What baby care essentials to stock up?

pixie76

I agree about the muslin squares, buy loads of them as they are so handy. Also stock up on baby wipes and nappies.

Kira000

Thanks for the thoughts peeps. OH and i are budgetting for the larger purchases: cot, car seat, pram etc separately from these bits.

Not going to buy disposible nappies as we are going to try washable ones. Not bought many tots bots, just a few to try, but keeping eyes open for a few other of different types too, as you said Sammy. Done some reading and it all seems depend on length/ build of baby which suit best.

Muslins will definately be on the list then, along with cotton wool. I've bought the odd body suit already, and a hooded towel for after bath time. I'll add some bibs to the list, along with the socks!

Gpark- yes, i'm intending to try breastfeeding if at all possible. Good tip on the lanisoh cream, i'd seen it and wondered, but good to know it will be useful. I guess some breast pads will be useful as well? Anyone got any experience of expressing and freezing milk? What is best for storing in the freezer? I've seen some people mention special bags, but others bottles or pots?

I am trying to put aside as much cash as i can anyway, but i always like to make sure i have some no money essentials put aside as well for the months when money gets tight- stocked food cupboards and freezer and a few spare toiletries! Its just my nature! Am hoping to get some serious cooking in before LO arrives (hopefully helped by mum, step mum and MIL) to get some home meals ready and frozen for the early too-tired-to cook-no-sleep-at-night days!

Thanks again, and feel free to add more ideas!!
K x

dreambirdie

Vests and sleepsuits, i couldnt believe how many i went through the first few weeks. i only put 3 sleepsuits in my overnight bag and all three were covered in sick/merconium and OH had to bring me more the next morning!

Bibs and socks, i swear my washing mashine eats mine, my DS is 9mo and im still buying these all the time it seems.

i wouldnt bother stockpiling baby toiletries as you wont know what babys skin will be like. i have loads of bottles of unused baby shampoo, baby bath etc because DS skin is so sensitive he cant use any of it. even the "sensitive" stuff sets his excema off.

msb5262

Hi OP,

How about some sheets and cellular blankets - small for pram/crib/moses basket, larger for cot - as a stockpiling item? It's good to have about 5 of each, then you don't have to wait for them to dry if the baby throws up or its nappy leaks on the bedding.

Also you might think about buying an extra indoor laundry drying rack as there will be plenty of washing...

Sheila Kitzinger, childbirth expert, suggests large pillows (I bought two big French-style square ones) as they are handy to support you in bed when you're pregnant and then helpful when you sit to feed the baby. Obviously you'll also need 2 pillowcases per pillow in case of mishaps.

Get yourself some blackout blinds or curtains, a comfortable chair for feeding and a pile of books for those late nights feeding. Definitely worth it!

Can't think of anything else at present.

Have a lovely baby!

MsB

100yoga

Real nappies are fab and will save you loads of money! I would recommend Motherease reusable nappies. Have just sold our 'Birth to Potty' set online and there are a variety of websites that just sell used nappies and wraps, I would recommend that you check these out once you know the brand of real nappies that you want as you can save LOADS by buying second hand.

People are selling them on Ebay but are not meant to as they are classified as a restricted item (however, there are 100's of lots on there so worth looking to get an idea re prices etc)

www.thenappysite.co.uk - this is the site that I used to sell my set on. They were brilliant and no fees involved for buying or selling through this site.

www.usednappies.co.uk

www.clothnappytree.co.uk

Your local new mums site would also be worth looking at and also check out re local NCT sales as you can get some bargains there on bigger baby items.

onlyroz

dreambirdie wrote: »

Vests and sleepsuits, i couldnt believe how many i went through the first few weeks. i only put 3 sleepsuits in my overnight bag and all three were covered in sick/merconium and OH had to bring me more the next morning!

I remember this. My A-Z baby book told me to pack 3 sleep suits and a handful of nappies in my hospital bag. Well they lasted about 5 minutes - I think whoever wrote that book had obviously never had a child...

dreambirdie

totally agree and the last thing you want to be worrying about a few hrs after giving birth is a change of clothes flip sake! my LO was very mucusy for about a week so there was lots of random projectile vomiting usually after a new sleepsuit had just been put on

Counting_Pennies_2

You don't need much for the first year.

Don't go bathing baby every day as their skin needs their natural oils.

Cotton wool balls
Just a top and tail twice a day. So you will need cotton wool balls.

Baby Wipes
When they get to about 3 months old, baby wipes are so much easier. I used to get Johnson or Simple baby wipes when on offer in the supermarket. You can never have too many of these. My children are 7 and 3 and I still find them very helpful.

Nappies
Don't buy too many packs of size 1 and 2 they grow out so quickly, but size 3 are very good. Also cheaper brands are often not worth the reduced price, as I find they tended to leak and be changed more regularly. I either used Pampers New baby and then Active Fit, or the supreme Tesco brand, I think it was superfit or similar.

Clothes
You are likely to find you are given clothes when baby is born, I didn't buy an awful lot. I mainly stuck to baby gros and vests for the first 3 months and then you just need some outfits for each age stage, don't go mad buying them, as they grow out so quickly. Accept any hand me downs, there is barely any wear in this age group.

Breast pads
If you plan on breast feeding, you will get through lots of breast pads.

Food
I would also suggest stock piling the freezer. I bought a load of silver disposible baking trays. I made masses of cottage pies, lasagnes, casseroles and froze it all along with a load of frozen veg. They were invaluable in the first three months of both of my children. I used to get them out and put in fridge the night before and I had a ready meal each day.
I also made a load of soup and froze it, so I had something for lunch each day too.

I found with both my babies I was in a haze for the first 3 months, so anything you can do now to make life easy for you when the time comes will be a good idea.

Good luck

leos-mummy

Although your planning on using reusable nappies I wouldnt dismiss getting a few packs of disposables for out and about... do you really want to carry dirty nappies around till you get home and wash them?
Definately agree that you should stock up on vests and sleepsuits... my son lived in those when he was a baby. Muslim squares are great to use instead of bibs and for the moses baskets. I even used those terry nappy squares as bibs too as there more absorbant.
Oh and sign up to every baby club there is going... you get loads of free samples, coupons and magazines.
On the toiletries, my friend had loads of baby bath and shampoo then her little girl developed excema, so she could only use special bath oil
Also dont be scared to pick up bargains in sales that might be used later... I got stair gates at the end of an Asda baby event for £7... great value and good quality Lindam ones. (you think it'll be an age before your LO can crawl, walk and open doors but trust me it all happens within the blink of an eye)
All the best

Kira000

Just been down to Sainsburys for a small shop, and saw their 25% clothing ending monday. So listneing to all the advice on the clothes, took advantage of the savings and bought a few 7 multipacks of short and long sleeved body suits, and a pack of socks and booties.

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