Newborn essentials shopping list- part 2 ( winter baby)

[Cheshirehello79]

Ok I know this question has already been raised hence part 2.

I'm trying be well organised for my winter baby and I'm nearly there but stuck on few thing

Clothing:
Do I buy new born clothes or 0-3 months as I've had mixed information in this regard some saying babies grow really quick so aim for 0-3 months

Are they different types of all in one ? Winter ones which I would imagine thicker and summer ones. I'm just cautious buying them now and they are too thin for winter

Pram suit - how many of these do I need? I've got a sling and a lovely bugaboo with travel cot ?

Long sleeves vest or short sleeves as its winter baby?


Sleeping:
I've decided not going for Moses basket so bought Chico next to me crib would I need extra blankets if I've bought a sleeping bag?

How many sleeping bags do I need?

How many blankets do I need and what type?

Baby will be in his/her room from day one as I've bought nice comfy sofa bed which I'll be sleeping in there with the baby. I've also got the cot ( room in prep) is it safe to have the baby sleep in cot occasionally ?

Will I need black out curtains for the room or normal Curtains will do?


Bathing:
I've just bought normal baby bath from mamas and papas do I need a support bath as well for new born?

They say newborn ain't washed the first 2 weeks - what would I need to use then for cleaning all the gurk from the baby? I've bought Johnson essential kit that has everything in it but apparently can't use it ?

Do I need one of them floating themometer for bath times?


Feeding:
Well my aim is to breast feed but have also bought tommeetipee essential starter kit and electric great pump. Should I think of getting formula milk just in case?


Extras:
I've stocked up 2 packs @64 mamia size 1 nappies and 2 packs @ 64 mamia size 2 nappies are these enough for starters?

I've also stocked up 2 jumbo packs mamia wipes is that enough?

What types of cotton wool are better for cleaning the baby?

How many Lansioh nipple cream do I need?

How many boxes of breast pads do I need? Any make recommended?

How many sanitary pads will I need ? Is always pads the big ones sufficient or tena brand is best recommended ?

What other essential extras do I need?

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This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for the ultimate baby essentials checklist, we’ve recently updated our newborn essentials article with the must-haves Mumsnetters think you can't live without when your baby arrives. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

[OhEmGeee]

Quick reply sorry as off out.

Maternity pads, not sanitary towels, they aren't recommended. Take two packs into hospital, I needed more than I thought. And spare knickers.

Short sleeved vests (the ones with poppers underneath), under a babygro/sleep suit. Just one blanket over in cot. Never used sleeping bags until they were older so don't know about those. No hat indoors. I had a pram suit for when we went out, we had a Bug with the cocoon.

Of course you can bath baby but only use water. Olive oil is great for dry skin. Only one tube of lanisoh. Buy one large box of breast pads. You can alway buy more.

Size one nappies should be fine to start with, again you can buy more and you may find you want to change brand depending on if they suit baby.

I bought up to one month and then 0-3. Never bothered with newborn as they grew quick.

[Hotpotpie]

The clothing business foxed me too, I compromised by buying a packet of tiny baby, first size and 0-3 months and baby grows, plain white from asda so that they were cheap and once baby arrived I had a kitty, oh bought the first few sets so baby had stuff to come home in that fit and then I went shopping

[DarylDixonsDarlin]

Tommee tippee breast pads I found to be the best for me, I used a lot of boxes in the beginning but bought when half price, never full price!

I didn't even need a full rube of lansinoh, I bought sachets from ebay as better size for hosp bag. But if you get a tube and have some left, it's good for other uses, lip balm/cracked skin on hands etc.


I'm totally in support of bf and fed all of mine for a long time, but even I had cartons of formula in the cupboard - I was thinking more of if some emergency happened to me/other DC and I needed to be somewhere else, and DH was left at home with a baby who needed milk, not as a back up plan for feeding ifyswim.

Blackout curtains probably more useful long term, when baby gets to be a toddler!

[Hotpotpie]

Sorry that nearly made sense I was typing and sneezing! I found the flat cotton wool pads good as less came off on to baby and lastly if you want a formula back up a few brands do small packs of ready made formula with little teats on I thought about having those just in case, the 24 hour tesco was our friend those first few weeks

[Sockmatcher]

I never ever used a pram suit but we did use fleece all in ones (meant we could get a nice snug fit on car seat) and we also later brought a morrck car seat blanket.

