Congratulations on your new arrival! As a first-time mom in Singapore, preparing for your newborn can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the essentials you'll need for your baby's first three months, with a special focus on items well-suited to Singapore's unique climate and lifestyle.
Clothing and Bedding
Onesies and Rompers: In Singapore's warm climate, lightweight cotton onesies are perfect. Brands like Uniqlo and Cotton On Kids offer affordable, breathable options. There are also lots of cotton onesie sets by smaller brands on Amazon Singapore that are great value-for-money. Babies outgrow their clothes REALLY fast, so while those fancy outfits look cute, they will probably only get to wear them once (plus they'll likely puke or drool on it).
Swaddles: Muslin swaddles are ideal for Singapore's weather. Look for brands like Aden + Anais or Aussie brand Halo and Horns.
Fitted Cot Sheets: Choose breathable materials like bamboo or cotton. Locally, Mothercare and Ikea offer good options. I opted to buy mine on Amazon Singapore (yes, again - it's like a Mom's god-send) because they had brands like Burt's Bees and American Baby Company with nicer designs and felt amazing.
Light Blanket: For air-conditioned rooms. Aden + Anais and Comotomo offer soft, breathable blankets suitable for tropical climates.
Feeding Essentials
Breast Pump: If breastfeeding, a hands-free strong breast pump is crucial. Medela and Spectra are popular brands available at Guardian or Motherswork. We recommend purchasing an extra set of unbranded, compatible parts (e.g. breast shields, valves, tubes) so you can cycle between them when others are being sterilized or drying.
Nursing Pillow: Brands like Bebe Au Lait or Mama's Choice offer comfortable options for long feeding sessions. My personal all-time favourite was the Boppy nursing pillow which was so comfortable, plush, and fit around the waist perfectly while being firm enough to support the baby while nursing.
Bottles and Sterilizer: If bottle-feeding, invest in a good sterilizer. Pigeon and Philips Avent are reliable brands found in most baby stores. However, if you can afford it, a UV sterilizer is well worth your investment. Every mom I know swears by it, myself included. It saved us so much time and hassle by sterilizing multiple bottles and bottle parts in each run, and kept things sterile within the UV sterilizer until we had to use it. More on that later.
Diapering
Diapers: Start with newborn size. Popular brands in Singapore include Huggies, Pampers, and local brand Offspring. Pampers has seen my kids through from the beginning to the end, while my best friend swears by Huggies (it gave my daughter diaper rash though). Bottom line is if something doesn't work for you, change it up for something that does. Every kid is unique.
Changing Mat (for the home): You don't need anything too fancy, and a dense foam or sponge mat will do just fine. Just make sure it has contoured sides (little "walls") to prevent baby from rolling off (Note: It doesn't matter if there's a safety belt or contouring, please NEVER leave your baby unattended on the mat. They're faster than you think!)
Changing Mat (for on the go): A portable changing mat is handy for outings. Skip Hop offers stylish, practical options.
Diaper Cream: To prevent diaper rash in the humid climate. We swear by Desitin (our babies never had a diaper rash except from the one-time she wore Huggies). Otherwise, Weleda and Mustela are other trusted brands available at Watson's.
Bathing and Skincare
Baby Bathtub: A small, portable tub works well in HDB flats. The Shnuggle Baby Tub with its backrest worked perfectly for supporting babies from a few months old (plus it is beautiful, which is rare). Stokke's Flexi Bath is also popular among Singaporean parents.
Gentle Baby Wash and Lotion: Look for products suited to sensitive skin. Cetaphil Baby and QV Baby are recommended by many local pediatricians. While on the pricier side, the California Baby Shampoo and Bodywash is our absolute favourite for being plant-based, super gentle and non-greasy, and for its amazing scent.
Soft Washcloths: Muslin washcloths are gentle on newborn skin. Mothercare offers affordable multipacks.
Health and Safety
Digital Thermometer: Essential for monitoring your baby's temperature. Braun and Omron are reliable brands available at Guardian.
Baby Monitor: Useful if your baby sleeps in a separate room. Brands like Infant Optics and Motorola offer models with good reception in HDB flats. A sleep-training essential!
Travel and Outdoor
Stroller: Choose one suitable for Singapore's urban environment. The Babyzen YOYO is popular for its compact fold, perfect for public transport. Alternatively, an easy-folding stroller like those from Chicco or Bugaboo are lifesavers. Many internet resources recommend strollers like Baby Jogger and Silver Cross, but as a first-time mom I wish someone had told me that you don't need large wheels for Singapore's urban environment where you're mostly on pavements or in malls. They add weight and bulk which makes them a lot harder to handle.
Baby Carrier: For hands-free carrying. Ergobaby and local brand Bebamour offer options suited to Singapore's climate.
Diaper Bag: Choose one with insulated pockets for bottles. Ju-Ju-Be and local brand Gaston Luga offer stylish, practical options.
Miscellaneous
Pacifiers: If you choose to use them. MAM and Philips Avent are great.
Playmat: For tummy time and play. Skip Hop and Fisher-Price offer colorful, engaging options.
White Noise Machine: Helpful for sleep in noisy environments. The Hushh by Yogasleep is compact and travel-friendly. For something that has more longevity, we bought a Google Home which could play any sort of music or sounds we wanted.
Remember, while this list covers the essentials, every baby is unique. You may find you need more or less depending on your lifestyle and your baby's needs. Don't hesitate to reach out to other Singaporean moms in our Community Forum for more personalized advice and recommendations.
Happy nesting!
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