A few questions about baby/new mum items

Janepig

I only used wipes, not cotton wool and water (except once or twice when they had bad nappy rash) - I don't understand this anti-wipe snobbery there seems to be. I always used the unscented "pure" type and bought whatever was on offer at the time (big slabs of pampers/huggies, etc..).

I also had a washing up bowl second time around as we'd got rid of the baby bath. DD who had been bathed in the proper baby bath had hated it and screamed the place down, but DS who had use of the washing up bowl, never had a problem with being bathed, and I put that down to the relative "cosyness" of the smaller washing up bowl.

And I personally wouldn't bother with disposable knickers - I bought a truckload of cheapy knickers from (I think) Primark, or somewhere like that. Comfy as normal knickers but cheap enough to be binned if they get mucky.

Jxx

gratefulforhelp_2

Congratulations!

I wash babies in the sink (well supported) and with a facecloth over the hot tap.

Muslins very useful, the more you have the less often you will need to put a wash on, they last for more than one baby though.

I use cheapie changing mats from MrA or wherever. Easier to have one upstairs and one downstairs if you can.

Careful with cotton wool, if kept in open bag in bathroom, can harbour bacteria, def use a different bag for each end of baby!

Didn't bother with maternity towels, but always ultra, but then I have been lucky with no tears/cuts/stitches.

Good luck! btw, def get a cot! But don't worry about pretty bedclothes, babe will have outgrown cot before old enough to appreciate the bedclothes.

rach

This is a helpful thread, thanks. Too early for me to be getting stuff really yet but I did get the 5 for £5 deal at boots today - got a couple of baby baths stuff (one nighttime one), couple of nappy rash creams and a baby shampoo. I know we might not use them all but thought for a fiver couldn't really go wrong!

In terms of wipes, is half the concern not that they are not so environmentally friendly?

rach

also, i've just seen that Tesco have muslins on offer until 16/03 http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=263787201

retro_bluebell

Muslins are a god send imo, they are good for mopping up, feeding out in public as a cover up if you are worried, good for over your shoulder for burping (nowt worse than the feeling of a sicky bit slowly making its way down your top lol) and as a comforter for little un when he/she gets older, etc...I had loads they wash and dry really quickly.

I took baby wipes to the hospital with me I didnt even bother trying to cover up with cotton wool, but I am a mum of 3 now so more determined in my attitude with my 3rd than I was with my first lol.

Its hard as you wont know whats good/bad or need until you have your lo. Like the others have said go with what makes your life easier for the first few weeks it wont be a waste of money. Congratulation too

chickaroonee

rach wrote: »

This is a helpful thread, thanks. Too early for me to be getting stuff really yet but I did get the 5 for £5 deal at boots today - got a couple of baby baths stuff (one nighttime one), couple of nappy rash creams and a baby shampoo. I know we might not use them all but thought for a fiver couldn't really go wrong!

In terms of wipes, is half the concern not that they are not so environmentally friendly?

For the wipes it's just that all the books etc say that a newborn's skin is so sensitive it should only have water on it for a few weeks to avoid irritation

JBD

chickaroonee wrote: »

For the wipes it's just that all the books etc say that a newborn's skin is so sensitive it should only have water on it for a few weeks to avoid irritation

I have always used wipes

with no ill effects. I used to use Boots range for newborns for my daughter as her skin was a little dry.[Not sure what they're called now]. Seriously, newborns can do some major poos. Personally I would at least keep a pack available just in case water didn't do the trick.

chickaroonee

Thanks JBD, I must admit I have wondered how on earth people have managed with just water...I've got hundreds of wipes stockpiled anyway so no probs getting hold of some straight away if needs be!

JBD

Also a drop of baby lotion on a cotton wool pad [think removing makeup] can be a good way of cleaning. It may be gentler than using wipes.

RLH33

Great tips but just wanted to add that we have a 'Fabric Bath Support' from Mothercare (£9.99) for use in the bath. We had one for ds (now 5) and bought another for dd (10 weeks). I personally think it is great as you can just lie the baby on it and not worry about her being too slippery!! Plus she was quite a long baby so we only used the baby bath about twice - now we just use the big bath and she is fine.

Re: Wipes - When ASDA do their 'baby event' they usually have Pampers Senstive wipes on offer - I bought a box of 12 packs for £8 :j:j making them cheaper than Tesco's own! We never bothered with cotton wool for this baby!