Smart tips for putting together your baby’s layette

After the news of pregnancy, it is common for parents to start thinking about the baby’s trousseau. Several clothes, shoes of different styles, blanket, gloves to warm the little hands, the so-called Moses – basket to carry the child -, pillow, among many other items. But calm down! The question may arise: “do we really need all this?”.

Currently, the offer is large: some stores have kilometer lists of trousseau (which can be very expensive), in addition, the internet offers several facilities at the time of purchase and, thus, some families end up exaggerating. As anxious and excited as they are about the baby’s arrival, it’s up to parents to decide what is really essential, what can be useful and what is superfluous amid so many options.

But, it is a fact that, especially for first-time parents, this is not always a simple task. Talking to relatives or friends who have already had one or more children is a good step. But it is worth remembering that, at this time, each child has their particularities and therefore not everything that was expendable to a family will be unnecessary for you. The secret is to research and, finally, always use common sense.

For families who choose to buy their trousseau abroad, a suggestion is to have the service of a personal shopper, who helps parents with shopping in the United States.

Although each family has its particularities and preferences, below you can see a list of essential items for the baby’s first three months, according to the guidelines of Priscila Goldenberg, economist with an MBA from USP, mother of two boys and a pioneer in the personal shopper for baby trousseau in the United States.

The essential items in the baby’s layette

“Usually, for those traveling to the US, we buy the trousseau for up to 12 months. As there are more than 150 items to complete the first year of life, I list below everything the baby will need basically for the first three months”, highlights Priscila.

Check out the list below, separated by categories. It is worth remembering that the tips are valid both for those who are going to shop in Brazil and for those who intend to go abroad.

In the Accessories category, as the mother is likely to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, these products will be used after that age. “So, for those who are going to make the trousseau in Brazil, it may not be necessary to buy at the beginning. For those who go abroad, it is recommended to bring the products already”, explains Priscila.

Clothes

• 6 short-sleeved bodysuits for newborns;
• 6 short-sleeved bodysuits for three months;
• 6 long-sleeved bodysuits for newborns;
• 6 long-sleeved bodysuits for three months;
• 6 jumpsuits with little feet and buttons on the front;
• 6 pairs of socks;
• 6 cotton pants that match the bodysuits;
• 6 pairs of newborn socks;
• 6 pairs of socks for 3 months;
• 2 to 3 hats;
• 2 pairs of gloves.

hygiene and health

• 4 towels with hood;
• 4 diaper towels;
• 6 shoulder diapers / regurgitating cloth;
• 12 mouth cloths;
• 2 hypoallergenic liquid soaps (preferably that washes hair and body);
• 1 large box of cotton swabs with larger tips (suitable for children);
• 1 temporal or ear thermometer that measures in Celsius;
• 1 nasal aspirator;
• 1 hygiene kit with comb, brush, nail clipper, scissors, finger to massage the gums, etc.
• 1 set of jars to store cotton swabs, cotton etc.;
• 1 bottle of 70% alcohol (sold in pharmacies) for cleaning the navel (umbilical stump);
• 4 tubes of ointment to prevent diaper rash;
• 1 compress to relieve colic;
• 1 bathtub;
• 4 packages of cotton;
• 4 packets of unscented baby wipes;
• 2 pacifiers for newborn;
• 4 pacifiers for 3 months;
• 2 pacifier clips;
• Many, many disposable diapers.

Food

• Baby bottles (check if the chosen product has an anti-colic and anti-reflux valve): 2 baby bottles, 2 medium bottles and 2 large bottles;
• Extra bottle nipples for all ages;
• 1 little pot with divisions to store powdered milk in the right size of the bottle;
• 1 bottle sterilizer;
• 2 brushes for washing bottles;
• 1 rack to dry baby bottles;
• 1 glass of neutral soap to wash the bottles and accessories;
• 12 fabric bibs, give preference to those that close with buttons and/or on the side.

Tour

• 1 baby stroller that is compatible to be used from newborn to approximately 2 years old;
• 1 Baby Comfort with base to dock in the parents’ car;
• 1 baby head protector to use in the Baby Comfort and/or stroller (if the chosen model does not have it);
• 1 cushion to place on the stroller seat protecting the fabric and making it more comfortable for the baby;
• 1 baby bag with portable changing table;
• 1 bag to store dirty and checked clothes;
• 1 hook to hang the baby’s bag on the stroller;
• 1 stroller organizer if the stroller basket is small;
• 1 mirror for the car;
• 1 glass protector against sun rays;
• 1 seat belt clip to hold the Baby Comfort base for cars that do not have an Isofix system;
• Toys to hang in Baby Comfort;
• 1 activity mat for the baby to play on the floor;
• 1 rocking or support seat that plays music to distract the baby for a few minutes or a few hours.

