out for yourself which variant you like better.
Parents’ Compass Product Guide
As you can see, there are a lot of things you need when a baby comes into the house and it is easy to forget something. If you follow this checklist, you will be well prepared for the new family member and can enjoy the time with your little treasure.
In our product guide, we have tested all products around the baby first equipment and even help you to choose the right model for you.
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