First Baby and don't know what best things to buy

[BabyAcorn]

Hello fellow Mummies. I am finding everything quite overwhelming, with how many of every product there is to choose from. It reminds me of when I got married.
Today I received an Avent bottle, as I went on their web site, and it's got me thinking. I am 25 weeks, what should I be looking at buying now or soonish?
I would really appreciate some thoughts on this, I would like to breast feed, but know that I would also like Hubba to feed to, so bottles would be good too and maybe an electric pump? But do I do bottle or plastic bag bottles? And how many bottles do we think?
I suddenly feel as I am the only person out of my friends who is pregnant [ I'm 27] I cant really ask any one close.
Would really appreciate anything any-one has found really good, and don't get me started on prams!I just cant decide!Is it really that bad to be wanting everything lovely, perfect for this thing that keeps me awake already all night!?!?!

[SenoritaViva]

Everyone is different and wants different things and frankly it is bloody hard to know what you will want when you can't really visualise what it's going to be like anyway! So, what I really want to say is don't panic. Relax. IMO if you go out and get everything you won't use half of it. Or you'll invest in all the bottles you need and discover your baby prefers another brand or something.

With the internet around really it is not the end of the world if you need to buy something after the baby is born. See how you feel. Don't get overwhelmed.

We got an electric breast pump, it sounded hideous (and made me feel like a cow at a dairy), DH said he'd leave me if he had to listen to the noise every night and so in the end we hardly used it. But there were other things I purchased quite quickly - it isn't too bad shopping with a LO.

Good luck with it, I haven't been all that helpful I suppose, sorry!

[whizzyrocket]

I'm a first time mum too and can't offer much advice but I do know this: prams! You need one that lets your baby lie flat. Motion sends babies to sleep which is why so many fall asleep in the car and wake when you stop, but if you get into the habit of taking them for a walk in their pram, they fall asleep while you get some of the exercise that you need and when you get home you can leave them happily kipping and can move it to and fro to get them back off if you need to. It's much better than the car-seat style ones where they can't put their legs down, or move if they're uncomfortable.

I think you do have to budget for what you want though and be realistic about how quickly it won't be special and perfect any more. In other words I believe second-hand prams are a good plan otherwise you'll just be taken for a ride (no pun intended!).. we bought a Silver Cross Sleepover pram which would have cost just under £700 new, but only cost us £65 on ebay, is perfectly clean and just as if we had bought it new. Except they gave us pram-sheets, mozzie-nets, parasols and all sorts too.

I know the "but I want everything to be lovely for my baby" feeling, but if you economise on some things it means you can afford to spend a bit more on others. For example I intend to buy my little boy some really lovely toys and blankets because I know they'll last and will be used and appreciated.

[BabyAcorn]

Thanks Mummies. Both are really helpful. SenoritaViva - I did wonder if electric pump would feel a little like a cow, as it does put me off using it, but also would like other people to feed Baby if Im wanting a rest! I may try and have a look at one and the sound before I buy! Or maybe do powder milk as well,on the odd occasion?
whizzyrocket - A friend of the family has said I can have her Silver cross pram for free, and it's beige I think it's the 'surf' style, it is what I would like, but like you said it's that,that i buy for an outrageous price, or some lovely furniture and things to fill the nursery, we could afford both, but want to get value for money, but also dont want to feel like I'm grabbing everything I can for free, like I can't afford it, or something. It's weird I know! Ive already taken all the maternity clothes from this lady and pj's, and their great, I haven't thought them not being mine from brand new.
It is a very strange feeling, thinking now this baby is in your tummy, will anything be good enough?!! :)

[violetwellies]

We bought NOTHING, except some reusable nappies of ebay, & were then given a load more.
So many kind friends & relatives gave clothes, we have been given and loaned 3 buggies and an unused car seat, baby gym, rocker,toys, clothes, bottles & sterilization kit.
We re using Dp's cot & were given an unused mattress (darling niece co-slept & wouldn't go in the cot :)
We are now 12 weeks & I will soon have to start spending money.

