So you’re expecting your first baby, congratulations mate! Your other half is probably well into the planning process already, kitting out your home with all the newborn essentials – or at least that’s the way it runs in our household. If you are wanting to keep things withing budget, download our baby essentials budget tracker here. But from one Dad to another, there are a few things that may have been overlooked by the boss that you should look into.
1. Sleeping Bags
This may already be on the boss’ radar, but if not, sleeping bags are the way of the future, or at least I thought so. When you first bring baby home, you will soon accept that sleep is a rare commodity. You will do anything to improve the quality of your and baby’s sleep. There are one hundred and one different reasons why your baby will not sleep well, one of these is if they are cold.
If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate then you may not need sleeping bags, but if, like us, you live in a colder region, sleeping bags are the way to go. They are a combination of the design of a regular camping sleeping bag crossed with a baby onesie. Once your baby is in the sleeping bag, they won’t be able to kick it off or pull it over their face like they can do with cellular blankets. Your baby will stay snug and warm for the duration of the night, giving them one less reason to wake up.
Sleeping bags come in different sizes, togs and designs such as sleeping bags with legs for when they are toddling, or sleeping bags with arms if you live in a particularly cold region. Our favorite bran is Slumbersac, but they are quite pricey.
2. Visual Baby Monitor
This item isn’t needed immediately as your baby should be sleeping in the same room as you for the first 6-12 months of their life, but once you do start looking for monitors, you’ll find that there is quite a big variety. From audio only to video monitors that connect to an app and can be viewed from anywhere. We started with an audio only to begin with then quickly changed to a video monitor. You don’t need necessarily need a baby monitor that connects to your phone, these monitor types have been known to be hacked. But you will need one with video capability. The type of video monitor you need will depend on the size of house you have, make sure your monitor’s range will connect to your viewing device from anywhere in your home.
Monitors can be quite expensive but they are plenty available second hand if you want to keep costs down.
3. Baby Carriers
Baby carriers are a definite must have item. Babies like to be held all of the time. If they had their way, we would have a pouch for them like a kangaroo. The kangaroo pouch isn’t going to happen but we can get very close to replicating this with a baby carrier. These come in all shapes and sizes, from one bit of fabric that you magically tie around yourself, to more manufactured versions like a back pack. There will be one to suit your preference. Check out our guide on the different types of baby carriers.
Once your baby arrives, the list of chores around the house will seem endless, and even more so if you are holding a baby the majority of the time. With a baby carrier, you can give your baby the comfort that they need whilst being hands free to get on with stuff. Baby carriers are also great if you like getting out and about in nature – most rural paths and trails are not pram friendly but with a baby
4. 5-Door Car
This one is an extreme luxury and definitely not necessary unless you can absolutely afford it, plus live in an area that requires a car; but when you have young children, I would definitely take a 5-door car over a 3-door car any day.
We are currently a 2 car household, my partner has her 5-door family car and I have my sporty ‘still living in my younger years’ 3-door car. For years, I have had a 3 door car which has been my pride and joy. I have always kept it in pristine condition. But now, I can’t wait to get rid of it. With two children, both still in 5 point harness car seats, let me tell you, what a back-breaker that is!
If you live in an area that requires a car and you’re in the market for a new car, I would strongly suggest getting a 5-door, it will make life so much easier.
5. Be open and willing to adapt
Having a baby is the beginning of a new chapter in your life, an exciting milestone for sure, so it might come as a surprise to learn that 1 in 5 couples will break up/divorce within the first year of welcoming their new baby. Some of these couples may have been on the brink of the end before baby arrived, so it is the healthiest option to call it a day, but for the majority of these couples, it all comes down to whether you are willing and able to adapt to your new normal after baby has arrived.
Your relationship is going to change, there is no way around it. When your bundle arrives, and for a long time after that too, you will both be sleep deprived and also may feel like you are lacking affection from the other, this can lead to regular arguments putting a toll on your relationship. This is to be expected, but not accepted – you both can make a consorted effort to ensure your relationship stays strong. For more information on how to do this, read our post on Baby’s First Year Surviving as a Couple.
