The joy of welcoming a newborn baby is uncontrollable, especially when it’s your first child. But then, the responsibilities that come with it have got many people off the hook.
The good news is that the list of baby items to buy before birth in Nigeria can be tailored down to an individual’s budget.
A few days ago, I wrote a blog post on the cost of diapers in Nigeria and so many people wondered how outrageous the price has gone over the years.
Due to the rate at which prices of baby things and other essentials skyrocket in the market, it’s very important for expecting moms to get the cost idea for their baby shopping list before arrival.
These are the areas we are going to touch on in this article, so stay focused till the end.
List of essential baby things to buy before birth in Nigeria
I will be grouping these items into different categories for easy understanding, and after this section I will also share best online baby stores in Nigeria where you can buy baby things at affordable prices.
Apart from the ones on this table below, I also discussed others as you continue reading.
Baby Things |
Price Range |
|---|---|
| Babysuits | Check Price |
| Bath Tub | Check Price |
| Car Window shade | Check Price |
| Baby Monitor | Check Price |
| Stroller | Check Price |
| Backpack | Check Price |
| Travel Crib | Check Price |
| Infant car Seat | Check Price |
| Baby Carrier | Check Price |
| Pacifiers | Check Price |
| Baby Swing | Check Price |
| Playmat | Check Price |
| Baby Soap | Check Price |
| Baby Lotion | Check Price |
| Pajamas | Check Price |
| Nail Clippers | Check Price |
| Baby Cap | Check Price |
| Socks | Check Price |
| Baby Aprons | Check Price |
| Wrapper | Check Price |
| Mittens | Check Price |
| Pampers | Check Price |
| Rash Cream | Check Price |
| Wipes | Check Price |
| Sanitizer | Check Price |
| Diapers Bag | Check Price |
| Diaper liner | Check Price |
| Diaper Pail | Check Price |
| Changing Pad | Check Price |
| Baby Bottles | Check Price |
| Bottle sterilizer | Check Price |
| Formula | Check Price |
| Bottle warmer | Check Price |
| Nursing Bras | Check Price |
| Bibs | Check Price |
| Burp Cloth | Check Price |
| Feeding Pillow | Check Price |
| Spoon/Bowl | Check Price |
| Breast Milk storage | Check Price |
| Nipple Cream | Check Price |
| Nursing Pads | Check Price |
List of Clothing essentials
Preparing your baby for any weather condition means getting the right clothing.
During hot or cold weather, your baby deserves maximum comfort. Below are some of the clothing’s needed to provide this comfort.
-
You Need BabySuits
They come in different colors and designs. It’s also called Onesies. Don’t worry, I will share the photo just in case you’re not familiar with the name.
This suit can be used in any weather condition, depending on the design you choose.
For Nigerian hot weather, you can purchase the sleeveless or short-sleeved while the long sleeves are preferable for cold weather conditions. The suit is made of cotton, and it’s very good for babies because of the texture and comfort it gives.
-
Rompers and Pajamas
This is one of the common collections of newborn baby clothing. Almost every Nigerian mom got this in their collections, and your case won’t be an exception.
The rompers and pajamas usually look alike with slight differences. And below is the photo, in case you don’t know it by name.
While rompers are just one piece, pajamas always come in two (up and down), but the common character is that they are always made of cotton and other soft materials suitable for babies.
They are available in different designs, and you can get these outfits for warm or cold weather.
Rompers are usually recommended for active babies but are more difficult when it comes to changing diapers, unlike pajamas. In whichever way, you need both for your baby.
-
Baby Cap is essential
This is another item that should be added to your list of baby clothing. It’s very important for newborn babies.
In reality, many mothers purchase caps for their baby just for fashion sake, which is not really bad. but the main purpose is to get them warm since their bodies easily lose heat.
The cap can help regulate their body temperature in certain environments. E.g., in an air conditioning room.
-
Socks and Booties
Socks and booties are meant to keep your baby foot warm.
They act as slippers for the baby.
You don’t necessarily need many of them. Just a few pairs will do the job, and since they’re usually made from cotton, it can be suitable for even hot weather.
It will absorb heat and create comfort for babies. In addition to maintaining their body temperature, these items will also protect their skin against sensitive environments.
Always ensure you buy the one that’s a little loose and not too tight. Make sure it’s elastic so it won’t dig into your baby’s skin.
-
Baby Aprons
Newborn babies certainly have less control over themselves, including their feeding habits.
Without aprons, they will mess up their entire body when feeding, especially if your baby is the one that wouldn’t eat without putting up a fight.
Apron is needed when feeding your baby to keep them clean. If you think it doesn’t matter, then you will be ready to wash every now and then.
-
Traditional Wraps
This is used to wrap the newborn baby before carrying them or in their resting place. Though many people believe this has been outdated, it’s very active and still highly demanded in certain locations.
