Baby on the way...what are the essential buys?

ecoelle

Ok, so i've only just found out i'm expecting and want to get a handle on what things are essential to buy and which of the many many things advertised are non essential. So to all mummy's and daddy's out there, what buys are essential to make prior to the birth.

delain

• Buggy from birth (make sure it's practical for what you need it for, not just what's in fashion)
• Car seat. They won't let baby out of the hospital without one.
• Baby clothes. Don't get loads in newborn unless you know you will have baby very early. I bought newborn for DD1 who arrived weighing 10lb and looking 6 weeks old:eek:
• Cot/Cot bed. You don't need a moses basket or crib, You can always use the buggy, especially if it has a carrycot.
• Nappies! whether you use washable or disposable, get a load in.
• Wipes. Buy a job lot when they're on offer, you won't want to be just nipping to boots to get more with a one week old baby.
• Breast pads if BF
• If not BF, bottles, bottle brush, steriliser, some formula.

onlyroz

The only things you *need* are buggy, car seat (if you've got a car) and a cot. You'll most likely be bought a ton of clothes, of you can prob find someone with a child just a bit older and get their cast-offs. Short of that, ASDA/Tesco will be the cheapest for clothes.

Also, remember that hardly anything needs to be bought in advance - e.g. don't rush out now to buy (e.g.) a whole bundle of electric bottle sterilising kit, or a fancy breast pump, until you've decided that you actually need it. The shops will still sell the same stuff at the same price in 6-9 months time, and you might find by then that you can get along just fine without.

ecoelle

That's a good idea about the moses basket/crib, using the buggy instead. I think if i get things which are as multi functional as possible then i should have to spend less. Although i'm not averse to spending money on things for the baby, i don't want to go into Mother care like a woman possessed and buy one of everything because i know it will be a complete waste. I am also thinking of asking for any donations of second hand stuff from freegle but don't want to ask for things i don't need.

Plans_all_plans

Decent car seat for when you leave hospital (I'd recommend Britax)
Baby grows and hats (my DD wore a hat even while in hospital!)
A few packs of newborn nappies (not many as they grow out of them quickly)
Baby mittens to stop them scratching themselves
Pram
Cot
Blankets
Breastpump (not strictly necessary from the off, but can be helpful) if you want to b/feed
Bottles/steriliser if you intend to bottlefeed
Changing mat

I wouldnt bother with a changing table, they are dear and unless you have a bad back the floor's as good!

I found my moses basket very helpful (my DD was in it a good 4 months) but others find them a waste of time and use a cot from the off

I found my DD tended to live in sleepsuits/babygrows for the first few months so dont go mad on pretty outfits in newborn sizes

Can't think of anymore off the top of my head!

jcr16

a good size changing bag. doesn't have to be a specific changing bag, infact my best bag i've had was just a winnie the pooh bag from argos , which i found perfect.

sterlising equipment if your not b/f. but this doesn't have to be expensive top range. a brand new washing up bowl and some cold water soloution like miltons works just as well.

sudocream

plenty of bibs or muslin clothes, or even tesco value cheap hand towels work wonders for sickie babies.

i'd say don't buy much newborn clothing, just a few bits to last a short while and go shopping when baby born.

worst buy i'd say is a cot bumper, they are not for use in a cot until baby is over 12m, and by the time baby is 12 m there ready for a big bed. buying a cot bumper was biggest waste of money for me, my dd was climbing out her cot by 11m, as was my youngest ds. so it never got used, but being a first time mummy with my dd i thought it was something i had to have.

pupsicola

When I was expecting my son nine years ago I bought a travel system. Pram/buggy/car seat in one. Very practical and saw me through till he was walking.

Cot bed, with drop sides. Very useful to pick baby up easily. Especially if you end up having a caesarean. Once you convert it into a bed it can last a kid a long time. My eight year old is still in his. Was a very good quality one though.

When you get the mattress try to find one that has an unzippable cover. Very handy to be able to strip off and throw in the wash if nappy leaks or baby is sick etc etc.

Buy some "newborn" baby clothes. They do grow very quick but my son looked ridiculous in 0-3 months clothes when he first arrived. Was a mad dash down to mothercare to buy clothes that let his little hands poke through

Steriliser. Even if you plan to breastfeed you may want to make up some bottles of expressed milk.

Dont bother buying a baby bath. They are awkward bloody things. We just filled our normal bath with a little warm water, maybe an inch or two, and put in some bubble bath lotion. Laid Jack on his back and splashed water over him. He loved it.

We learnt the hard way and spent fortunes on baby gadgets and gizmos that you really dont need. Have found Kiddicare near Peterborough fantastic for all kinds of things, highchairs, car seats later on etc etc. Good quality stuff at sensible prices. They are online and their delivery is reliable.:D

pinkshoes

The only things you NEED are:

vests and sleepsuits (they don't need outfits yet)
warm layer i.e. snowsuit
blanket/sleepingbag
cot
nappies
babywipes or cotton wool
car seat
pushchair suitable for newborn

Recommended/helpful:
Lansinoh (if breast feeding)
changing table (I'm tall, and 6 weeks of changing him on the floor hurt my knees and back!)
baby carrier (allows you to get on with tasks if baby hates being put down alone for long)
earplugs (my DS is noisy when sleeping!!)

jcr16

pupsicola wrote: »

Dont bother buying a baby bath. They are awkward bloody things. We just filled our normal bath with a little warm water, maybe an inch or two, and put in some bubble bath lotion.

i agree with this, but for me as i've had sections with all 3 of my children i found the best way to bath them ( without sounding weird) was the kitchen sink, or bathroom sink. it was the perfect height without pulling on my tummy, i could hold baby easy with one arm and wash with the other, and i could lay out on the worktop all i needed for baby ready. then as baby got bigger i got one of those bath support's which bit like a smaller bouncy chair. my ds loved it.

pupsicola

One of the best things someone gave me was one of those /\ shaped cushions. Was nice to have some extra support whilst feeding.

Also agree with what another poster wrote about mainly investing in babygrows and sleepsuits. Mine didn't wear outfits as such till they were about 6 months. But then I like babies to look like babies.

Dont buy anything white - total waste of money.

bexta

Congratulations!

Don't be afraid/ ashamed of second hand things. You can get fab bundles of clothes on ebay for pennies - and it saves you money for any special bits you want. I found my LO was in small clothes for ages, she's 6 months now and still fits into some 0-3, it just depends on the baby I guess.

Join the various baby clubs going, Boots, Tesco etc - you get coupons, free samples etc.

Don't bother with a top and tail bowl, but a baby bath is quite useful.