So some of this is generalised, some of it will be absolutely necessity, some you may be a bit iffy about, but the following is a list of things to think about and consider for newborn right up to toddler age. These are just the larger ticket items you may/will need, and not everything is suited to everyone so don’t feel pressured to have the top range of everything, bub won’t hold it against you and remember, on top of all this is babies absolute needs such as nappies, wipes, bath wash, safety items, bibs, clothes (endddddless clothes!!), pacifiers (if you choose this, I will go into the pros and cons of these too at some point), sterilisers, nappy creams, blankets, toys, bath equipment (maybe, your choice), and this is all before the age of one so don’t feel bad if you can’t afford or just plain decide against some of the below items.
- Stroller – If you were to ask my opinion on where I would put my money: a good stroller! I have seen the effects of a crappy one and poor bub was jostled around like the vibratrain, and wheels stuck in god knows what curbs nearly sending bub flying. Starting from $300 low end to an eye-watering $2500 at the high end. Yes, there is a huge price disparity depending on your needs between the different strollers but it’s definitely an important one and worth putting a good investment in as you will be likely using it for at least two years, maybe more. Don’t forget, whatever stroller you buy, you’ll likely want all the bits and bobs that go with it like cup holders, snack tray etc. These are some of the things you need to consider: * Your individual lifestyle * The quality of the stroller * How much it will get used * Do you travel, i.e does it need to fit on a plane *Do you need room for other children * Will you go running or off-road with it * Will it fit into your car * Do you want one that can change out from a bassinet, capsule or seat, do you want to have two of them; a quick ‘on the go’ stroller for supermarket stops and one for more lengthy use. Click Here for more thoughts on strollers
- Crib – another big ticket item! I mean they stick babies in cardboard boxes in some countries so you can figure this out for yourself if a crib is important. Cribs can start at a simple no frills $150 through to high end brands like Kaylula at a pinch close to $1500, ouch! Some people, especially the first time around, are fussy thinking they don’t want their precious newborn to be in a second hand crib, they’re too good for a second hand one, or they don’t trust it will be from a smoke free home etc. It should be noted however that there is a minimum safety standard for cribs in Australia, gone are the days of lead paint rails for bub to chew on. Research shows that a newborn should be sleeping in the same room as mum and dad and while I neither support or oppose co-sleeping, I’ve spoken to parents who’ve bought a crib and never ended up using it. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a crib: * Is bub going to be continuously using the crib or alternating between a bassinet/travel crib * Do you want the crib to be able to convert into a toddler bed *
- Car seat – you won’t be getting far without one. Starting from around $150 for your basic model ranging to your blinging $900 a pop models. In Australia, it is mandatory for bub to be in a car seat and carries hefty fines if bub is found to not be in a car seat. Car seats in Australia also must meet a set minimum safety standard, be properly fitted into your car, and bub must be rear facing for a certain amount of months. Do remember, some of these car seats can last from newborn right up to 8’ish years old so it may be worth the investment. What are some things you should consider when purchasing a car seat: * How long do you plan on using this car seat before upgrading it * Do you want to start with the very handy newborn capsule and upgrade to a car seat *Bub’s comfort, while a minimum safety standard must be met, not all car seats are created equal * Do you want a fancy one with all the bells and whistles, speakers etc, adjustable comfortable harness * Forward/rear facing ability * The ease in which you can take bub/child in and out * What type of fasteners does your car require * Do you want one that can later be converted to a booster seat. * How easy to clean is the fabric.
- Changing table – can make do without but think about all the nappies you’re going to be going through; your poor back!! These can start at around $100 for a basic change table to around $1000 for the ultra boujee model that can later be converted or double as a set of drawers for bub. So, things to consider: * Will you use it often or would you rather just pull a mat out on the floor/table * Do you want a basic one, or a full change table system * Quality, after all you don’t want bub to roll completely off the thing mid nappy dash (yep they’re squiggly little squirmers).
