A few questions about baby/new mum items

chickaroonee

I'm just putting together a list of things I still need to buy and hoping people can help with a few questions about things I might need:

• muslins (any idea how many and where is a good price to buy them?)
• Do I need bibs as well as muslins?
• maternity pads (heard boots are quite good, again any idea how many?)
• For baby toiletries I've only got cotton wool at the minute as I know they're not supposed to have anything else when they're born, is there anything else that would be useful?
• any other toiletries for me that might be useful? (already have lansinoh and breast pads)

Also for a changing mat, is it best to get one with a towel on?

And finally, are the baby bath support things any good? Most people seem to say just use a washing up bowl and then into the big bath later on, but I'm a terrified first-time mum and scared I'll drop a slippery baby!

honeypop

chickaroonee wrote: »

I'm just putting together a list of things I still need to buy and hoping people can help with a few questions about things I might need:

• muslins (any idea how many and where is a good price to buy them?) I had a pack of 10, used 1 a day as my baby wasn't very sicky. Other babies are quite sicky and go through 10's per day. They are pretty much the same quality everywhere, so wherever is cheapest is fine. No idea where is cheapest through sorry!
• Do I need bibs as well as muslins? Never used a bib until weaning, just tucked muslin under babies chin when feeding, so bibs are not essential.
• maternity pads (heard boots are quite good, again any idea how many?) Dependent on the person and the delivery really. I know the packs in Mothercare says on them how many you may need per week or something, thats a good guide. I used a lot as I bled for 8 weeks!
• For baby toiletries I've only got cotton wool at the minute as I know they're not supposed to have anything else when they're born, is there anything else that would be useful? Baby wipes. Seriously, sometimes this is best when baby has done a nightmare poo, it's the middle of the night, and cotton wool is going to take 10 mins to clean it up. Get something like Huggies Pure. I got a bottle of Asda baby wash and that is all I've used to wash hair and skin and only half way through the same bottle at 9 months old. Didn't use that until 1 month old though, and only other toiletries used so far is a moisturising cream.
• any other toiletries for me that might be useful? (already have lansinoh and breast pads) As long as I had the Lansinoh I was happy, it's like heaven in a tube for nipples!

Also for a changing mat, is it best to get one with a towel on? Any changing mat will do, just put a flannel under babys bottom when you take the nappy off. I got a pack of 6 flannels from Poundland (£1 obviously!) and when it gets dirty, change it.

And finally, are the baby bath support things any good? Most people seem to say just use a washing up bowl and then into the big bath later on, but I'm a terrified first-time mum and scared I'll drop a slippery baby! We had one and never used it as found it awkward, it really depends on the person. If you would feel more comfortable then do get one, as your nerves as holding a wet slippery baby in the bath may cause you to be clumsy.

Just my opinions lol.

chickaroonee

thanks so much honeypop I've got hundreds of wipes stockpiled, forgot to say

SugarSpun

• muslins (any idea how many and where is a good price to buy them?)

I have six - my monster isn't very sicky and we use one a day.

• Do I need bibs as well as muslins?

Yes, probably - muslins wipe up after feeding, but the bib catches dribbles and is good for when they're teething and so on.

• maternity pads (heard boots are quite good, again any idea how many?)

That's very variable - start with two packs and you can get more if you need them.

• For baby toiletries I've only got cotton wool at the minute as I know they're not supposed to have anything else when they're born, is there anything else that would be useful?

Baby wipes for horrible poops, and if your baby comes in late s/he might have peeling skin so some kind of oil is nice to rub their scaly bits.

• any other toiletries for me that might be useful? (already have lansinoh and breast pads)

Lavender oil is nice in the bath afterwards, and you should probably grab yourself a 1-litre jug to keep in the bathroom - fill it with tepid water when you need to pee post-birth and pour it over yourself to stop the stinging.

• Also for a changing mat, is it best to get one with a towel on?