[banana87]

Everyone has their own preferences so I will tell you what we did: I used dr. Brown bottles and exclusively breastfed for 4 weeks. After this I pumped one feed per day for DH to feed her. I used the medela swing pump which was fab. I plan on doing the same this time round too.

[MzPixielated]

try making a big 'ol list of everything you can think of then go through it slowly so you dont get to overwhelmed. when i was pregnant i went to a large mothercare store walked the prams about a bit and had a go at folding them, sort of got a feel for the products i wanted then went home n got them all on ebay for half the price, clothes wise most people will give you more than your baby will ever wear so just by a pack of baby grows and one or two cute outfits. feeding wise i suggest freezer bags for breast milk, bottles, steriliser and breast pump (i got nipple protector things aswell because breastfeeding can get a bit sore!)

[Beesok]

OK I must warn you that I am 30 wks pregnant with first baby and am not an experienced mum yet - have also bought loads of stuff BUT I am very organized and quite picky anal control freak and hate buying too much, in the first few months I didn't buy anything - just talked to people with babies, searched the net, read reviews and made a list of our requirements (life style, living space, what we don't care about and what we won't compromise on) and slowly the list of things I want started clearing up. Also, take advantage of any sales and promotions - am not superstitious and for ex. bought the crib I wanted when I was 18 wks because it was on sale and saved myself a good £150, I took advantage of the JL nursery advisory service - went there, spent an hour and a half looking through what they have on offer with the consultant then compared all the items on my list with prices in other stores as well as reviews online - that resulted in me taking lots of items off the list or I bought some at Mothercare taking advantage of the 3 for 2 promotion.
Am willing to spend more on a pram or even a lovely blanket (I don't need 10 cheap ones - 2 or 3 quality ones are better) but don't care about changing table for ex (getting a basic one at JL), as a nursery teacher I know it's pointless to spend tons on expensive toys and have tons of cheap ways to entertain a child at the same time really helping their development etc etc

Mumsnet has also been really helpful esp. all the threads with to do/to buy lists and comments from experienced mums :)

Try to enjoy it - baby shopping is FUN :) and don't buy anything at first impulse unless you are absolutely sure you want it - leave it and look at it again in a few days :)
Good Luck!!

[notcitrus]

How near baby shops are you? Most stuff you might need suddenly can be found in your nearest large supermarket (more clothes, nappies, dummies, even breast pumps in large ones)

So much stuff is incredibly personal and depends on both you, your baby, and your lives. We got a pushchair just after I gave birth, got lent moses baskets, got a cotbed in advance, given blankets and some reusable nappies and clothes, and picked up other stuff as and when. Eg when I noticed other babies having cute baby gyms, I then ordered one online.

This did though leave me one evening ordering MrNC to drive to the nearest Mothercare and buy me anything that looked like it might help with breastfeeding - he returned with an overpriced but wonderful Avent electric pump and a feeding shelf (My Brest Friend - great if you have arm problems) and Lansinoh etc. A bit of planning would have helped there. Especially as Mothercare was on a different industrial estate to where I told him it was, and he had to sweet-talk them to let him in before it closed...

For occasional use, a couple bottles would be fine, and you can always sterilise in a saucepan or dishwasher. If you find you need more, get more then.

I do recommend also finding out in advance where your nearest late-night pharmacy is, for when you are desperate to try a dummy/need more Calpol and the local shops are shut!

[AKP79]

Just wanted to say great thread! I feel exactly as you do BabyAcorn so have found all of the responses really helpful! x

[HarperSeven]

• World's best nappy cream: Bepanthen. Stock up.
  
• Buy a baby carrier - one that you can put a newborn in. You can't put a newborn in a Baby Bjorn, they have to be 5kg to start. Recommend the Close Carrier. Very easy, very comfortable.
  
• No baby wipes required for first couple of months. You will need lots of cotton wool.
  
