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The single most important thing is that your newborn baby has their own safe sleep space. There is an astounding range of options for baby beds, from co-sleepers to cots & more. A cot will give you the most longevity as bubs can sleep in the cot from newborn, often until they’re 2 or 3 years old. Choose a cot that meets the NZ/AU household cot safety standard (AS/NZS 2172:2003 Cots for household use – Safety requirements). Here at The Sleep Store we only stock cots that meet the NZ/AU household cot safety standard. We also recommend a fixed side cot to reduce the risk of entrapment if the drop mechanism fails.
Bassinets and co-sleepers are a shorter term option and are usually smaller to fit close to your bed. Some are height adjustable to make it easier for you to pick up and put down the baby and some styles can be connected to your bed, making night time feeding easier. An affordable option is to start with a moses basket that is portable and can be placed beside your bed in the first few weeks or if you want something with more longevity, the UniLove 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet is a great option.
When you’ve chosen your cot, you’ll also need a mattress. Buy a new mattress if you can, so you can be confident it’s free of mould and other contaminants. Make sure it’s firm and fits the cot with minimal gaps and be sure to check fitted sheets are readily available for the size you choose so that they fit well. Read more about how to choose a safe mattress.
Bassinets or Co-Sleepers may be better space wise beside your bed, however these are an extra cost and often only last about 3-4 months as your baby will quickly outgrow them (depending on the size you choose). Larger bassinets & co-sleepers, such as the UniLove will last longer than smaller options such as moses baskets which have lower weight ratings and aren’t as long.
If you really want to use a bassinet or are short on space when your baby needs to be close to you, consider borrowing a bassinet from a friend or family member.
If you’re likely to be out and about with bubs visiting friends or family and will need something portable, a travel cot is the perfect option for longevity. It can be set up for sleep wherever you are and they’re safe from newborn up until around 18 months - 2 years, depending on your child’s height. Bonus - it can also be used as a playpen if needed!
A moses basket is a cheaper option, however it won’t last as long as a travel cot, generally only until around 6-8 weeks old. They are however easy to put in the car and can easily be moved from room to room so baby can sleep near you.
Whilst a change table is often touted as a must-have, it doesn't need to be. Baby will be just as happy being changed on the floor as he/she is up on the change table. It's also safer as there's no fall risk. If you're dead-set on having a change table, consider using a set of drawers with a change basket / mat so it's multi-purpose or purchasing a bundle deal with a change table included. A set of drawers will come in handy for storing clothing and other essentials if you're planning on more children.
If you’re going to do without the change table, you could use a change basket for bubs and a nappy caddy to store changing essentials so they're easy to reach for. Bonus - they can be carried around the house (obviously without your baby in the change basket)!
A baby sleeping bag is a safer alternative to loose bedding and can't be kicked off, so the baby won't wake cold. If you choose a sleeping bag, the only other bedding you'll need is a mattress protector and cot sheet. You won't need duvets or blankets as you can simply vary the clothing underneath the sleeping bag to keep your baby cosy all night.
A midweight merino or 1.0 tog rated sleeping bag, should see baby staying cosy for most of the year, as they can generally be used for room temperatures of approximately 18 - 24 degrees. In the very cold months you could choose to heat the baby's room slightly or invest in a duvet weight or 2.5-3.5 tog rated bag to keep bubs warmer.
When choosing a bag, don’t necessarily choose the cheapest sleeping bag. Whilst there are great quality sleeping bags on a budget, do be aware of the sizing as some of the cheaper bags, may only fit bubs for a small amount of time (eg 6-12 months and then 1-2 years). This means you have to size up more regularly and therefore may spend more regularly as your baby grows. Look for a sleeping bag with a wider size range. Many are sized from 3 months - 2 years, which can in fact be better value over the long-term, even though there’s a bigger outlay up front.
Remember a baby doesn't need any additional bedding, such as pillows or cot bumpers. Not only will these cost your hard-earned dollars, they are very unsafe for little babies as they can be a suffocation risk. You can introduce a wool underlay after approximately 6 months and a pillow after approximately 18 months of age.
Disposable nappies can be very costly both for your wallet and the environment. Reusable Cloth nappies can be a good way to save money. Whilst many are sized from newborn, it's likely that cloth nappies will fit a little better once your baby has bulked up a little at around 2-3 months of age.
Whilst the outlay seems large (at $20-$30 per nappy), over time, cloth nappies will save you money, even if you only use 1 or 2 per day. Getting into a washing routine may take a little while, but once you have your system going, they can be surprisingly easy to use.
Even if you use just one disposable nappy each day for one year, that will cost you $219 (based on an average nappy cost of $0.60). That's compared to the cost of say 2 reusable cloth nappies which would cost on average $50 (for 2). So already you've saved over $150. Read more about cloth nappies.
Babies have a hard time regulating their temperatures when they're born, so investing in a few key pieces is best as they can be layered up and down depending on the temperature. Singletsuits and bodysuits are great for layering and can be worn night and day.
We love merino for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties - it’s the best way to keep baby cool in summer and warm in winter, but cotton is another natural fibre with good breathability. Avoid using synthetic fibres such as polyester which can easily overheat a baby, especially while they’re sleeping.
Start with a singlet suit which can be layered up in cold weather or used on its own in hot weather. Avoid buying too much clothing in newborn sizes as babies tend to grow very quickly and it's likely they won't be in newborn clothes for long. If you're creating a registry, try adding items in larger sizes (size as 3-6 months and 6-12 months) so baby has clothes to grow into.
Another great way to save is by passing on your baby clothes to friends and family who are expecting. You'll often find people will pass on their baby items to you as well. And if you're planning another child, you may find your first baby's clothes make it all the way back to you!
White noise can help settle a baby and help them sleep longer as it mimics the noise they've heard in the womb for 9 months. There's a wide range of white noise machines available, but if you're not ready to invest you can use an old radio and keep it untuned or find an old device and stream a you tube white noise track.
It's often recommended to buy 2 of each thing for the baby (i.e. two sleeping bags or two swaddles), one for the wash and one to wear. So take advantage of multibuy deals where you'll receive a discount for buying more than one item. A bundle deal could also be an alternative if you know you'll want a sleeping bag for all seasons and one for winter or if you know you'll be needing a breast pump (for example).
Neutral colours tend to have more longevity than pastel baby colours or brights. You can also easily change out any artwork or photos to update the look without spending loads. A lick of paint is likely the most cost effective option and can also be more easily updated as your baby grows.
From nappies & wipes to clothes & more, storage will be needed. If a new set of drawers is out of the budget, are you able to re-purpose another set? Or could you purchase some from a second hand shop and paint them yourself? You'll get something totally unique!
Buying toys for a little baby is unnecessary. Newborns spend most of their time sleeping and a simple cuddle and some chatter will suffice when they're awake. As they get older and start to explore more you may consider joining a toy library. Your child will have access to a huge array of toys, so won't get bored and you don’t have to worry about spending your hard-earned money and the clutter that all the toys bring! Plus, there won't be an excess of toys going to landfill when they're no longer played with.
The one thing you may want to invest in though is a good comforter or lovey. Whilst not recommended for babies under 6 months of age, these can be safely intoroduced to older babies as a comforter for sleep or a general comforter for things such as daycare or new situations.
You'll often find friends and family are incredibly generous when there';s a new arrival on the way. Create a Baby Gift Registry and ensure you have everything you need (and want) on there. Add some bigger ticket items such as a cot to the registry and encourage family or friends to band together and purchase.
Once you've got the basics covered, if you have budget left you can either save for the future or splurge on something you really want but isn't a necessity.