- High chair – Yes they will soon be feeding themselves and off to college, jokes, you’ve got a while mumma! So while highchairs do have to meet a minimum safety standard, the quality can get a bit sketchy in the cheap models and the trouble with this, as bub gets older and more boisterous, you need to make sure he/she isn’t going to tip out and bust themselves splat on the floor (my mumma can tell you tales of a certain child *cough* that did such thing and broke her leg 🧐 😇) so best do your research on different models and what will suit your life, $50 at the cheap end, $600 at the pricy end: * Is it comfortable, if bubs legs are just dangling away with no foot rest and bub isn’t comfortable, guess who is gonna be kicking and struggling * Is it easy to clean, we are talking messy food squished into well, everything, so it needs to be easily cleaned and taken apart * Does it have wheels so it is easily pushed up to a table or kitchen bench * Is the tray removable * Can its parts be put in the dishwasher * Is it ergonomic for bub’s posture, again, if bub is not comfortable guess who is going to be throwing food.
- Breast Pumps – This may or may not be applicable depending on whether you decide to breastfeed or not, if you do, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll be wanting one of these babies as them tiddies going to hurt when if they get too full. Now, once again these can range from very basic manual singular pump starting around $25 to the deluxe two tiddie models which you can either purchase a special bra for or tuck somewhat discretely into your own bra (note, I’m not talking about any of the quality/reviews of these just yet) but these babies will set you back nearly $1000 AUD! That’s a few shiny pennies to shell out! What to consider: * Do you have time/want to manually pump * Do you want to do one side at a time or both at once * How much are you going to be expressing * Do you want to have to sit down and wait for it to finish or wear it around and get things done * Do you want cords/cables/accessories hanging off you or pop in your bra and go * Do you want it highly adjustable so it doesn’t suck your nip noops clean off or barely extract any milk and take forever.
- Portacot – Not a complete necessity, or is it!! Essentially a portacot is a bed on the go that is a bit bigger than a bassinet. You won’t always just be in one spot and bub’s gotta nap when bub’s got nap. Once you have bub into a routine, you don’t wan’t to have to put your life on hold, with a portacot you can put bub down whenever and wherever you are. A cheap portacot can start around $50 up to around $500. What to think about: * Is it cumbersome or difficult to set up * Is it quick to set up * Is it bulky to store to take with you * Is it comfortable * Is it safe * Is it durable * Is it easy to clean * Is it well ventilated, you don’t want bub overheating * Do you want one that can double as a change table, two birds one stone as they say.
- Capsule – Not a necessity, but very handy to have especially in those busy sleepless newborn days. A capsule can technically only be used until around 6’ish months old, then bub is required to be in a proper car seat (you may get away with a couple of months or so give or take depending on bub’s size and weight). Now a handy thing about capsules, and what may be worth it’s weight in err plastic and metal, is that a capsule can be clipped easily from car, to stroller, to carrying around all without waking bub up! Worth a few shiny dollars in my humble opinion and yes, I think because these are a want item, not a need item, they feel justified in making them more exxy. Starting at around $300 they can go up to around $800 and considering you only have a few months use! Yikes! Consider: * Do you want a seamless transfer bub without waking * Can you afford a “luxury” item that will last approx 9 months absolute max.
- Infant monitor – Not a necessity but may save your frazzled nerves if you can see/hear bub from another room. Now these have come a long way in years and can be quite technical, controlled with your phone etc. A basic model that takes in auditory only will cost you around $50 where as a monitor with all the bells and whistles that detects movement goes for around $500. To consider: * Is the money worth peace of mind to visually be able to see and check on bub * Is it worth it to you to have it recorded on your phone * Ultra jazzy models claim they can detect and alert if bub’s breathing drops below a certain rate or is non detectable, note this could cause anxiety or false alarms unnecessarily.
