Shopping list for a new Mum - what do I really need?

Money_Maker_Shaker

Now I'm into my 2nd trimester and feeling a little more optimistic about my risk levels I thought it was time I started planning my baby shopping and I'm hoping my friends on MSE can help with a few suggestions

So far I've been really good and have bought nothing but some cheap maternity tops off e-bay. This will be the first grandchild on both sides of the family so I'm hopeful we might end up with a few items from them. My Mum's already hinted she will buy the pram. Trouble is I really don't know what I need. The shops seem to have so many different things, and I'm sure a lot are the luxuries not the essentials.

What items do experienced Mums and Dads really recommend, both the basics (told you I haven't a clue!) and those items you just wouldn't be without.

Many thanks

MMS

gooismeid

What you DON'T need are any clothes which fasten with buttons. Go for poppers every time! You need far more bibs than you think, and the absolute best and most useful thing I was ever given was what my Canadian friend calls a "receiving blanket" - it was a big square of cotton jersey which was really soft, and could be used as a towel, a blanket, an emergency bib, and on one occasion an emergency nappy! I also would not have been without a large number of muslin squares (or spuugdoekjes in Dutch - a lovely word meaning spit cloths). If you're breastfeeding, I found the Avent breast pump brilliant and I think they still do a system where you can put your spare breastmilk into plastic bags which are ideal for putting in the freezer, and then defrost them and put them straight into a special bottle you can put an Avent teat on. If you're bottle feeding, I always took the formula as a dry powder in a little tupperware tub, and a small thermos of boiling water and a bottle of cold boiled water so I could mix it to the right temperature without faffing about waiting for it to cool down (or heat up in a cafe's microwave). Prams - don't bother buying a brand new posh expensive heavy one with lots of attachments, get one with "shopping trolley" wheels (the ones that can change direction), and as light as possible. I had one in Holland that you could fit a baby car seat onto, that was ideal. Although make sure you don't leave baby in a car seat for more than an hour at a time - it's bad for their little backs and heads. I'm sure there are lots more things but I'll leave it up to our lovely community of MSE'ers to add some more now! Good luck and enjoy the ride...

Addicted_to_Saving_Money

The essentials are:-

Cot and bedding
pram
car seat
steriliser, bottles and formula (unless you are planning to breastfeed)
baby monitor
baby bouncer chair
top and tail bowl/baby bath
sleepsuits
nappies
wipes
nappy cream
bibs

My daughter is 1 year old next Wednesday and it only seems 2 minutes since I was purchasing the above items in readiness for her arrival. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth. Enjoy every single minute of your baby when he/she arrives, time passes so quickly.

Miss_Cinnabon

Items to have:

Baby sling( i used baby bjorn) cheap off ebay
Loads of vests/sleepsuits
Cardigans
Booties
Mittens
Nappies/wipes( or reuseables)
Bath
Cotton wool
Pram
Car seat
Reclining baby chair
Moses basket( for the first 2 months)
Cot
Blankets/sheets
Bottles, teats, steriliser, baby milk(if not breastfeeding)

Kyle

Becles

To add to the above:

Don't bother with Moses baskets etc. They look pretty but they only last a few months. Both of mine just went in a cot from day 1, and the baby I'm expecting will too.

I got a lot of use from a travel cot. I prefered baby to sleep downstairs during the day, in among the usual household noise. It also meant they could sleep in the garden in warmer weather. It doubled up as a playpen when baby got bigger, and was handy to stick baby in for a few minutes if the bell/phone rang or you needed the loo, to save taking the baby with you.

I didn't have a baby monitor. Trust me - babies scream loud enough when they need attention, and if you don't live in a mansion, they don't seem necessary to me.

A cot mobile is handy on a night time. My sons had one that lit up and played a lullaby. They were normally asleep by the time the tune ended. It teaches baby to go to sleep by themselves rather than rely on being rocked or sang to, in case you can't do it for any reason - illness, night out etc.

Cot activity centre for when baby is a little older. Keeps them amused for a while before they wake you up!

Cheap flannels for washing bottoms - can be washed and reused so cheaper than wipes.

A pack of cheap tea towels to catch sicky bits after feeding. Can be draped over you to keep your clothes clean!

Js_Other_Half

Al_Mac wrote:

Help, Patience, A strong constitution, Ability to function with no sleep, Un-limited energy, A decent take-away, A punch bag - better than the child ;)More help, A non critical mother in law, A non critical mother And more help;)

Makes notes and passes to other half!

Aoife's_mum

It's difficult this one as different people will think different things are essential - where possible delay buying what you can til you see what you need. A few tips though : don't buy many/any outfits - you will probably be given lots as gifts, so wait and see what you need. I bought a very cute new born t-shirt and jeans (jeans! what was I thinking!) for my daughters going home from the hospital outfit, but she spent her first few months in a baby vest! You don't need a baby bath - you can get some great baby holders to go in the big bath instead. And think about whether you'll be having another one (I know, early days!) - but if you are then a cotbed won't be much use as you'll need the cot again for the next one.

A lot of stuff you can pick up cheaper online, or at NCT nearly new sales (check out their website), or freecycle. I'm not sure about ebay - everything I tried to buy on there went for a fortune - the pram I wanted sold on ebay for more than I could buy it new!! We bought a 3 wheeler nice pram new instead, and it's lasted us both children adn we will be able to sell it on ebay when we're finished with it.

For breastfeeding, the reusable pads are cheaper and more comfortable inmho. Get advice where you can on breastfeeding as if you can do it, it will save loads, as well as all the other benefits (like being able to eat lots!).

Sure there's loads more but my brain is mush - don't want to scare you but I was up for 3 hours last night with a teething 7 month old... :eek:

rio

Ask your friends what they needed and what worked for them, you'll be amazed at how many people will offer freebies that are taking up space in their own house. Stay clear of any second hand pram or pushchair advertised as hardly used, there is a reason why; normally because they are too heavy or cumbersome to faff around with. I'd recommend baby sleeping bags for the winter months. No cot blankets or sheets to mess around with, and baby will stay warm and covered. No screaming at three in the morning because they have pushed their bedding off and are cold. Also they can be fed still wearing the sleeping bags so less chance of them being cold that way. When they are older 'grobags' have ones that also serve as pushchair cosytoes, perfect if you have to transport a baby at night.

Lillibet_2

Rechargeable batteries. Trust me....not just for toys but for the monitors (dont' use ours at night but handy during the day if I want to pop into the garden or to a neighbours etc), the remote control when babe gets hold of it & loses the existing ones (biggest culprit), torches to avoid putting lights on in the middle of the night (you'll try anything to avoid waking the little darling)......you name it!

Money_Maker_Shaker

Wow, I go out for a couple of hours and when I log back on what wonderful advice you have all given me. Thank you so much I'm feeling a little more confident now about what I need.

I just been to a friends and she has given me a whole bag of maternity clothes and as we are about the same size this should save me a fortune.

Looking on the NCT website it seems we've got a sale on in Milton Keynes this weekend, so I might go and have a look - although I get a little scared in crowds and I expect NCT sales are very busy. Just hopefully not too agressive.

Any other suggestions from MSEers out there gratefully received.

MMS

Aoife's_mum

Little tip on the NCT sales - if you get involved in your local branch you can offer to help out at the sale and so get in before the crowds!