[Part 2/2] Newborn Essentials Checklist (0 - 2 months)

October 28, 2023 Cherish Motherhood 0 Comments

You may want to read [Part 1/2] Newborn Essentials Checklist (0 - 2 months) before continuing. 

📝 Download Newborn Essentials Checklist PDF 📝


Monitoring


1) CCTV


I have a TP-Link Tapo C210 CCTV in the living room and it oversees both the living room and kitchen. The video quality is not the best but sufficient to let me know what my baby is doing in the living room. Furthermore, I have a TP-Link Tapo C110 mounted on my baby's cot.

TP-Link Tapo C210 TP-Link Tapo C110
 👍
 - Receive notification when motion detection.
 - Receive notification when person detection
 - Receive notification when baby crying detection
 - Has privacy mode
 - Support night vision
 - Support video recording
 - Support snapshot
 - Support sending of voice messages and voice call
 - Support multiple user access

 👎
 - Video and sound has slight delay
 👍
 - When motion is detected, the camera will continue tracking the activity until it has stopped

 👎
 - Lower video resolution		  👍
 - Better video resolution 

 👎
 - No motion tracking

Another CCTV with good reviews that you may want to consider is Xiaomi Mijia CCTV. 

Source: Shopee

2) Baby Monitor


I am using an iPad Pro to monitor my CCTV throughout the night while turning on the low battery mode. The battery can last up to 14 - 16 hours without charging. I don't think this should be a long term solution because it may damage the battery and there may be unexpected side effects for sleeping near a radiation emitting device in the long run.

Another alternative is to use a baby monitor but the downsides are that the video resolution may not be as good as CCTV and the monitor screen may be small depending on the baby monitor you're using.

Source: Shopee

Cleaning


1) Detergent & Softener


This detergent has no fragrance which makes my baby's clothes having milky smell even after wash. It is also unable to remove stubborn poo stain effectively. Despite the drawbacks, I continued to use this detergent throughout my baby's newborn stage as it is gentle for baby's skin.

It is reasonably priced and has fragrance that leaves subtle scent on baby's clothes after wash. Stubborn poo stain cannot be removed completely with this detergent. For baby's poo stain, I'll use adult detergent to hand-wash it first.

2) Bottle Cleanser


My mom and confinement nanny commented that it doesn't lather. Hence, they often put in more cleanser to ensure bottles and breast pump parts are clean.

This is an economical option for baby bottle cleanser. The bottle dispenses foam cleanser easily and it lathers well with bottle brush/sponge.

I've discovered another cost-effective option for baby bottle cleanser. This product comes in a bottle that dispenses foam cleanser effortlessly, and it lathers excellently with a bottle brush or sponge. My husband particularly favours this cleanser because it effectively removes any oiliness from breastmilk on all our baby feeding equipments.
                                                                                 

3) Bottle Brush / Sponge


Bear in mind that it is important to change bottle brush regularly especially the sponge ones to prevent contamination on baby feeding equipments.

Personally I love using this sponge brush as the sponge can easily fit into flange insert and bottle teat.

This brush is suitable for cleaning bottle/cup. It can't reach corners, sharp edges, and small holes.

Able to clean bottle and teat thoroughly. It is not suitable for bottle liquid cleanser that doesn't lather. You'll need to dismantle the handle every time you want to clean the bottle teat.

This tiny brush will come in handy when you need to clean small items such as nasal aspirator parts.

4) Toy Disinfectant Spray


You'll constantly need to keep baby's play area clean, so make sure you stock up a few bottles.

5) Hand Sanitiser


Sanitise your hands before feeding your baby.

6) Food Grade Disinfectant Wipes


Useful to wipe any surfaces that comes in contact with baby's mouth especially when you're outdoor.

Clothing


1) Onesies/Rompers


Singapore weather is hot and humid all year long. Make sure the fabric of your baby's clothes are breathable and cool.