I'd get a cheapy one with 3-4 cheap hand towels so you can whip a dirty one off and replace it with a clean one rather than wait for the proper cover to dry.

• And finally, are the baby bath support things any good?

They vary from baby to baby. Mine hated the foam one and will only consent to bathing without screamy time if someone's in there with her.

Good luck!

Curious_George_2

i love these threads when they come up, everyone is so different....

some people will tell you you need a top and tail bowl (we used ours every other night for at least the first year) and other people will tell you they are a waste of time / money and they threw thiers out

some people will tell you not to even bother buying a cot! god knows how they survive....my DS was 2 in november and has only just come out of his!

i got our muslins from babies r us, didnt really need them in the end with DS, but bought loads as they were a lifesaver with DD as she was a bit sicky

yes you will need bibs too (you can NEVER have enough bibs!)

maternity pads - how long is a piece of string? how long will you bleed for? take a few packs to the hospital, have a few packs at home so you dont need to rush to the shops in the first week and then buy them as and when til you dont need them anymore

nobody is going to look down on you for using wipes, i had a pack of wipes hidden in my bag but used cotton wool in the maternity ward but on the occasions a midwife took him for the night they asked me for wipes (i was alone in the mat ward for 2 nights... they were bored and wanted something to do so they looked after DS while i slept! lol)

edited to add - i forgot the most important thing - MORHULIN is the only nappy rash cream worth bothering with, get iy over the counter from the chemist and thank me later... everyone else ive recomended it to has, it cured my sons bum problems when he had something akin to a chemical burn (he had stomach problems and very acidic poo in every nappy for the first few months) we tried everything before the doc gave us Morhulin and have never looked back

we had a changing mat with a velcro attached towel, the towel gets dirty very quickly and thrown in the wash and your lucky if it gets put back on!
remember muck on mat = a quick wipe
muck on towel = something else in your washing pile

i never had a support thing for the bath, we used a baby bath in the lounge for the first few months (again some people will tell you these are a waste of money but as i said DS is a winter baby and our bathroom is freezing... front room is toasty) and then went to big bath when he could sit up a bit,
your terrified now... but once you have done it a few times you wont be, you dont pick up an instrument and play it perfectly first time... everything needs a bit of practise

basically... buy what you think is going to make your life easier... some people cant live without a special bottle warmer while the rest of us manage with a kitchen jug, others cant cope without a walker while some wont even have one in the house...

good luck xxx

pigpen

chickaroonee wrote: »

I'm just putting together a list of things I still need to buy and hoping people can help with a few questions about things I might need:

• muslins (any idea how many and where is a good price to buy them?) I got a pack of 20.. baby had reflux and I never ran out
• Do I need bibs as well as muslins?.. I didn't use bibs at all until weaning
• maternity pads (heard boots are quite good, again any idea how many?) I got 4 packs.. I used 1 lot after waters broke! I used ordinary pads once I had stopped bleding so heavily.. you don't have to use maternity pads for the entire time you bleed!! They are fairly essential the first few days though.
• For baby toiletries I've only got cotton wool at the minute as I know they're not supposed to have anything else when they're born, is there anything else that would be useful? baby bath.. babys sweat and people will touch them so they get greasy and grotty. It removes the build up of oil helping prevent cradle cap! I used baby lotion for bum cleaning with cottom wool. bum creeam.. white petroleum jelly is fine and cheap as is zinc and castor oil.
• any other toiletries for me that might be useful? (already have lansinoh and breast pads) Breast pump? Just in case Disposable pants.. they get way too gross for words and are comfier than your own.. especially if you have a section.

Also for a changing mat, is it best to get one with a towel on? nah.. get a bath towels for baby instead of those useless hooded things and fold one is half and lay on changing mat.. or a hand towel or tea towel.. all of which can be used when baby grows up!

And finally, are the baby bath support things any good? Most people seem to say just use a washing up bowl and then into the big bath later on, but I'm a terrified first-time mum and scared I'll drop a slippery baby!