Personally I never brought formula in advance. There were moments I nearly gave up breastfeeding due to various reasons and I know if I had formula in I would have caved in. But yourself the wimsnky art of breastfeeding for those moments of doubt

[Cheshirehello79]

I live in the countryside so everything is 5-15 miles away from me so I'm trying to be well prepared and stock up everything in advance at least a week or 2 weeks supply.

[FernGullysWoollyPully]

Clothing - I had a 9lb 2oz baby and still managed to get him into newborn for a while. So I'd say, get a couple of packs of newborn and a couple of 0-3. Either way you're going to use them eventually.
There are some thicker all in ones made out of fleece or with a bit of wadding which do keep them snuggly. I've bought a couple of these for my October baby.
Just one pramsuit will be fine. Also a short coat might be useful. They don't need to be in a pramsuit in the car for example.
I still buy short sleeved vests in winter. I find long sleeved ones a pain in the arse under sleepsuits. Long sleeves are good for under trousers with a cardigan.
Make sure you get a couple of cardis.

Sleeping - a couple of blankets will be handy for in the pram/car seat anyway. I like Cellular Blankets.
2 sleeping bags maybe? In case of nappy explosions.
Personally I prefer blankets to sleeping bags but lots of people love them.
It's safe for baby to be in a cot as long as you follow the sleeping guidelines. No cot bumper, baby's feet to the bottom etc. It's not so kind on your back though!
I don't think blackout curtains are a necessity. I've never used them and my children will sleep with no curtains if need be.

Bathing - a support is handy as you can be pretty hands free to bathe them.
In the first couple of weeks, top and tail washes are fine. Warm water and cotton wool or a baby sponge. I wouldn't bother with soaps and things to begin with.
Never owned a bath thermometer, you can use an elbow or the inside of your wrist but in the interest of safety, you could get one.

Feeding- a couple of cartons of readymade formula might put your mind at rest knowing that if you decide to or breastfeeding doesn't work out, you have something in.

Sounds like you have plenty of nappies to begin with. And wipes. Cotton wall balls are fine. One tube of Lasinoh should last a while and a big box of Breast pads. Some people don't use many. Other use loads but better to be prepared. Maternity pads- loads. I used far more than I realised I would. Sanitary towels are a not recommended.

[Anotherdayanotherdollar]

Lots of questions here but will try help with some anyway! Bear in mind that shops will still be open after your baby is born, online shopping is available and that you willl probably get presents of clothes. Try and buy all cotton. You shouldn't need to get heavier ones for winter. Ideally, babies should be dressed in several light layers rather than one heavy one. The guideline would be one layer more than you are wearing yourself.
Baby clothing is sized by weight. Some newborn sizes fit up to 7.5lb, some up to 10 lb. I would definitely buy some of each, even if it's just a 3 pack of cheaper ones until you see what fits, small babies need clothes to be snug to help them keep up their body temperature.
I've never used a pramsuit. A cardigan on and wrapped well in the pram. Remember that a sling counts as 1 layer of clothing. Tights are handy to put on under trousers or a babygro when using a sling.
My personal preference is short sleeve vests on tiny babies as long sleeve ones are harder to put on! However, they're not expensive so you could buy some of each.

Sleeping bags are suitable from about 8lb. If your baby is smaller than this you will need other blankets. Preferably cellular ones. My baby preferred to be swaddled so sleeping bags weren't used. I had 3 tho (1 in use, 1 in wash, 1 dry and ready to use). I got lots of presents of blankets. I don't have special swaddle blankets, I just used cellular ones.
I am sure that you have a good reason for choosing it, but I wouldn't choose to sleep in a sofa bed if a proper bed with proper mattress was available. You are likely to be sore afterwards and will need to be able to rest. If you end up with a section it may be too low down too get in/out of comfortably /safely. Yes, it is safe for baby to sleep in a cot. Can't advise about curtains, but newborns are used to dark environments.

No, you don't need a bath support. Cradle baby in one arm, wash with other hand. Bath support /second person just get in the way. I've no idea why you wouldn't wash your baby for 2 weeks, unless it was premature or sick. Johnsons products are kinda harsh on newborn skin but smell lovely! Use them if you want. No, you don't need a floating thermometer. Check water temp with your elbow, not your hand. Water should be just warm by elbow, not hot or cold.

You can buy some ready made formula if you want. Everyone has an opinion on this. It's not essential.

You have about 250 nappies bought.that's loads. Even changing baby every 2 hours you have enough for a few weeks. Although if you have lots of storage space you could stock up if they are on special offer. Size 2 and up though.