2) Sleepwear


If your baby is sleeping in an air-con room, then ensure that they are wearing suitable sleepwear to keep them warm.

3) Mittens


To prevent baby scratches themselves. According to theAsianParent online article, it is recommended to not let babies wear mittens longer than 2 weeks to prevent motor and sensory development hindrance.

4) Baby Hat


The only time my newborn wears a hat is when we're being discharged from TMC. 😅

5) Towel


I love using bamboo hooded towel because it's soft and has good absorbency.

Source: Shopee

6) Washcloth


I wipe my baby in the morning and shower her in the evening, so I need plenty of washcloths. On top of that, muslin washcloth can be used as handkerchief and burp cloth too.

Source: Shopee

Play


1) Gym Mat


I love Vtech 7-in-1 Grow with Baby Sensory Gym because it is a newborn-to-toddler gym. My baby spent most of her wake time playing at this gym mat and I often sing along with the music.

Source: Lazada

2) Play Mat


I bought Parklon LaPure Soft Mat after being recommended by my husband's relative in which their Parklon play mat is still in excellent condition even after a decade. If you're looking for a good quality play mat and you have the budget, it would be worthwhile to invest in Parklon LaPure Soft Mat.

Source: Lazada

3) High Contrast Books


I spent time reading high contrast books to my baby and often tell stories based on the images on the book.

Source: Shopee

Source: Shopee

4) Rattles


Let your baby play with different rattles to encourage hands and fingers sensory development.

5) Rocker Chair


My baby loves sitting on the rocker while I read to my baby. She sometimes fall asleep on the rocker too, after which I'll move her to her cot.

As my baby grow older, she likes to be rocked sideways to sleep. Hence, it might be a good investment to buy an auto-swing electric baby rocker.

Travel


1) Portable Cot


You might want to consider getting a portable baby cot if you're planning to go to your in law's place periodically.

Source: Shopee

2) Car Seat


Travelling in personal car and private hire car such as Grab and Gojek requires baby car seat. Baby car seat is not required for taxi like ComforDelGro.

If you're looking for a 2-in-1 car seat + stroller, you may consider getting Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller. It is multifunctional and convenient if you travel often by car. My husband's relative had given us their Doona stroller without the infant seat insert. As a result, I've observed that my baby being uncomfortable sitting in the stroller. It is easy to manoeuvre but it can get quite bumpy on uneven pathway. Furthermore, it doesn't include free accessories such as stroller storage bag, rain cover, sunshade extension and mosquito net.

In short, I'd say that Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller is suitable for families with car or travel by car often.

Source: Lazada

If your family own a car, Graco 4ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat might be a good option for you. It is suitable from newborn up to 8 years old. 

Source: Shopee

If you're looking for a portable car seat, Urban Kanga Travel Car Seat could be ideal for you. However, it is only suitable for babies from 9 months old to 4 years old. It is foldable and super light at 3kg, making it convenient to be brought for travelling.

Source: Lazada

3) Stroller


After much consideration, I have decided to get a new stroller as Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller isn't meeting my needs. I've done multiple comparison and finally ended up purchasing Keenz Air Plus 3.0.

What I like about Keenz Air Plus 3.0:
✅ Large storage basket
✅ Light (6.8kg)
✅ Cabin size
✅ Suitable from newborn to 30kg
✅ Foldable
✅ Has suspension which resulted in more stability on uneven pathways
✅ Smooth manoeuvre
✅ Has luggage handling bar
✅ Freebies included (seat liner, safety bumper bar, rain cover, mosquito net, protective stroller bag, 2-in-1 cup & phone holder, safety wrist strap, and basket/pet canopy)
✅ Adjustable seat inclination

Source: Instagram

4) Baby Carrier


One disadvantage of bringing a stroller out is that you often need to look for an elevator to travel up or down within a building. Alternatively, you may carry your baby in a baby carrier. Ergobaby is one of the well known baby carrier brand in the market. Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier is recommended for 0 - 48 months old babies. Moreover, it allows you to carry your baby in 4 different positions: front carry inward facing, front carry outward facing, back carry, and hip carry.

