What to buy before the baby comes

What does a newborn really need?

Less than you’d think. In the first months a baby needs to sleep safely, travel safely, stay clean, stay warm and be fed. Everything else makes life easier, or just looks nice.

So this list comes in three parts for each room: the essentials, the nice-to-haves you can add later, and a few things to skip. Many people borrow or buy second-hand, and that’s fine for most of it.

Sleeping

The essentials

• A cot or bassinet, with a mattress that fits it exactly
• Two or three fitted sheets
• Two baby sleeping bags (slaapzakken), in the right size and thickness for the season

Nice to have

• A baby monitor, if the baby sleeps out of earshot
• A bedside crib for the first months

Skip

• Pillows, duvets and cot bumpers for the baby

Out and about

The essentials

• An infant car seat, if you’ll ever travel by car
• A stroller or pram that suits your streets, your stairs and your boot
• A changing bag, or any roomy bag with a changing mat

Nice to have

• A baby carrier or wrap, for walks and busy days

Changing and washing

The essentials

• A changing mat
• Nappies in newborn size, and a pack in the next size up
• Wipes, or cotton pads and warm water
• Muslin cloths (hydrofiele doeken), lots of them
• A baby bath, or a clean basin
• Two soft towels

Nice to have

• A changing table at a comfortable height
• A bath stand, to spare your back

Clothes

Babies grow fast, so buy a little at a time. Most start in size 50 or 56.

The essentials

• Six to eight bodysuits (rompertjes)
• Five or six outfits that are easy to put on
• Socks and a soft hat
• A cardigan or little jacket

Wash everything once before the first use.

Feeding

Whatever you choose, the kraamverzorgende and the consultatiebureau help you get started.

For breastfeeding

• Two or three nursing bras
• Nursing pads (zoogkompressen)

For bottle feeding

• Bottles and teats
• A way to clean and sterilise them
• Formula, as advised by the consultatiebureau

Ready for the kraamweek

Kraamzorg is typically Dutch: a maternity nurse who helps at home in the first days after the birth. They ask for a few things to be ready.

• Your own bed raised, often to about 80 cm from around week 37. Most kraamzorg organisations ask for this so they can work without bending; check what yours asks for
• The kraampakket unpacked and in one place. Many health insurers send one with the basics for the birth and the first days
• A digital thermometer for the baby
• Plenty of towels and washcloths

When should you start?

There’s no rule. Many people start looking in the second trimester, when they have more energy and time. Aim to have the sleeping place, the car seat, the first clothes and nappies ready a few weeks before the due date, at the same time as the hospital bag. Babies don’t always wait for their due date.

How do you keep the costs down?

• Make one list together, so you don’t buy things twice and you both know what’s still missing.
• Borrow or buy second-hand for the things that are only used briefly: the bath, a bedside crib, the first clothes.
• Buy a car seat new, or from someone you know, so you know its history.
• Share a wish list with family and friends who ask what you need.
• Watch the price of the bigger items for a few weeks before you buy.