Baby 'Essential' Recommendations

gingerkirsty

Before going out and spending any money on a sling (even an ebay £20 bjorn is a waist of money for the 2 months it will be comfy) try out some at a slingmeet. www.slingmeet.co.uk

There are loads of types that will last you years (seriously!!) and if you try them out before baby comes along - or when tiny - then you know you are not wasting money.

I am expecting number 3 in August and have learnt quite a few things are non-essential. I have clothes from the other 2, my bed, my slings and my boobs so pretty much everything

A few things we got with number 1 but never really used for either 1 or 2 and have been sold or given away

-mechanical swing
-door bouncer
-expensive tinylove mobile
-big pram (seem lovely till you have to get it in the car or push it up a hill)
-newborn clothes (0-3 months was OK but that will depend on the child of course)
-tiny baby shoes and cute outfits (vests and sleepsuits all the way :rotfl: )

Rachie_B

gingerkirsty wrote: »

-mechanical swing
-door bouncer
-expensive tinylove mobile
-big pram (seem lovely till you have to get it in the car or push it up a hill)
-newborn clothes (0-3 months was OK but that will depend on the child of course)
-tiny baby shoes and cute outfits (vests and sleepsuits all the way :rotfl: )

my youngest loved the Graco swing! it was fab if he wanted to be held but i had things to do with my eldest son etc

but you do need a fairly large space ,i know people who hated theirs / didn't use it as it takes up a lot of space

again big pram ,loved my bouncy M&P's, i didnt drive and so a comfy ( for me and baby!) pram was essential

mind you i was a bit of a pramaholic :rotfl: and went on to try practically every type going

LisaMarkand_Oliver

I'd recommend that you get a few more sleepsuits - we were going through 3 a day in the first few weeks.

Cotton wool is much easier, cheaper and cleaner (we used it for about 3 months) just had wipes when we were out

Steriliser, Bottles and ready made formula, just in case bf doesn't work out - our son had difficultly latching on so luckily we had a few cartons of aptamil and i also had a manual breastpump that i used for the first 4 weeks until i gave it up and went fully on bottles

Bouncy chair an essential in my books - mothercare do a good one for £12 with a spotty design

Plenty of bibs will also reduce the number of clothing changes

Sorry if this has already been posted - there were that many posts i didn't read them all!

shirefairy

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=918091

Here is the link to the what did u buy for your baby but never use... Might be handed.

hayleyc_2

"Steriliser, Bottles and ready made formula, just in case bf doesn't work out"

Personally I would not bother with these. As long as you make sure BF is established before you leave hospital and get advice from a BF councillor as soon as there are any problems, there is not going to be an emergency situation where you'll suddenly need formula. BF is really hard in the first few weeks, and I personally think that having an alternative in the house is too much of a temptation! If BF goes wrong then it means you're making an informed and concious decision to go out and buy it, rather than in the middle of the night when you're really tired with sore nipples and will do anything to avoid the next feed. No harm in having the pump, but you're not meant to express for at least six weeks so that feeding is established so there's no need to necessarily have these before the birth.

Don't mean to sound preachy, I just know that I had some really hard times BFing in the first 3 weeks and if I'd had formula waiting in the cupboard then I might have given in, and may not be happily BFing my baby 8 months down the line.

I would also recommend the lansinoh (i think that's how you spell it) nipple cream in your hospital bag. It's a bit expensive but it's the one everyone recommends and I found it a godsend. I had to send the other half out to get some while I was in hospital, but I wish I'd bought it beforehand and applied it before I got really sore.

I would also recommend a carrier. We used a ring sling to start with, but i also have a wilkinet and a ball baby carrier. I would say a sling of some description is an essential, as it was so useful for calming my baby when he cried.

Hayley

Lindabella

If you are still interested in real nappies and have not yet bought them, I suggest that you have a look at Bum Genius. I was recommended by a Hammersmith and Fulham Real Nappy workshop, and I love them.

They are one size from birth to potty, with poppers on the front so you can change the size as your baby grows. They are also all in one, so really easy to use. Other nappy systems use an inner and then a nappy cover/wrap to make it water tight. (We had some like this in the beginning and I did not take to them.) Bum Genius are pocket nappies and have a super absorbent microfibibre insert that you remove to wash and stuff back in once clean. You can use extra inserts if you want. Here is there website: http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php

Here is where I bought mine, I believe that they are the UK distributors and so the price is competitive, and they give discounts for bulk buys.
http://www.thenaturalbabyresource.co.uk/cloth-nappies/Onesize
I see that they are were offering 10% off until 2nd May, which is still on the website, Maybe worth trying to enter the code RNW08 at the checkout

The more nappies you buy the easier it is as you do not have to stress about washing too much. I would suggest getting between 18 and 20, but you can get away with less, it you are prepared to do more washing.

For night time we have some of the Hemp Babies Bigger Weeds that they are selling buy one get one free, the nappies are bulkier and we have them on the largest size. But it can cope with over 12 hours of wear.

I have tried a few liners and the best ones that I have found are the mothercare ones. Non soiled ones can be washed and reused a few times
http://www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000TUW3DS

Also I am not sure where you live but my council offered a £45 voucher that can be put towards the cost of the nappies. many online retailers, including the Natural baby resource centre accept the voucher.

I also have a few other nappy tips if interested

Also I was just thinking I should let you know the one thing that had the most positive effect over my birth experience, was the Natal Hypnotherapy 4 cd self hypnosis cds. You listen to the sessions as often as you can whilst pregnant. These are really relaxing and a sort of guided meditation and during the labour you listen to the 'birth music' which is the back ground music of the sessions and the unconscious mind remembers the positive suggestions given to you during the sessions. I would whole heartedly recommend them to any pregnant woman

All the best, and as you are due in July, good luck in the approaching weeks.

Belinda

Pink_Princess_1

"Steriliser, Bottles and ready made formula, just in case bf doesn't work out"

I'd second this - If I couldnt have had that small break in the first few days when I was in tears at the thought of another feed I would have given up b/feeding - just one feed gave me a couple of hours to get myself together and Ruby now swaps between the two no problem and I'm still b/feeding 14 weeks later. A couple of friends cant get their 3 months olds to take a bottle at all and the babies are getting really upset. Lanisoh is a definate and also chilled savoy cabbage leaves:eek: these were fantastic