Having a new baby is exciting and requires a lot of preparation. If you're a first-time parent, read on and discover helpful tips to make shopping easier.
As a well-providing parent, you would always want your baby to have everything in the world. However, due to other priorities and, perhaps, financial constraints, you have to learn how to narrow down your list of baby stuff down to the essentials. Even if you’re expecting your baby several months from now, you have to practice shopping the right way.
It’s not difficult to shop for your baby’s things. What’s hard is the impulse that goes with seeing a beautiful item on a store window which you think would look very good on your baby. You have to know the proper way of balancing your impulse, your time as well as your budget in order to provide your baby with the things that will truly be useful in the long term.
1. Make a list.
A shopping list is one thing that can save you a lot of time, money and difficulty in choosing. Make two columns wherein one contains all the necessities while the other contains extravagances. Be sure to finish your necessity column first before moving on to the second. Then, at the bottom, write down your overall budget so you stick to it.
2. By stage.
The stuff you purchase for youR baby will be used in stages, so it will be more convenient to first buy the items that will be used during the first few months of life. Categorize the list from zero to six months, six months to one year and so on. This will help you save more money until more items are needed later on.
For example, you shouldn’t be purchasing walkers as early as now since your baby will begin walking at around ten months to one year. Instead, invest in diapers, feeding bottles and a crib.
3. The essentials.
This should be on top of your list. Include everything you need from the moment your baby arrives home. Diapers, feeding bottles, the crib, clothes, blankets, towels, baby toiletries, mittens and shoes should all be ready by then. You will also need to prepare the nursery months before the baby arrives, because this will be the place where he’ll be spending most of his time.
4. The wants.
Purchase some stuffed toys, chewers, pacifiers, rattles, a mobile for the crib, and other decorations you may want to put in the nursery. Don’t buy too much of these items yet, as your baby may show a liking for a certain type of toy. Buy one or two at the beginning and observe from then on which items you think need to be added. You don’t have to rush purchasing the wants, since your baby won’t really get too uncomfortable without them.
5. Emergency use.
Prepare a first aid kit containing cotton balls, Q-tips, scissors, alcohol and bandages for emergency purposes. You also need to have the basic medications for fever, cough, colds and allergies for primary treatment, if ever your baby experiences adverse reactions.
The strategy for things that are constantly used, like diapers, milk and toiletries is to estimate the number of weeks or days each will last. Refill about one week before you run out. As for feeding bottles, pacifiers and other not consumed but frequently used items, get a new one every month or so.
Author: Julieta Chin
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