Sunday 30 September 2018

List of Baby Things to Buy as a First-Time-Mom in Nigeria

I had no clue where to start creating a list of baby things to buy as a first time mom-to-be. I knew i wanted to have the basic and essential items and add on extra stuff i decided baby needs as time went by. I had put our finances and accommodation setup into consideration, i also know i have the tendency to be a hoarder therefore i prefer to not buy anything i don't need. If i care to admit, i am also quite frugal.
I did extensive research online (Pregnancy and Baby Groups, Baby Center, YouTube, Amazon Baby Registries, Google,etc.), asked other moms (both first time and experienced) and got a list from my hospital which helped me come up with this list. 
The list is segmented into Hospital, Mommy, Baby and  Home Needs.
Hospital List (Please ask your hospital for this list and go through the list in the image- you do not have to bring all the items listed to the hospital however it serves as a guide on what you'll need long term)
please forgive its tattered state
  • Nightingale Pads (This is laid under you in the hospital during and after delivery)
  • COMFIT Pad (This is used to clean you up after delivery and you wear it afterwards to absorb Lochia a.k.a postpartum bleeding)
  • Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Milton Sterilizing  Tablets 
  • Cotton Wool
  • MOKO Methylated Spirit
  • Soft Tissue paper
  • Bathroom Slippers
  • Baby formula 
  • Empty Nylons for disposables
  • Detergent
  • Hot Water flask
  • Baby Record Book
Baby 
  • Naming Ceremony Outfit
  • Sleeping area {Moses Basket, Baby Box, Zip-up Bed, Co-sleeper, Bassinet, Cot, Crib and/or Pack n Play Playard (I opted for the "Graco Pack n Play Playard Bassinet Changer Snuggle Suite LX Baby Bouncer, Abbington" and it came with a bouncer and changing mat)}
  • Baby Beddings (Mattress, Fitted sheets,etc.)
  • Mosquito Net
  • Breastfeeding pillow
  • Breast Pump & Parts (i recommend Spectra S1)
  • Medela Quick Clean Breast Pump and Accessory Wipes
  • Breastmilk Storage bags
  • Feeding Bottles, Nipples & Sterilizing Kit (or Bucket with lid)
  • Bottle Washing, Drying & Storage Kit-Sponge, Brush, Drying Rack, Storage Bowl with lid
  • Soothie or Pacifier
  • Wardrobe (i opted for the plastic collapsible/stackable kind)
  • Bath Tub (i opted for a collapsible one to conserve space), Buckets, Soapcase, Bowls & Potty set
  • Savlon Antiseptic (it is supposedly milder than Dettol)
  • Body & Bath Products (Soap, Lotion, Oil, Shampoo,etc.)
  • Grooming Products (Set of Baby Combs & Brush, Cotton bud, Nail cutter/file/emery board, etc.)
  • Health & Medical related products (Nose Aspirator, Nasal saline drops, Baby Thermometer, Antifungal creams-Cacatin or Baby Tribotan-, Baby Paracetamol, Silverbird Eucalyptus oil-for steaming if baby is congested)
  • Baby Towels (Hooded and Regular)& Washcloths 
  • Baby Wraps (Receiving Blankets, Swaddles, Soft Blankets, Shawls, etc.)
  • Diapers & Baby Wipes (Research brands)
  • Diaper Barrier Cream (This is optional, most people go for Blue Seal Vaseline, Shea Butter or oils)
  • Diaper Changing Caddy
  • Baby Cup & Spoon
  • Baby Carrier or Backing Wrapper
  • Car Seat (i opted for the Graco Snugride Classic Connect – Little Hoot(0-2years)
  • Diaper Bags 
  • Playmat for Tummy time(i opted for the Fisher-Price Kick 'n Play Piano Gym)
  • Baby Toys (Baby played with the toys that came with her Gym, i also bought a soft cloth books set & luckily she was gifted a lot of toys so i haven't had to buy more)
  • Baby Month & Milestone Stickers
Baby Clothes
We have been very blessed in this area because i bought just the basics for Kiara but she has been gifted with so so so many clothes in different sizes. I'm super thankful for all the gifts, i would have had a hard time shopping for her 'cos there are soooooo many super-cute outfits for baby girls.