• Buy baby outfits with the snaps at the front. You don't want to have to put the outfit over the baby's head. Buy them all in the same colour so you can throw them in the wash at the same time.

[blowthewindsoutherly]

For the first week you only need the basics:

• sleepsuits, lots. Buy tons of white ones;
  

• somewhere for baby to sleep, moses basket or crib normally, unless they are going straight into a big cot (which they may not like);
  

• pram/car seat or travel system (or sling if you REALLY won't need a buggy);
  

• nappies. Personally, even if I was planning on using reusables I would buy disposables for the first week or two;
  

• if you are planning to breastfeed and express at some point you can probably pick up bottles later, but if you want to be prepared you could be two or three. Best ones I ever used for combining bottle and breast were the MAM anti colic ones, although I know lots of people like the Tommee Tippee closer to nature ones;
  

• a bath support to go in the bath to make bating easier; and if you are planning on breastfeeding you absolutel MUST HAVE - Lansinoh!!

[blowthewindsoutherly]

Personally I WOULDN'T buy a breastfeeding pillow in advance. It's the only thing I never used - I had a mybrestfriend one and people rave about them but I hated it. Thought I'd like it second time round after a c-section but still hated it, always got along fine with just a normal bed pillow or a cushion.

[Catsycat]

All the stuff can be pretty confusing!

I have 2 DDs and am trying for no. 3. With DD1, I bought loads of our stuff from eBay and was also given quite a few things (changing table, lots of clothes) from Freecycle, other things I bought new.

I kept a spreadsheet listing the exact things I wanted, the RRP, and the price I got it for, which helped me not to get carried away when bidding on eBay, and also meant I could show DH and go "Look, I bought all these things, but actually SAVED us money!".

The only thing I was absolutely determined that I wanted new was my buggy (gorgeous green Phil & Ted), but I still got a discounted bundle deal on it by shopping around. I am still using the same buggy (most of my friends have had 2 or 3) and love it just as much as when I bought it!

Express Yourself Mums www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk is excellent for choosing a breast pump and related bits and pieces. I had a double Ameda Lactaline pump and a very attractive handsfree bra, as I exclusively expressed for DD1 for 6 months, so needed a heavy duty, fast machine (think milking parlour!). My DDs both liked the Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature bottles. If you choose those, and you want a bottle warming flask to take out, make sure you buy the Tommee Tippee one, as the bottles don't fit a standard warmer very easily. For home use, we bought a "massimo" cup from Costa and warmed the bottles in that with hot water - much more effective than electric warmers!

We got a Tommee Tippee steriliser half price at Tesco, so just keep a look out for stuff wherever you are and you might get a bargain.

Other things we loved were Grobags, and the Amby baby bed (which DD1 especially loved) and didn't take up too much room in our bedroom!

Good luck!

[whizzyrocket]

You say Grobags and I think tomatoes! Still, I'm finding this thread useful!

Thanks for the link to 'express yourselves'- I really want my DH to bond with his baby and think I'll express so he can give at least one bottle a day.

So far as the reusable nappies go, which ones would you guys say are best? I've got quite a range as I was given a box of them but I still need more, especially first size ones. The Little Lamb bamboo ones look good, but are they? Do you have any tips? Do you have any wonder-products for washing them? I know you're not supposed to use fabric conditioner.

[gallicgirl]

Bamboo takes along time to dry. See if your local council does a trial pack or incentive scheme. Birth to potty nappies are probably most economical - they use poppers to make nappies small enough for newborn.

Grobags are ace but DD wasn't big enough for it until she was a few weeks old. I got mine from kiddicare but you can get them on ebay too.

You need a blanket with holes in it! I didn't know this for ages (doh). I think they're really called cellular blankets - but if you use a grobag, you shouldn't need a blanket as well.

I would recommend a bathtime support sponge. they cost about £8 and are brilliant to stop baby slipping out of your arms in the bath.

