The last 18 months of my life have been absolutely amazing. Why? Exactly 18 months ago I became a new mum! I gave birth to the apple of my eye, my gorgeous baby girl, lil’ Leyla. But the previous nine months were extremely daunting. I was super excited about motherhood but I had so many unanswered questions. And big ones, too! How do I look after a baby? How do I breastfeed? How do I bathe a fragile newborn bubba? What if I can’t breastfeed? How do I swaddle? What exactly do I need to make this all happen???
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My mum friends have been a massive resource. Tapping into friends and family who have already been there and done that was immensely helpful. While everyone does things differently, I didn’t hesitate to take on board all their recommended products and ways of doing things. To say it was beneficial, would be an understatement.
So here’s a list of some of the products I used as a new mum to care for my ‘lil bubba Leyla.
Baby wipes
In the first months of your baby’s life, you’re going to be changing up to 70 nappies a week. Crazy, huh?! As a new mum I couldn’t believe how many wipes I went through. I bought everything in bulk so the chance of running out of baby wipes in the middle of the night wasn’t a posibility.
bh loves: WaterWipes, Baby U Dry Wipes
Nappy rash cream
I applied nappy rash cream to my baby’s bottom every single time I changed her nappy for the entire first year. Nappy rash can appear quite quickly, so prevention is better than cure . Now I just apply it before she goes to bed and whenever I think it’s about to flair up. But you’ll work out what’s best for your baby when it comes to the time.
bh loves: All Natural Kids Natural Baby Balm, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Bottom Butter Nappy Ointment
Baby shampoo
My baby didn’t have much hair to start with, so initially I just washed her scalp with body wash. But when her hair finally grew, I started using a shampoo especially formulated for babies. Now that she’s a bit older and gets way more dirtier, I’ve been washing her hair every day. But it tends to get quite dry, so I apply a bit of conditioner to the ends and leave it in – it works a treat! Sometimes I just wash her hair with conditioner only and skip shampoo altogther to ensure her hair stays hydrated and soft.
bh loves: Cetaphil Baby Shampoo, Nutrimetics Baby Care Plus+ Baby Shampoo
Nail clippers
As a new mum, the idea of cutting my baby’s nails filled my head with dread. I’d heard stories of mums and dads cutting the skin off their baby’s fingers and I didn’t want that to happen to her. Enter, my mum! She’s a champ and not scared of cutting baby fingernails at all. You’d be surprised how quickly their nails grow, so it’s actually something you need to do on a weekly basis. You’ll be happy to know, I finally built up the courage to do it myself so I’ve always got a pair of nail clippers on hand.
bh loves: Manicare Baby Nail Clippers
Baby oil
Massage can be quite soothing for a new baby and can even help with sleep and digestion. While not all babies enjoy it, it’s worth giving it a go. Find a comfy, quiet place to do it, and make sure you have all the equipment needed before you strip your baby down to their nappy. I did it straight after the bath and used a specially-formulated baby oil. But some mums just use olive oil or a moisturiser, but you’ll work out what’s best for you. Head to the Raising Children government website for some instructions on how to do it.
bh loves: Jurlique Baby’s Calming Massage Oil, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Baby Butter Massage Lotion
Nappy bags
I keep a stash of nappy bags on the nappy change table whenever I need to quickly contain an ‘explosive’ poo but I also keep them in my out ‘n’ about nappy change pouch. They’re a super hygienic way of binning a nappy, especially when you’re out and can’t get to a bin quickly.
bh loves: WOTNOT Biodegradable Nappy Bags
Bath wash
In the beginning, it’s actually recommended you only have to bath your baby two to three times a week, but if your baby loves it, you can do it every day. Some babies actually find it relaxing so it’s a great thing to do if you need to calm them down. My baby’s skin developed eczema so I had to be cautious about what I used to wash her with. If you’re concerned, it’s best to chat with your doctor or local health nurse about what you should or shouldn’t use to wash your baby.
bh loves: QV Baby Bath Oil, Sukin Baby Gentle Body Wash Soft Fragrance
