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

Becles

I got it in Mothercare but it was 10 years ago when I was expecting my first!

Click here for a similar one on the Mothercare site

Personally I've never faniced bathing babies in the kitchen sink. I don't know why, but I just think kitchen sinks should be for food prep and washing pots - not babies!

lil_me

Sinks can be quite rough aswell and not very nice on babies skin. Baths can be used on a bench or table if the bench/table is sturdy enough which helps with bending etc. I got an inflattable Tomy one and it's been used by all the children in the family since and then my neice nabbed it for bathing her dolly lol.

Primark is great for baby clothes. If mits come off put them on before putting the sleep suit on, so the sleepsuit cuffs come over the top of them keeping them on.

If you have a local Ikea they do very cheap baby stuff like cots, highchairs etc..

I did like my sons bouncer but when it broke we just used the car seat which rocked anyway and lasted him much longer than the bouncer would have.

Phatmouse

My baby is due in december, this is what I have decided I cannot do without. I got a lot of things off freecycle and ebay or as gifts.

Cot & Mattress
Flat sheets
Top sheets
Cellular blankets
Mobile
Baby monitor

Baby bouncer

Travel system (get one with foot muff, changing bag and rain cover included)
Sun Visers

Vests
Sleepsuits
Cardigans
Snowsuit (winter baby)
Hat
Booties
Mittens
Bibs

Nappies
Liners
Waterproofs
Changing mat
Flannels (loads for nappy changes)
Baby bath
Top & tail bath
Nail clippers
Brush/comb
Head to toe wash
Nappy cream
Baby sponge
Hooded towels

Bottles
Teats
Soothers
Breast pump
Bottle warmer
steam steriliser
Bottle brush
Nursing bras
Breast pads

Big bottles of Gin

lato161105

Congratulations one thing i'd give is all these freebie sites there are quite a few others cant remeber off the top off my head but i'm sure the others will come across with some

http://www.pampers.co.uk/en_GB/home.do
http://www.hipp.co.uk/register.htm
http://www.petitsfilous.co.uk/index.html click on the little spoonfuls free guide
http://www.cowandgate.co.uk/en/home.asp
http://www.anbesol.com/teething/chart.asp
https://www.huggies.com
http://www.bounty.com/ see if a friend will let you send 1 to them then you get double
http://www.mamuk.com/ this is good for dummies no offers at the minute but keep checking

inkie

I never used scratch mits - keep the baby's nail nice and short and you'll not need them. I think it's all part of the tactile discovery process for them right from being a new born that they shoud be able to feel things - just me probably being a bit funny!

Money_Maker_Shaker

Thanks for all the advice, I'm getting quite a comprehensive list put together now with all your help. Hopefully I'm also going to be getting some freebies through the post now I've registered on a few sites. :T

joflo_2

I bought nothing new. NCT sales were excellent for everything. I found my pram in a Sue Ryder shop and it has been used for three babies now. Ask around people you know with babies as people are often keen to give away stuff. Also I freecycled several of the larger baby things. Breastpumps I had but never used as I didnt need to save any milk. Baby slings can be useful depends what are using them for. We had a warm one for walking outside.

amandajo

Hiya and congrats!

I had my first baby in August and we bought a baby bath which we have used - I got mine from Asda for £1.87. I figured that if I didn't use it I wouldn't have wasted much money. I think in the end though it is all down to personal preference.

As far as other essentials go - muslin squares are a must. I bought 2 big packs from Mothercare.

I did buy re-usuable breast pads but found I leaked through so have been using disposables as they are made from a plastic type of material. Lanisoh or Tommee Tippee are the best for these (although a tad on the expensive side).

I must admit though we didn't buy too much before baby was born and have bought things like breast pumps when we actually found the need for them.

I hope that helps.

earthmother

I think most essentials have been covered now, but just to add - three children (5.5, 3, and 7 months) down the line, and these are my suggestions;

I can really recommend a good reclining highchair (we have the Chicco Polly) -we had one of those that strap to the dining chair for eldest two, thinking that it took up less space and 'who would spend £100 on a highchair', and they were never really comfy (also couldn't be used until they were sitting steadily). The Chicco however has been in use since day one, and I can see it still being in use when he's 2 - worth every penny and then some.

Another 'wish we'd got one before' item is a baby swing - doesn't have to be fancy with flashing lights etc, we got a basic Fisher Price one, but again, especially in the first few months, it was invaluable (and my cousin says the same now she is using it for her daughter)

The third 'how did we manage without' is sleeping bags (also known as Grobags) - put off by the price with the two elder ones, we got one free for this one and they are a lifesaver, especially now it's chillier at night.


Constants throughout have been Terry nappies - cheaper and more absorbent than muslins (Savers seem to be the cheapest if you can't get any hand-me-downs) - they get used all the time for all sorts of things.

If you do decide to get a Moses basket (we actually found them very useful), don't buy special sheets for the mattress - a flannellette pillowcase does the job fine.

You don't need expensive toiletries - a bag of cotton wool balls, a couple of dozen cheap flannels, some chamomile and honey teabags (soak flannels in to use as wipes - you won't have any nappy rash problems), and all-over wash for when they get a little older (we like Halos N Horns) will pretty much cover all eventualities.


And clothes - ok, so all these little colourful outfits look lovely in the shops, but trust me, buy neutrals for the first 6 months at least - makes laundry day so much easier if you haven't got to sort 2 or 3 different coloured loads first.

And no poppers or buttons down the back - apart from the changing issues (see below), baby gets annoyed at things digging in, and Daddy panics about what the red marks could be :rolleyes:

And all sleepsuits should popper completely open down the front for quick changes - shoulder-and-leg-only openings do not work on p'd-off babies covered in bodily fluids :eek: *the memories*


Good luck, and enjoy

joflo_2

Ah yes, growbags, I do wish I had bought one also. As I have a child who always kicked off his covers and still does it and wakes up half the night cold.If I had him in a growbag early enough he would have gotten used to covers.