[Catsycat]

We used Bambino Mio nappies with DD1, and they were perfectly satisfactory. I wouldn't have had the fortitude to use them without a drier though! After a second CS with DD2, I just never got into using them again (couldn't bring myself to lug the bucket about, and had sooo much washing to do anyway!).

I now use eco disposables - Bambo Nature, which I get from www.naturebotts.co.uk. They are really good, I have occasionally had the odd Pampers / Huggies sample sent to me, and don't find Bambo Nature any more leaky / smelly etc than these. They are more environmentally friendly in manufacture and disposal than a conventional nappy, and are a good compromise if you can't get into the washables. When using washables, I used eco-disposables when going out, as I didn't want to carry dirty nappies around with me.

We used the PHP Nappy Soak in the nappy bucket (with a few drops of tea tree), and then in the washing machine to boost the Ecover washing liquid. And I always used a prewash!!!!

I did find that the disposable liners for the washable nappies gave my DD nappy rash within a couple of hours. We bought fleece liners instead, which were fine, if a little annoying to sluice off! You can buy silk bourette liners if your DC is prone to nappy rash - these can also be folded and put in your bra if you have sore nipples!

[Muckyhighchair]

The best buy i had was a baby bath support, only £5 or so.newborns are so slippery when wet.

We brought a 5lb sleep suit for ds first photos, he was 6lb but those were a little large for photos, the smaller one was perfect for them but only fitted for a few days. We only got 1 so that was £4 or so.

A baby bouncer, a must to

The baby wipes with the snap shut lid.

Nappy bags

Those sleep bags bloodly great idea

I can't remember the name but some cooling breast pads, throw away ones, have some gel in them, keep them in the fridge.

[Parietal]

Get a swaddling blanket. It really helps newborn babies sleep. And I second the recommendation for the Close sling.

[JustFiveMinutesHAHAHA]

Really, you don't need very much. You are better to buy it as you find you need it :)

I understand what you are saying about feeling like you are 'grabbing everything that's free' but honestly, babies use things for such a short time your friends want you to get some use out of the stuff they have. Don't feel bad - this child will be costing you a fortune for years to come... you do not need to spend loads on it now to prove how much you want it/love it!!

People will say 'Oh you must have x' and others will say 'God I never used x - total waste of money'

All you need at first is snap vests, babygrows, nappies and water/cotton wool and a car seat!

[mamadivazback]

If I could do it all again my list would be cut to this-

Travel- Pushchair, footmuff, raincover, sling and car seat

Sleep- Cot, matress, 2x baby sleep bags, 2x sheets and 2x swaddling blankets

Cleaning- 10x Fleece babywipes, Bath support, 4x flannels, Bar of goats milk soap, changing bag mat

Feeding- Breast - 12x muslins, Lansinoh, 6x washable breast pads Bottle - 6x bottles, 6x teats, steriliser, 12x muslins/bibs

Play- Travel toy arch, rocking bouncy chair

Clothing- 5x Babygro's, 5x vests, 2x cardigans, 2x hats, 2x scratch mitts

I know it looks a lot but really it's not, anything else is just preference IMO.

I spent a fortune on stuff that rarely got used!

[NoseyNooNoo]

There is a good list of what to buy here:

What do I need to buy?


I remember being totally clueless about what to buy - there are things you've never even heard of before, but it all becomes clear eventually!

[VeronicaCake]

Mamadiva sounds about right.

We were lucky and were loaned the carrycot that fitted on our Quinny Buzz frame. Good thing too really as DD hated it and would never fall asleep in it so it got used about 5 times before we gave up. She was much happier in a sling or curled up in a car seat.

Before the baby is born you probably need...

Some sleepsuits (preferably with built-in scratch mitts) and some vests with envelope necks (so you don't need to pull them over the babies head). Buy some newborn size and some 0-3. Don't get masses of either. Babies vary wildly in how quickly they outgrow their first clothes and you'll probably be given loads too.