This list is just the Basics, you can add stuff that you like to it. Kiara was mostly in onesies and sleepsuits for the first 3months, we hardly went out except to get her immunization and once in a while i'd make a custom dress for her to match with me to attend a wedding.
You can start with buying 12 each of these basics till you figure out what you'll need. Also put sizing into consideration; 0-3months are typically bigger than newborn sizes but i think its better to go for them or 3months 'cos ur baby may be on the big side and if baby happens to be on the small side, u can then get a few newborn sizes (they outgrow clothes really fast) and wear the bigger clothes for them (i love doing this for progress pics, its a delight watching them grow into the clothes).
  • Onesies/Bodysuits (Long-sleeved and sleeveless-plain an patterned)
  • Long-sleeved Sleepsuits (Buy more of the ones with Zips, thank me later)
  • Singlets
  • Bibs
  • Burp Cloths
  • Socks (you can get the ones that look like shoes-supercute in my opinion)
  • Hats
  • Mittens
  • Jacket
  • Sweater
  • Shirts or Tops
  • Trousers and Skirts
  • Gowns
  • Pants
  • Headbands
Mommy
  • Comfy Nursing PJs
  • Comfit Pad 
  • Disposable Panties
  • Bath & Body kit (Soap, disinfectant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, mirror, face & body products shower cap)
  • Nursing Bras & Breast Pads (Disposable & Washable + Reusable)
  • Nursing Tops (you can opt for Button-downs)
  • Nipple Cream 
  • Sitz Bath Bowl
  • Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads (lifesaver if you have haemorrhoids or got stitched)
  • Postpartum Belt (Higly Recommended)
  • Naming Ceremony Outfit (if you are Christian and live in Nigeria, you know the Naming happens 7 days after you give birth)
Home & Others
  • Hand Sanitizer ( I got a Big Bottle 'cos we had a lottt of guests who visited baby)
  • Portable clothes dryer with wheels & cloth pegs
  • Rechargeable fan
  • Generator
  • Washing Machine (Baby laundry is no fun, moreso for a working mum)
  • Car Sun Protector
ADD-ONs
These are items i got as my baby got older.
  • Height Track sticker
  • Stroller (I opted for the Maxi Cosi Loola Stroller)
  • Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
  • Baby Proofing Items
My Preferred Brands (Proven Quality in my opinion):
  1. Clothing- Carters, George, Luvable Friends and Gerber
  2. Bibs- Neat Solutions & Bumkins
  3. Nursing Bra-HoFish
  4. Breast Pads- Lansinoh and Bamboobies
  5. Pack n Play- Graco and Baby Trend
  6. Activity Gym & Toys- Fisher-Price
  7. Car Seat-Graco
  8. Stroller- Maxi Cosi Loola
  9. Breast Pump, Parts, Storage bags & Wipes- Spectra, Medela and Lansinoh
  10. Bottles- Dr. Brown's, Philips Avent and Tommy Tippee
  11. Pacifier & Soother- Philips Avent
  12. Nipple Cream- Lansinoh & Avent
  13. Diapers- Huggies (Little Movers from the carton), Pampers (Premium Care) & Molfix
  14. Wipes- Huggies Pure & Pampers
  15. Body Products- Natural Nigerian, Coconut oil, Palm Kernel oil & Sheabutter
  16. Hair Products-Natural Nigerian and  Johnson & Johnson
  17. Antiseptic-Savlon Antiseptic
  18. Cereal- Nutriben
This list was compiled and personalized to suit my family, i know some of the items on it may be considered a luxury by some but honestly everything here helped make my transition to motherhood smoother than it might have been in their absence. I believe it's a comprehensive list that can be customized and serve as a guide for moms-to-be on how to get started buying baby things. 
Check out my post on Where to Buy Baby Things in Abuja and watch out for my post on my Labour & Delivery Story.
P. S. It's a great idea to create a Baby Registry on Amazon (even if you live in Nigeria), it can be tiring to complete the registry but it honestly covers all the aspects of items you will need for you and baby postpartum and you see suggestions that might be beneficial to you that you never thought of you might have omitted. The cool part is you get a FREE Welcome Box with different items, free gifts and discounts even without buying all the items on the registry.
Toodles!XooX