Another popular baby carrier you may want to consider is Konny Baby. Konny Baby Carrier FLEX AirMesh with Head Support comes in a compact size which makes it portable and easy to be carried around. With a few practices, you can easily wear it in 10 seconds and adjust the carrier even while holding a baby.

5) Diaper Bag


I have a Large Stroller Caddy Bag used to pack my baby's daily essentials at infant care centre. It fit nicely under my Keenz Air Plus 3.0 stroller basket. I also have a diaper backpack that I use while going out. Skip Hop Forma Backpack is one of the best-selling backpack in the market.

6) Portable Milk Warmer


A portable milk warmer will be useful for traveling if you bottle feed your baby. You may want to check out Intuitno Portable Bottle Warmer. It is very light (305g) and able to warm room temperature milk to 40 degrees celcius within 2 mins. 

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Supermama Portable Milk Warmer. It becomes even more economical if purchased from Malaysia. This handy device efficiently warms up 170ml of chilled breastmilk from 18°C to 45°C in just 5 minutes.

I usually feed my baby with formula milk when we're out. So, all I need to bring is a milk bottle, formula milk, and Skip Hop Insulated Kid Food Jar filled with warm water.

7) Milk Cooler Bag


It is crucial to keep your breastmilk cold when you're bringing home your expressed breastmilk from workplace or when you're going out for an extended period of time.

If you don't mind splurging, Ceres Chill 180ml - 480ml / 360ml - 1050ml could be your ultimate solution. It is travel-friendly, has large capacity and able to chill breastmilk for 20+ hours. It can be used as chiller or warmer making it functional even when you've stopped pumping.

Source: Shopee (Ceres Chill 360ml - 1050ml)

A more affordable alternative would be using PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag. All you need to do is fold, freeze, pack and go. To achieve optimal cooling power, freeze PackIt bag for 12 - 14 hours. It can chill food or drink for hours depending on the external temperatures. Usually I throw in a couple of ice packs to further extend the cooling power. 


8) Insect Repellent


As baby skin is very delicate and sensitive, they may require a longer recovery period from an insect bite compared to adults. Hence, prevention is better than cure. Oh, and on a side note, some baby oil may contain insect repellent ingredients too.

I've found the MyLO Mosquito Repellent Patch to be highly effective in preventing mosquitoes from biting my baby. It's incredibly easy to use, and the scent lasts throughout the day.

9) Stroller Fan


I always clip a Mini 10000mAh Chargeable Fan on the stroller to ensure my baby remain cool while we're out.

10) Stroller Rain Cover


Never go out without stroller rain cover! If your stroller doesn't come with a free rain cover, then you can get a universal stroller rain cover like below.

Source: Lazada

11) Stroller Sun Shade Extension


Another must have before leaving your house is a stroller sun shade extension.

Source: Shopee

This is how it looks like on my Keenz Air Plus 3.0.




12) Stroller Mosquito Net


Honestly speaking, I've not started using stroller mosquito net so far. But since my stroller comes with a free mosquito net, I don't need to get one myself. I believe a mosquito net is necessary if you enjoy strolling in the park.

Source: Lazada

First Aid


1) Fever Treatment


Important:
Any medicine to be ingested by baby should be prescribed by licensed healthcare practitioner. Don't be your own doctor!

Standby Kool Fever Patch for Baby and Kool Fever Soft Cooling Gel Pillow at home in case baby is down with fever.

2) Colic Treatment


Important:
Any medicine to be ingested by baby should be prescribed by licensed healthcare practitioner. Don't be your own doctor!

Have RidWind Baby Drops ready at home to relieve infant colic, gripes and other abdominal discomfort due to retention of gas.

Moreover, Ginger Balm is also effective at relieving tummy discomfort for my baby.

