Essentialnew born baby list?

Anthillmob

take baby wipes to hospital with you. cotton wool balls dipped in water may be better for babys bum according to the midwives but when baby has their first poo youll have no chance in cleaning them without the help of wipes. i have never seen so much thicky sticky tar like what chops did with her first. i even called the midwife on the emergency buzzer to ask if chops was ok as i didnt think such a small thing could produce so much poop.

carroger

Hi there been reading through all the advice given and thought i might add a little. I am mum to 5 eldest 16 youngest 1 and the first bit of advice is don't over spend on pretty outfit's . mine have out grown each stage in the first 0-9 months so quick they hardly wore them which seems a shame when you spent fortunes in all the baby excitement. obviously you could keep them for the next or sell them on . Accept any thing from other mums who have out grown outfits etc .and don't forget all the people that will bring you outfits as pressies sometimes it's good to ask them to buy the next size up 3-6 mths so theres a full wardrobe. Make sure you have the things to take to hospital nappies wipes baby grow etc. Baby needs some where to sleep , safe things to go out in buggy , car seat etc. You do not need to give baby water if you are breast feeding all mine have been breast fed and won't take a bottle any way. If you do need a bottle it will be just as easy to use a container make up some fluid and just sterilise what you need as i am sure you won't be gone for long. Keep a couple of ready made just incase cartons but after breast milk they might turn their nose up mine did. Most of all don't worry too much about being totally ready enjoy being pregnant enjoy your babythere is plenty of time after

Judi101

Not much to add really but i am currently awaiting the arrival of number 2 (due on Monday but so far no sign). I would say the non essentials are:

changing table - can only use it until baby starts rolling over, which number 1 did at 3 months. We never used one. We have a changing mat upstairs and one downstairs as well as bum wash cloths, nappy creams and nappies. Saves running up and down stairs all day.

baby bath - never used one, got washed in the sink or in the bath with us. Number 2 will go in the bath with Daddy and big sister.

pushchair - get one that is light weight, avoid all the bells and whistles and make sure you can fold it and carry it one handed. While a travel system is useful make sure you go for a small lightweight buggy that folds up to nothing or you will find yourself like us and most people we know with young children buying another smaller lighter buggy at about 6/12 months!

moses basket - useful but number 1 went into her own cot about 2 months so alot of money for not alot of use. Borrow one.

What i used loads was:

cot bed - good point earlier about thinking when you want number 2 but our first went into a bed at 18 months as we need cot for number 2. Number 2 will also use it as a cot bed.
rocker chair - although we used the car seat at the begining until we got one.
face cloths - to use on bottoms and washed with the nappies. Saves loads on wipes, hygenic if you make sure you only use them on bottoms (as number 1 got bigger bought some others to use to wash dirty faces etc for same reason)
Sudacrem or some other nappy cream - we have various tubs all over the house to save running after them.
Sterilizer and Breast pump
baby gym - ours was second hand, number 1 loved it. Pick one up at a car boot.
travel cot - essential if you plan to spend any nights away from home before they are in a bed!
muslin squares - cover a mulitude of eventualities.
sling - used ours mostly when out walking but ideal around the house too.
sleeping bag when a bit older - shop around prices vary from about £6 in primark to over £25 for Gro-bags etc
fitted sheets for cot but flat sheet for swaddling!
baby monitor - you dont need one but as i am hard of hearing cant hear little ones once I am asleep.

Best of luck