What does a baby REALLY need? The ultimate list.

colleensims

Were expecting our first baby in March 2015.
I have been given lots of conflicting advice about what we need to buy and whats useful and whats not.

We live in a smallish house so we dont want extra clutter we are never going to use.

Can anyone give help with what we REALLY need and what rubbish to avoid. Thanks

double_mummy

some breasts to eat from
some clothes to wear - baby suits for the first 6 months
nappies
somewhere to sleep - cot
car seat
some way to get around - sling/pushchair
books - its never too early to start reading to baby

pickledonionspaceraider

Clothes.. vests and sleepsuits, hats and a warm onesie/coat for outside, booties, mittens,bibs

By the way of clothes that is all they really need, they do not need shoes, or suits of clothes. babies grow out of clothes so quickly that spending a fortune on one suit of clothes is a mistake imo

Couple of sets of bedding

fireyfirenze

The thing is everyone has different opinions! I think what's essential for some is not for others. as long as you have the basics...something to feed them with (breast/bottles/formula) somewhere for them to sleep (cot/crib/Moses basket) nappies and clothes...you're sorted.

iv just had my first baby 12 weeks ago and something iv found essential was a perfect prep machine! I'm formula feeding. we also use the Moses basket a lot, iv found a room thermometer really useful for safety in the bedroom, and a baby monitor with sensor mat for peace of mind.

mgdavid

fireyfirenze wrote: »

....... iv found a room thermometer really useful for safety in the bedroom,........

<seriously confused>
could somebody kindly explain what this does or is for as I think my 36 and 33-year-old must have missed out on something?

GwylimT

All they need is a car seat, clothes, nappies and bum cream.

sulphate

mgdavid wrote: »

<seriously confused>
could somebody kindly explain what this does or is for as I think my 36 and 33-year-old must have missed out on something?

Well, it measures the temperature of the room... babies are happiest sleeping in rooms 16-20C which might be cooler than a lot of people realise. We bought one that also doubles as a night light.

We're due with our first in February so I'll be following this with interest, although I mostly agree with what people have already said. So far we've just bought a couple of hats, snowsuit, some babygrows. You can get a lot of clothes second hand off ebay etc but be careful because you can get them so cheaply from places like Tesco I found it wasn't really worth it to get them second hand. We're going to buy a small wardrobe tomorrow. Will also be buying a cot, pram/travel system and car seat at some point. I think we are being given a moses basket and crib. I don't think we'll be buying anything else until we need it.

Just bear in mind everything is fine to get second hand apart from mattresses and car seat, both of which are recommended you buy new.

You'll need to stock up on nappies but don't buy too many packs of the same size and brand in case they don't fit for long or baby doesn't get on with a particular brand. Also things for mum like breast pads, maternity towels, disposable knickers. And cotton wool, wipes, nappy cream, muslin squares, changing mat, bedding.

fireyfirenze

mgdavid wrote: »

<seriously confused>
could somebody kindly explain what this does or is for as I think my 36 and 33-year-old must have missed out on something?

research (that probably hadn't been carrier out 36 or 33 years ago...) has shown that overheating is linked to sudden infant death syndrome so I like knowing the temperature of the room

Ella_Wood

I found a baby bath useful Many say that they don't but I did

jackomdj

Muslin squares. Use them to protect your clothing when winding baby, baby's clothing when feeding baby, wrap as extra layer on Moses basket to stop you having to change that if you have a sicky baby.

March will be cold - fleece blanket for the pram/car to keep them warm. All in one to keep them warm. Growbag for sleeping in.

We did not use bum cream unless necessary (plus ours were both allergic to sudocream, so glad we didn't stock up)

Rather than disposable knickers I just got cheap asda ones. I agree with getting plenty of maternity pads and breast pads, you don't want to be running out of those!

trailingspouse

No matter what you buy, you'll wish you'd bought more of some things and less of others!

All I can suggest is that you buy the bare minimum now, and add to it as and when you need it. That way you can be sure you really need it.

But lay in a stock of tissues and plastic bags - keep some in every room, in the car and in your handbag. Once that's sorted, everything else will fall in to place.