What is needed, what is useful…
- the combination baby pushchair-baby car seat-carrycot is useful. Roughly the baby carrycot is used for the first 6 months (when the baby sleeps a lot and he can’t hold his head yet), the baby car seat is used up to 10-15 kg, depending on the brand (unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer) and the baby pushchair is used up to two/three years of age (when the child is able to walk properly and for longer distances);
- changing bag (sometimes sold together with carrycot and pushchair): it is useful to have a bag in which to keep a change of clothes to be used when necessary but in case it wasn't included in the purchase of the carrycot, any of your bags would do the job. The clothes must be renewed considering the size of the child and the season, don’t forget to put some nappies, a disposable changing towel, wipes, bags for storing waste and, if necessary, creams for redness;
- swaddling blanket and baby carrier: they are not essential but can be a good solution for taking your baby for a walk (even at home, allowing you to ease the stress on your arms), especially in the first few months. It also enables you to cuddle your baby a lot, reinforcing your bond;
- cot: it is useful when your baby is 3 months old (before that you could use his carrycot), indispensable thereafter; to evaluate the type of bed, whether Montessorian or not [learn more about Montessori bed];
- sleeping bag: useful. There are different sleeping bags based on their weights measured in TOGS (the tog is a measure of thermal resistance of a sleeping bag. It tells how warm your baby can keep) and therefore they can be adjusted according to the temperature of the season. Furthermore, although the child can move, he will not discover himself, catching cold (and calling you because he is stuck between the sheets) and even more the risk of suffocation is reduced. However, these sleeping bags can be replaced by normal sheets as long as they are used safely: tucked under your child’s armpits (his feet should be touching the footboard);
- room thermometer: useful for regulating any room temperature (which should ideally be between 16-20 degrees C) and the corresponding type of sleeping bag;
- room darkening curtains: it is good that the newborn can rest in a dimly lit, or slightly darkened environment (during the day), but in darkness, even if not total (during the night); if you don't have roller shutters, an alternative solution could be blackout curtains;
- changing area: you can use a bed covered with waterproof filters (such as flannel or a towel) or you can use a chest of drawers, preferably against the wall, on which to place a mattress or a folded towe0,l on which you may add a waterproof filter (preferably washable or replaceable if necessary). Inside this chest of drawers you can keep some baby products and clothes well organised and within reach (just a small supply of what can be used for a few weeks.The rest of clothes and products should placed elsewhere to avoid confusion and disorder);
- games hanging from the changing table: they can be an aid for those children who do not like to sit still and stretch out when changing;
- nappies: there is no doubt that they are needed, but that the most expensive or branded ones are needed is not necessarily true. They can be reusable or disposable. At the beginning it is better to take a dozen size 0 nappies and then, once the baby is born, adjust according to the actual size (probably size 0 or 1 could be needed for about a month). It may happen that the child gets irritated with a certain type of nappies, so having bought only a few you can be aware and try others;
- bin with lid for dirty items: it is useful to have a waste basket with exchangeable bags next to the changing area or in the bathroom;
- dummy: the choice whether or not to use a dummy is up to the parents. It is a useful (but not essential) tool/aid to give consolation to the child, if used appropriately [learn more about dummy];
- bottle: for an exclusively breastfed baby, it is not needed until weaning; for a baby fed with formula milk it is essential;
- bath tub: it is useful. They can be rigid or foldable and they can be sold with or without a reducer, that facilitates the operation to support your baby and especially his head in the first months (the reducer can also be purchased separately or you can "use" someone’s arms to support the head and chest of your child);
- baby clothes: without exaggerating. It is counterproductive to fill up your house with baby clothes, without knowing the exact "dimensions" of your newborn (who also grows so fast that he cannot wear all the clothes bought);
- books and reading aimed at parents: the literature that deals with pregnancy and the first months of a newborn's life is rich and informative... unfortunately not always of high quality. The critical spirit must not abandon us even in this moment
books to be offered to children from the first months of life [learn more about children and reading]; - soft toys or simple objects: small soft toys that can be washed easily, commonly used objects (the well-known "treasure basket" by Eleanor Goldsmith) or made by adapting what is found in the house, are much more appreciated and interesting for children, because they are stimulating. For when they're a little older, green light to constructions (in wood or brick to fit together), threading, interlocking or grasping games... [learn more about Montessori games].
…and what is not necessary:
- baby cot: the carrycot may be sufficient for the first few months. When your baby is six month he needs a cot or a bigger bed;
- rocking cradle: the risk of using this device is that the child gets used to this presence and his ability to relax and therefore sleep depends on it. Once he gets into the habit of being rocked to sleep, he will find it harder without it;
- pillow: dangerous for the baby's delicate neck and risk of suffocation! Not to be placed in cots or beds until the child is about one year old;
- games hanging from the cot: the cot must be a place to relax and finally sleep, the risk of having such games is that the child will become curious / "distracted" and unable to fall asleep;
- white noise machine: the risk of using this device is that the child gets used to this presence and his ability to relax and therefore sleep depends on it, when it is instead positive that the child learns to recognize and relax little by little in his environment (home, nursery…);
- changing table: not essential;
- breast pump: not necessarily needed, learning how to massage yourself may be enough;
- bottle steriliser: very hot water and dishwashing liquid, combined with particular care in drying and storing objects in use, are more than enough;
- baby scales: it's not needed... actually, we could say it's harmful because it creates unnecessary anxiety for mothers. There are other methods to check that your child is growing well and normal checks by the paediatrician;
- creams, lotions & Co.: they may not be necessary or too harsh on your baby’s sensitive skin. The remedy olive oil & mother's milk is much better, unless indicated by the paediatrician;
- small radios: they are not essential but can be useful for monitoring the child's sleep, especially if the room where he sleeps is a bit isolated or distant from yours;
- music boxes: overrated and often unused or unusable objects because with melodies, sounds or reproductions that are not suitable or not appreciated by newborns. Better the parental voice that accompanies sleep with a lullaby (sung or hummed);
- electronic toys: the more complex and automated the games are (lights, sounds, strong colours), the less they are suitable and designed for a newborn;
- baby walker: dangerous and not an aid to motor development.