Expecting a baby can be very overwhelming. It requires that you have frequent visits for checkups with your doctor. You have to pay extra attention to your physical activities and even the kind of food you eat. All these may sound like a hassle or an additional task but one particular activity that can still give you thrill – shopping. Preparing for the arrival of your bundle of joy means making sure all of his or her needs are in place, including baby items.

Most parents love to shop around for the baby. You get to imagine how cute it would look on them. You’ve already planned when they will wear that outfit. Items designed and manufactured for babies can be very expensive. The reason being is that they are made with the most delicate material to keep your precious baby safe from harm. According to statistics, the average expenses for the first year is around $13,000 and that does not include your hospital bills. Not every item needs to be bought though, if you find your budget short for extravagant shopping then don’t push through. Rather opt for must-have items you actually really need. Also, give careful consideration to your baby shower registry.

Breastfeeding Items

After all the pushing and pain in labor room, the next great bonding moment you will have with your baby is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is more beneficial than formula. Not only is it packed with essential nutrients and vitamins, but it also has the proper antibodies your baby needs to protect him or her from illness.

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, be ready to spend a lot of time prepping yourself. It is important to buy breastfeeding items to make this bonding moment smooth as possible for both you and the baby. You can buy a breastfeeding pillow to keep the baby comfortable and properly supported. It can also help give the proper angle for latching. One more thing is a nipple cream. If you happen to have sensitive skin, then you are likely to develop some redness or rashes in that delicate area. Nipple cream will keep your breastfeeding experience from being more painful than it needs to be.

Baby Care Essentials

You need a lot of baby care essentials. You can never have too much of these items. They are your baby’s diapers, soap, shampoo, washcloths, wipes and clothes. You are likely to receive a ton of them as a baby shower gift but you still need to stock up on them. Your baby will use them on a daily basis. It is important to purchase these items based on your babies needs. For example, certain brands of diapers can trigger a rash reaction to your baby’s delicate skin. It is better to purchase quality made products to prevent a much more expensive visit to pediatrician.

Sleep Inducing Items

Babies have a different sleep patterns. Newborns, for example, can finish their sleep cycle in 50 minutes while adults need 90. This is the reason why babies tend to sleep for shorter periods, and when they wake up so should you. It is important to have an item that can help your baby to sleep easily in order to help you get more precious time to rest. You can buy things like white noise machines, a baby monitor and a glider. White noise machines can help induce sleepiness to your baby and stretch out there nap time.  Just make sure not to overuse these because babies can develop a habit to depend on the sound to go to sleep. It is also a good idea to have a baby monitor to keep an eye and ear on the baby while they sleep, and so you know when they are awake.