Parents-if you had to choose 1 item...

narabanekeater

Mine for while I was pregnant was this somputer. As I was housebound I could order my shoppings chat and my computer was my saviour.
After my little girl was born it was a baby wipes dispenser that came free with my bounty pack. I had an attack on bells palsy later on in my pregnancy and I still have reduced feeling in my fingers and I cant grab hold of wipes. This dispenser makes them stick up in the air so its easy for me. Free and fab!
I have litrally 2 wardrobes full of bnwt clothes that shes never worn. Shea alomst 1 now and still fits in 3 month old clothes. I dont hesitate now to dress her in 2nd hand clothes. Before it would have been brand new.
I buy nappies in bulk and I mean 15 packs a time and am now a money saver!

coolbreezes

oh yeah the shawl My aunt made mine it was so beautiful i was scared to use it but did and it worked swaddling a baby works trust me

elona

Kamillosan is the trade name of the cream I was raving about.

If you swaddle baby make sure that shawl does not have little
holes that fingers can get trapped in.

Baby's most important item is you.

So a bouncy cradle so you can be seen and heard is great.

Cuddles, songs, talking to is all important.

If you want to record your own voice singing nursery rythmes etc then that is great as your voice will give out.

All mine loved action songs such as "Incey wincey spider" or "Round and round the garden"

Most important is that you take care of you! Then you are able to take care of baby.

Accept any help that you can get that you are comfortable with - not something that will make you feel inadequate.

kit

One 'must have' that springs to mind is friends. They are great for giving you second hand clothes, toys etc. They are also a GREAT help when you are pulling your hair out with frustration and the washing up hasnt been done in days

I brought baby kit a bouncy chair that played music and virbrated and she didnt like it - she prefers a more basic one. I also spent a fortune on a mamas and papas play gym with a big comfy looking mat attached. She HATED it! She loves her cheap plastic playgym and a spare changing mat.

Oh, and now I wouldnt be without her door bouncer - she gets to bounce (and loves it) and I have hands free to tidy up.

Last but not least...... I couldnt have got this far without the help of people on here. If I have a problem, I post it on here and everyone is so helpful and kind. :A

auntywalker2

Lindam night and day unit for warming bottles at the bedside, great for a winter baby's first few weeks

Graco swing, rocked ds to sleep

Grobag sleeping bag used from when baby can kick covers off and also get legs out of cot bars

Babyworld.co.uk for it's online antenatal club for ladies due the same month as you

Just remembered the Avent formula holder which has 3 compartments into which you place the correct number of scoops to make a bottle and then just take boiling water in babies bottles, which cool slowly and hopefully are right temp to add powder by feeding time. Or you can warm up the water if necessary before adding powder.

Useless - nappy wrapper, who wants smelly nappies in the lounge when they have a wheelie bin outside?

HTH and good luck!

shazndaz

When I was in hospital, I waited for hubby to get there before I went and got washed etc so he could watch her so I had face wipes, baby wipes and those little tooth cleaning wipes to set me on until he got there. Also, dextrose tablets - I couldn't reach to get a drink whilst breast feeding and it's very thirsty work (and baby was almost permanently latched on) so these helped keep the thirst at bay and keep my energy up.

When I started formula feeding I used to carry those mini m&m tubes which held just enough formula for 1 bottle and a bottle with the right amount of water in. When baby hungry, pour powder into bottle and feed (at room temperature). No waiting for baby and no worry of milk going off. I don't know if this was the reason but my baby was NEVER sick.

specialK

I found the playpan to be a godsend. Baby safe in one place and no toys shrewn all over the place....well not alot!

misty

Changing station. I wouldn't have bought one as I thought they were expensive and you can change anywhere - which is true. I had a c section and it was just the right height without bending and stretching - drawers for change of clothes, so didn't have to go up stairs - all the lotions ect tidy away and built in bath. If you can get one cheap or borrow one - I'd reccomend them. My friend bought her's second hand in mint condition - then I had it, then she had it back for her second and now another freind has it.

bargainaddict

Baby monitor, not as fancy as the ones these days but 18years later it still comes out if one of them is ill upstairs. Basic fabric covered bouncy chair, any johnsons baby product (the smell of the talc still takes me back to then), and most important for me, being a mere 5ft and not particularly strong, my first buggy did not have swivel wheels. It was a nightmare opening shop doors, I used to have to go in backwards! There never seemed to be anyone around to hold the doors open. I used to wait till I had hubby or friends with me to help. My second baby we had swivel wheels and freedom at last. fantastic. I expect these days all prams and buggys come with swivel wheels. I also had a plastic carrying box that held all my nappies and creams etc. All in one place, brilliant.

bargainaddict

Just remembered another thing. Midwife recommended bathing in sea salt bought from the chemist. It really helps!!