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| Illustration of an early hospital moment |
Before our child was born, we bought a lot of things, thinking they were essential. Some of them were. Many were not.
Like most new parents, we were excited, a little anxious, and surrounded by advice. Over time, we realised that newborn care is less about buying everything available and more about knowing what actually gets used day after day.
This post is not a list of “must-haves”. It is simply an honest account of what we used during the newborn phase, what helped us, and what quietly worked without creating more confusion.
Skin care: keeping it simple
Soap
We were very careful about what we used on our baby’s skin. We chose a soap from
Sebamed, which is commonly recommended for newborns. What we liked was how mild it was. It did not dry out the skin and did not cause any irritation. We stuck to it instead of experimenting with multiple products, and that consistency mattered.
Oil
We used extra virgin coconut oil, which is very commonly used in Kerala. It worked well for massage and helped keep the skin moisturised. It was familiar, gentle, easy to source, and did not feel like an experiment. We did not feel the need to use anything more complicated.
Diapers and hygiene
Diapers
For diapers, we went with
Baby Hug and stayed with it. From the newborn phase into toddlerhood, we have continued using the same brand. We did not keep switching. Comfort and consistency mattered more to us than trying many options. We did not face any rash issues, and we believe a good-quality diaper made a big difference.
Baby wipes
We did use baby wipes, but we were careful not to overuse them. Wipes are convenient, especially when you are tired, but frequent use can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. We used them when needed and relied on water and soft cloths whenever possible. That balance worked well for us.
Diaper rash cream
We kept a diaper rash cream,
Sebamed baby cream extra soft, at home, but it was used very rarely. We found that timely diaper changes and using a good diaper mattered far more than applying creams regularly.
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| Illustration of newborn essentials |
Bathing and daily routines
Bathing
In the beginning, our child’s grandmother helped with the baths. We kept things very simple. Warm water was used, and nothing more felt necessary. There was comfort in doing things the familiar way, and we did not feel the need to introduce multiple products or routines at this stage.
Sleep and safety
Sleeping arrangement
In the early months, we did not use a cradle at all. Our child slept next to the mother, which felt safest and most reassuring for everyone involved. This worked well during the newborn phase and made night-time care easier.
We started using a cradle only later, around the time he turned one. Even then, safety was the main consideration. We avoided wooden cradles initially and chose one that felt stable and secure. By then, it was less about necessity and more about helping him get used to sleeping independently.
Mosquito protection
Mosquito protection was important for us. We used a mosquito net and avoided chemical repellents. Keeping it simple felt safer, and it worked without adding anything harsh to the baby’s surroundings.
What we learned along the way
Looking back, the biggest lesson for us was restraint. Using a few basic products consistently worked better than frequently trying new things. Gentle care, familiar routines, and avoiding unnecessary products made the newborn phase feel less overwhelming.
Every child is different, and what worked for us may not work the same way for everyone. But in our experience, less often turned out to be more.
In future posts, I will write in more detail about specific products and different stages, including what helped us and what we chose to avoid.
If you are in the newborn phase right now, trust yourself. Most of the time, you need far less than you are told.
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