新生儿购物清单及使用心得 New Baby Checklist

近来有个朋友向我打听应该为新生儿准备什么，闲来无事我就写了一张清单。贴出来跟大家分享。连接在这里：

New baby checklist

New Baby Checklist

Furniture

• Crib + mattress

Get a very simple crib that conforms to the safety standards of Canada. Do not spend too much on a crib like we did. Out daughter outgrew the crib by the time she’s crawling at 10 months. I would also NOT recommend a convertible n-in-1 crib, not only is the conversion kit expensive, it’s also not very practical, just a waste of money. You are better off getting a twin bed later. Things you should look for in a good crib:

• • Solid construction, no loose screws, preferably wooden
  • A Health Canada approved label should be found on the crib
  • Good ventilation (rails as opposed to planks)
  • No wheels

The crib mattress should be firm.

• Rocker & ottoman

Get a rocking chair if you intend to breastfeed. A rocking chair should fit into your existing decor

• Change table

You can either purchase a diaper change station or simply get a foam diaper change pad and tether it to the top of your existing chest of drawers.

• Bassinet

Optional, a bassinet is a small portable crib that’s good for the first 2-3 months.

• Playpen

This is optional however quite handy when traveling with an infant.


Gear

• Infant car seat + base

The infant car seat should conform to the safety standards as specified by Transport Canada. A Transport Canada issued sticker with the expiry date should be found on the car seat. If you are going to use a second hand car seat, make sure that it has NOT been in an accident AND that it has NOT passed the expiry date. I would not recommend to use an imported car seat without the Transport Canada’s safety sticker.

• Stroller

I would highly recommend that you spend the money on a good quality stroller that fits your lifestyle. A travel system (stroller + car seat) is quite convenient, however the stroller may not be ideal. It’s totally up to you to decide what’s more important. Things that you should look for in a good quality stroller include but not limited to:

• • Light-weight aluminum frame
  • Pneumatic tires
  • Easy maneuverability, usually as a result of 360˚ swirl front wheel(s)
  • Easy folding & unfolding mechanism
  • Multiple recline positions including fully reclined so baby can lie flat in the stroller
  • Reversible seat (so baby can either face you or face forward)
  • Ample storage space

• Baby carrier

This is IMO a must-have. The idea of the baby carrier is to recreate a womb-like environment for the baby. A carrier is also the best way to calm a cranky baby. There are many different kinds of baby carriers, they roughly divide into the following categories:

• • Wrap: a long piece of cloth, notable brands are EllaRoo, Moby, Mama Kangaroo
  • Sling: a tube-like carrier with one side open, notable brands are Hotsling, Maya Wrap, Karma, EllaRoo
  • Mei-tai: the traditional Chinese carrier, very popular. Notable brands are EllaRoo, Kozy, BabyHawk.
  • Structured soft carrier: various configurations, notable brands are NG Ergo, BabyTrekker, Beco,

You can also easily make your own wrap, sling or Mei Tai carriers, just Google “baby wearing”.

• Swing

This is an optional however quite handy gear, particularly during the first 3 months after baby’s arrival.

• Bouncer Seat

Small, handy and easy to transport, this is a must-have for new parents.

• Jumper

A doorway jumper or the stand-alone version is a great gear for babies who can hold up their own head, usually after 3-4 months. A baby can have hours of fun in this simple gear.

• ExcerSaucer

Like the jumper, the saucer is a great gear for babies who can hold up their own head. The toys around the saucer can keep the baby occupied long enough for you to take a shower, maybe even longer.

• High Chair or Booster Seat

For solid feeding, a high chair should be easy to clean.


Diapering

• Diaper

Whatever you choose, make sure to keep plenty on hand. For the first 2 months, budget 10-12 diapers per day. DO NOT buy a lot of newborn diapers (size N) since babies usually outgrow them very quickly. As soon as the umbilical cord fell off, you can switch to size 1 diaper. Tips:

• • Buy in bulk
  • Register online with Pampers or Huggies to receive coupons
  • While the initial investment is quite substantial, cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly, they also tend to save more in the long run.

• Wipe

You can either use wipes to clean a baby’s bottom or use cloth and water, whichever you prefer. In my experience, the Costco Kirkland brand wipes offer the best overall price to quality ratio. You can easily make your own wipes by moistening half-sized paper towel.

• Diaper rash cream

Pretty much all diaper rash creams found in the market are made with zinc oxide, the difference is usually only the concentration. 40% zinc oxide is good for severe diaper rash, while lower concentration can be used as maintenance cream. A cheap yet effective alternative maintenance cream is petroleum jelly (Vaseline).

• Change pad cover

Use a large bath towel or receiving blanket as change pad cover, no need to speed the money on this.

• Diaper pail

Get a regular kitchen garbage bin with lid, no need to spend the extra buying refills of Diaper Genie.


Clothing

• Diaper shirts (onesies)
• Sleepers
• Socks
• Mittens
• Hats
• Shoes: soft-soled slippers or booties like Robeez are best
• One-piece winter coat, highly recommend MEC’s Toaster

Feeding

• Bibs
• Breast pump & breast milk storage bags: highly recommend the Medela Pump in Style breast pump.
• Bottles & nipples: glass or BPA-free bottles. Even if you plan to breastfeed, it’s still a good idea to keep some bottles and nipples around.
• Burping cloths: No need to spend the money on burping cloth, receiving blankets are more than enough.
• Brush: to clean bottles
• Bottle Sterilizer: optional but nice to have

Bathing

• Baby tub
• Washcloths
• Baby shampoo & body wash: usually 2-in-1, highly recommend Weleda or Mustella
• Lotion: get only fragrance-free lotions, highly recommend Cetaphil or Glaxal Base Cream
• Hooded towel: optional but handy to have.

Sleeping

• Small lamp for baby room
• Water-proof liner for crib if mattress is not water-proof
• Fitted sheets for crib, playpen or bassinet
• Receiving blankets: have plenty on hand, they are the most used and versatile product for new babies.
• Swaddling blankets: optional but proved to be really handy for us.
• Crib mobile: optional but everyone has it.
• Classical or lullaby music: again optional but everyone has a few.

Safety

• Baby monitor
• Rectal or ear thermometer
• Medicine dispenser
• Baby nail clipper
• Nasal aspirator
• Hair brush

For Mom

• Nursing bra: highly recommend Bravado or Thyme’s Maternity nursing bra and tank tops
• Breast pads
• Nursing pillow: highly recommend My Breast’s Friend nursing pillow
• Pure lanolin nipple cream
• Maxi pads: extra long and absorbent
• Sitz bath: you can get one for free from the hospital where you deliver the baby or purchase one from any pharmacy.

Miscellaneous

• Vitamin D: only if you plan to breastfeed
• Ivory Snow laundry detergent
• Humidifier: essential for our harsh Canadian winter, an ultrasonic humidifier is best IMO.
• Diaper bag: choose one that has ample storage and different compartments. You can also register online with to get your free diaper bag and some samples.

Extra

• Stroller cover: great for winter, we used JJ Cole’s BundleMe and really liked it.
• Wipes warmer: keep those wipes from getting cold in winter.