What is essential to buy for a newborn

GarnetLady

You get a free changing bag when registered with Boots Parenting Club.

Don't believe that cotton wool is any cheaper than buying wipes on offer, it's really not.

Be aware than babies can be really sicky and a couple of anything is quite often not enough, sheets and blankets in particular.

Creams, bathing and changing stuff - Sainsbury's have 1/3 off and 1/2 price events, stock up on everything then. The sudocrem in the bounty pack is fine, but in our case only metanium will keep redness at bay, even with everything else that's recommended for preventing nappy rash. You also get an abundance of vouchers sent when joining all the varoius baby clubs.

Not all travel systems are heavy either, it's a myth! I have a Mamas and Papas Pliko Pramette, easy to fold and not heavy, also much comfier than the cheaper pushchair she uses when at Granny's.

Bottles, sterilisers etc, again watch for special offers. Tommee Tippee ones regularly come up on offer in Asda, Mothercare and Babies r Us.

It's the usual thing of what one person finds essential, another will never use. But shop around and you'll find lots of bargains and save a fortune.

Bumpmakesfour

It's probably far easier to ask what ISN'T essential tbh.My fourth baby is due in december and looking back at some useless carp I bought for my first it's quite funny to think I really honestly thought they were "essential" at the time(too much reading stupid
"checklists in backs of mothercare catalogues ).

Seperate baby bath..bulky and pointless.Mine go in with me and get snuggles
Top n tail bowl..WHY?? lol
Travel system..we bought a big bulky jeep travel system.Got sick of it within a couple of months taking up so much room we went out and bought a maclaren stroller
Things like bath thermometers,special baby hooded towel robes(use a regular towel) ummm will be back with more

lollipopsarah

Wow great replies already.
I remember with my first baby I wanted all new stuff but couldn't afford any luxuries so made do.
It's amazing what you can do without if you think about it.
I would suggest a bucket in the bathroom for soaking any sicky/dirty clothes overnight, and really I managed with just a pram for the first few months before moving dear son into a cot.
As for wipes, yep did all that, then found that nappy liners were wonderful for babies bots - just had a bowl of warm water and used a wipe to wash and then chuck out, no sores at all from chemicals.
(then you used to get a pack of 50 for about 50p)
Oy yes sudocreme(?) was brill too - other pruducts may be better.
Also I found most baby bath stuff too strong, so be carefull how much you put in the water, after all they only need a rinse really or a top and tail.
Good luck and best wishes.
One last thing,
All they need is love.
xx

MarilynMonroe_2

If they have a c section I would add in nappy changing table - I wish I'd had one. My scar opened up and I think it might not have had I had one of those.

MarilynMonroe_2

Don't go mad on bath products/toiletries/shampoos = over 2 yrs on and i'm still using the original stuff I bought!

MarilynMonroe_2

Bumpmakesfour wrote: »

It's probably far easier to ask what ISN'T essential tbh.My fourth baby is due in december and looking back at some useless carp I bought for my first it's quite funny to think I really honestly thought they were "essential" at the time(too much reading stupid
"checklists in backs of mothercare catalogues ).

Seperate baby bath..bulky and pointless.Mine go in with me and get snuggles
Top n tail bowl..WHY?? lol
Travel system..we bought a big bulky jeep travel system.Got sick of it within a couple of months taking up so much room we went out and bought a maclaren stroller
Things like bath thermometers,special baby hooded towel robes(use a regular towel) ummm will be back with more

The baby bath here got used forever! My daughter was scared of the big bath and now its a pond LOL.
I would also say for the first time parent a bath sponge thing is great, I made one, it stops the baby from sliding in the bath and gives you a bit more confidence - theyre a few quid from the likes of BM stores, Bargain shops.

