What does a baby REALLY need? The ultimate list.

Cyberman60

fireyfirenze wrote: »

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

My room would only ever overheat if it was on fire.

hawk30

LilElvis wrote: »

Dimmer switches for the rooms where you are likely to do night feeds - low light will make it easier for both of you to go back to sleep.

I wish I had had my Kindle when my daughter was a baby! Feeding takes up a huge part of your day and its tricky trying to balance a book with the page open - Kindle would have been much easier and doesn't require bright light to be able to read.

A mattress protector for cot/Moses basket.

Lots of easy to reheat meals stashed in the freezer.

My kindle was what kept me awake during night feeds! We had a co-sleeper crib, so when she woke I would open my kindle so I could see enough to pick her up and attach her to my boobs, then I would read for at least 20 mins after she was finished to make sure she was fully asleep before I put her down. I went through a lot of free kindle books.

And when I had to move to formula due to loosing my milk, the perfect prep was a godsend. As others have said, it's designed to follow current guidelines.

I also agree with the thermometer. Overheating is bad for babies. I check mine every night before getting her ready for bed, as it informs how many layers she wears.

daveyjp

Baby SHOULD be in the same room for 6 months. Has a law been enacted? 6 weeks was long enough for us. 6 months would have been impossible.

lazywife

trailingspouse wrote: »

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

This is so true!

You'll also notice there are two questions being answered here:
What baby needs (that's easy, something to feed, somewhere to sleep, something to wear and a car seat to get home from hospital)
What you need to keep sane through the early days until you can think straight is a different matter. I would say muslins, nipple cream, enough nappies and support (family, OH, friends).. they can then get out and get the rest of the stuff for you.
L.xxx

laurabllue

It's a recommendation to try and reduce the number of cases of SIDS. Along with ensuring the baby isn't too hot, sleeping on the backs, only using cellular blankets (or gro-bags), and keeping their cots free of bumpers, toys etc.

Obviously it isn't practical for everyone as some people don't have the space for anything larger than a moses basket their rooms. But as with all guidelines it's up to people to interpret them as they want and apply them to their life in a way that suits.

We still have our 6 month old in our room because we're moving soon so haven't set up our cot! However she has some naps upstairs and we do put her to bed 3 hours before we go up (again, another recommendation is that they have their naps in he same room as you) because that suits us.