3) Flu/Cough Treatment


Important:
Any medicine to be ingested by baby should be prescribed by licensed healthcare practitioner. Don't be your own doctor!

Clear your baby's mucus diligently when he/she is having flu. I have also used Garlic Balm on my baby to relieve cough, flu, phlegm, runny nose, and stuffy nose.

Others


1) Label Printer


It doesn't stick well on uneven surface. The ink will fade when it comes in contact with heat. I have labelled some of the baby products with thermal label and the ink starts to fade within 2 months even when the products are placed in an aircon room at all time.

Customised Name Stamp for Kids
It is indeed wash and water resistant. Hassle free to stamp on flat surface such as baby diaper (for IFC). However, it is notably more challenging to stamp on non-flat surface. I've tried to stamp on milk bottle but it got smudged when my hand trembles a tiny bit. 

While I do find the price to be quite high, I must admit I am thoroughly satisfied with its quality. The sticker adheres well to surfaces, maintains its colour without fading, and stays securely in place.

2) Trolley


Get a trolley to easily move and access baby daily essentials anywhere in the house.

Source: Ikea

3) Air Humidifier


If your baby sleeps in an aircon room all the time, then it is better to get an air humidifier to prevent your baby's skin from getting dry.

Source: Shopee

4) Resealable Bags


You'll need a lot of ziplock bags to store your baby items especially after sterilising baby feeding equipments. 

5) Container


You might want to get an airtight container to store your breast pump parts for fridge hack. Read Tips & Hacks for Breastfeeding Mummies to learn about fridge hack.

6) Wet Bag


Get some wet bags to store baby soiled clothes. You can also use it to store your sweaty sport attire after a gym session.

0 comments:

[Part 1/2] Newborn Essentials Checklist (0 - 2 months)

October 05, 2023 Cherish Motherhood 0 Comments

Being a FTM myself, I was absolutely clueless on what's needed for the arrival of my baby. I wanted to make sure that I have all the necessity ready but not overbuy them and I don't want to spend on unnecessary stuff.

The following checklist aim to serves as a basic guideline for new parents on essentials for baby's sleep, diapering, feeding, first aid, and so on. Hopefully new parents embarking on a parenthood journey will find this post helpful. 🍀

📝 Download Newborn Essentials Checklist PDF 📝


Sleep


1) Baby Cot / Bassinet


This is where your baby gonna spend the most time at in the beginning of his/her babyhood. You can either get a baby cot or bassinet depending on the sleeping arrangement with your baby. Bassinets are relatively smaller in size compared to cots, making it suitable for short term usage and more portable. Some bassinets are convertible to toddler bed as well. 

I am using Jarrons & Co Happy Star 5-in-1 Convertible Baby Cot with ADM upholstered mattress. It comes with free installation and it is value for money. The mattress is able to shape baby's head and cradles it comfortably to lessen the tendency of compressing against a flat surface which may result in flat head syndrome. Moreover, the cot base can be adjusted to 5 different heights and it should be set to highest from the ground for newborn. It has 4 removable and lockable castor wheels. Moving the cot may create slight noise but it shouldn't be an issue unless you move the cot frequently. On top of that, it has a drop side mechanism which I find a lil hard to push down or pull up. This is not a deal breaker for me because I never use that feature. 

Source: Shopee

2) Mattress Cover & Protector 


One useful hack is to layer a few of your mattress cover and protector so that you don't have to spend so much time changing it when your baby leaks in the middle of the night. You should at least have 3 sets of mattress cover and protector.

Source: Shopee

Source: Shopee

3) Blanket


At newborn stage, I only use the blanket to keep my baby warm when air-con is turned on. 

Source: Shopee

4) Large Muslin Cloth


Muslin cloth is very versatile. It can be used as blanket, swaddle cloth, burp cloth, nursing cover, wash cloth, and so on.

