Your newborn has spent the last 9 months inside you, in the dark, in water, with strange echoey noises all around them. Then after a stressful time getting born, they find themselves in a whole new world.

The world as they knew it has changed forever.

If you think you and your partner are bewildered when you bring your newborn home for the 1st time – spare a thought for what the baby is going through. It takes time for you to adjust, and so it will for your baby too. OK you both may take to your new worlds like ducks to water, but it may just take a little time.

So what can you do make those 1st few days that bit easier?

The 1st bit of advice lasts for their whole lives and is sometimes quite hard to do:

Stay calm!

If you are stressed, your child will pick up on it. Take as much time as you can to chill out, put your feet up, and take a deep breath.

Talk, read and sing
Your baby will know your voice – they have been listening to it from your womb for weeks. They will find your voice soothing and calming. Talk to your baby, sing to them lullabies (or any song will do). Reading to your newborn is a good way of bonding with and calming your baby. It doesn’t have to be kids stories, you can read a novel or the newspaper. It’s the tone of your voice that is important. Keep it calm and soothing.

Cuddles and touch
Cuddling your new baby has to be one of the greatest joys of motherhood (or fatherhood). You really can’t cuddle them enough. It’s calming and soothing for you both. Your baby will love feeling secure and close to you, and will get comfort from hearing the rhythm of your heartbeat. Remember they will have had your heartbeat soothing them in the womb.

When you are drying your baby after a bath, stroke their arms and legs, and gently rub their back. Book yourselves into a baby massage class and learn how you can help relieve colic and constipation with simple massage techniques that will help you to bond with your baby and be calming for you both.

When your baby cries
Your newborn only knows one form of communication. When they want attention they will cry.  Don’t expect that you will understand every cry straight away – why should you? In time you will learn when cries mean “I’m hungry” or “I’m tired” or “My tummy hurts” or just “I want a cuddle”

So don’t be afraid of going to your baby when they cry. At first you have to get to know one another. You will know when it is time to leave them for a while.

You may feel out of your depth when you first bring home baby, but don’t worry – we all do. It will take time for you and your baby to adjust to your new lives. Let it happen naturally, and don’t worry.

Please print out and use this list as a guide to the things you need for your new baby.

Going out

• car seat for newborns
• pram or pushchair, designed for newborns. Pushchairs are only suitable for young babies if they have fully reclining seats which let the baby lie flat.
• raincover for your pram or pushchair
• baby carrier(also called slings). These are attached with straps and your baby is carried in front or behind you.

Sleeping

• crib, carry cot or Moses basket, with a firm mattress
• bedding – 4 sheets  (cut down larger sheets or buy special crib/basket ones) and 2 lightweight blankets

Bathing

• Baby bath (Any large, clean bowl will do as long as it’s not metal. (We used a washing up bowl – our baby loved it) Or you can always use the sink, but remember to wrap a towel round the taps for safety.
• 2 Soft flannels
• 2 Soft towels (with hood if preferred)
• Mild “Baby bath” solution
• Baby hair brush and comb
• Baby massage oil
• Cotton wool balls
• Bath thermometer (optional)
• Two towels, the softer the better.

There’s no need for special baby towels, unless you want them, but keep the towels for your baby’s use only.

Changing

• Reusable nappies
• Cloth nappies
• nappy pins;
• nappy liners
• plastic pants – about four pairs,
• either tie-on or elasticated.
• a bucket with a lid
• nappy sterilising powder or liquid

Disposable nappies

• 2 pkts Newborn size
• Wipes, or cotton wool
• cotton wool
• a plastic changing mat;
• baby lotion or baby wipes – you can use plain cool water in the house but wipes are handy when you are out
• a bag to carry all the nappy-changing equipment when you go out.

Feeding

• Comfortable chair for night-time feeding
• You may find a V shaped cushion comfy when feeding

Breastfeeding

• Breast pads
• Nursing bras

Bottle feeding

• six bottles with teats and caps
• sterilising equipment;
• a bottle brush;
• infant formula milk – (check the sell by date if you are buying this in advance)

Clothing

You won’t know for certain what size to buy before you baby is born. However she will grow into any that are too big, and you can send someone out to the shop to buy smaller ones if needed

• six baby gros for both day and night
• two cardigans, wool or cotton rather than nylon, light rather than heavy – several light layers of clothing are best for warmth;
• four vests;
• a shawl or blanket
• a woolly or cotton hat, mittens, socks or bootees for going out if the weather is cold –
• a sun hat for going out if the weather is hot or the sun is bright.

Washing baby clothes

• If you use a washing machine, don’t use enzyme (bio) powders, as they may irritate your baby’s skin.
• Always rinse very thoroughly.
• Fabric softener may also cause a skin reaction.

Optional accessories:

• Digital thermometer
• Pacifiers /dummies
• Sun shades for the car window

Other related articles

Checklist – what NOT to buy baby BEFORE it is born
My baby nursery  what do you really need to buy
Baby bouncers swings and walkers good for baby A new mums experience