WHAT YOU REALLY NEED FOR A NEWBORN

Firstly congratulations, you've probably not good long to wait until you meet your baby!

I remember the preparation stage so well when pregnant with Etta, and with so much advice and so many apparent 'must haves' it all got a little overwhelming. But the truth is that you don’t need all the stuff. You just need a few things that bring calm, comfort and connection.

If you’re prepping, focus on:

• Comfort for you (they feel everything you do)

• Visual magic for them (think black and white, bold shapes - some of our bits essentially)

• Simple things that make your day flow

   

  

   

Here are some things that might help you feel more prepared.

• Nappies, wipes and changing mat. For cuddles, spills, and everything in between. Buy a couple of sizes of nappies to start with as you really don't know how big your baby will be until they're here! I recommend having a changing mat upstairs and downstairs (or in the lounge and bedroom if you're on one level) and a travel one too.

• Soft layers. Think easy-to-change sleepsuits, not fiddly outfits. I always recommend sleep suits with built in scratch-mitts and ideally zips too, so you don't have to spend ages popping and repopping after the many nappy changes every day.

• Awake window essentials. Black and white patterns help your baby's eyes develop - and soothe them too. Everything we make is designed to perfectly support their senses and work hard for you, so you can buy once and buy right.

• A comfy place to put them down. A Moses basket or cot to sleep in and a safe space for naps. And of course the bed linen and blanket / swaddle to keep them cosy.
  

• Feeding basics including lots of small muslins. Bottles or breastfeeding support, whatever works for you. I planned to breastfeed but had a bottle and formula at the ready too.

• Baby wrap / carrier. They love being close to you as much as possible, so the sling was how we got around living in the city, and was a lifesaver for getting things done whilst Etta slept.

• You. Honestly — your voice, your heartbeat, your love and your cuddles are everything they need and more.

Other things that are non essentials but that I loved with my girls are:

• A white noise machine. Good to replicate the sounds they will have got used to in the womb as it's noisy in there! 
  

What else is on your list? 

Jen x