It’s popularly known as baby wrappers in Nigeria. And apart from the function of carrying the newly born baby, it’s also very significant in many cultures.
The baby wrappers come in different colors and sizes. Even the bigger sizes can be used to back the baby.
-
Baby Mittens
This is like hand socks.
Newborn babies have this habit of leaving scars all over their faces using their bare hands if not carefully monitored.
The sad part is that they can’t control it even if their whole face is bruised. Neither can you guarantee a close watch as a mother because a few seconds away is enough to do the damage.
The best way to handle this issue is to get baby mittens. This will help protect your baby’s face from nail scratches.
Apart from these baby items above, other clothing like cardigans, burp cloths, hats, jackets, pants, singlets, sweaters, headbands, blankets, and many more may also be needed depending on your budget.
List of Diapering Needs
This will cover some diapering needs before giving birth to a newborn baby in Nigeria.
Very important, both in your homes and on the go.
-
Pampers or diapers
While the regular pampers are available in almost every store, there’s another type of pamper that can be washed and reused multiple times.
It’s called the cloth pampers and not very common.
The cloth pampers are a welcoming option if you want to save money. Of course it functions effectively, and absorbing materials are carefully embedded.
Among the many items on our checklist, pampers are almost unavoidable.
There are different brands of Pampers in Nigeria, but in one of my previous articles, I discussed some of the important things to consider while choosing pampers for your baby.
The reason is because there are many fake brands out there, and you can’t afford to risk your baby’s health for such.
-
Pampers rash Cream
This cream is not expensive, and there are many of them, but the popular ones like Sadocrem and Bepanthen will do the job.
As an inexperienced mom, you may buy fake pampers thinking they’re original, and when used on your baby, they begin to suffer rashes in their lower body part, and if not cared for, it can equally spread fast, causing discomfort for your baby.
Apart from buying fake pampers, rashes can also occur when the baby wears the pampers for too long. You should understand your routine and know when to change new diapers.
Diapers rashes can make your baby uncomfortable, but when this cream is applied, it can literally save you the whole stress of treating rashes in the long run.
-
Baby Wipes
The new-born baby is very flexible, or soft rather, and it won’t be a good idea to wipe them with hard materials. That’s why the wiper is very important.
It’s made for this purpose.
Highly needed anytime you want to change new diapers. Because there will definitely be something to wipe.
Though there are many wipes brands out there, I will recommend Huggies and Johnson’s Baby. They are trusted and best-rated brands in Nigeria.
When buying wipes, always go for the ones that’s fragrance-free to avoid skin irritations on your baby.
-
Hand sanitizer
If you happen to be in a place where there’s neither water nor soap, the hand sanitizer is all you need.
It will be very unhygienic pretending like nothing happened and eating or doing other things with those same hands you used in changing diapers without washing or sanitizing.
Buy a hand sanitizer to remain hygienic even where there’s no water or soap.
-
Diapers Bag
This is also very important for easy movement. There’s no specific bag for this purpose. You can buy any bag to carry your water bottles, diapers, and other baby items.
You should always choose the one with many compactments because moms with newborn babies have a lot to carry along, even on a short journey.
Bags are quite affordable, depending on the quality and design you want. In whatever class and budget range, there’s always a good bag to match your budget.
Other essentials you should also consider in this category are:
- Diaper liners
- Diaper Pail
- Changing Pad,
- Diaper covers, etc.
List of Feeding Essentials
I understand that these days many people don’t breastfeed their babies, but whether you want to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or use formula, you will definitely need some of the items on this list.
-
Breast feeding essentials
If you’re a working mom, you probably have just a few months to stay home after birth. I’m sure you wouldn’t like breastfeeding your baby in an open office or in public places.
A lot of moms can be very shy, while others are ready to pop the breast out no matter where they are. I don’t know which class you belong to, but this breast pump will definitely be of need.
The breast pump is for milk extraction. At least you can extract and store the breast milk for anytime use.
There are different types of breast pumps online. The manual and electric powered are the most common ones.
Talking of leading brands in this industry, choices should be Medela, Harmony, and Philips Avent manual pumps.
Other breast-feeding essentials you may consider are listed below.
- Baby Bottles
- Bottle Sterilizer
- Formula
- Bottle Warmer
- Bottle Cleaning Brush
- Nipple Cream
- Nursing Bras
- Nursing Pads
- Breast milk storage bags
- Bibs
- Burp Cloths
- Feeding Pillow
- Baby spoon and bowls (for later use).
List of Hygiene essentials
The hygiene items are needed to ensure your baby is always clean, healthy, and comfortable. Here are some of the importance of hygiene essentials for expectant moms.
-
Baby Bath Tub
The list of baby things is not complete without a bath tub, usually called Baft in Nigeria. Sure, you can bathe your baby without this tub, but I wonder how you will go about it.
Maybe you will do it the old way of using bowls because that’s the cheapest alternative.