Source: Shopee



Diapering


1) Changing Board


Your back will thank you for getting a changing board. My confinement nanny used to do diapering on the corner of the bed while sitting on a plastic chair. Even though we have a changing board, she doesn't want to use it. When we tried diapering her way, we find it too low and we often have to arch our back which resulted to backache. Imagine if we consecutively does that until baby is older and heavier. 😅

Source: Shopee

2) Changing Mat


Useful when you need to change baby diaper on different locations within the house or for traveling. Pureen Premium Changing Mat is waterproof, so you can easily wipe off pee/poo without the need to wash it like those cloth-type washable changing mat.

Source: Shopee

3) Diaper


Multiple factors may contribute to your diaper choice(s) such as baby's skin reactivity, diaper cost, absorbency, fit and comfort. You may need to try multiple different brands to get the right one for your baby.

It has good absorbency. It remains dry and able to hold pee/poo well. Diaper is thin and wouldn't feel heavy for at least 4 hours. Never experience leakage so far. Diaper size is on the smaller end compared with other brands.

It feels soft and has good absorbency. Able to hold pee/poo overnight. Diaper is long making it easy to be worn. Diaper feels heavy when there's pee/poo. When there's massive poo, it stains the leak guard on the thigh areas if you didn't change within an hour.

It has very good absorbency and able to hold pee/poo for more than 12 hours. Never experience leakage so far when worn overnight. Diaper size is relatively similar with Merries Tape Diaper where it is slightly longer and thicker than Merries Tape Diaper. One downside is that the diaper wetness indicator shows very faint blue lines when it's wet, which makes it difficult to be seen in a dim room. Additionally, the diaper feels thick and heavy within 4 hours. Furthermore, the price is on the higher end.

Diaper feel heavy within 4 hours. I find it difficult to open the tape. There were times where I need to be quick and I accidentally pulled the whole tape part out from the diaper.

Drypers Skinature Pants
This diaper is impressively thin and lightweight, providing utmost comfort for the baby. Its stretchable and breathable waistband ensures a snug fit without leaving any noticeable marks on the baby's waist. Remarkably, it has proven its ability to contain both pee and poo overnight without any leakage concerns. It's no wonder this brand has become another favourite of mine in the realm of diapers.

Diaper feel heavy within 4 hours. When there's massive poo, it often stains the outer leak guard on the thigh areas causing baby's outfit to be stained.

Applecrumby is one of my go-to diaper brand. The Pure Basic range holds pee and poo well. No leakage for more than 12 hours. One downside though is that the diaper size is on the smaller end. The waist band left mark on my baby's waist as it was too tight. My baby was around 6.7kg and I was using M size which was meant for 5 - 10kg baby.

I have found SlimDry EasyDay to be my preferred choice over the Pure Basic range. The airy waistband ensures a comfortable fit for my baby without any tightness. It's my go-to diaper for nights when my baby sleeps for over 12 hours, and I've never encountered any leakage issues with it. One drawback of this diaper is that it extends further into the groin area, resulting in a bulky appearance.

Applecrumby Airplus Overnight Pull Up Diaper
It's worth noting that this diaper tends to run on the larger side. Despite its intended size range of 5 - 10kg, my 7kg baby experienced multiple leakage incidents with poo, likely due to the diaper's larger fit. Consequently, I've decided to discontinue its use until my baby grows a bit bigger.

This diaper fits my baby perfectly and effectively contains both pee and poo. My baby wore it overnight for over 12 hours with no leaks. However, I dislike that it has two horizontal disposal tapes on the sides by design. Many other diaper brands I've tried use a single vertical tape, which allows for easier wrapping of the soiled diaper. However, this flaw is minor in comparison to its numerous positive attributes, which ultimately outweigh the drawback.

This diaper fits my baby snugly and effectively contains both pee and poo. I've never encountered leakage, even when worn overnight for over 12 hours. However, in the event of a blowout, the faeces tend to reach the back of the waistband, resulting in a messy cleanup. It would be beneficial if they included a leak guard at the waist to prevent such occurrences.

