What does a baby REALLY need? The ultimate list.

Kynthia

There's a really long thread about baby essentials in the MoneySaving Mums part if the forum.

mogwai

it really depends on the baby! Mine would never sit in a bouncer but my sils baby lived in his (not literally but he loved being in it)

Useful stuff for me that doesn't take up too much space - sling, foldable changing mat that you can use anywhere, 10 pack of muslins to wipe up mess/shade baby/serve as blanket, enough clothes inc spares (layers so you can add/remove depending on temp).

Corelli

It is posssible to be very minimal. Our bubbas were in slings so did not need winter coats, snow suits etc for their first winters as they went inside the parent's coat. They bed shared, so no cot, breast fed, what could be easier or more MSE?

Otherwise, basic clothes, cream for baby bums and mum's nipples, nappies and muslin squares. Toys for the first year - you end up with far too many and babies really are interested in learning about the real word, so real (safe) things are good. It is also better for their neurological development to have experience of objects made of different materials of different density. A pile of stones, kitchen utensils, and BOOKS! It is never too young to share a book with a child. Those black and white ones are meant to be good for small babies.

WantAnOrange

Hello, I am expecting my third baby, due in February and I have learned that having less stuff is easier by far than having too much so this time we have kept it very simple. Some of your buys will be based on personal preferences but you may not know what these are until you get to know your baby.

Here's my list

Something to eat; I plan to breast feed so need breast pads, nursing bras and muslin cloths.

Somewhere to sleep; I plan to co-sleep for some time but like to have somewhere to put baby down that is safe and suitable for sleeping alone too, so have a moses basket.

Something to wear; Babies need to be comfy and you need it to be simple. They grow out of everything every couple of months, so for now I have 10 newborn baby grows, about 15 vests, 8 cardigans and a few hats, plus 2 pairs of scratch mits and a jacket.

Travel; I don't have a car and I do have a toddler already so I have a pram, a wrap sling and an Ergo. If I had to choose one for a newborn I would just have the wrap sling.

Something to crap in I use reusable nappies so have a set of small size nappies, a tonne of reusable wipes (even if you use disposable these are WAY cheaper than wetwipes, better for baby's skin and much easier than cotton wool!) and some Waitrose coconut oil for nappy cream, a mat and a nappy pail.

A changing bag, which will double as my hospital bag.

Maternity pads, big comfy black knickers from Primark, nipple cream and comfy, breast feeding friendly pjs.

A thermometer (the digital, in ear ones).

That's it. I'll borrow a car seat from a childminder friend for coming home from hospital as I don't have a car anyway.


They don't need toys for some time. They don't need fancy clothes etc. I think the most important thing I've learned is that all the important stuff comes from me; love, warmth, food, comfort, social interaction, learning. It's all about you for those first few months. I'd avoid anything that claims to soothe baby to sleep miraculously, anything that claims to be educational and anything that is big/loud or made of plastic.

IrisViolet

Boobs, arms, warmth.
Not only is it all they need it's all they want

I have three children my list is

Vest and baby grows, and if it's cold a cardigan /prams suit and hat.

Sling - I have a full buckle connecta, a ring sling and a wrap. My babies spent pretty much the entire first 6 months in, round the house, to feed in, to get to sleep, to go out with.

Couple of blankets.
Around 25 cloth nappies, cut up fleece for wipes, a nappy bin and mesh bag for dirty nappies at home, a wet bag for dirty nappies put and about.

Car seat.

Boobs, lansinoh, reusable breastfeeding pads. Snacks for you when feeding. Access to be peer supporter phone number and bf support Facebook group. Last leche leagues number.

Things I don't have:

Baby monitor - baby should always be in same room as you until 6months anyway.
Pram or buggy - we use a sling.
Cot or moses basket- we Co sleep (only safe if breastfeeding )
Loads of electronic toys
Loads of toys period
Changing bag
Changing mat
Baby bath
Changing table
Bouncer chair

Also if formula feeding please look into
Correct ways to make up formula, those perfect prep machines do not make them safely. The formula has bacteria in it and the boiling water kills it, adding formula to room temperature water leaves the bacteria in the formula.
In true moneysaving style though try breastfeeding, there is tonnes of support out there and it's very rare a woman is unable to do it /

IrisViolet

Also Muslins great, you can fold these into sling as a neck support. If you do fancy trying a sling then look up your local sling meet and go along, they will help you and you can loan at minimal costs to try. You can also use cloth nappy libraries for the same reasons. Easy to find local groups on Facebook these days. Also yes don't need many clothes if baby wearing and Co sleeping. I don't know if you are interested in coming sleeping but there is a book called 'three in a bed which is fantastic' to advice and prepare

barbiedoll

You will get through far more nappies than you think in the early days so unless you and your partner are very tall and you think that you're expecting a huge baby, you could get a few packs of first-size nappies so that you don't have to keep dashing out to the shops in the first week or so.