- Playpens – Sounds like an animal right 🤣, you’ll be wanting that animal pen when bub is booting it around your house. Not completely necessary but will keep bub from getting into all sorts of trouble! Playpens can start very cheaply around $80 for a basic “enclosure” with nothing else to it, up to $200 that can change shape, has gates etc. Things to consider: * Do you want bub kept in one place * Do you want to change the shape or add panels to the size of the playpen as bub grows * Do you want a gate or have to climb over the top * Outside parties? gardening? a playpen is a great way to keep bub with you or the centre of attention without stressing bub can crawl/run off into traffic, the bushes, or other maladies.
- Bouncer/Rocker – Not a necessity… or is it! A bouncer is a great way to keep bub occupied, settle a fussing baby, or keep bub safe and happy if you need to turn your back to make a bottle (no not go to the pub for an hour, kidding, but no seriously, don’t leave bub “unattended” as such, accidents DO happen). These are also a great way to strengthen bub’s legs to get bub ready to be up and running. A cheap, simple mesh bouncer starts at $30 bucks through to the deluxe vibrating, self-rocking, full of toys and noise rockers at a steep $600. Things to consider: * Bub will only be in this for a few months until he/she finds their way to push up and bum scoot around * Do you want it to settle bub to sleep or more something to place bub in while you watch tv and rock it yourself with your foot * Do you want one with all the attachments like white noise, rattles, stimulation.
- Play Gyms – Not a necessity but good for “tummy time” and stimulation – Nobody wants a bub with a “square” head from too much time on their back. A play gym or “tummy time” mat is great for promoting head lifting and building muscles in bub’s neck. Play gyms also give a clean space on the floor that is bub’s “zone.” Play gyms can start at a basic $30 through to $400 and depend again on how many bells and whistles are important to you. Consider: * Do you want a dedicated space for bub that doesn’t get walked over etc * Do you want the gym’s accessories to be organic and healthy for bub * Do you want the gym to have age-appropriate stimulation for sensory development * Play gym’s can be set out and may be completely portable to move to different rooms in your house, take to parks, family and friends houses.
- Nursing chair – Not necessary but great for bonding time and developing a routine for feeding. Can be used by mum or dad and for both bottle or breastfeeding, the chair doesn’t care. A “cheap” chair can start around $150 ranging up to around $900. This is entirely down to quality and preference, most will come with a footstool or ottoman for comfort. What to consider: * Do you have space for one, these chairs can take up quite a bit of room * You do however get bang for your buck here, once you are done with nursing these chairs often look great in parents’ retreat areas, entry areas, bay windows, library or quiet areas, or just plain put it in with your other couches.
- Baby carrier – Not a necessity but it may be more convenient than a stroller at times. These can range from a completely convoluted never-ending wrap that you hopefully twist and tie in the right way so bub doesn’t drop out the bottom to the easy “drop bub in and go” backpack-looking gadgets. They can start from a cheap $30 bucks through to $400. Things to think about: * Is bub going to overheat * Bub is likely only going to be in here for a few months or your back will kill you carting bub around * Yep, can your back cope with carrying baby * You have no storage here so if bub poops, well, it’s strapped to you and you have nothing with you! * These do provide a “marsupial” like comfort pouch for bub while allowing for hands-free convenience * If you’re an active person, this may suit you down to the ground, you are able to hike with bub over any terrain, again do remember, your partner is likely going to have to carry all the supplies * Quick convenience when you just want to pop to the supermarket but don’t trust the dodgy unsupportive trolly harnesses for bub (plus, they’re no good for newborns).
So, let’s add that up and total it if you bought everything but the cheapest of it all, and then the most expensive of it all.
Cheapest of everything: $1645AUD
Exxy boujee everything: $11800AUD
Well F me… the sky really is the limit when it comes to what you want for bub! Break the bank, or realise you don’t need the best of everything. Remember the above figures are before the everyday stuff!
* These are average AUD costs, you may not need or want some of these items. Click Here for my blog about where you can get used/second-hand or recycled items.