4) Diaper Cream


It has thick consistency and it's harder to be smudged by baby's pee and poo. I would prefer to use it when baby have developed rashes as it provides a protection layer which prevent the skin from coming in contact with pee and poo. Its dry texture makes it harder to glide on skin.

It has smooth and creamy texture, making it easy to glide on skin. It is suitable for daily usage and it has done a very good job at preventing rashes on my baby's bum

5) Baby Wipes


Value for money. More than 1 sheets will be pulled out at a time. Each sheet is folded neatly and I need to unfold it to increase the surface area for wiping.

It is thick and has high moisture level which makes it easy to wipe off poo. Sometimes 2 sheets will be pulled out at a time. Price is on the high side.

Value for money. Able to wipe off poo with at least 4 sheets. Less thick and moisture level compared to Offspring Baby Wipes.

It's notably thicker than Offspring Baby Wipes, yet I've observed it to be slightly less moist in comparison. I've encountered challenges in removing dried-up faeces from my baby's skin. It requires considerable effort, sometimes necessitating firm rubbing against the baby's buttocks for thorough cleaning. Additionally, it comes with the drawback of being rather costly. It can be used on the face and body which is a plus point. 

It boasts a larger surface area and greater thickness compared to Applecrumby Extra Thick Baby Wipes 20s Wipes. Regarding moisture levels, it's quite similar to Applecrumby Extra Thick Baby Wipes 20s Wipes. Similarly, I also encounter difficulty in completely removing dried-up faeces from my baby's buttocks.

Feeding


1) Breast Pump


I am using Baby Express Be Nude and Spectra S1+. Both the breast pump yield the same amount for me. Baby Express Be Nude is my main breast pump right now. It gives me freedom to move around and go about my day. 

Spectra S1+ is good if you are able to sit still throughout the pumping session. I will be using it as my home breast pump.

Note: I am using Baby Express Be Nude (the older version) but they are no longer sell it. Hence, I've attached link for the upgraded version Be Nude Pro.

Due to my clumsiness, I've accidentally dropped my Baby Express Be Nude pump motor onto the floor in multiple occasions causing it to have weaker vacuum power.

I have since gotten Imani i2+ handsfree wearable and portable breast pump. One charge allows me to pump for at least 6 times. In terms of breastmilk yield, it is the same as with all my other breast pumps. One disadvantage, though, is that it's quite bulky to wear on the go when you're out and about. Even when I use a nursing cover, it still looks bulky and obvious.

2) Nipple Cream / Silverette Cup


I have read good reviews online on Silverette Nursing Nipple Cup and tried it out myself. Unfortunately it doesn't work for me. 

On the other hand, Lansinoh Nipple Cream works well for me. It soothes, moisturises and heals sore nipple well. One thing to note is that it has slightly unpleasant smell which you won't notice until you go very near to sniff it. Nevertheless, it is safe for babies and you do not need to remove it prior to breastfeeding.

3) Lactation Massager


LaVie Lactation Massager helps to trigger letdown, prevent clogged ducts and soothe breast engorgement.

4) Nursing Pillow


If you're planning to direct latch your baby, then you would find nursing pillow useful. I have previously used My Best Friend Nursing Pillow when I was still eager to try direct latching my baby. I have since given up direct latching because my baby couldn't latch well and I need to pump anyway when I get back to work.

Source: Shopee

5) Nursing Bra / Hands Free Breast Pump Bra


This hands free breast pump bra is compatible with Baby Express Be Nude and Spectra S1+. Remember to use bra extender when you're wearing this bra with Baby Express Be Nude to prevent bra getting loose.

Source: Shopee

6) Milk Storage Bag


Joviely Double Ziplock Milk Storage Bag is value for money and it has decent quality.

7) Breast Pad


To avoid awkward situation of having breast milk leaking in the public, you should wear breast pads. If you're an undersupply mom, you may not need breast pads at all. For me, I will only experience leaking when I didn't pump for more than 5 hours.

