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5 Essential Appliances for Families with Newborns – and the Items That Are Not Worth It

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Nesting is strongest in the later weeks of your pregnancy. It’s understandable if you have the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new bundle of joy.

You may be wondering what to buy to ensure that your newborn is healthy and happy. Not all infant necessities in the market are essential. We’ve shortlisted five appliances that you would need for the newest member of your household.

5 Essential Appliances for Your Newborn

1. Bottle Steriliser

Infant’s feeding items need to be sanitised to help prevent germs from contaminating the milk you feed your baby. You need to sanitise feeding items at least once daily particularly for babies younger than three months, born prematurely, or have a weakened immune system. There are three ways to do it: boiling, sanitising, or bleaching.

Ensuring your infant’s feeding items are not contaminated can be as simple as bringing a pot of water to a boil or preparing a bleach solution of two teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon (16 cups) of water in a clean washbasin.

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A plug-in steam system will help you save time and energy. You can also check out UV steriliser if it is within your budget.

2. Milk Warmer

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommend early initiation of breastfeeding. Nursing within one hour of birth protects the newborn from infections and reduces newborn mortality. What’s more, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life decreases the risk of mortality due to diarrhoea and other infections.

However, some mothers may not produce enough milk to nurse. So whether you’re breastfeeding, formula milk feeding, expressing breastmilk for bottle-feeding, or mixed-feeding, a milk warmer helps ensure consistent milk temperatures without hot spots.

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You can use hot water to warm your frozen breast milk or refrigerated bottle of milk. A milk warmer simplifies the process so you can just pop a bottle inside, then have a ready-to-go meal at an ideal temperature.

This is helpful especially for working moms who store breastmilk for their child. Some baby bottle warmers come with features like a digital timer, automatic shut-off, and alarm system to notify you when the bottle is ready.

3. Breast Pump

Working moms who are breastfeeding may wonder which type of breast pump is best. Take note that there’s no “one-size-fits-all”, each type has its own benefits.

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You can try an electric pump which collects milk much faster, a manual pump that you can manipulate according to your own speed and comfort, or a hands-free silicone pump that lets you continue with your work while expressing your milk.

4. Digital Thermometer

Depending on your budget and preference, there are different digital thermometers recommended according to the child’s age:

  • Up until three months, a rectal temperature with a basic digital thermometer is recommended.
  • After three months, you can continue to take a rectal temperature or use a temporal artery thermometer (forehead). Current technology makes forehead scanners precise, speedy, and non-invasive.

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  • A tympanic thermometer (ear) should not be used for children under six months of age because they are not accurate. The thermometer probe is too large to slide down into the ear canal to register the exact temperature.

5. Baby Carrier, Sling, or Wrap

The WHO recommends that all babies should receive thermal protection that promotes skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant. It’s natural for a newborn to want to feel their mother’s skin, not because they are being clingy, but because the close contact helps the baby adjust to life outside the womb.

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Skin-to-skin is highly important to develop a close, loving relationship with your baby. It can also take place any time a baby needs comforting or calming, it supports better physical and developmental outcomes for the infant. Skin-to-skin contact helps babies regulate their temperature and breathing, produce more oxytocin, and reduce stress.

So an alternative way to carry your baby close to your body is essential for your well-being, it alleviates constant strain on your shoulders and back and also helps you become mobile around the house for daily activities.

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You can choose from all sorts of baby carriers from the traditional wrap, a carrier, to the one with a hip seat once the child is able to sit or ideal from six months of age. Choose the one which suits you best.

Newborn Items Not Worth Getting

Here’s a list of some products that are unnecessary and you may consider to pass on:

Wipe Warmers

They cool off so fast so it defeats the purpose. Also, your baby can handle a room-temperature wipe especially in a tropical country.

Diaper Disposal Device

As long as you properly dispose of the soiled diaper right after changing your baby, the odour wouldn’t linger in your room.

Cute Mittens Sets

Playing with their fingers is an important part of the development of babies. They use this to explore their surroundings in a tactile way.

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Shoes

Your baby’s not walking anytime soon, plus optimum foot development occurs in the absence of shoes. Being barefoot enhances proprioception and helps a child develop body awareness.

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Apps for babies

The WHO advised skipping all screen time until babies are at least two years old.

Anxious about your child’s health and giving birth during this pandemic? Take heart. Use strategies to remind yourself that you’re not alone. Stay calm and centred by surrounding yourself with comforting items such as photos, visual cues, or some other tangible items with you when you head into labour. Also, here are tips for child-proofing your home and setting up a nursery in your flat.


May we all find meaning after this crisis and rise up stronger than ever. Keep your family safe during this period by boosting your body’s natural defences.

Working from home? Here are some handy tips to maintain productivity or remain focused even with kids around.


Sources: Webmd, CDC.gov, Business Insider, WHO, Huffpost

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