Cotton wool pads are ideal. They don't disintegrate in the bath as easily

Lansinoh cream can be bought as/when needed. There is natural antiseptic properties in breastmilk. After each feed express a tiny bit and rub it into your nipples.
breastplate, start with 1 box. You may not leak much, or you might leak constantly. see how things go. You can also buy washable ones.

Buy the biggest, thickest maternity pads you can find. Don't get normal thin sanitary towels. After your baby is born you will appreciate the comfort!
Try not to buy too much in advance. Unopened packs, unworn clothes etc can usually be exchanged for bigger sizes if needed. Remember that envelope neck vests are designed to pull down over babys body after nappy leaks!

Best of luck and enjoy your baby!

[Artandco]

Ok. Il try and remember what you asked

Clothing - just get 5 newborn baby grows and vests. The rest 0-3 months. Ours wore newborn for about 1 month so prob def need but 5 is plenty as can wash in between. Just get 0-3 month cardigans though, can roll sleeve up for newborn.

Snowsuit - don't get. It's virtually impossible to fit them in as newborn limbs don't work well with padded suit. Get a 'bug in a rug', it's like a fleece blanket with legs and Velcro. So can use in sling, car seat and pram, and open up easily when indoors at home or shops without waking up.

Johnsons - throw away, every child i have used on reacted to it. You can wash baby straight away just use plain water. Use plain water only first 6 months.

2 sleeping bags - one wearing, one in wash

2 blankets - can use in pram/ on sofa/ at night depending on temperature

Get short sleeve vests - long sleeve are a pain to pull down once you add babygrow over as all bunch up.

No need to temperature thing, use elbow

No need to black out stuff, regular curtain ok. You don't want them never sleeping in a slight bit of light.

[Cheshirehello79]

You guys are life savers there's lots in your answers that I didn't know about . Thank you :-)

[annatha]

Not much to add that hasn't already been said, but for me lansinoh breastpads were the only ones that stayed in place but I had very leaky boobs. Lots of women get by with own brands or none at all. Don't bother with fancy breastfeeding clothes- just wear a vest top under all your regular clothes. top layer goes up, vests pulls down. Discreet and cheap. I've also heard of women slashing vest tops at the boobs to make it even easier.

Ebay is full of clothes bundles- type 0-3 girls winter clothes or something similar and you'll find plenty. I spent about £40 on a bundle that had over 100 items in it- vests, sleepsuits, thin fleece suits that were good for for the sling (remember that not only does the sling count as a layer, baby will also benefit hugely from your body heat. Snowsuits are only really needed in actual snow.

Unless you have a premmie, babies should never wear hats indoors.

Aim for ease rather than cuteness when buying baby clothes. I had a November baby (and I'm having another this year) and I bought lots of cute button down things, sleepsuits that didn't have feet on them, etc. They were never worn. Aim to buy sleepsuits that have built in scratch mitts and feet so you aren't spending all your time searching for socks and mitts and trying to stop baby clawing themselves.

Other things:

Take lipbalm and a sports bottle of water in your hospital bag. Much easier to drink from a sports cap and lips can get really sore.

Don't waste money on paper knickers. They are vile and uncomfortable. Get a pack of granny pants from primark a size bigger than your usual size.

If you have a 5 door car, an isofix base is a lifesaver. If you have a 3 door, it makes getting the car seat in and out even more faffy. I stand in the back of my 3 door and fasten baby in from above, loads quicker. I hate buckling her into Dh's 5 door.

[Cheshirehello79]

Annatha thanks for your contribution - I was actually looking at them paper knickers but wasn't yo confortable with them- got 5 pack of granny size pants from m&s they were on offer on eBay.

Sports bottle that's a good one I'll Defo remember that . I live on Vaseline so that won't be missed.

Are eBay bundles ok to buy and not crappy things? I'm not pretencious but I don't want my baby to be wearing some 2nd hand worn out clothes if you get where I'm coming from . But I'm Defo open to bargains. Have bought a lot from eBay so far.

[annatha]

I'd look for ones that tell you where the stuff us from and have plenty of pictures. The one I got was mainly Next and Mothercare stuff and had loads of photos but I know some people just sell them by the bag full and you don't know what you're getting. Specific things like pramsuits are good from eBay as they don't get much use and you can see exactly what you're getting. I got a lovely Toby Tiger one rrp £45 for a fiver that looked barely used last time.

[Cheshirehello79]

Thank you

[Cheshirehello79]

Thanks Apple I'll search for the book on amazon

[Cheshirehello79]

That made me chuckle apple !