Shopping list for first-time mama

Happy new year to all mamas and mamas-to-be!

I have seen some  first-time mama asking around for what to buy for mama & newborn. Well, I created one since I had my 1st kid and have been circulating the list to my mamas-to-be friends! This list is constantly updated to ensure that you get the right stuff for you & your baby. Here's the list of items for your reference :

Mama's necessities :
1) Nursing bras - at least 6 pcs and good to buy between 32th-36th week. When you tried the bra, it should have some allowances about 2 hooks (for the hook type) for comfort esp when your breasts are FULL. (can get from major departmental stores selling maternity wear!)

2) Disposable nursing pads (from major departmental stores)

3) Sanitary pads - it is not a MUST to get the maternity pads. You can use the regular brands that you have been using on your heavy days! Advised that you get the LONG ones with wings too since you'll be in sitting or lying down position during your confinement month.

4) Herbal bath sachets - (from medical halls) granny always says not to shower during confinement. Well, you can if you use the herbal bath! Just boiled, mix with hot water in tub and ready for shower! You can use it to wash your hair too!

5) Dry shampoo (optional) - (from pharmacy or medical halls)

6) Nursing tops (good to have) - (maternity clothing section) esp when you want to nurse on-the-go!

7) Nipple cream (REALLY optional) - (from any deprtmental stores) best moisturiser is breast milk : P

Baby's items :

1) Receiving blanket (optional) - Some hospitals will provide. Else, just use a towel or baby blanket to wrap baby up for any outing during 1st month!

2) Disposable diapers - newborn size or "s" for some brands.

3) Cloth diapers & liner - for those who want to use cloth diapers, good to buy at least 2 dozens! You should also buy liner which acts as a barrier so that stools on the liner can be disposed off. A place to get cheap cloth diapers is to goto the shop (adjacent to the toilet) at Waterloo Street opposite the Guan Yin Temple. It is a wholesale shop. *NOTE* need to get diaper safety pins or fastners from major baby shops too!

4) Tie front baby tops - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen since babies may wet their tops rather often.

5) Mittens & booties - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen as babies tend to "suck" their hands so the mittens have to be changed frequently. As for booties, maybe soiled when they kicked while you changed their diapers : P

6) Bath Towels -  (from Waterloo St. shop or departmental stores)

7) Baby wash cloth - (from departmental stores) baby's face is especially delicate so you need to use really soft wash cloth to wipe/wash their face. For the 1st month, you can use cotton to wash, subsequent then use the wash cloth!

8) Disposable wipes - (from departmantal stores)

9) Baby bath - (from departmental stores/pharmacy) Mild ones like Johnsons Head to toe; Sebamed; Latacyd, etc

10) Baby shampoo - (from departmental stores/pharmacy)

11) Bath Tub - (from baby stores)

12) Anti-slip mat for the tub - (from baby stores)

13) Changing mat (optional) - for changing baby after bath and diaper change too without wetting or soiling baby's bed

14) Feeding bottles and teats - (from departmental stores)

15) Bottle brush -  (from departmental stores) for washing the bottles!

16) Bottle cleanser - (from departmental stores) for washing bottles!

17) Detergent (pigeon, kodomo or ABC) - (from departmental stores) as baby's skin is delicate, good to use baby detergent for baby laundry. Softerner is optional!

18) Cotton balls - for washing of baby's face in the 1st month.

19) Paper stem type of cotton swabs - (from departmental stores) for cleaning of baby's outter ears if there are some wax that falls from the ear. PLEASE do not clean their inner ear.

20) Ru Yi medicated oil (optional) - (from medicated halls) it's a medicated oil passed down for generations. It helped to sooth the baby, "purge" the wind in baby's tummy. Note that it can only be used in 2nd month after the cord clamp has dropped off and should be in small amount : )

21) Formulae Milk power (optional) - good to standby since you may not have your milk flowing yet. A few of my friends did not standby any and realised that their babies are starving! Another option is to get the sample from the hospital : )

Baby powder is not reccommended as some babies may be allegy to it and during application it may irritate baby's nose : )

Stay tuned for more tips on :
1) diaper rash;
2) different techniques for a faster BURP!;
3) sooth a cranky baby;
4) sooth the stuffy little nose when baby down with running nose, etc!