OS list of what you REALLY need for a first baby

Surf_Widow

Hello,

We've just started trying for our first baby :j and I wondered if anyone could give me a list of what you really need (and what you definately don't!) for a first baby.

We don't want to spend a fortune on stuff we'll never use and we aren't bothered about getting things second hand (although we realise that some items must be new e.g. car seat) so any advice would be much appreciated.

I've seen the 'Having a baby OS post' which was full of great advice but I'm too lazy to compile it all into one list . If there is another post like this that I've missed I'd be greatful if you could point me to it.

Thanks in advance for all your help, :A

Surf Widow

thriftlady_2

Right ,it is easier to list what you don't need,so sorry to seem negative.

Bottles and associated equipment,babies can be breastfed for one year -I did this with all mine,but your circumstances may be different.

Nappy disposal systems -complete waste of money, put disposables in the dustbin and wash terries.

Nappy holders - again complete waste of money,nappies already come in bags.

Changing mats and tables - all you need is a towel and a floor

Toys for newborns - they have no interest in anything but food.
Toys for older babies - babies need stimulation in order to develop properly.They get this from being talked to by others,by looking at the world around them etc.They get as much out of watching the washing machine go round or by jangling a bunch of keys as they do from some garish bells and whistles toy.

Nappy bags - any roomy bag will do

Feeding stuff - babies can eat off ordinary plates using a teaspoon
Baby food - babies can eat real food;pureed or mashed fruits and veg.
I found ground rice a good weaning food,exactly the same as the overpriced baby rice.

New clothes -babies don't care how they look and they are sick over everything! Accept any freebies you get offered.They grow out of clothes in weeks.
Babies don't need shoes btw.

High chair - you can hold the baby on your lap or get a seat that clips onto your table.I found these great as they take up less space,travel easily and the baby can join in the meal more.

Baby bath -you can wash a small baby in the sink.



Things I found essential were;
A cot,pushchair/pram, car seat,stair gates,and a supportive mum

Lillibet_2

Based on my experience with Spud, who is now 7 months old, you need :

Shares in Nescafe followed by at least 3 large jars of their finest in the cupboard at any one time.

A full freezer to get you through the first few weeks/months & all the localy delivery resteruants on speed dial

Understanding neighbours (you might liek to supply them with ear-plugs)

A fantastic sense of humour

Lovely friends & family who love baby sitting & forgive you when you forget their brithdays.

Expectations of zero sex life

Preperations to give up all you previously held-dear principals in return for sleep/time/money/a life!

Unlimited patience with all your childless friends who think they could do a better job at being a parent than you are doing

Degrees in business planning, administration, biological science & advanced mathematics in order to claim any benefits from the goverment & check that your maternity pay is correct

Other than this, for the first 3 months you might also need :
15 babygrows & vests. Let everyone else buy the cute outfits that they'll wear once.
4 blankets & a baby sleeping bag.
A babybjorn type sling (get a pushchair once baby has arrived)
A carseat
A crib/moses basket & a huge bed 'cos baby will be in with you & you'll store their stuff in the crib
Feeding equipment : Boobs followed by emergency formula & bottles if/when boobs fail you (You just can't rely on boobs unfortunatley)
Nappies of some description, I'd recommend disposabels for the first 3 months then move into washables if you are so inclined/have the time/still give a toss etc etc
A book to tell you how to get it right : you'll need something to blame when it all goes wrong & this is as good as anything.
A baby bouncer type chair to put them down in when your arms ache from holding them all night

HTH;)

thriftlady_2

Excellent advice Lillibet :T it's pretty obvious that your experience is much more recent than mine (youngest 6 tomorrow).You've taken me right back to what life was like with a new born! The full freezer is very good advice,it's much more useful for friends and family to give you a ready-cooked meal for the freezer than a cuddly toy.

Btw my boobs were pretty reliable.....they've paid the price though :rotfl: :rotfl:

chloe99_2

full freezer = excellent advice (mine is 4.5 months and I baby was very demanding so did no cooking for about 16 weeks) - I would include bread and milk in there if you can.

*cot or moses (if you want to money save don't get a moses basket even though it's cute as baby will be out of it when it's 3 months old - don't be fooled by anyone saying a cot is too big and the baby will feel all lost - what does the baby know about it????)

*I bought and then returned my baby sleeping bag as small baby slept much better (and cheaper) swaddled in one of my flanelett sheets (still swaddled now at almost 5 months)

*one box of formula plus the free bottle you get with the avent pack from boots for emergencies. half a dozen muslin cloths for mopping up sick and breast milk - not too pricey from boots or you can get from ebay or car boot.

*2 or 3 fitted cot sheets as you won't have time to be making the cot up properly
couple of flanellet (I KNOW I've spelt that wrong but I just can't seem to figure it out!!) sheets and say 4 cotton cellular blankets - all this stuff is dirt cheap from car boot, maybe £1 each (I also got about half a dozen terry nappies to change baby on so when poo and wee go everywhere you just toss it in the wash!!)

