Newborn Essentials | Changing and Cleaning

From the moment you give birth, you'll find yourself changing and cleaning your baby more than you can possibly imagine. Because of this, it's important to equip yourself with the right tools for the job. So here are some of my favourite products to use for changing and cleaning your little one...

Nappies | Not only are nappies essential, they are the one baby product you'll purchase most frequently! There are several nappy brands available, however we've always loved and used Pampers. The Pampers New Baby nappies (£4.50 Boots) are stretchy, comfortable, super soft, and - importantly - great at preventing leaks. If you're looking for a budget option, try Lidl's Lupilu Premium Nappies. They come highly recommended by many parents and are super affordable.

If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly, reusable option, I recommend the Bambino Mio Miosolo Classic All-In-One Reusable Nappy (£17.99 bambinomio.co.uk). These nappies boast a super absorbent core with leak-proof layers, and are crafted with smart fabrics to deliver ultimate absorbency and protection. They also feature clever little details, such as double elasticated legs, a shaped waist, and an inner pocket to stop pee and poo leaks.

Wipes | Like nappies, you'll find yourself going through what feels like thousands of packs of baby wipes in the first few years of your child's life. You'd think it wouldn't matter what wipes you get but, trust me when I say, not all wipes are created equal. The one thing that makes a good wipe is moisture and the wetter the better. When it comes to moisture, no wipes are wetter than WaterWipes (£3 Boots). These much-loved wipes are 100% plastic free and contain just two ingredients, 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract. This makes them ideal for premature babies, newborns, and babies with sensitive skin.

Nappy Cream | A good quality nappy cream is crucial for ensuring your baby's bottom is as comfortable as possible, day in and day out. The Burt's Bees Baby Diaper Ointment (£9.49 Boots) is a changing station must. It is an 100% natural cream that not only soothes and treats nappy rash and sore bottoms, but also provides a protective barrier to prevent future irritation. It is scentless, easy to apply, and helps to nourish baby's skin, as well as protect and treat it.

Changing Mat | Changing mats keep baby comfortable during changing. They also keep your changing station and nursery clean... after all, a baby will poo and wee whenever and wherever it wants... often during a nappy change. We love the CuddleCo Changing Mat (£18.98 amazon.co.uk) as it is affordable, uncomplicated, and comes in a range of adorable designs.

Nappy Bin | Nappy bins are key for keeping nurseries and changing stations clean and tidy, as well as preventing unwanted smells from lurking around the house. Now, you can wrap dirty nappies in nappy sacks and put them in a regular bin, however this method isn't hugely effective at preventing smells escaping. So we use the Tommee Tippee Twist & Click Nappy Disposal Bin (£14.99 Superdrug). The Twist & Click is the only nappy bin to twist and individually wrap each nappy, safely sealing away odours and germs, keeping your home tidy and odour free. The innovative bin wraps the nappies using a multi-layer, anti-bacterial GREENFILM™, a material made from sustainably sourced sugarcane.

The Twist & Click is 100x more effective than nappy sacks as it is Biomaster protected to kill 99% of dangerous germs like E-coli and Staphylococcus Aureus. On contact, it stops proteins being broken down by bacteria, a process responsible for lots of nasty smells. The bin also features a smart sealing lid that encloses all unpleasant odours, as well as an inbuilt plunger that pushes nappies deep into the bin, keeping hands clean. Finally, this innovative bin holds up to 28 nappies at a time, meaning fewer trips to the outside bin (yay!).

Bath | Regular bathing keeps little ones clean and helps prepare them for bed. You can choose to bath your baby in the sink, however if you would prefer a baby bath, you can pick one up for as little as £8.49 (Boots). We love the Skip Hop Moby 3 Stage Baby Bath Tub (£54.99 John Lewis) as it grows with baby through key developmental stages - 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6+ months. It features a removable mesh smart sling that provides comfort-edge support and locks into two ergonomic baby tub positions. The upper position offers head-to-toe newborn bath cradling, while the lower position supports infants learning to sit.

Bath Thermometer | Wherever you choose to bath your baby, it is important to invest in a bath thermometer so the water isn't too warm (or too cold!). We use the Nuby Penguin Bath & Room Thermometer (£13 amazon.co.uk). It floats in the bath displaying the temperature and flashes red if the water is too hot. It comes in a cute penguin design, doubling as a fun bath toy that'll keep baby entertained in the tub.

Body Wash & Sponge | I always recommend using a gentle body wash when bathing baby and swear by the My Expert Midwife Mega Mild Cleansing Wash (£7.95 Boots). Containing 97.6% naturally derived ingredients, this gentle wash leaves baby's skin feeling clean and soft. It contains soothing calendula, marshmallow, and oat kernel. It can be used from baby’s first wash and has been developed to be gentle on your baby’s skin. As newborn skin is so delicate, I also recommend using a soft natural sponge or cloth to wash their body. These are easy to find in most chemist (or Amazon), however John Lewis sell a great natural sponge - perfectly sized for baby - for just £3.50 (John Lewis).

Towel | A towel will, of course, be required post-bath. Although baby-specific towels aren't essential, they feature a built-in hood to help keep baby as warm as possible once out of the tub. A hooded towel will also make it easier to dry your baby's hair and will make your little one look super adorable too. We love the Aden + Anais Essentials Cotton Muslin Hooded Towels (£21.99 adenandanais.co.uk). Available in a pack of two, these adorable little towels keep little ones toasty after there bath. They are made using plush cotton Terry which makes them super absorbent and smooth against the skin. They also stay soft after each wash, ensuring baby is comfortable after every bath. 

Hair Brush | Most baby's are born without much hair, so you shouldn't need to worry about brushing for a while. However if, like us, your baby is born with a full barnet, I recommend investing in a soft brush. We use the Kent Cherrywood Soft Natural Bristle Baby Brush (£18 kentbrushes.com). It is crafted with soft bristles, specially cut to help distribute natural oils and promote hair growth. It also helps to massage baby's scalp, creating a soothing and calming effect. 

Nail Kit | Newborn nails grow surprisingly quickly, so it's important to trim them regularly - especially considering newborns have a tendency to scratch at their face a lot. To safely trim your baby's nails, I recommend the Tommee Tippee Electric Baby Nail File Trimmer (£19.99 Boots). This electric filing system quickly and safely trims little toenails and fingernails. The kit includes 3 age-coordinating filing heads for the different stages of baby and toddler nail growth. It also boasts a quiet motor and precise LED light, enabling you to use it safely and accurately while your baby sleeps.