In the weeks before your estimated due date, excitement runs high: you’re probably wondering whether you’ve thought of everything, whether you’ve bought the right essentials, and whether the sleeping environment is perfectly prepared for your baby. But whether you’re super organized and counting down the days with a checklist, or still working full-time with hardly any time to take care of these things, there’s no need to panic. If your baby arrives sooner than expected, you can still order anything you truly need online after the birth. With these eight items, you’ll be well prepared for changing your baby’s diaper.
1. The changing table
A changing table or changing dresser is one of the few pieces of furniture you truly need for your child in the first year of life. It’s not just a place where you swap dirty diapers for clean ones. At the changing table, you’ll share many intimate moments with your baby: you’ll care for them in peace and quiet, take the opportunity for bonding, comfort them, and enjoy that cozy togetherness. Your changing table should not only look nice and match the nursery, but also be high enough so you can care for your baby without back pain. It should be stable and have compartments for diapers and lotions.
2. A changing pad with cover
A hard changing table is definitely not comfortable for your baby, which is why a padded cover with a washable pad is an essential part of your baby’s initial equipment. Before purchasing, make sure the changing pad does not contain any harmful plasticizers. Washable covers come in many cute designs. To start, three covers are enough, so you can rotate them and wash them regularly. If time is tight, a towel will also do. Or you can use our , which are not only practical on your changing table at home but also create a cozy changing spot anywhere when you’re on the go.
3. Diapers
There are classic diapers, diaper pants, and even cloth diapers in countless sizes, shapes, and designs. Don’t worry: after a few weeks, you’ll naturally figure out which diapers fit your child’s bottom best. are especially skin-friendly and free from perfumes and lotions. For the first few days, one pack of diapers in the smallest size is enough.
4. Wet wipes, washcloths, and water
You might not be able to imagine it yet, but sometimes it can be quite a challenge to remove diaper contents completely from all of your baby’s little skin folds. Small bottoms are sensitive, so in the beginning you should use only lukewarm water for cleaning. Set up a small wash basin and a thermos, which you can fill with lukewarm water once a day, and keep a whole stack of washcloths on hand. Alternatively, or especially when you’re on the go, wet wipes are very practical. It’s best to choose a sensitive version without fragrances. are very gentle because they’re made from an extra-soft cloth and are free of perfumes and parabens. For newborns, our wet wipes with 99% water are particularly suitable. They contain only five additional ingredients besides lots of water, making them especially gentle on your little explorer’s bottom in the first months of life.
5. Wound Cream
Even if you protect your baby around the clock, change diapers regularly, and pay close attention to their diet, sooner or later they’ll likely end up with a sore bottom. Irritated skin can be painful and heals more slowly in the moist, warm diaper environment than it does in fresh air. So, let them crawl on a blanket without a diaper from time to time and use a healing ointment. This can significantly speed up the healing process. Wound ointments contain a wide range of ingredients, and every baby tolerates different creams. In general, it’s recommended to use only wound ointments that don’t contain dyes, parabens, or fragrances.
6. Diaper pail
Babies are cute, but their diapers can smell really unpleasant. That’s why you’ll definitely want a diaper pail with a sealed lid. Whether you choose a simple model or a high-tech pail that seals diapers airtight right away, regularly emptying it will help prevent unpleasant odors from lingering in your home.
7. The heat lamp
A heat lamp is a practical option because it creates a pleasantly warm atmosphere for diaper changes within just a few minutes, even in a cool room. This isn’t only incredibly helpful at night. It’s best to choose a heat lamp that switches off automatically after a few minutes.
In the video, LILLYDOO midwife Sissi also walks you through the basic essentials for your changing table.
8. The diaper bag for on the go
When you’re out and about with your baby, you should always have a diaper bag with you. It should include not only diapers but also a small jar of cream, a pack of wet wipes, and a . Bags with lots of compartments help you stay organized, so you always have the essentials within reach. A diaper bag should be washable, or at least wipeable, because after about a year it will inevitably end up smeared with cookie crumbs and covered in rice cake bits. You can also learn more about the basics and nice-to-haves for changing on the go in our article " ".
Once you’ve prepared the essentials for changing your baby, you can look forward to the with complete ease—and even start to appreciate that, in the near future, dirty diapers will give you a wonderful reason to connect closely with your child several times a day. To help you fully focus on your little explorer without worrying about running out of changing supplies, there is the , which you can customize very flexibly to suit your needs.
