September 29

0 comments

The Kiasu Newborn Checklist Guide – The 1st Month

By Money Saving Daddy

hospital bag, Newborn, what to buy, where to buy

Newborn Checklist is a must have when your little one is arriving. You do not want to kan chiong when the baby suddenly checks in early. But then again, it is always good to get prepared. 

And with so many newborn checklist online, nobody tell you where to buy those essentials in Singapore.

Our Story

Taken in Paris

When we were in France, we are already preparing for the newborn checklist. But we were told by our friends in Singapore.

  • Do not buy this; You must buy that.
  • You must register your newborn infant-care first, in case no space.
  • Who take cares of your baby when you go to work.
  • How are you going to manage feeding of your kid when you go to work, etc.
Hello, You all relax lah! My newborn birth cert number haven't come out yet leh.

And while we were settling in, there were so much information loading on the list to do, list to buy. And we were still unpacking our shipment from France, throwing away things in the storeroom, collecting blessed items and preparing the baby room.

Packing in Progress - France

Unpacking in Progress

Until we decided.

Hey, let’s do 1 step at a time.

Newborn Checklist Essentials and where to buy them in Singapore

Firstly let’s look at the Minus Pre - Edd to the 1st Month.

Our Hospital Bag

Hospital Bag

The bag you bring to the hospital. Usually, consist of items that you will need for the 2-3 Nights stay in the hospital. And if daddy is staying, his essentials as well.

When to pack hospital bag?

You should start packing your hospital bag at least a month before the Estimated Due Date of your newborn. 

What type of bag should I use?

Any big bag will do. No need specially to go and buy. For us, we used a luggage, so that it is easier to transport around. 

Normally a cabin bag will be sufficient, but we more kiasu abit. We used a bigger luggage.

What should I pack?

Inside things to have:

Pre - Birth Essentials

When you are at the hospital, there is a lot of administration and paperwork. This is where all your documents will come in handy.

  • Health Documents - Doctor's letter, mummy's health record 
  • Identification Documents - Mummy's NRIC, Daddy's NRIC, Marriage Certificate (This is to register the birth certificate)
  • Letter of Guarantee - Insurance documents if applicable
  • Pen - Just bring 1 or 2. There is a lot of things to sign off.
  • Sweater - Sometimes the aircon in hospital very cold. So have something to warm up while waiting for the baby to come out.

Mummy's Hospital Bag Essentials:

  • Toiletries - For washing up in the hospital. You will be staying for 2-3 nights at least. Best is some eucalyptus scent shower gel. Smell shiok shiok, sleep also shiok.
  • Make Up Cosmetics - If you want to still look chio when taking selfie or with your visitors.
  • Lip Balm - Sometimes at hospital, the aircon too dry there. So moisturize your lips abit.
  • Nursing Bras - For breastfeeding your newborn (where to buy)
  • Maternity sanitary pads - Obvious right?
  • Disposable Underwear - So that wear liao, can throw away. No need bring home wash.
  • Mobile Phone/ Charger 
  • Towel - In case hospital did not provide.
  • Sleepwear - In case you do not like hospital gown
  • Slipper
  • Clothes - To change when discharge

Daddy's Hospital Bag Essential

  • Power Bank / Charger - This one is a must have. If not, what are you going to do at the hospital when Mummy and baby is busy right?
  • Extension Plug - You do not want to snatch Mummy's only power socket right? Bring 1 extension plug. Can plug and charge together. Everyone happy. 
  • WiFi - Remember to ask around for the Wifi password if needed. Do not burst your data. 2-3 Nights in hospital playing facebook sure burst your data usage one.
  • Sleepwear - If you are bunking in with Mummy. Get long sleeve and long pants. Sometimes at night hospital air con very cold one.
  • Books - To read if you really too bored. Best is this book. When mummy see you reading this book, instantly +5 points. Happy Wife, Happy Life.

Newborn's Essential

Discharge Day

  • Receiving Blanket - Actually i also do not know what is a receiving blanket. I think just some blanket to wrap baby when going home. 
  • Instant Swaddle - Nowadays trending this kind of swaddle. No need to know that bao Bak Chang swaddle method. Just put in, zip up and settle. Fast job.
  • Diapers - Actually no need bring. Hospital got provide and charge you accordingly. Unless you super stingy, wanna bring your own. Their 1 pack cannot finish within the 2-3 nights.
  • Wet Wipes - Same as diapers, hospital got provide also. By right, unable to finish 1 pack during that 2-3 nights. Because the nurse already professional liao. Change diaper, very fast and swift.
  • Baby Clothes - A set of baby clothes for discharge. 
  • Baby Mitten and Booties - A set of this as well.
  • Baby Cap - A cap to warm their head in case feeling too cold. (The hospital usually will provide)
  • Car Seat - If you are driving. Remember to practise on how to secure your newborn before the actual thing.

Newborn Checklist 
Free Download!

Download our 4 Page printable Checklist. Pin on your wall so you will not forget.

Post Partum Support Plans

This is the support plans you should have when discharge and heading home.

Who is the one taking care of mummy and newborn, who prepare your confinement meals, where to buy groceries for new age parents.