Source: Shopee

8) Sunflower Lecithin


One common problem faced by many breastfeeding mommies is clog ducts. If left untreated, your breast will quickly become engorged and may eventually develop into the dreaded mastitis. 

Legendairy's Sunflower Lecithin is well known among mommies to be very effective in preventing clog ducts. It contains organic Sunflower Lecithin which is a natural fat emulsifier that can help to reduce the "stickiness" of the milk and deter fats from clumping together. It may also loosen existing fatty clogs and improve milk flow.

9) Breastmilk Booster


If you're determined to breastfeed your baby but you're undersupply, then you can try Legendairy Milk's product to improve your milk production. Refer to the diagram below to understand which product suits you best.

Source: Legendairy Milk

Legendairy products also come in bundle and you may want to get the bundled one to try. Legendairy Milk Cash Cow works best for me.

Source: Shopee (Legendairy Milk New Mama Bundle)

Source: Shopee (Legendairy Milk Bestseller Lactation Support Bundle)

10) Milk Bottles


If you're planning to bottle feed or feed baby with formula milk, then you'll need milk bottles. Different baby will have different milk bottles preference and it may change in the future too. Read 

My baby prefers Pigeon Soft Touch in the first month of her life. Subsequently she likes Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature and Philips Avent PPSU Bottle better.

Right now, we settled with Philips Avent PPSU Bottle. If you want to save some money, you can just get the large bottle. I've been using 260ml milk bottle since my baby turned 1 month old.

11) Steriliser


There are 3 types of sterilising methods to choose from - hot water, steam, UV. It is recommended to sterilise baby bottles, pacifiers, and etc at least 6 months. According to another article, it is important to sterilise all baby's feeding equipment until baby is at least 12 months old. Either way you'll need to sterilise and you may consult your PD on when should you stop.

Important: Please check carefully on the sterilisation instructions for your baby's feeding equipment. Some products cannot be sterilised using boiling method, UV steriliser or steam steriliser.

Source: Shopee (Pigeon SuperFast Steam & Dry Steriliser)

Source: Shopee (Haenim UV Steriliser with Drying Function)

12) Bottle Warmer


If you're bottle feeding your baby with expressed milk, then you'll need a bottle warmer.

Source: Shopee

13) Freezer


You might want to get a small freezer to store your expressed liquid gold separately from raw meat to prevent contamination.

Source: Shopee

14) Kettle


If you plan to feed baby with formula milk, get a digital kettle like Mayer Digital Electric Kettle. It has milk temperature setting and it automatically keep water warm for up to 6 hours.

15) Formula Milk


I was unable to meet my baby's demand after we returned from hospital. Fortunately, I have a can of formula on standby. Some mommies are able to supply enough breastmilk from the very beginning though. So if there's grocery store near you, then you can get formula milk only when you discover that you're undersupply. In terms of taste, I personally didn't find this formula to be appealing. It doesn't quite resemble the taste of breastmilk.

I switched my baby's formula to this formula when she turned 6 months old and she loves it. I found that it has a taste similar to breastmilk, and it dissolves easily in water without creating too many bubbles. 

I tried this formula at one point when I ran out of my baby's usual formula. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the same fishy taste as breastmilk, indicating it's not very similar in taste with breastmilk. Additionally, I noticed it tends to get lumpy and creates a lot of bubbles when mixed with water. 

This formula remains smooth and bubble-free even with vigorous shaking. Although my baby experienced more frequent constipation after switching to this formula, I couldn't definitively attribute it to the formula itself.

16) Vitamin D


My PD told me that my baby should be fed with Vitamin D if I am feeding only breastmilk or feeding more breastmilk than formula milk. According to Canadian Paediatric Society, babies need vitamin D for healthy growth and development. Drinking breastmilk alone is not sufficient to meet your baby's daily vitamin D required intake.