*buy nappies in bulk as this is always cheaper - don't be afraid to buy ahead when they're buy one get one half price in boots, but work it out carefully - various own brands are almost identical to pampers and huggies - tesco and sainsbury=pampers and i think boots = huggies

*don't bother with wipes except in the night and when you're out, use cotton wool and water - better for baby's bum too! only ever buy wipes on buy one get one free in boots

* I would say, I think, you'll definitely need a pram/pushchair or something but not everyone likes/uses a sling so I would probably get the pram first and then only buy the sling if you needed it. you can pick up really nice prams from car boots - take your time, try them all out in the shops to see what type of thing you're looking for then hit the car boot every week til you get what you want

* like the other ladies said, babies don't need quilts or cot bumpers or bath seats or nappy wrappers or nappy stackers - nor do they need more than say 3 outfits for the first 3 months (really, this is absolutely true - unless you have an angel baby it'll be living in its babygrow except when you're expecting visitors!!!) - I didn't need quite so many vests/baby grows, maybe half a dozen of each?

*if you're breastfeeding you'll definitely need breast pads - I found cheap ones absolute rubbish and dear ones very very dear so I tried washables (I can't remember who the manufacturer was but they told me they'll be making them under the boots brand now) and they are FANTASTIC - you'll need about a dozen pairs I would say which cost me about £14 from Boots for the lot and they'll last you a good 6 months - ask around first as some washables are rubbish

*pram bag and portable changing pad you get free from boots parenting club

* yes - you will need somewhere to put baby down (if you get the chance - he he he) - a nice bouncer is good, not the flmsy ones but the tubular type where you adjust the height of the back to almost fully upright - this can double as a day bed (s in laws son still sleeps in his and he's almost 2) also you can use it as a feeding chair later on

* if you wean at 5 to 6 months you won't be needed blenders and all that stuff, mash with a fork then feed with your fingers to begin with then move onto teaspoon or baby spoon if you want. will need a sippy cup but not right now!

* I love my mothecare baby box and couldn't be without it but maybe you can get a cheap one at car boot or think of something to use instead?

*have a think about baby monitors -I know you probably don't need them - especially old style - but i bought 4 or 5 second hand (useless and broken ones) before buying new - I'dve saved money buying new in the first place

* i bought but didn't really need a snowsuit for 0-3 months - didn't get out much and baby was more snuggy and settled swaddled in a sheet then swaddled in blanket too with a warm hat and another blanket on top

how exciting for you - make the most of it as it's really fun doing the baby shopping, especially for a first

absolutely - if anyone asks what they can do/bring tell them a meal for the freezer or get them to wash the dishes and clean your kitchen (cos you won't be doing it!!)

moggins

Boobs, a drawer, and old towels to cut up and use as nappies

(Sorry, I've just been reading the Tightwad Gazette)

Rachie_B

lmao @ lillibet

very good advice about full freezer! esp if you haave to stay in hospital and dont want your OH living on expensive takeways ; ) lol

most people will buy you baby outfits but dont be afraid to maybe ask / hint to close family etc that you could really do with some bedding / a bouncy chair etc etc

more useful things that will last ages not just a few weeks !

a lot of 2nd hand babycare stuff is fine as a lot of it isnt used for a great deal of time anyway eg baby bath / moses basket (or dont bother and use the carrycot attachment of a 3in1 on a stand)

IMO what you REALLY need (at first anyway )is

somewhere for baby to sleep - cot / moses / crib / carrycot
2 / 3 changes of bedding (may have a sickly baby)
basic clothing - babygros (or day suits)/ vests / outdoor suit if cold season / few cardis for adding warm layer
feeding stuff - so steriliser ,bottles etc OR breasts pads / nursing bras etc
pram / pushchair / sling for getting out and about

[Deleted User]

moggins that is exactly what my nmil used when her babies were tiny

thriftlady_2

moggins wrote:

Boobs, a drawer, and old towels to cut up and use as nappies

(Sorry, I've just been reading the Tightwad Gazette)

I've been reading the same article Moggins

I'm afraid I'd go for disposable nappies every time My mil cannot understand the move towards terries again,she would have given her right arm for the efficient disposables we have now.

MrsB_2

thriftlady wrote:

I'm afraid I'd go for disposable nappies every time My mil cannot understand the move towards terries again,she would have given her right arm for the efficient disposables we have now.

That's exactly what my mum keeps telling me (I'm due end of June) - she says that although reusable's are very laudable environmentally speaking, there's no point in busting your butt to be green if it makes so much more work at an already stressful and difficult time. Each to their own obviously, but I must admit it's nice to not have that 'pressure' from her - she's the same with breast feeding. Absolutely in the camp of if you can then fab and if you cant it doesnt make you a bad mother. Fidget will def be in disposables and *hopefully* I'll have 'reliable boobs'!!!

Surf Widow - check out babycentre.co.uk they have an article on what you do and dont need to buy for baby. It's done by 2 of their editors listing their best and worst buys. Infact - it's here.

squeaky

A thread filled with advice and tips and help is in the link:-


Having a baby old Style