What is essential to buy for a newborn

Jessikita1983

Asking as my friend is expecting as hopefully I will be too

I was just wondering what do you essentially need for a baby.

A few friends said when they were having their second child that they bought all kinds of stuff which never got used. (most popular is a cot, a Moses basket and some other kind of bed, when all the really needed was a cot-bed)

I have tried googling it, but haven't really got any useful info, just loads of people trying to sell me stuff.

Being money savers neither of us would want to go to mad, would rather put money in an account for baby for a good start into adulthood.

Stuff so far: that is essential?

Travel system with pushchair
Cot bed
Nappies
wipes
bottles
formula
Babygrows
Changing mat

Stuff I've heard mixed reviews on (comments I've heard in brackets)

steriliser (boil the kettle)
shoes (newborns only wear socks)
ridiculous amounts of expensive clothes (they grow before they worn them)
Special changing bag (just use any bag, don't need a special one)
Baby monitors (we coped fine before these were invented)

What's everyone else's opinions/feedback

Gillyx

I'd say if you're bottle feeding you'd need a steriliser, even a small microwavable one would be better than not having one. The amount of bottles you go through etc, I think having one would make your life a lot easier.

I'm planning on breast feeding but still purchased one for later on, plus soothers, breast pumps etc need sterilising too.

But essential

-Somewhere for them to sleep
-A pram/buggy
-Car Seat
- Vests, Babygros, Socks, Hats etc (if a winter baby these are definitely needed)

purple45

I think alot depends on your opinion of second hand stuff. If you don't have the attitude that your baby has to have new everything, then you can pick up virtually unused second hand bargains. You could get everything on freecycle if you planned ahead! Car boot sales also full of baby items. Far far more important things to spend your money on than new stuff that hardly gets used.

The one thing I did think about though was the special changing bag, you generally get an easily portable changing mat in that which is really handy when out and about and its all waterproof and fits stuff in nicely so is probably worth having. But then it is 19 years since I had a baby so I may be out of date!

bungle4by4

i bought nappies and babywipes in quantity, and my daughter is now 6 months old and we have not had to buy any of the consumables at all since my wife went onto mat leave and reduced pay.

in fact we probably still have 100 packs of baby wipes. it has stood us very well.

Jessikita1983

Thanks both. I am a fan of car boots. Over the year, a lot of the baby stuff and clothes I have seen are virtually brand new!

**curlywurly**

I agree, try to get as much as you can second hand, apart from the obvious things eg mattress.

I found the moses basket invaluable, for somewhere for baby to be whilst we were downstairs. But it is only useful for a couple of months (outgrown very quickly)

For me one of the most important things is a good pushchair/travel system which, if you drive, is easy to squash down and put in the car. I know a few people who have spent a fortune on a buggy only to find it doesn't fit in the boot!

I would get three changing mats - one for downstairs, one for up, plus one for travel.

A good changing bag is essential but it doesn't need to be a changing bag as such, some rucksacks are just as good but you need a lot of pockets.

Socks - my daughter just wouldn't keep them on - I would stick to buying sleepsuits with feet especially for the first few weeks.

Steriliser - I would buy one it saves a lot of faff

The other thing I would say is that we got through a LOT of bedding for the cot and it's a good plan to have enough so that you don't have to be continually washing.

If I had another child I would definitely do my best to get virtually everything 2nd hand ... it's very easy to spend a LOT of money in the excitement of it all, but it really isn't necessary.

Good luck!

RichGold

iPhone. Or do you suppose it best to leave that for its first birthday?

Waffle_On

If using bottles, a steriliser is an essential item, not optional. The kettle doesn't do the job properly, and a big pan of boiling water isn't exactly safe when you're sleep deprived! I'd suggest a microwave steriliser bought on offer as the most MSE option.

A moses basket is very useful, but not worth the cost. I'd suggest trying to borrow one if you can, I was offered a choice of 6! No need to buy sheets, a pillow case is the perfect size.

I would also say that a waterproof cover for the cotbed mattress is an essential, unless there is one built in.

pleasedelete

You don't need a changing mat. I had a small piece of PVC (like tablecoth). Fitted in handbag - no hassle. Never had a changing bag-nappy and wipes went in handbag as well.

Bathed in sink- so no baby bath needed and later put in bath with dad everyday.

Not sure you need a travel system. Depends on lifestyle. A basic car seat and buggy is usually cheaper. Will you need to transfer them from car to pram? Not if you walk from home etc etc. Think about size of house and car boot- can you store a big travel system or is a small folding buggy better?

skintchick

essential?

Somewhere for baby to sleep.
Some babygros.
Nappies.
Wipes.
Change mat of some kind.
Sling.
Baby monitor (because unless your house is tiny and you have the Tv very quiet you won;t hear baby till they are full-on crying, and it's best to get to them before that point).
Car seat.
Hat.

I'm struggling now. Although this time I am planning on having a moses basket because I like baby to sleep where I am, and in the day it's nice to be able to move them around with you. I didn;t have one with DD because she slept on me!

My other essential is free and it is boobs for the milk! Never used a bottle, steriliser, or dummy with DD. Must have saved a fortune.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Nappies.

Vests with poppers.

Sleepsuits with poppers.

Playsuits - all in ones without feet.

Socks. For when they grow out the the sleepsuits you can cut the foot part off and keep the feet warm/or to go with the playsuit - not all babies are short enough to fit a 0-3 babygrow but are too slim to be in a 3-6 size.



Two cellular blankets.

Three sheets of some kind for the base of the sleeping area.

Somewhere to sleep.

Hats.

A means of transport. Whether a sling, a carseat or a buggy suitable from birth. Chances are that the fancy system will be too heavy and a PITA to use by the time the little one is about 6 months old and able to sit in a lightweight buggy, which is more likely to be used for the next couple of years than that huge thing stuck in the car boot.

Baby bath liquid. Infacare is less drying than Johnson's. And everyone can use it.



Everything else specially aimed at babies is optional.


If you choose to bottle feed, a cold water steriliser works fine. Then you need four full sized bottles, some teats, a bottle brush and some Milton. And some milk, obviously.

You could get a bouncer so they are safe whilst you clean, or you could leave them in the buggy or cot. A changing mat could be replaced by a towel. Wipes could be replaced by cotton wool or a clean flannel with a little baby soap. You'll get samples of cream that will last months in the Bounty Pack. Flannels are great for clearing up sick, drying after a bath, anything, and can be washed and dried much faster than big towels.


Oh, and a good handbag for you - one that looks nice and can hold all the things you need - keys, phone, red book, travel pack of wipes from the bounty bag, nappies and a small towel for emergency changes - and with a strap so you can sling it over your shoulder across your body and still have both hands free. With a glass nail file so you don't break nails or scratch the baby accidentally, two pencils, a notepad and a mobile with a good camera.