Who is taking care of Mummy and Baby?

1. Confinement Nanny

This confinement nanny is a very long topic, but I keep it short here.

Confinement nanny has to be “booked” in advance. So if you are still thinking if you need one, maybe you want to reconsider.

A nanny will cost S$2800 - S$3200 depending on how much they want to charge you.

You can go through agency or go direct if you like.

They will take care of the newborn, cook for mummy, clean up the kitchen and the toilet. Light housework. All these please discuss before confirming your nanny.

So once you are in the hospital, you must inform your nanny of the discharge date or estimated discharged date if not confirmed. So that your nanny have ample time to reach your residence.

How much Ang Bao to give the Nanny?

Remember to prepare an Ang Bao for her prosperous commencement date. 

Ang bao rate you can give $30-$80 depending on how rich you feel. If you High SES then give $80. 2nd Ang Bao give higher or same.

If you low SES then give $30, 2nd Ang Bao give $38 lor.

Popi May everything smooth smooth and don't pattern many many. 

2. Another Experienced Adult

Granny + French Fries and Photobomb Pepper

If you have an experienced adult at home to do what the confinement nanny does, why not?

Best if is from the Mummy’s family side, because is closer to mummy mah.

If is the in-laws’ side, then “Bless You Daddy” for this 28 days. Because you do not want to hire nanny then you will have to be the sandwich guy and messenger from mummy to your in-laws' side.

Don't because wanna save the money then kena sandwich left right center. The mother in law + wife drama is legit one. 

3.Helper

A helper, if they are trained in taking care of newborn, will be a great help. If they are not experienced it is better not to get them involved in the day taking care of the newborn.

So daddy may need to take up the task for the first 2 weeks until a routine is established, they can teach the helper on it.

If not, get option A or B will be good.

Where to get the Confinement Food

Having nutritious meal is one of the ways to nurse mummy back to health. So confinement food is very important. They give you the essential nutrients you will need.

1. Order Confinement Meal

Tianwei Signature Trial Meal

Very popular option for those who did not hire confinement nanny.

A 28 days “package” cost around the range of $1500. Which work out to roughly, S$15 per meal. They usually come with a portion of confinement soup.

2. Confinement nanny cooks

If you have a confinement nanny, you still need to purchase ingredients for the nanny to prepare the meals.

With so many groceries shopping platform, you can actually order online and get them to deliver to your doorsteps.

Sometimes, the nanny will tell you what to buy, sometimes they leave it for you to buy what you like to eat.

If you have never cooked before and have no idea what to buy, below is a glimpse of what we bought for the first 3 days from HonestBee.

3. If Self-cook

The same thing, you will still need to purchase ingredients. This time round, you have to cater time to prepare and cook the food.

Probably 1-2 hours, depending on what kind of pattern you are cooking for the meal.

Where to purchase groceries especially for new age parents

There are many places to purchase groceries. 

  • Wet Markets
  • Supermarkets
  • Online

Wet Markets

If you are the guru in this, you will be going to wet market in the morning to get the freshest produce. 

The traditional place to do your marketing. The vegetables are usually fresh and somewhat cheaper. Seafood and meat are also fresh as well, and you can bargain price with the seller also.

And usually black chickens are the fast selling item in wet markets.

It is well known that wet market prices are somewhat one of the lowest too.

Supermarket

The convenient and air con version of wet market. Less fishy smell, and floor is dry as well. And nowadays have so many 24 hours supermarket, you no need to scare no where to buy things.

Of all the 3 big supermarket, I find Sheng Shiong has the most value pricing. Their fish are relatively cheaper. And best of all, you can get 5% rebate if you pay using a Posb Everyday Credit Card.

Online Groceries

Now there is a lot of online platform you can do your grocery shopping. The more popular ones which I usually use are:

Optional: Confinement Herbs

They say during confinement must eat nutritiously and drink nutritious. So the soup is also very important. In the event that you want to top up on the additional soup, you can explore purchasing confinement soup package.

Red Date Tea

This one does not know from where hear one. Last time my little brother come out, also never hear of such red date tea thing.

They say you cannot drink plain water, wait will have wind. Have to drink red date tea.

If the originator is still alive, “Excuse Me,The Red Date Tea that liquid is what ah?”

But everyone still follow, so I follow lor. You can buy 28 days red date tea or confinement herbs from:

Newborn Essentials

Wah, this one very long list. For first time parents, confirm you do not know what to buy, how many to have. Sometimes you buy things that you need 3 months or 6 months later.

Then all those things pile up at your storeroom.

So for now, we focus on the first month of your newborn.

What are the newborn essentials you need to buy for the 1st Month?

Baby Nursery

A place where the baby sleeps, a storage for their clothes and essentials.

Feeding

Diaper

Clothing

Outing

Misc

Newborn Checklist 
Free Download!

Download our 4 Page printable Checklist. Pin on your wall so you will not forget.

More Recent Stories:

Money Saving Daddy

About the author

Hello Everyone! This is Don, sharing my journey here to find the most value buy. Not the cheapest, but making the best value of your dollar. :)

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Never miss a good story!

 Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest trends!

>
Malcare WordPress Security