Prep for Baby
Shopkeepers and relatives will suggest a long list. Here is what you actually need, and what you can skip.
Essential. It lets you check the baby's temperature accurately, which matters because fever in a newborn is always serious. Judging fever by touch alone is unreliable.
Essential. Plain salt-water drops safely clear a blocked nose so the baby can feed and breathe. They can be used as often as needed.
Useful. A gentle bulb clears mucus after saline drops. Use it gently and only when the block is bothering the baby.
Essential. A rounded baby clipper or scissors stops the baby scratching their own face. Trim when they are calm or asleep.
Optional. Weight is best checked and plotted at your clinic visits. You do not need to buy a scale, and weighing at home every day only causes worry.
Optional, really clinic tools. Head and length are measured at your check-ups, so there is no need to buy these for home.
Useful. Clean gauze is handy for cord care and general cleaning. A small pack is enough.
Never for the ears or nose. Do not put cotton buds, matchsticks or anything inside the baby's ears or nose; they push wax deeper and can injure the delicate canal. The ear cleans itself; wipe only the outer part.
No. Baby swings, special pillows, sterilising gizmos and branded outfits are not necessary. Save your money; a newborn needs clean clothes, a safe bed, feeding, and a clean, loving home far more than gadgets.
Only if you use bottles. If you feed expressed milk or formula, you must sterilise bottles and teats before every use, by boiling. Dirty bottles are a common and dangerous cause of infection and diarrhoea. If you exclusively breastfeed, you do not need this.
Do not forget the one thing that ties it all together, our printable checklist to tick off before the big day.
Choosing your paediatrician before the birth is one of the best things you can do. Book a consultation with Dr. Sethi, or send us a message.