A warm cardie or two - though if you have knitters in your family expect to receive many of these.

Nappies - I'd suggest getting disposables for the hospital and the first few days at home even if you plan to use reusables after that.

Cotton wool for wiping your baby's bottom.

A carseat (we don't have a car but still used ours loads - see above).

A pushchair.

Somewhere for your baby to sleep - cot, moses basket etc are all fine. If you want to co-sleep then either a bedguard to stop the baby falling out or a mattress on the floor.

Some cellular blankets (or loosely knitted ones) to be wrapped up in.

And you'll need maternity pads, breast pads, lansinoh or kamillosan, comfy underwear and a metric ton of chocolate hobnobs.

Things you may or may not need in the first few weeks...

Muslins (honestly DD was never sick and we hardly touched ours, but they are cheap and worth having on hand).
A sling, preferably something snuggly for your newborn like a Moby, Close or Kari-Me.
A baby bath - we bought a tummy tub but DD preferred the sink or sharing a bath with me.
A bouncy chair - again DD never really got to grips with hers.
Baby wipes - we used flannels and warm water a lot but they were handy when out and about.

Things like sleeping bags, baby gyms, special swaddling blankets, dummies, bottles, breast pumps etc you either won't need straightaway or can buy on a just-in-time basis. Kiddicare does next day delivery and will text you to let you know roughly when they'll turn up.

It is tempting to buy loads in advance but the baby needs next to nothing to begin with and they are all different. You may end up with a sling-hating, pram-loving, breast-refusing bouncy-chair dweller.

[JanMorrow]

Well I guess these are the most important things I had -

A sling (life saver), I have a mai tei.

Clothes -
Basic babygros, scratch mits, a little hat, cardies, vests (everyone else will buy the fancy stuff).

Bottle/feeding stuff -
Bottle steriliser that goes in microwave
Freezer bags for the breastmilk (takes up less space)
Tommy tippee closer to nature bottles (for expressed milk)
I had a hand pump for my boobs
Muslins (tesco do them in packets)
nappy cream
nappies (obviously!)
changing mat
cotton wool
wipes
baby towel
sponge
blanket etc etc

For you -
Lansinoh nipple cream is essential for sore boobs if breastfeeding
Arnica tablets for bruising
Tea tree oil to put in the bath (helps healing etc)
Lots of maternity pads and big granny knickers for the days after birth

And my top tip.. the first few times you need to pee after giving birth.. well the first time I went in the bath (and showered afterwards), it stops you stinging) but get a plastic jug with some water with a drop of tea tree oil, and as you pee, pour it over your... area... (down the loo obviously) so that you don't sting.

Good luck!

[OhdearNigel]

It entirely depends on how you plan to parent. DD is now 18 months but when she was small we coslept, used a sling for transport, bathed together, used cloth nappies and breastfed. Hence all I used were the car seat, babygros, my wrap sling and a few other bits and pieces. I have a breast pump although i don't pump any more and used two closer to nature bottles that were given to me. We bought hardly anything new and most of hte stuff we got was off ebay or NCT sales.

It's as cheap as you want to make it - and remember that the Mothercare shopping lists are designed to make you part with as much money as possible ;D

[SoftSheen]

For baby:

Nappies and wipes/ cotton wool pads
Baby sleep suits and vests (about 6-8 of each), a couple of hats and a couple of cardigans
Muslin cloths
Somewhere to sleep and bedding
Car seat
Sling or carrier and/or a pram or pushchair. My DD hated prams and pushchairs so for us this was a huge waste of money. However, the sling was brilliant, both for going out and as a hands free kit for getting stuff done in the house.

For you:

maternity pads, nipple cream, maternity bras, breastpads, and ideally some breastfeeding tops which make breastfeeding outside the house a whole lot easier.

Nothing else is really essential. All newborns really want is to be fed about 12 x a day and be cuddled a lot, so you don't really need to bother with toys, playmats, fancy clothes etc until the baby is a bit older.