Baby room

• 1 crib kit with the main parts: sides of the crib, choose the thinnest and/or fabric model to just protect the baby in the crib;
• 1 crib skirt;
• 1 quilt;
• 2 waterproof mattress protectors;
• 1 changing table to put on the dresser;
• 2 covers for the changing table (if it is not plasticized);
• 1 anti-reflux mattress (if the crib does not have the option to recline the mattress);
• 4 sheets with elastic;
• 2 blankets (one thicker and one lighter);
• 4 blankets (mix between thread and cotton);
• 1 kit of swaddling clothes;
• 1 mobile for crib;
• 1 Baby monitor video and audio or audio only.

for mom

• 1 breastfeeding pillow;
• 1 very comfortable chair;
• 1 stool to rest your feet while breastfeeding;
• 1 kit with water bottle and glass;
• 2 to 4 tubes of ointment to moisturize the nipple (preparation for breastfeeding and healing);
• 1 breast pump (preferably electric);
• Bottles or bags to store breast milk;
• Disposable breast protectors;
• Creams for the prevention of stretch marks during and after pregnancy;
• Bras fit to help at the time of breastfeeding;
• Special clothes for pregnant women: pants with a wide waistband, for example, because the fabric is very comfortable and doesn’t squeeze the belly.

“There are many products available on the market. If the pregnant woman goes to the USA, she needs to research what really pays to buy X what is available in Brazil”, emphasizes the personal shopper.

So you don’t get lost when shopping, you can download the list of these essential items for your baby’s layette and print it out.

Book suggestions for parents

Priscila comments that there are excellent books on the market that help first-time moms and dads a lot, as the birth of a child is a new moment in the couple’s lives. “For those who are going abroad, I recommend mine, the Guide to Baby Layettes in the USA – Panda Books editor, where I mention the products available in the American market, tips on quantities so you don’t buy too much or in less quantity than you will actually need, as well as store addresses in Miami, Orlando and NY.”

Below, Priscila cites other book suggestions:

• Raising Boys – For Real Moms and Dads
• Raising Girls – For Real Moms and Dads
• Secrets of a Baby Whisperer
• The best parents in the world

Baby trousseau: buy in Brazil or abroad?

Below, Priscila highlights the main advantages and tips for those who want to buy their trousseau abroad:

Greater savings: “even with the high dollar, making a layette abroad is still a third cheaper than in Brazil. For those who can hire a personal shopper, they will have more peace of mind when shopping with the correct orientation of everything that will be purchased for the baby within the style and budget of each family”, says Priscila.

Great variety and need for planning: those who cannot or do not want to hire a professional, need good planning. “The couple needs a single list at hand and knowledge of what will be purchased (brand and model) and in which stores they will go so as not to waste time and money. It’s no use having several lists of friends who have had children, because what works for a friend may not work for you. The stores have a lot of variety and knowing what you want to buy is essential to not get ‘lost’ in the midst of so many options”, highlights the personal shopper.

Discount coupon: “It is also important to be aware of discounts. In the US, discount coupons are very common… Some are available on websites and others in books that can be purchased in stores and customer service kiosks in malls and outlets”, says Priscila.

Next, check out the advantages and tips for buying the trousseau in Brazil:

Need for planning: whether in Brazil or abroad, the couple needs to have good planning and discipline when shopping, recalls Priscila.

Possibility of buying the trousseau little by little: according to the personal shopper, one of the advantages of buying in Brazil is that the couple does not need to buy the trousseau all at once. “You can separate purchases in stages: start with newborns up to 3 months and, after the baby is born, buy gradually according to the needs of each family”.

Possibility of paying in installments: “in Brazil, there is also the advantage of buying in installments, especially large items and, consequently, the most expensive ones, such as bedroom furniture, decoration, stroller and Baby Conforto”, highlights Priscila.

4 Mistakes You Can Avoid When Buying the Trousseau

1. Don’t go shopping for everything as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. A tip is to start shopping around the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, since at that time most moms already know the sex of the child, which will make it easier to choose colors.

2. Don’t overdo the amount of clothes. Remember that in the first few months the baby grows very fast and will soon lose the smaller clothes. In addition, babies always get gifts, including clothes.

3. Don’t buy everything the same color. It’s not because you’re going to have a girl who needs to buy absolutely everything pink, for example. There are so many beautiful clothes and accessories on the market today in the most varied colors. Varying the colors, it is easier to reuse in case of a future pregnancy.

4. Don’t lose focus on shopping. “The big secret is knowing how to buy the best products in the correct quantities, without forgetting important items. In the case of buying the trousseau abroad, the first step is to know the products available in the American market and check which ones suit the needs of each family. Another important point is to have the discipline to buy only what you need, prices abroad are much lower than in Brazil and people often buy several products because it is simply…