What are 'Essentials' for a newborn baby?

flis21

Hi All,

Well, have only recently found out I am pregnant and have started looking at baby stuff, but there is quite a scarily large range of stuff out there.

My Husband and I were in Boots at the weekend and were looking at some stuff, I picked up a 'top and tail' bowl and we were trying to figure out what we would use it for, when this lady came up behind us and said that she wouldn't bother buying one if she were us, as she bought one and never used it.

It got me thinking how much other stuff that actually we might not need. We don't have a lot of money, so anything we don't need to buy will be a big help.

Luckily my Mum is buying us a 'travel system' with a car seat and mother in law is getting us a cot. I am going to breastfeed (hopefully) so no need for bottles and stuff.

What things are we actually going to have to buy and what can we get away without (and where is the cheapest place to go for stuff, looked in mothercare and it all looks sooo expensive!).

Thanks everyone,

Flis

Slapps

all babies need are food, warmth, sleep and loads of love
hope this helped a bit lol

David_B_2

Many congrats!

Mobile phone with credit for the little one

As well as newborn nappies (real or not).
Baby cleaning products, talc, cotton wool, nappy sore cream etc
Some where to bath.
Plenty of clean baby grows (jumper suits) and vests.
Moses basket and then cot or cot bed.

I'll let others chip in.

PS: my wife would highly recommend 'Mother and Baby' magzine.

Melon78

Car seat
Pram/pushchair
Cot or moses basket & bedding
Nappies
Clothes

They're the absolute essentials imho. Don't bother with toiletries, chances are you'll stock up an dthen find they don't suit babys skin. We've only *just* started using bubble bath (Simple) and my youngest son is 2! Prior to that it was good old water

kinkine

First of all, congratulations!

I would recommend joining the Boots baby club. You have to register with your due date and then they send you vouchers for stuff every couple of months - including a huggy changing bag and mat worth £25 (I think you had to buy some Huggies nappies but there was a voucher for the nappies too). I think from memory you can do it online.

Being the mother of a five month old I can confirm that most of the "essentials" in the catalogues and shops are not, they just know that you want the best for your baby and hope you will spend money.

I would also recommend the NCT nearly new sales. If you look it up on the web they have sales in most areas every few months. Everything for sale must be in a good condition, and although I didn't go to one (most stuff I needed was handed down) I have heard from friends that they are really popular and that the queues are out of the door from first thing in the morning.

I can also confirm that babies don't care if the border matches the curtains or the bedding!

You will be amazed at the amount of presents you will get for your little one, so don't worry,

This may sound strange, but if you don't have one, get yourself a camera - your baby will change so much and you'll be glad you did! I didn't have one and just recently got one from Asda (reduced to £15, plus about a tenner for the memory card thingy) and already it's amazing to look back at the baby.

Hope this helps!

binkyboo_2

hi there
I am due at the end of august and below is a lst of things i have so far:

Cot (bought from the mamas and papas factory store)
Mattress (have not bought yet)
Blankets (2 cot size cellular from tk maxx and glynn webb so not full price)
Sheets (2 fitted and 2 flat from dunelm 13.50 for the 4)
Moses Basket (borrowed)
Mattress (have not bought yet)
Sheets (borrowed with basket)
Blankets (1 cellular and 1 fleece matalan and glynn webb so not full price)
Swing (impulse purchase so not essential but couldn't resist! usual price £90 but bought for £30 on ebay and in great condition)
Baby Bouncer (given by a friend again not an essential is a mamas and papas one worth £70)
Travel System ( bought by in laws graco had £100 off in sale so £109)
Changing Bag ( i bought a samsonite one from tk maxx for £15 with changing mat and insulated bottle bag but there is a free huggies one you can get from boots if you join the parenting club)
I will be bottle feeding so have:
1 electric sterliser (given)
6x 125ml bottle and 6x 260ml bottles (bought with boots vouchers from pigsback)
milk powder dispenser (for making up bottles when out and about as i believe it is now the preferred method bought tesco brand rather than avent so cheaper)
muslin cloths for burping etc (cheapest i found were morrisons 1.99 for 3)
baby bath (given)
Towels (can use hand towels)
changing mat
nappies
cotton wool
wipes (not an essential as can use cotton wool and water but have been buying when on offer ie bogof or 2 for £2)
baby bath (will only use a small amoutn so only have 2 bottles and hope they will last a while bought when on offer for £1 each)
Clothing - i have been given a huge amount of clothing from people who have had babies recently so i am just topping up with bits i am short on i will probaby end up with 7 sleepsuits, 7 vests, and 3 outfits for newborn, 03 months and 3-6 months and will get more as presents nearer the time. I also have a couple of cardigans for each size.

So as you can see i probably have a lot of things that are classed as non essential or luxury items but as we were given so much stuff by people we have felt able to spend a small amount on some treats, but have still tried to find the best deals possible before purchasing.

we have been lucky that so many people have been so generous but if you do not know people then it is always possible to get everything by spending very little by taking time to research offers in store and online and by buying second hand from ebay car boots etc.

I would suggest writing a list of what you see as essentials and luxuries and then setting a budget to buy from both lists and have fun trying to nab some bargains!

good luck

hoopie_2

i too am expecting and plan to breastfeed, but i will also get bottles, as with my last baby, i was told they also need to drink boiled water for thirst. steriliser will be needed too, in this case.

Jet

I had a travel system with a carrycot, so no separate moses basket needed.

In my opinion you don't need a special nappy changing area, nappy disposal units, top and tail bowl (I never used wipes but still didn't need a "special" bowl), I didn't use a breast pump even though I breast fed for a year, never bought bottles or sterlisers. Never bought a baby walker or bouncer but did treat ourselves to one of the battery swings.

belfastgirl23

I'd say try not to buy everything if you are likely to receive gifts from friends and family. As a non-parent whose friends all seem to be procreating like mad, it's so much easier if you can find something they actually need or will use to buy as a gift and I LOVE it when people drop hints. I really think we should move to a wedding list system for babies personally!

chmmy

hoopie wrote: »

i too am expecting and plan to breastfeed, but i will also get bottles, as with my last baby, i was told they also need to drink boiled water for thirst. steriliser will be needed too, in this case.

Obviously check on this, but if someone really didnt want to buy a steriliser, then it would be possible to boil a bottle or teacup and teaspoon (if baby wont take from a bottle) in a big saucepan for 5-10 mins. If you're breastfeeding apparently the first milk that comes out is more watery, so baby will get a drink first and will stop feeding if only thirsty not hungry, so in theory wont need to take a bottle of water.

I'd buy a pack of Terry nappies and plastic pants, even if you're using disposables, just in case.

Maybe advertise on freecycle for mother and baby magazine or baby books, or ask around friends and family?

A top and tail bowl is not totally necessary, but if you dont get one then a couple of small plastic bowls would be useful. With cotton wool, baby soap, and olive oil for after their bath as their skin can be quite flaky when they are new. I found a baby bath useful, although once I had one with a plug which broke almost immedidiately so I wouldnt recommend one of those.

I didnt really use a moses basket, went straight to cot.

I also used a small bouncy chair for the first few months, I always wanted a swing!!

Congratulations!!
(Im an incy wincy bit broody thinking about all this, but my babies will be 5 next week!)

alwaysonthego_2

A bouncing chair is handy to sit baby in when you are weaning it and for it to chill out.

Clothing you will need plenty of vests and babygrows, both my dd's needed several clothes changes throughout the day due to being sick or leaking nappies. Don't buy many outfits for newborn they grow that fast

good luck