Basic Baby & Mum toiletries

inkie

Hi there

I am involved in a project supplying a basic layette for new mums who are in need and have nothing. this consists of basic newborn clothing, blankets, Moses basket etc. Included in this are toiletries for mum and newborn. things like: newborn nappies, baby bath, maternity pads, shower gel for mum, wipes etc.

My 2 are 15 and 18, and so it's been a while since I've had to buy this kind of thing. obviously, the less I spend per item, the more baskets I can kit out. So, what are your recommendations for essential toiletries please? one of the aims of the project is to make them aware that they are their baby matters ( as their life experiences may give the opposite message), and so happy to look beyond the 'value' stuff, but wanting to make my ££££ as far as possible.

thanks for your help and look forward to hearing from you

ema_o

Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, for newborns the recommendation is to use nothing in the bath, or a bit of olive oil (also good for cradle cap).
Not sure on newborn nappies, but as mine got bigger we went for Lidl nappies which were just as good as the big brands. If you are bulk buying it might not make that much difference but may help new mums know where to go for cheaper nappies.
The supermarkets were good for basic newborn clothes - baby grows, vests etc. I found Sainsburys slightly better and if you can get them when they have 25% off they are as cheap as Asda.
I remember giving away unopened packs of newborn vests due to just having so much more than we needed. So it might be worth an appeal to the community?
Oh and best thing for nappy rash was Bepanthen (bright yellow tar like stuff). Bit more expensive but it literally cleared up overnight so well worthwhile.

vicstick86

Try local ebay/gumtree. Someone pointed me in the direction of a mse app which finds things for collection only within the local area. I picked up 39 sleepsuits for 99p, as for baby bath stuff, asda do a good range which isnt very expensive or 99p/£1 shops have a good selection of baby items too.

monty-doggy

Aldi do a fab range of baby products that are just like johnsons.

I'd say baby lotion, good for mum and baby.
Cotton wool balls.

Baby bath
Nappy rash cream

Some sort of nice bath stuff for mum
Baby wipes

I think that's the basics covered.

inkie

I have been to Aldi today and picked up newborn nappies £1.49 a pack!!! got some of the wipes too ( both the nappies and the wipes are in the best buy awards from mother and baby magazine). Also picked up some of the shampoo and baby bath. Will be going back for some baby lotion. thanks for your help

SmlSave

Don't put too many oils/bath stuff for babies in the selection, as they shouldn't have any products really just a wash in water.
2in1 shampoo is great for mums.

Nappy bags are really useful. Muslin clothes are too.

babygros that say I love my mum etc are lovely.

olgadapolga

We've used Lidl nappies and they were as good as the "brand" names. Haven't tried Aldi ones but have heard good things about them.

A decent nappy rash cream (bepanthan is amazing stuff but expensive - sometimes Lloyds Pharmacy have special offers or it may be worth asking them if they can do "a deal"/maybe ask the manufacturer?)

Cotton wool is better for babies' skin than baby wipes (and much cheaper) - current guidelines are that nothing other than water should be put on babies skin for at least the first month whilst the babies' skin is maturing. This includes olive oil. If the baby still has dry skin after this then the mums can get a prescription for an emollient from their GPs (at no cost of course).

The mums are a bit more tricky - I am very fussy about the shower gel/shampoo/conditioner etc that I use and they may well be the same.

Breast pads maybe if they are going to BF

Maternity pads

elle_gee

ema_o wrote: »

Oh and best thing for nappy rash was Bepanthen (bright yellow tar like stuff). Bit more expensive but it literally cleared up overnight so well worthwhile.

Bepanthen is white; Metanium is yellow

Another suggestion would by maternity/santinary pads for mums.

ema_o

Lol it's been a while altho have to get used to it again now. I wasn't 100% hence also describing it!

Bepanthen sent out samples when I was pregnant last time, just a tiny tube but good to have, might be worth asking if you could have some samples.

Yellow stuff (metatanium) was brilliant for healing nappy rash. Bepanthen for preventing it.

Chakani

Lansinoh for anyone planning to breastfeed. You might be able to get samples - there are often little sample sachets in hospitals and midwife clinics, so definitely worth asking as it's not cheap stuff..

onlyroz

The basics for baby would be: vests and baby-gros, nappies, cotton wool roll.

For mum: sanitary towels and breast pads.

If you had enough money for a larger item then I'd suggest a baby sleeping bag. They're impossible to kick off and they enable you to change a baby's nappy while they're still sleeping if necessary. It's also easier to pick up and put down the baby if they're having difficulties getting off to sleep.

I personally wouldn't go for any medicines/creams etc because they won't always be needed. Toiletries for babies are not necessary and toiletries for mum will be highly subject to personal preference.