Moses baskets are often seen as an essential but if you have limited space they can be a bit bulky, plus lots of babies simply don't like sleeping in them. Having said that, they are one of the items that are often given away so if someone offers you one, take it!

Changing tables are a waste of money, especially if space is tight. You can change a baby on the floor, on the bed or on the sofa. Or even on a dining room table! I did like having a changing mat though, especially when using cotton wool and water to clean my baby, I tended to get everything soaking wet, at least the changing mat was waterproof!

Changing bags are unnecessary, lots of people just use a large tote bag, holdall or rucksack.

I've recently seen a lot of the new hi-tech bouncer-type chairs which have controls which rock, roll and wobble the baby to sleep, along with music and lights. I imagine that they cost a shed-load of money, I've seen plenty of babies who sleep happily without one and again, they take up loads of space.

Nipple cream is a godsend if you breastfeed, it can be expensive but a little goes a very long way and you can use it for dry lips and any dry skin (mum, not baby) if you have any left over.

If you're going to bottle-feed, don't bother buying the small bottles which only hold 2oz (60mls) or so, your baby will soon be eating much more than that and they are a complete waste of money.

Things like nappy bags, bum cream, olive oil for baby's dry skin and so on, can be bought cheaply, you don't need to go to Mothercare or a "baby shop" for stuff like this.

And do stock up your cupboards and freezer before the birth. You won't have time to take a breath, let alone shop and cook for a while, so make life easy for yourself beforehand.

Kynthia

IrisViolet wrote: »

Correct ways to make up formula, those perfect prep machines do not make them safely. The formula has bacteria in it and the boiling water kills it, adding formula to room temperature water leaves the bacteria in the formula.
/

I think you are misinformed about the Perfect Prep machine. The whole point of it is that it does make up the formula safely and correctly, with the advantage of having the formula ready immediately and freshly made for the baby. Depending on how many ounces you want it does a sized shot of boiling water, you mix this with the powder which sterilises it. It then tops up the bottle with the right amount of cooled boiled water to leave you with the right amount of milk at the correct feeding temperature. Fantastic, safe and quick, which is what you want especially at night.

Crabapple

It's strange reading these lists and thinking 'yes that was important to us', and 'we never used it at all'!

I'd say buy as little as possible. You will be given loads! What you don't get bought, stock up on after baby is here, you can send hubby out at all times for essentials.

They need clothes, milk, cuddles and a safe place to sleep. How you fulfill those things is kind of up to you. Certainly don't buy loads of clothes - you will absolutely get some as gifts and may well know people who will pass bundles on to you for nothing or very cheap. It's hard to judge how big your baby will be, so you might not need newborn at all, the up to 1 month sold some places may be better, or you could be straight into 0-3! But you can get a pack of sleepsuits and vests pretty cheap to start out with.

Babies are all very different and you won't know what yours likes until it's here and starts to develop it's own little likes and dislikes and you know the routine.

Reading here, the people loving muslins - I had some with my first and didn't use them until she was weaning when they were good for covering her clothes in public. She almost never threw any milk back up and didn't drool. Same story with bibs, hardly used them. My little boy however, almost always donated some of his milk back to you after a feed and has drooled since day 1 (got sick of being asked if he's teething when he's not!). Also with having a boy they have proved very useful for covering his bits when nappy changing

laurabllue

Yep, I was just about to post the same as Kynthia. A perfect prep is the ideal way to make a bottle at the perfect temperature and follows the current guidelines. We have one and it's amazing, especially for night feeds.

I've found a fold up changing mat an essential. The ones provided in the baby change rooms are often dirty and I like to know what I'm putting my baby down on. Also, I know muslins have been mentioned but we have a huge one which has been invaluable. And if you do formula feed I'd recommend not buying a huge set of one brand of bottles in case baby doesn't get on with them. We use MAM bottles (which I'd definitely recommend) but only had two to start with to make sure she took to them after breastfeeding for a few days.