MarilynMonroe_2

wouldnt spend alot on a pram, mine was too long for it by 6 months old - biggest waste of money ever really.

stiltwalker

I have muslin cloths in quantity. They are invaluable - can be used under babies head in moses basket/cot so if they spit up you don't need to change the whole sheet, over your shoulder to protect clothes, as wipes/ cloths etc, my DS likes to hold one as a comfort thing, to put down over a change mat when out (our tescos has a built in thing in the baby change and not sure it's hygienic) and probably half a dozen other uses as baby grows. Once you've finished using it for baby boil wash and you can use it as a cheesecloth for making paneer or to strain your homemade yoghurt through to make it greek yoghurt. If not a cooking person you can use it to wipe up painty spills from your now toddlers first artworks or indeed your own painty spills next time you decorate!

ETA : our baby bath has been used as a beer cooler at BBQs with ice and water in!

Poppy9

• It's 16 years since I had a baby and I had two sisters who went through my "essential" list till I was left with the basics.
• I borrowed a baby bath but I had a CS so couldn't lift it at all to empty it (it was easy to fill with shower attachment though) so used to wash DD in my hand basin in bathroom (with towel around taps) or in a washing up bowl. Other times I took her in bath with me.
• I had a carry cot attachment to my pushchair (my sisters refused to let me waste money on latest fad stuff so went for sturdy Silver Cross with small wheels to fit in boot of car). I used the carry cot for months. I bought one stand and a friend lent me hers so I could leave one upstairs all the time. Brill.
• Sis gave me bouncing chair, DD hated it so not really used.
• Proper changing bag - easy access and changing mat that clipped to outside so I could just flip it open
• Microwave steriliser. I breast fed intially. It's still in use 16 years later having been passed onto friends!
• Never had a breast pump as borrowed friends to try but hated and I never expressed. If I was going out then DD had formula as a one off. No probs for her but I would leak a bit hours later!
• Bedding came from sisters. I didn't use cot bumpers as I read they were dangerous.
• Baby monitor. Brill when younger but they are addictive and you have to wean yourself off them as they get older:o
• I had a stock pile of wipes, lotions, bathing stuff. Gave them away as DD was very allergic to all wipes, creams etc. and just used cotton wool and warm water to clean her.
• Plain white socks as she never kept them both on and I would lose them when out so it didn't matter then when I had odd socks.
• Baby nail scissors. I hated nail clippers.
• Vests
• Baby grows
• Don't buy ahead in sizes in case you baby doesn't grow at the rate you predict and you are left with wrong season clothes. My DD was a slow grower, very petite despite being 9lb born so got lots of wear out of her clothes.
• Fragrant nappy sacks if using disposables - cheap in £1 shop
• Flannels - lots of them. Cheaper and softer than using kitchen roll or wipes when they start eating solids. I used to "boil" wash them in microwave every now and then.
• Dustpan and brush for clearing up the crumbs, saves getting the hoover out for a little biscuit spill and dustbusters go horrid after a while if you are lazy in cleaning them out!
• Stairgates. Always around second hand as they sell well. Check if you need wider ones as some stairs are wider than standard.
• Decent highchair. Make sure you can strap in baby properly via chest and waist not just around waist. Look for easy cleaning and ones that convert into a chair with out tray to sit at dining table are great and if they covert to low table and chair too.
• Night light - low energy and saves putting on lights when you get up in the middle of night to find the dummy!

The most popular things for sale on the staff board in work though is pushchairs and travel systems. The majority seem to say "hardly used, immaculate, paid £700 offers around £150". You think expectant mums reading these adds would realise that they can be your biggest waste of money, but no they keep buying because they are so cute and we get excited:D

Car boot sales good for picking up second hand baby clothes for pennies. Just be fussy about who you buy from etc!

OOh just remembered my mother used to put the grandchildren to sleep in a big draw from her dressing table when they visited. Same draw that my brother and sister had been put in apparently!

MarilynMonroe_2

Buy the nappy bags from Sainsburys when they have the offers on, I stocked up when they were 4p! Yes 4p!

I agree with the bouncy chair - I had 2 and she never used or liked either of them, same goes with a Bumbo and I paid £25 for that (same as with the £25 travel cot and £55 swing!)