Baby 'Essential' Recommendations

hev_2

Something else I've remembered. I had two dozen unused gents 100% cotton handkerchiefs from a craft project I never got round to. I used them for mopping up, wiping little mouths etc, washed them with the baby clothes and they've just got softer and softer. They are a nice size - not too big but big enough. I need to get them all sorted out again because they are so much nicer than wipes.

consultant31

savagelyric wrote: »

Shirlgirl2004 – you mentioned about the cloth nappies I've got being likely to leak – is this well know for this brand / type? My plan was to try and get a few different types from ebay etc to try out to see what suits...

Do ring your local council and ask if they are taking part in the Real Nappy Initiative. Lots of councils are and they will send you various things including vouchers for money off cloth nappies.

This website is great http://talkingpoint.allaboutyou.com/showthread.php?t=366257

MRS_TO_BE_2

Def recommend a baby gym and bouncer chair. Doesn't have to be fancy but keeps them amused and tired them out. Used to put mine on mat when little and within 15 mins I was able to put him down so he went to sleep.

Aldi have a nice gym in at moment for £12. Shame about NCT sale. Make sure you find out what proof council needs for cashback claim.

Like the idea about pillow case tucked in as sheets....wish I had done that.

Wait and see if you need newborn clothes...you will get given so much. We did end up buying newborn basics from asda when son was 4 days old. Felt so proud as everyone stops and chats when you have tiny baby.

Just one little tip about baby......let him or her learn to fall asleep by themselves. Yes its lovely to rock or cuddle them to sleep but make sure you teach them to fall asleep by themselves early on. i have friends who have critisised me in the pass but they are the ones rocking their 1 year olds to sleep!

blue_sushi_cat

congratulations and good luck!

I wouldn't buy any more breast pads - you might not need them. I bf both of mine exclusively and only leaked about twice - at night!

If I had another I'd buy or borrow a sling - I had a baby bjorn which was excellent but my sister had a sling for her ds last year and it was fab.

I also wouldn't buy too many clothes before the baby is born - babies come in different shapes and sizes. When ds1 was born he was way too long for any of the newborn sleepsuits we bought - we ended up cutting the feet off (the suit not his!) to fit them and then only buying things without feet, ds2 on the other hand had such a big head that nothing would fit over so vests didn't fit but babygros with poppers did. Never used scratch mitts even though they had eczema - just kept their nails short.

A baby gym or bouncer are nice but not essential - ds1 didn't have them but I bought them for ds2 and they didn't get very much use - the bouncer in particular as he started sitting up quite early. I did have an exersaucer for them though - like a baby walker but not mobile (and therefore safer) so they stood and bounced in it/played with toys on the tray - both loved it.

Not sure you need a nursery thermometer?

I had a folding change mat that I kept downstairs in a small box with some wipes and nappies to change them on the floor as they were very wriggly. I could take the mat with me as well in my bag when we went out and it went in the washer when dirty.

I used a small rucksack instead of a nappy bag - you don't necessarily need a special bag.

oompahloompah

Apologies if any of these (or all of them!) have already been suggested, but the things I found invaluable for my 3 DSs were:
terry nappies (squares) - I used these exclusively for DS1 and 2 but not so much with DS3 - he was the only one EVER to have nappy rash
a bucket with a lid for soaking the clothes, two buckets if you use the reusable nappies
soft face cloths for topping and tailing - don't use baby wipes (only occassionally when you are out) until they are a few months old
a wee bouncy seat (about a tenner in Argos)
a plastic backed changing mat
a thick blanket or quilt to let them lie on the floor and kick their legs, especially nappy free - they love this!
cloths for over your shoulder for when you are carrying/burping them - old dishtowels will do
I wouldn't buy too many clothes as you will get given lots as gifts (some from people you don't even know!) but try to have a dozen or so babygros for the first few days - you can go through plenty in one day!
pillowcases instead of sheets for the pram/moses basket/carry cot - if baby is sick and you are out and about you can just flip the mattress over so baby is lying on a fresh bit until you get home

