Is everything ready for your little one's arrival? Find out if you missed anything from our newborn baby needs checklist for families in the Philippines.
In this article, you'll need:
- Newborn essentials list in the Philippines
- All you will need for bathing, feeding, and even dressing your newborn
How excited are you right now, beautiful mom-to-be? You’re in your third trimester and the baby’s getting bigger! It’s definitely time to start getting ready for your little love’s impending grand arrival. One way to prepare is to come up with a newborn baby checklist.
But is it possible to even know what you should get when you are presented with a dizzying array of options for “baby essentials” every time you go shopping?
And let’s not even get started on the overload of information that well-meaning friends and relatives bombard you with!
You type "newborn checklist" on Google, but a majority of lists you will get are from moms based abroad. Unless you live in a place where it's always cold, would you even need a bunting bag or a fleece suit?
Preparing for a newborn's arrival can get really overwhelming, especially for a first-time mom. But fret not, mommy. We are here to help. We've come up with our own newborn essentials list. From bathing to feeding, this comprehensive checklist includes items that every parent in the Philippines would in order to prepare for a newborn’s arrival.
With this checklist as a guide, you'll be able to discern between the essentials and the ones that are nice to have, and save time and money as you start your new journey.
(Pro-tip: If you're having a baby shower, you can also send this list to your guests for an easier shopping experience.)
Newborn baby needs checklist - Philippines
Feeding
Moms, one of the most precious bonding experiences you will have soon after your little angel is born, is the feeding experience. Your baby will be placed upon your chest and he will nuzzle you for that first nourishing feed of breastmilk.
While breastfeeding should be the first preference of nourishing for your newborn, sometimes, your doctor may recommend bottle feeding — either with expressed breastmilk or infant formula milk.
To help you and baby find your groove when it comes to your feeding experience, the following items in your newborn baby needs checklist will come in handy:
Breastfeeding
- A good breast-pump
- Milk storage bags
- Nursing pads
- Nipple cream
- Nursing pillow
Bottle feeding
- Bottles
- Bottle nipples or teats
- Bottle brush
- Bottle drying rack
- Dishwasher basket for small items
- Bibs
- Sterilizer
Pro Tip: Choose BPA-free plastic bottles for your baby. These are considered the safest.
Sleeping
For the first few months of his life, a newborn sleeps a lot. Because of this, you will need to invest in the right kind of furniture to provide a safe and secure sleeping environment for your baby. For starters, the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend sharing a bed with your newborn for safety purposes.
Here are your newborn baby essentials for the nursery:
- Baby cot, crib, cradle or bassinet
- Extra bedding set and mattress for cot
- Nightlight
- Dresser
- Fitted crib sheets
Pro Tip: Avoid crowding your baby’s cot with unnecessary bedding and soft toys, as this may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Bathing
Bath time is one of the most fun times for baby and mommy. If you don’t want to spoil the fun, be prepared with these items:
- Baby bathtub
- Baby soap/body wash
- Baby shampoo
- Gentle lotion or moisturizer
- Soft towels or hooded baby towels
- Baby hairbrush
- Soft washcloths
- Gentle laundry detergent for washing baby's clothes
Pro Tip: You might notice rough scaly patches on baby's scalp or red bumps on baby's skin. Don't be alarmed. These are usually normal and will probably go away on their own. Resist the urge to peel them off or put any medications on them. Just use a gentle shampoo and baby wash when you're bathing baby to prevent skin irritation.
Changing
As much as your sweet baby sleeps a lot, you’ll notice they poop a lot, too! So, changing diapers is one of the new skills that you will have to learn. Trust us, it may seem challenging initially, but it is pretty easy once you have mastered the technique.
Here is what you should buy for the changing needs of your baby:
- Newborn diapers or cloth diapers
- Changing table or cushioned changing pad
- Diaper pail and liners
- Diaper bag
- Diaper rash cream
- Cotton balls (if you opt to go old school and wash baby's butt with cotton and lukewarm water)
- Wet wipes
- Soft washcloths
Tip: Go for diaper bags that have waterproof or microfiber surfaces, with plenty of pockets for storage.
READ MORE:
Newborn Guide: How to swaddle a baby in 5 easy steps
Parents’ Guide: 17 things na hindi dapat gawin sa newborn baby
4 Important Things To Remember When Bathing Your Newborn
Clothing
Perhaps the most exciting item on any newborn baby checklist is shopping for baby clothes! Those teeny-tiny, adorable outfits are irresistible without a doubt.
But before you buy the whole store next time you’re shopping for baby outfits, we’re going to tell you about the basics you will need:
- Onesies or rompers with wide head openings (short-sleeved and long-sleeved)
- One-piece pajamas
- Socks
- Baby cap or bonnet (to protect from the sun)
Pro Tip: While it might be tempting to stock up on cute newborn clothing, remember that your baby does the most growing within the first six months of his life. It’s best to buy just a few of the smallest newborn-sized clothing, and invest in more of the larger sizes. For our hot climate, make sure you stick to buying cotton clothes, so your baby can stay cool.
Moving around
Stepping out with your little one for the first time can be a daunting experience, unless you are well prepared for it. Whether you’re heading out for a short stroll in the park or a long road trip, here’s what you should include in your baby’s travel checklist:
- Car seat (if you own a car)
- Stroller
- Baby carrier for babywearing
Pro Tip: Baby car seats are mandatory in some countries. Here at home, a new bill (RA 8750, The Philippine Seat Belt Law) has already been approved, and it will require owners of private cars to install car seats for their children. Baby car seats save lives. To be extra safe, make sure to get the seat properly installed by the manufacturer.
Other must-haves on your newborn baby checklist
Besides the above, here are some other essential items we think you should add to your baby essentials list, so that you can give your little angel the best care possible:
- Baby nail clippers
- Baby thermometer
- First-aid kit
- Rocking chair or armchair
- Baby monitor
- Swaddle cloth
- Air purifier or humidifier in baby's room
We hope this newborn baby checklist for parents in the Philippines will help you get ready to welcome your tiny VIP. Having these things ready will help you focus on what’s really important: bonding, cherishing, and taking care of your newborn.
For more information on baby needs, check out our newborn guide on the articles section of theAsianparent app. Download it for free on Google Play and the Apple Store.