You are more likely to drop baby in a baby bath! In a bowl they have teir feet against the bottom so can't go anywhere.. I have 8 children and have never dropped one yet!!.. I put their head on my forearm and hold tightly to the top of their arm away from me.. from this position I can use the other hand to wash baby, grab both legs and lift them out. I have never had use of a bath support thing.

chickaroonee

Thanks so much for all the advice Can't believe how quick it has come round, feel like I have a lot to learn but gives me confidence that you all know what you're doing so hopefully I can learn too!

svmitche

chickaroonee wrote: »

• muslins (any idea how many and where is a good price to buy them?) We had loads, but then DS was sicky.
• Do I need bibs as well as muslins? I would say so yes. The Tommee Tippee ones with the foam around the neck are good and did help prevent rashes.
• maternity pads (heard boots are quite good, again any idea how many?) Boots ones were !!!! and I had to use two at a time. Better are Tesco Night time sanitary towels, the thick ones. They are about 30p cheaper per pack and are really good. I was only in hospital overnight and used a whole pack of 10, so had to get OH to bring more from home the next day.
• For baby toiletries I've only got cotton wool at the minute as I know they're not supposed to have anything else when they're born, is there anything else that would be useful? Baby wipes, baby bath - you don't need to use a lot in the bath, but it doesn't do baby any harm to have it and sometimes water just isn't enough for that stubborn poo!! I took cotton wool only into the hospital and was saved by a pack of wipes in my Bounty pack when DS did his first poo at 2am! Sudocrem is good stuff for nappy rash or soreness.
• any other toiletries for me that might be useful? (already have lansinoh and breast pads) Lansinoh is heaven! I would get some travel sized shampoo/conditioner etc for after the birth (or decant into bottles you already have) but get whatever you like. I do have to confess that, though painful, a bit of salt in my bath water for the first few days, did help my stitches (IMO - not scientifically proven!!)

Also for a changing mat, is it best to get one with a towel on? Get a plain change mat - if it's cold put a towel on it, but as someone else said if poo goes on the mat you can just wipe it, but a towel will need to be washed - you'll ave enough washing to do anyway!!

And finally, are the baby bath support things any good? Most people seem to say just use a washing up bowl and then into the big bath later on, but I'm a terrified first-time mum and scared I'll drop a slippery baby! We never used one, and only used a baby bath for a couple of weeks. It was easier for one of use to get in the bath with DS, or just hold him.

I've read quite a few of your threads and just wanted to say never feel embarrassed about being a panicky new mum - we all are at first and you are doing the best thing by seeking advice. You'll get used to it and take it all in your stride once you've got used to it!

chickaroonee

Thanks svmitche I don't have any family close by and no close friends with young children so it's all a bit of a learning curve!

billybobberyl

i found asda a good place for muslins, they do white, pink or blue! and quite cheap, i still use mine and my son is 3 in july, he has them for runny noses as a tissue lasts 2 seconds!
also if i can say anything choose what you are happy with re bathing, then be confident and make it fun form day 1, i was a nervous wreck as like you i was scared to drop baby, he is almost 3 and still hates the bath now, and hates water anywhere near his face and hiar, although bubs wont like it to start with the quicker they get used to it the better in the long run!
sorry slightly off topic but i dont want anyonwe else to have screaming toddlers!!

JBD

I didn't use muslin squares, I always used bibs and ordinary kitchen paper.
Personally I would take wipes into hospital even if people say not to.You can get hypoallergic ones. Meconium can be really difficult to clean off especially on a little girl.
For a baby bath I used a normal washing up bowl[obviously a brand new one]. And if you are really nervous you don't actually have to bath the baby in the bath. You could just lay him/her on the changing mat and wash them all over. They will still be just as clean!
Lastly, enjoy it! hope it all goes well.
Forgot to add,re maternity pads. I just needed a couple of packets of these then used ordinary basic pads.
I would recommend against using the Always type slimline pad though if you have any stitches or tear as they can rub and feel sore. The ordinary pads are best.