You can’t afford to go back to the 1980s, no matter how small your budget may be. Bath tubs have different grades, designs, and prices.
They are available on various offline and online stores such as Jiji, Konga, and Jumia.
Apart from the bath tub, here’s a list of other hygiene essentials.
- Baby Oil
- Cotton Balls
- Nail Clippers
- Baby Soap
- Baby Lotion
- Baby Towel
- Hairbrush and Comb
- laundry detergents
- Sanitizing gel/wipes
- thermometer
- Baby powder (not every important)
- Baby Toothbrush (for later use)
List of Comfort essentials
So far, we have listed so many baby things to buy before birth in Nigeria, but there’s more to give your baby the comfort they desire.
-
Baby mosquito Net
Even if you stay in an environment that’s very conducive and you assume there’s no mosquito, it’s still important to get a mosquito net for your baby’s safety and protection.
It does not only protect them from mosquitoes but many other similar insects .
When choosing a mosquito net for your baby, always ensure it has a breathable material, full coverage, easy setup, and compatibility in case there’s an urgent need to move it from one place to another.
And last of all,
Make sure it’s made of durable materials. You may want to use it for other of your children apart from the first baby.
Other needed comfort essentials are listed below.
- Baby Blankets
- Baby Sleep Sack
- Baby sleeping Nest
- Baby Crib
- Pacifiers
- Baby bouncer
- Baby swing
- Baby Playmat
List of Transportation Needs
Even while on the move, your baby also needs some level of comfort. Here are some of the essential transportation needs to buy before birth in Nigeria.
-
Baby Carrier
While keeping your hands free, you can easily carry your baby from one place to another using the baby carrier. They come in different forms and benefits.
Apart from the comfort this offers your baby, it will also help you, especially when you’re tired of backing your baby and need some relaxing moments.
When you’re using a baby carrier, especially during hot weather, always check on your baby regularly to ensure there’s no sign of overwhelming.
Other transportation essentials are listed below.
- Infant car seat
- Stroller
- Backpack
- Travel Crib
- Baby Monitor
- Car windows shade.
Best online stores to buy baby things in Nigeria
Having gone through the above list of baby items, the next thing you should be thinking of is where to purchase them at affordable prices.
I have listed some popular online stores in Nigeria where you can buy baby items online without stress, irrespective of your location.
Even though there are countless online stores for baby shopping in Nigeria, I still recommend these ones because of their trust rate.
-
Jumia baby things:
We all know Jumia as one of the biggest online stores in Nigeria, but are you also aware there’s a separate category where you can shop for any baby related items?
Of course everything we mentioned in the above checklist can be purchased on the Jumia Baby Store. Check Here.
-
Konga Online store
There are thousands of baby items listed on the Konga online store for sale. You can buy toys and accessories, nursery items, feeding supplies, baby clothing, and many more.
They also offer various payment methods, including transfers and cash payments. You can check out here.
-
Jiji Online store
This is another big online store in Nigeria where almost everything is being sold by different vendors. You can buy baby things of different classes and categories through this platform.
The good news is that they are trusted and reliable, but even at that, you should be careful on how you relate to vendors because some of them are not real, and that’s why it’s stated never to send money to any vendor directly.
If you can follow the website rules, you will transact without fear. Check here.
Question and Answer section
When to start buying baby stuff during pregnancy in Nigeria?
You can start buying baby things anytime within the period of 9 months, but studies have shown that most people buy during the second trimester. That’s 13-28 weeks.
It’s more convenient at this time when the early pregnancy symptoms have already subsided.
You can start with big ticket items like cribs, strollers, baby carriers, car seats, etc. Followed by clothing essentials, which we discussed earlier, and then maternity dresses, comfortable bras, and wears for yourself.
By the end of 28 weeks, you can start shopping for small essentials like diapers, feeding, and transportation essentials.
By the end of 29-40 weeks, you can start focusing on how you want the furniture placement and the rest. You can purchase other things later.
What is the first thing to buy when pregnant?
There’s no specific thing to buy first when pregnant, as this may vary based on individuals choices; however, some of the practical items you may be needing early are:
- Prenatal Vitamin: Very good for mother and developing baby.
- Baby Journal for some mothers who may want to document their pregnancy journey.
Pregnancy pillow to improve sleep comfort as the baby changes.
Conclusion:
You should have in mind that the list of baby things to buy before birth in Nigeria and other countries is almost endless.
However, while most of these items can be very expensive, there’s always a cheap substitute for people on a low budget.
The bottom line is “always go for your class and learn not to want it all; otherwise, you may end up turning your entire home into a baby things shop” and at the end, you find out you didn’t actually need many of those items.
In my next article, I will share this baby item list with pictures. Thanks.
In real life I own a skincare store and trust me, There’s a lot of experience over the years both personally and from customers reviews and that’s exactly what motivated me to starting this blog. To educate more people in this regard and create awareness about many underrated products which are very active.
