Baby 'Essential' Recommendations

Agutka

Janepig wrote: »

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

Lol! So true, get in there before the baby notices they're awake!
As for the wipes, my pup experienced a whole two weeks of cotton wool and water (we were stuck in hospital and it's quite handy there) before I whipped out the wipes. So much easier, and I was in such a state I had to make everything as easy as possible. Besides, there's a story on here somewhere about a mum who was dealing with bad nappy rash before a doctor recommended wipes instead of water. And it helped.

beckseven

Don't bother with the baby bath-I used the sink until DS got too big for it! My little one had bad nappy rash when he was tiny and someone recommended to me using cotton wool and a bit of baby oil to clean him up and it worked a treat. I think I went onto wipes when he was about 3 months and have never had a problem with nappy rash since then. I had a baby swing and my DS didn't like it and it just stood about collecting dust until I sold it to someone for £20 on ebay-some people swear by them though! All the best for your new arrival.

Jaycee1972

Hi and congratulations on your pregnancy.

A few comments:-

I found the baby bath invaluable and in fact still use it now with my son who is 20 months. Less risk of him slipping and he loves splashing in it. It also saves water.

I also found the monitor invaluable as I wanted to hear his first peep. If I waited until I could hear him downstairs even in a small house with the tv on and the bedroom door shut (we have cats) it would take him ages to resettle. If I got up their quickly, a quick breastfeed and he was off again.

Good tips about the pillowcase in the moses basket or pram. We bought to many blankets and sheets although it is nice to have some. I used the crib ones in the cot for a while as covers while my son was small. Also handy for covering him anywhere. You could put some of these on your gift list so you just get a couple of nice blankets. You can get sleeping bags in tesco for around £10. I always had 3 and used them until Mitchell was about a year old when we switched to sheets and blankets.

You won't need wipes really to start with. I just used cotton wool and water for the first 3 months or so at home and just used wipes when out. Also only water or a tiny drop of baby bath in the bath.

I would get some new born babygros. No need for lots of outfits at this stage but 0-3 were to big on Mitchell at 7lb13. These and the vests are really cheap in tesco.

Put a play gym/mat and maybe a bouncy chair on your gift list.

If you want to use reusable nappies from tiny, try using muslins with a wrap as reusable nappies are really bulky and this put me off.

If you can get on wtih bf you will save a fortune and it is so convenient. Arm yourself with phone numbers NCT, La Leche League in case you have any problems. They can be a massive help. It is worth persevering. I am still feeding my son at 20 months! I bought loads of bottles just in case and ended up selling them on ebay. I just kept 3 for the odd occassion I expressed and for taking milk to work when I returned at 11 months.

Baby carriers are fab. I bought a wrap from Gypsy Mama when he was about 4 months but I wish we bought it sooner. DH liked to carry him in the Tomy baby carrier too. These can be bought really cheap on ebay - wraps tend to be more money but you can resell.

Tens - best £40 I ever spent lol. Can always resell but I have kept mine for now in case I have another baby. It is ok saying you can rent one two weeks before you are due but as it happened Mitchell threatended to arrive at 35 weeks when I had a practice run with the tens and then actually arrived at 37+5 so I needed mine before then. Having my own made me able to relax about it.

Good luck and enjoy it.

Jaycee x

Agutka

My essential toys were a swing (at first we had a broken one, but after a few weeks of pushing it with your leg, you invest lol), which would be the only thing to settle him and his gym, which he's only recently stopped using as a nap area due to his length. Oh the hours of windchimes twinkling as he played... now it's more banging you hear.
But I agree that you need no toys at all for two months? Then just buy what you like, what people recommend etc.

Staciep88

Hiya, thanks for that! Thats really kind of you, i'm really trying to keep the costs down x

sooz wrote: »

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

wes_cov

Just a few point from an Interested dad DD is now 5 months

I have to second the matalan sleep suits with fold over cuffs they are great

we also got sucked in to the how much baby bath, baby shampoo, baby oil, baby lotion most of which is gathering dust

the next thing is Bibs its amazing how many DD was going through but she was a dribbler but it has just got worst since we started weening!!!

i also swear by swaddling it gives baby a clear definition of bed time wether it was this or just my daughters temperment that got her sleeping through most nights is anyones guess but she still rarely gets up between 10 and 8

emmaBZ

when my dd was a baby grandma said she would buy moses basket sheets....she bought a double sheet for about £3 and cut it in to 4-6 smaller size ones for moses basket....perfect...( i will have to remember this when i have baby no 4 ! in nov !! )

HelenD_2

Hiya

On the nappies issue, I had a session with my local nappy lady at the weekend and she was FAB :j

website:www.thenappylady.co.uk

Gave me and OH lots of brilliant advice on the different types of reusable nappies out there, plus all the other paraphenalia that comes with having a baby.

She recommended using muslins as nappies if you wanted too as they are not as bulky. Plus using flannels for just about everything from nappy boosters to wipers plus under the baby's head at night if liable to be a bit dribbly!

My nappy lady also happens to be a member of our local NCT as well, so could recommend lots of local groups for both before and after baby is born - most especially there is one for postnatal mothers, who can get together for the first 6 months after baby is born to chat about themselves and how they are getting on. Thought this sounded like a marvellous idea to me - nothing like sharing worries with others going through the same thing is there - much like on here

MRS_TO_BE_2

I have made some wonderful friends at our local under 1s group. Its free and run by our Health visitors assistant. Its a great source of advice and you will prob find you are welcome before hand so you can stock up on tips and ideas....my friend and I were due the same day and went before hand for a couple of weeks. It was great and we return when babys were a week old.

You might even find some second hand stuff offered to you!

emweaver

The muslin cloths I dont think these are essential. I might suggest a baby monitor, when my lo was a baby i used to check every 10 mins she was breathing as it always looked like she wasnt so i bought one of those angelcare monitors. worth every penny for the reassurance it gives, ok its not necesary but id recommend it