Source: iHerb (Referral Code: JNA3695)

17) Nursing Cover


Nursing cover would be useful when you breastfeed or pump in the public amenities.

18) Bib


I use triangular muslin cloth bib while feeding and square muslin cloth to catch my baby's vomit.

Source: Shopee (Triangular)


Personal Care


1) Baby Shampoo & Body Wash


Make your life easier by getting shampoo with pump bottle.

Produces little foam. Strong smell but doesn't last long.

Creates more foam hence, need to rinse more. Fragrant last longer.

Produces the least foam compared to the others. I personally love the mild sweet scent but it doesn't last long.

I use Mustela Foam Hair Shampoo for Cradle Cap and Mustela Cradle Cap Cream to treat my baby's cradle cap and to prevent it from worsening. It has no fragrance and easy to rinse off.

Produces very little foam and it has very little sweet scent. It washes off baby oil more effectively.

Produce more foam and hence, require more rinsing. This shampoo features a lovely calendula scent, adding a delightful touch to bath time. The price tag is a bit on the expensive side.

Creates very little foam and has a very subtle sweet scent that doesn't last long.

2) Baby Moisturising Lotion


Make your life easier by getting shampoo with pump bottle.

It has a strong fragrant and is not sticky but it is slightly oilier.

It has a sweet mild scent. It feels like a water-based lotion, so it's not sticky and doesn't feel oily even though it contain shea butter. It absorbs quickly into the skin. Apply diligently to effectively prevent rashes. When my baby has rashes on her face, I need to re-apply onto her face every 2 - 3 hours to calm her rashes.

This is a light cream-based body lotion. It has unique strong sweet scent and able to moisturise baby's skin for long hours.

Its texture is thicker and it has similar scent compared with Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion. My baby's face will get dry easily as she sleeps in aircon room most of the time. With this facial cream, her face remain moisturised and I don't need to re-apply regularly.

3) Baby Massage Oil


It has a strong fragrant and thin texture that makes it easy to glide on skin.

It has a strong scent and slightly thicker texture that makes it difficult to glide on skin. My baby will cry whenever I apply this massage oil. When I rub my baby's tummy, it feels like I am dragging her skin. If I apply with generous amount, it feels too oily and "suffocating".

4) Baby Sunscreen


Can straight away apply on baby's dry skin after shower. Easy to glide on skin. Baby's skin will look shiny/oily when you apply generously.

5) Nasal Aspirator


Suction length is very short, so I need draw out multiple times to extract booger out. As a result, my baby will cry murder every time I clean her nostril.

Long suction length and able to extract booger easily. However, it wasn't able to draw out mucus effectively. Its relatively small size makes it suitable for travelling. 

Able to control the suction level easily. This is by far the most effective at extracting mucus out of my baby's nostril. It's a little bulky for a nasal aspirator. 

6) Nasal Saline Water


Use this together with nasal aspirator to clean baby's nostril effectively.

7) Cotton Bud


Use this to clean baby's belly button and ear. Read umbilical care and how to clean baby's eyes, ears, and nose.

8) Cotton Ball


I find that using wet wipes alone to clean baby's buttock after pooping is not as clean. Therefore, I use wet cotton ball to wipe baby's buttock on top of cleaning with wet wipes. 

9) Baby Oral Cleaner


I clean my newborn's tongue daily with baby oral cleaner dip into warm water. 

When my baby turn 3 month old, I upgraded to use a silicone finger toothbrush to clean her tongue and gums.

10) Baby Comb


I comb my newborn's hair every other day.

11) Baby Nail Trimmer


Get an electronic nail trimmer to make nail trimming hassle-free. I usually trim my baby's nails every week and increase frequency subsequently when my baby no longer wear mittens.

12) Bath Tub


I am still using the bath tub given by TMC up until my baby is 3 month old. I have a collapsible bath tub and will use it when my baby can no longer fit into TMC's baby bath tub. 

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