- Baby wipes - dunno how my mum did without it. I use it for everything from cleaning baby to cleaning his highchair, clothes, floor, stroller....cannot emphasise how useful it is. I use Pamper Sensitive as the wipes are as soft as tissue but strong enough to serve it's purpose
- Baby changing bag - this is a no brainer cos as a parent, this is one item you cannot leave home without. Since Josiah is still drinking milk, our bag still contains the usual hot water flask, milk container, bottle, and cool water. In addition, his bag also has snack container, wipes (told you I cannot live without it), nappies, change of clothes, extra bibs, spoon, cars, trucks, moisturiser (winter time) and sunscreen (summer time)
- Baby Bumbo chair - he loved being able to see what was happening. Wherever I went, I took the Bumbo and propped him up so I could get on with showering, cooking, pooping, ironing....etc. A real live saver. Note that some babies just hate it and struggle to get out of it in which case, never put it up on high places. I used to put him on top of the table and kitchen counter but once he started struggling, then only on the floor.
- Baby rocker - when he was younger, you could rock him to sleep in it. Or use it like the Bumbo so he can see what you were up to and entertain himself with those silly toys hanging on it. He has the Fisher Price one with the built in buzzing/massaging thingy which he hates. I only bought it because it will convert to a toddler rocking chair for when he is older.
- Highchair. I only got him a basic Ikea one but it is well worth every penny because as baby gets older, it is easier to put him in a highchair whilst you go about daily chores. Also it is good habit to feed baby on it. Good for baby to learn to sit and eat. Good for Mummy because baby is at eye level to you so you can sit beside baby to feed and to eat too.
- Push-along toy. Great at helping baby start walking and saves your back from having to bend over to support baby to "walk". Josiah uses his even until today - kids loves pushing things all over. We got ours as a gift but I would not hesitate to buy one otherwise
- Baby monitor. These expensive gadgets are your key to freedom. We used ours everyday, even on holidays. It allows you to do whatever you want whilst baby is sleeping without worrying about waking baby up with noise or not hearing baby wake up. On holidays, we do the same so we can watch a movie in another room whilst Josiah is sleeping.
- Changing mat. I got one of those plastic foam ones. Great to use because you can change baby anywhere in the house without dirtying the floor/bed.
- Plastic bib - once you start weaning baby, oh, the mess.... Invest in a nice, easy to clean plastic bib and you never have to worry about stains on clothes.
- Hand soap dispenser. I may not be the cleanest mum around but I always make sure to wash my hands before making milk/changing baby/after changing baby/before feeding him...etc. S thinks I am OCD but this nothing compared to most other mothers I know.
Top 10 money wasters!
- Baby hats. Well, I guess this is open for debate but Josiah hated hats of any sort from day one. He will only tolerate hats during winter when it is zero degrees! I had tons of baby hats for him (following advice to make sure his head is not exposed to wind) but he just won't leave it on.
- Cloth nappies. Tried it. Suffered for it. Ditched it. Newborns, especially those who are breastfed pee and poo almost instantly after every feed. On some bad days, I had to change his nappy 5 times and it was not even 10am yet! Runny poo and cloth....ooh, la, la....no thanks, I will stick with my cheap Drypers for day use and longer lasting Pampers/Mamy Poko for night. Baby is happy and so am I. Sorry Mother Nature, but I don't see you around to do my laundry for me.
- Small baby bottles. Just buy the big ones from start. Most babies I know can drink more than 4 oz of milk by the time they are 3 months old. Josiah is the exception and I am still using my small Avent bottles on a daily basis.
- Steriliser. Mainly put off by the cost to purchase one - it is super expensive and in my experience, highly over-rated. My confinement lady started with soaking his bottles in hot boiling water daily. Once a day only. I continued with this regime until he was 6 months old, then I started sterilising every other day - and he is fine. By his first birthday, I completely stopped sterilising, of course, continue washing it with soap and warm water after every use (I am not THAT dirty!) Babies are really adaptable so the earlier you start to introduce some dirt into their lives the better for all. They get stronger. You have less to do and less to pack/ worry when travelling.
- Pacifiers. Unless you want to start something that might be tough to undo. Do not bother with the pacifiers.
- Baby talcum powder. Once a must after a bath but I have read that the powder goes into baby's delicate nostrils and later causes problems. Anyway, I think babies smell great on their own - no need to make them smell like Johnson&Johnson powder!
- Hair brush. I kinda like the natural look - after all, they have years of styling/perming/gelling...etc For now, just dry with towel and use fingers to smoothen out.
- Bottle warmer. It is really nice to have in the early days especially when you want to warm up some breast milk from the fridge. The cheaper version is to use a stainless steel cup (those free mugs comes in handy) filled with boiling water and sit bottle in for a few minutes. Works just as well and cost nothing. Better yet, train your baby to take luke warm milk and you will reap the rewards when you are out with baby. Josiah got used to drinking his milk super hot - half hot water, half cold water and we have trouble getting his milk his desired temperature when we are out. So he would drink less and we still have to lug about his big hot water flask everywhere we go. My 'ang moh' friends here even feed their babies with milk straight from the fridge when they are past 12 months!!
- Baby mat. To be more specific, those cute ones with hanging rattles...etc. It is good only before baby starts to turn. I went and bought a proper foldable mattress. You can use it as a changing area, nap time, play area, take it travelling or parent's sleep area (when Josiah is still running around at 10pm)! It is probably cheaper than the baby mat but can be used for years to come.
- Baby lotion. Like I mentioned earlier, I like babies to smell natural and most baby lotions are frangranced. I use olive oil which is natural and frangrance-free. It is easy to apply and can be used as massage oil too. Also, apparently good for the scalp by enhancing hair growth.
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