Preparing for the arrival of your new baby can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking moment for first-time mommies.

Not only are you bombarded with multiple and sometimes conflicting advice on what you should and shouldn’t be doing during your pregnancy and afterwards, it is also easy to get carried away, stockpiling baby items, some of which you may never ever use.

If you are anything like me, ie seriously afflicted with ‘magpie syndrome’, it can be very tempting to fritter away your cash on anything pretty, sparkly, or cutesy for the baby.

The nesting instinct and pregnancy hormones kicking in hard do not help either!

Having a baby and raising a little human is not cheap by any means, which is why I decided to put together this little list of essential items that your little one should have.

Focus on the essentials first; all other things can come afterwards.

NEWBORN BABY ESSENTIALS FOR FIRST TIME MOMMIES

COT

Whether you go for a cot, crib, bassinet, Moses basket or a cot-bed, your baby will need somewhere to sleep.

Moses baskets look cute and pretty, but are a waste of money when you are on a budget.

Babies outgrow them very quickly and they soon become redundant.

Mommies on a budget will do well to get a cot instead, or even better, a cot-bed which means that you do not have to buy an infant bed as baby grows.

CHANGING UNIT

An essential part of your baby’s nursery furniture, the changing unit provides a safe and stable surface to change your baby and provide storage for diapers and grooming items.

DIAPER BAG

When choosing a diaper bag, make sure that it is both durable and practical for your lifestyle.

A diaper bag that comes with a changing mat or that also doubles up as a changing surface is a big bonus too!

DIAPERS

Ah, diapers. You will be amazed at how many of these your tiny bundle of joy will go through every day!

That cute, cherubic-faced bambino is a lean, mean, popping, peeing machine, so it is a good idea to have a lot of diapers on hand.

And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT!

The choice of whether to go for cloth diapers or disposable ones is entirely yours, but you can find all the options available HERE

DIAPER DISPOSAL

Diapers and a diaper disposal unit go hand in hand unless, of course, you wish to be abandoned forever by your neighbours, and friends, and family.

Baby poop stink can bring a grown man to his knees. No joke!

BABY TRAVEL SYSTEM

Once the novelty and trauma of childbirth begins to fade from your memory, you will want to get more mobile, whether it is to nip out of the house for much-needed fresh air and exercise, or to show off your new bundle of joy and have neighbours (and random strangers!) coo and aah over your baby.

Don’t just get a stroller. A travel system is essential and more cost-effective.

BABY CARRIER

Baby carriers are for periods when you do not need or want to drag around a cumbersome stroller or travel system.

They are also really helpful for bonding and keeping your baby close to you while you get on with chores around the house.

However, what type of baby carrier should you get?

It really depends on your preferences.

Are you a natural, earthy Momma that likes the look and feel of baby slings and wraps?

Or are you a practical, utilitarian Mom who prefers a baby carrier?

BREAST PUMP

Engorged breasts are a real (and painful!) thing for nursing and lactating mommas.

A breast pump not only helps in relieving breast tension, but can be useful for expressing surplus supply for later use and has the added benefit of stopping filling like a walking, talking milk-production factory.

In addition, using a breast pump means daddy can occasionally help out with night feeds by feeding baby with some of your already-expressed breast milk.

While you are at it, don’t forget to also get breast milk storage bags as well as breast pads to guard against embarrassing (ahem!) accidents in public or when in company.

Oh, and did you know – breast pumps come in both manual and electric forms for hassle-free pumping.

Ain’t technology grand?!

FEEDING BOTTLES

Whatever type of bottles you get, I highly recommend making sure that the feeding bottles are anti-colic and BPA-free.

Be sure to also buy feeding bibs and burp cloths too.

BOTTLE STERILISER & BOTTLE WARMER

Heat up baby’s bottle quickly and safely with a bottle warmer, which is especially handy for when daddy has to do the feeds.

A bottle steriliser is also essential for keeping baby’s feeding bottles clean and sterile.

Even better, why not save space and money and get you a combo bottle steriliser and warmer, such as the ones displayed below?

BABY FIRST AID KIT

From the odd high temperature to sniffles and clogged up noses, a baby first kid is definitely a must-have for first-time moms.

NURSING PILLOW

Nursing pillows are not just a godsend to make mommy comfy and help baby latch on properly during breastfeeding, but they also make bottle-feeding less awkward for daddy, by ensuring both him and baby are in a comfortable and relaxed position.