Congratulations on your new baby! As a fellow parent now with multiple kids, I know exactly how you’re feeling. To help you along, I’ve created this essential list of all the must-have items in addition to some top health and safety tips to ensure that your little ones arrival is seamless
One of the biggest investments you’ll make is buying clothes for your child. Onesies are the easiest and most convenient outfits you can buy, and you’ll need plenty, as you’ll go through at least a few each day. Hats, mittens, blankets, and burp cloths are also a must, which is why this set is a great choice. It comes with plenty of onesies, both short and long-sleeved, plus a few of each of the other essentials, giving you the most bang for your buck.
An infant car seat is probably the most important purchase you can make for your child’s safety. This is the one thing that you should never buy used. Make sure you choose one that’s lightweight and easy to carry. You’ll also need a stroller to transport your baby around when they get too big to carry, so why not purchase a stroller and car seat combo, like this one from Evenflo. Purchasing in a set is a great idea because you’ll save money and you’ll know that they’re compatible.
Babies respond really well to white noise or background noise. Having a noise machine can help your little one drift off when they’re having trouble getting to sleep. This option by Hatch is great because it also acts as a nightlight, can be controlled from your phone, and, when your child is old enough, it has a time-to-rise function that’ll let your toddler know when they are allowed to get up for the day.
We feel it’s necessary to highlight the importance of life insurance for expecting and new parents so that your family is protected no matter what happens. I have compared and price checked all the life insurance companies on the market and have consistently found Ethos to be the best combination of price, coverage, and claim satisfaction. Parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. Ethos offers coverage up to $2M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions). You can apply 100% online and get a quote in under 30 seconds.
Sophie the Giraffe has been loved by babies and toddlers all over the world for 55 years. In our experience it’s a very high-quality teething toy that almost all babies can’t stop putting their mouths. It’s made from 100% natural rubber, and the soft texture varies throughout the body, giving your child plenty of places to comfortably chew and soothe their gums. Sophie also has a squeaker, offering a fun and stimulating sound that’ll keep your little one interested and entertained for hours.
If you’re planning to breastfeed or just want a safer co-sleeping option, a bassinet is a must. If you choose one like this option, it rolls right up next to your bed, and one side can be removed for easier access throughout the night. Your little one will outgrow their bassinet within three months (possibly sooner if they’re on the bigger side), so make sure you find one that has all the features you need but is also affordable.
A rocking chair or glider is definitely a lifesaver when you’ve got a fussy baby that’s ready for bed or a nap. These chairs offer a comfortable place to sit and rock your little one to sleep. This Storkcraft glider moves back and forth, helping your little one doze off. It comes in different patterns, so you can easily find one that’ll look great in your nursery.
Everything on our list is important to consider for when your baby arrives. However, as mentioned above, life insurance is an essential item that unfortunately often gets overlooked since the application process used to be daunting. The good news is, with Ethos Life Insurance you can apply 100% online and get coverage without a medical exam for as little as $10/ month. It takes 30 seconds to get a quote and only takes 5 minutes to complete the application from start to finish.
The first day at home with a newborn can be overwhelming. Use this time to bond as a family. Start a routine of feedings, diaper changes, nap and bedtimes. This will help get everyone adjusted to having a baby around. You’ll be using this first day to get used to all these new things. Your little one will eat, sleep, and need a lot of diaper changes, so make sure you have everything ready in advance.
You can start tummy time as early as the first day you bring your baby home, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. You’ll need to start slow, with only about 3-5 minute intervals 2-3 times a day. As your little one gets stronger, you can increase the length of time.
There’s no particular time that you should bathe your baby, other than to avoid when your little one is hungry or right after they’ve eaten. Baths often relax babies, so right before a nap or bedtime is usually a great time to do it if this is the case for your child.
Yes, for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the younger and healthier you are, the lower the rate you will be able to lock in for the term of the policy. For example, with Ladder Life Insurance, the price for a healthy 35-year-old Californian male who is 5’9″ and weighs 175 lbs for a 20-year term with a $250,000 death benefit costs only $15.84/ month.
Secondly, you never know when the unexpected may happen. You don’t want your newborn baby or your spouse to fend for themselves without any financial security.
This varies, but you don’t need to be concerned as long as you’re seeing at least one bowel movement a day. Keep in mind that breastfed and formula-fed babies will differ. Breastfed babies will poop a lot more, and you can expect to see between 3-12 a day, while formula-fed babies might only poop between 1-4 times a day.
While there’s no full-proof method to stopping hiccups, burping your baby usually helps. Often, babies get hiccups if they’re feeding too fast, so burping and slowing their feeding will help. Propping them upright is also a good idea.
Newborns shouldn’t drink water for the first six months. They get all the water they need either from their breastmilk or formula. Once they start eating solid foods, you can give them a little bit of water to drink.
Babies often smile in their sleep during the REM cycle of sleep. It’s usually just a reflex reaction. During this stage of sleep, their bodies create involuntary movements, which often manifest as smiles.
About a decade ago when I lived in Chicago I sold life insurance the old-fashioned way which involved meeting people in Starbucks and awkwardly swabbing their cheeks with a Q tip. I will never forget a couple that was set to purchase a policy, they had everything ready to go except their signatures. They figured they could put it off a few days. However, while they were procrastinating, the husband sadly had an aneurysm and died leaving his wife and three kids without any future support from the main breadwinner. Had he just signed the documents, his wife would have received $500,000 for only paying under $25 a month.
These days, swabbing cheeks is a thing of the past, and thanks to the Internet you can do everything online. I recommend Ethos Life Insurance which can get you coverage in as little as 5 minutes. Don’t delay because tomorrow is never certain.
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