What I wouldn't buy is:
a second hand car seat - they sometimes aren't as safe as they could be if they have been in an accident, even though they appear undamaged
baby monitor unless baby will be at the opposite end of the house
baby nail clippers - just bite their nails off when they get sharp
toiletries - for the first few weeks just use plain warm water, even to wash their hair
anything baby won't need until they are much bigger - highchair, buggy, playpen etc - it will just take up lots of room and will annoy you! If you want to ask for these things as gifts, ask for the value in vouchers and you can buy the things when the time comes
a tens machine - you can hire these from all sorts of places
a special "baby bag" - any roomy bag that will hold a couple of nappies, change of clothes and any food you need for the day is big enough


You really don't need an awful lot of stuff for a baby - they need somewhere to sleep, some clothes and nappies, something to feed them with and something to transport them in.

jetcat

in the new baby bag the hospital gives you there are some breast pads - i think they were washable? actually, have you picked up a bounty pack from boots - i am sure there are some in there as well!! all free, so may as well!

sooz

Staciep88 wrote: »

Hiya, I'm kind of in the same situation as you and I made out a list for myself which i have copied for you underneath - i hope this helps. I also included prices and where the item should be brought from (at the cheapest price). I havent included the prices of baby clothes and where to buy them from as I have just been buying them whenever and where ever i see them! Hope this helps!

NEW BABY COMPLETE ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST

New Baby Bathing Essentials - £40.96 + £3.19(p/w)
· Infant Bathtub - £7.99 ITBBSBE Baby.World

· Grooming Kit - £12.99 098/3213 Argos Extra
· Wash Cloths(10pk) - £6.99 E7368 Mothercare

New Baby Health and Safety Essentials - £55.97
· Thermometer for the nursery - £12.99 A3231 Mothercare
· Baby Monitor - £29.99 A1368-777 Mothercare
· Night Light - £12.99 075221Babies.R.Us

Hi Stacie,

A couple of things jumped out at me from your list,

This bath tub from Ikea is only £3.99
And if you are there they do really cheap wash cloths too

Also you can get a baby monitor with thermometer & nightlight included, which is cheaper, less clutter like this one, & some can be controlled from the parent's/other room too (I know with mine I can turn the nightlight on or off & switch on music from the other room, as well as talking back to them....)

Finally, if you have a TKMaxx nearby, they often sell exactly the same grooming kit for £4.99

bylromarha

My local hospital hired me a TENS for free-don't pay Boots/Tesco unless your hospital run out!

sparklygirl1

MRS_TO_BE wrote: »

Just one little tip about baby......let him or her learn to fall asleep by themselves. Yes its lovely to rock or cuddle them to sleep but make sure you teach them to fall asleep by themselves early on. i have friends who have critisised me in the pass but they are the ones rocking their 1 year olds to sleep!

And two and three year olds....... A friend of family still has their three year old waking four to five times every night.........

Janepig

I wouldn't bother with a baby bath at all. I had one with DD and it was a pain in the arris having to carry it to and from the bathroom full of water. So I gave it to my auntie to put her koi carp in when they saw the koi carp doctor (don't ask :rolleyes:) and DS was bathed in a new washing up bowl. Cheap as chips and pretty light to carry when it had water in it. DS loved his baths much more than DD which I think was because he felt more secure in a smaller space. Plus we could use it for what it was intended after DS grew out of it and into the big bath.

I also found a baby monitor indispensable despite living in a smallish house - with the TV on it would take until baby was in full flow before I'd hear them, whereas with a monitor you can go to them that bit sooner and head them off at the pass so to speak.

Also, if I had another baby (which will never happen!) I would buy babygros from Matalan because they sell them with fold over cuffs which act as scratch mittens - brilliant idea. And being Matalan they are fairly inexpensive too.

Jxx

PS: I'm obviously the only one on here who used wipes exclusively from day one (non-perfumed sensitive ones).