Essential baby buys???

[Gemsie1984]

So I'm almost 12 weeks and starting to think practically about what I'll need for the baby - my youngest is now 9 so I'm completely out of the loop when it comes to essentials..

Can any of you ladies point me in the right direction of things to buy (or not to buy) or things you highly recommend. TY in advance x

[aaaarti]

I need help on this too!

All I know, is that don't leave the buggy till last minute as sometimes you have to wait a few months!!

[byanyothernamerose]

Placemarking as I need help too!!! But can't contribute any ideas...sorry!!

[MrsL2016]

Muslins, lots of them. Nursing pillow if breastfeeding and can be used as a little seat for baby too. Perfect prep machine if not breastfeeding. Not necessarily must have item but having little changing stations around the house. I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom, which has now moved to the nursery now he is in there. I also find a sling helpful for around the house so you can have hands free and get stuff done.

[Shehz21]

Get a sling!!! It will be life saving in those early weeks(or even months)
Muslins! Loads of them. I recommend Aden and Anais ones or the ones you get from TK MAX.
I found my BabyMoov amazing. Baby loved it until she outgrew hers. I would have gotten a sleepyhead though if I could have afforded it. Heard rave reviews about it.
My baby loves her swing as well. She takes all her daytime naps in hers so do invest in one if you can.
Zip up sleepsuits rather than those damned popping ones.
If you are going to be breastfeeding, do a favour to your back and get a breastfeeding pillow.
Congratulations OP btw!

Oh oh if you are getting a thermometer, get the braun one!

[Cleo2628]

Baby sling! Best thing I ever bought for my baby it’s saved me many a time

[NapQueen]

Things I bought for mine that were very well used....
Giant muslins - used for swaddling, blankets on warmer nights, for putting down on the grass; now used for dens etc.
A Tiny love 3 in 1 Napper - for daytime sleeps.
A towelled ramp for the bath - no baby bath needed and just a few cms of water in the big bath.
A basket for both the bedroom and living room stocked with nappies wipes sleepsuits for changing in the day and nights.
A snot sucker.

[Creasey31]

Pram , you can get a travel system so car seat comes in the package which will save money. Some carrycots you can let baby have occasional overnight sleeping in and can be used as a rocker. Cotbed better than cot as lasts until 4+ , dresser with changing top unit on saves time, if you get a room set the wardrobes are massive now so last a long time. Couple of changing mats, bouncer for living room, my son loved his and used To chat (in his own way) with the Little toys hanging down. Play mat with tummy time, muslins , cuddle robes x

[Phillipa12]

Muslins, small and giant size.
Sling, best your money can buy.
Bean bag.

[Poptart4]

I wouldnt bother with a changing station unless you have alot of space. Because they take up a lot of space and everyone I know who got one ended up barely using it. A changing mat will do the job just fine.

When buying a pram don't get one that's too big and bulky especially if you drive regularly as getting it in and out of the car will be a nightmare. Even when not driving there may be times you have to lug it up stairs etc. I know loads of people who spent several hundred pounds on big prams and regreted it. Me included. When it comes to prams think practical and lightweight.

Bottles and steriliser, soothers, changing bag, cot, mosses basket, bouncer - one that swings or vibrates. A music box that lights up the room really helped my dd settle at night. Not for newborn but around 4-6 months. Blankets, baby grows, vests, hats, cardigans.

You'll need a walker, high chair, rattles, baby toys etc when baby is a little older.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[AnotherOriginalUsername]

Following with interest as in a similar position!

What quantities of clothes are necessary/reasonable?

Silly question but what do they sleep with? As in obviously a vest and sleep suit (winter baby) in some sort of baby holding recepticle (Moses basket, cot, cardboard box) but what about blankets and stuff?

[sleeveface]

I never bothered with blankets, I had the grosnug which could swaddle when they were tiny, and then straight into grobags.
Also if you are formula feeding - perfect prep machine! Such a life saver when you're at home and for night feeds.
Change table saved my back for roughly 6 months, and it's one of top of a chest of drawers so still useful now.

[GlennRheeismyfavourite]

Bouncy chair, fabric sling, tumble dryer!!!

[Gemsie1984]

Thanks so much! There's so many weird and wonderful things on the market these days. It was a lot more straightforward when I was pregnant last time. I'm hoping to breastfeed so will get a pillow, thanks. I've also seen the sleepyhead but it's so expensive! I had a baby bjorn with my son and it was a life saver so will get one again.

In terms of clothing, so I go for newborn or 0-3 months.. my girl was only 5lb but my son was 8.5lb so I'm stumped 🤔

[Gemsie1984]

I have a new tumble dryer lol it's already well used!! My laundry basket always has something in it however hard I try 😫

[AnotherOriginalUsername]

How many of each would you suggest @Gemsie1984 (i.e. how many vests, sleep suits etc.) for the first 4 weeks maybe?

I'm 6'1 and my husband is 6'4 so we're expecting a big baby, but equally because of an existing health complication on my part, I've been warned that I may give birth slightly prematurely and baby has a risk of low birth weight I was thinking maybe 6x newborn vests and sleepsuits just in case? They're cheap enough in the supermarkets and easily obtainable if more are required (they're not going to let me out of hospital for at least 5 days after apparently so husband can go shopping easily after if necessary)

[NapQueen]

Next do 0-1 month clothing as do h&m.

[Shehz21]

If it can be of any help to th ladies expecting big babies, my bubba was born 3.9kgs and I was already prewarned she would be a big one according to my growth scans so we didn't bother getting extra newborns apart from the ones we were gifted but 0-3 was too big for her until she got to a month and a half maybe so we had to buy couple more. So do get some newborn just in case. She is almost 3 months and just now outgrowing 0-3.

[socktastic]

Road test prams if you can. If any of your friends have babies offer to take them for a walk to get a feel for their pram. We loved ours wheeling it round Mothercare however when it came to up kerbs, down Kerbs, round corners; over bumps it was crap. No way we will be able to afford a new one for this time round so we're stuck with it.

[strawberrysparkle]

Sock ons! Amazing for keeping baby socks on.

Loads of muslins, double what you think you'll need.

Perfect prep and microwave steriliser if you aren't breastfeeding.

A baby gym - mine loved it.

Cellular blankets rather than thick blankets.

Room thermometer and bath thermometer.

[PenApple]

My last dc was 10lb 9oz and 0-3 was too big for a couple of weeks so I’d go with up to 1 month and newborn, unless you’re expecting a 12lb whopper 😬

[justanotheruser18]

Onesies.
Nappies.
A super king bed for bed sharing and maximising sleep.
Car seat.
Muslins.
Baby carrier. I recommend Ergo.

[justanotheruser18]

And a good baby monitor rec is the GhB one from Amazon. Cheap and really good.

[justanotheruser18]

And a Schnuggle bath thingy

[justanotheruser18]

And a changing mat.

[justanotheruser18]

Hooded bath towels.
And dressing gowns are exceptionally cute on infants.