Essentials to buy before birth of DC1

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Hi everyone I would appreciate some advice as myself and DH are expecting our first DC in January and I'm starting to shop for what we will need. I have a list together- I'm sure I've forgotten loads. Can anyone advise if I've missed anything obvious, or something you've found really helpful? Equally let me know if I've got stuff on there that you don't think is useful! Thank you.

I'll be shopping again once DC is here by just want to get what we need in advance now.

Next to me crib and bedding
2 x grow bags
Muslin squares
Baby bath
Room thermometer
Bath thermometer
Medical thermometer
Moses basket, stand and bedding
Buggy
Car seat and adaptors
Nappies
Wipes
The tommee tippee nappy bin starter set
Nappy bags
Changing unit and mat
Portable changing mat
Baby carrier (for DH to use)
Sleepy head
Tommee tippee perfect prep
Newborn starter bottle set
Baby grooming set

Do you have a sterilizer in one of those sets?
Metanium
Infacol
Calpol
Clothes

My baby is 13 so things have changed but some of that stuff is not needed. You don't need a nappy bin. Or a bath thermometer. What's a grooming set? Sounds like you are having a foal rather than a baby.
Mine wasn't in a grobag for ages, she was swaddled.

When baby is first born dont use wipes - cotton wool and warm water is more than adequate for cleaning and wipes hurt the skin.
I’m inclined to agree that this is far more than you need! Don’t buy too many nappies in advance. Different babies seem to suit different brands, plus you don’t know what size baby you’re getting.
Some babygros and vests and hats might be an idea.

Different strokes for different folks I guess just. Nappy bins very useful for some people eg if you live in a flat and it takes a while to take the bins out (not what you want with a baby). Grooming set is just hairbrush and nail clippers so useful and not that weird at all. Good luck op!

I used cotton wool and water for my first and it was a right pita. Used water wipes for the second. Much easier! What suits one family won't suit another op I guess, so it's a fairly difficult question.

for what it's worth my 'essential things for baby' list was an arm and a leg long. I used most of it! It made me feel better to be prepared and what we didn't use, I donated.

One thing that I have found very useful for the early days is a stretchy sling - for strapping baby to you so you can be hands free and make yourself food / a cup of tea / do light housework! They don't want to be put down in the early days. Don't waste money on grobags - my baby hated them - we use a knitted baby blanket instead (with lots of holes in). You just need some basic baby clothes to start with in newborn and 0-3 - bodysuits and sleepsuits. Nice pyjamas, slippers and comfy clothes for you! Nursing friendly if you plan to breastfeed. Snacks! Cook some nice meals for the freezer in advance nearer to the time if you can manage it.

Thanks for the replies.

We live in a flat so think we will need a nappy bin to save endless trips downstairs to the outside one.

The grooming kit is just nail clippers and a little brush I think.

Sorry should have said I'm not including clothes as I know people are getting us those as gifts. Useful to know not to buy too many nappies as I was going to stock up but won't bother.

I think the Perfect Prep includes a steriliser but I'll check.

I would add sleepyhead and baby monitor to your list!

For nappies, you won't go far wrong if you buy some pampers size 1 to get you started. If your baby is tiny you might need size 0 but most of my friends started with size 1. Pampers are good quality and most babies seem to get on well with them. You will go through A LOT of nappies! And you need lots of pyjamas because you will get weed / sicked on a lot.

My only suggestion is a bath sponge ( large sponge that baby lays on in the normal bath) instead of baby bath. I found a baby bath awkward to store as it's quite big and the sponge also came in handy when baby gets bigger as they can use it to sit on and not slip also good for you to use as a bath pillow. Cheaper as well.

You will need cellular blankets and GroSnugs/swaddles because the GroBags start from a certain weight. We've only just started using our sleeping bags at 8 weeks.

A steriliser. We used a cold water steriliser. Super easy to use.

A bouncer/swing chair to free your arms for a bit when baby is awake.

Changing unit is a waste of money IMO. You'll end up changing baby on a mat on the floor wherever you are. We bought one with DC1 and never used it for changing.

And you do need a grooming kit or how are you going to cut baby's nails?! You'll need to do this a lot. Some grooming kits include thermometers so check so you don't duplicate!

I've no idea what a sleepyhead is and have three kids so don't think that's essential
Also I'd think it's easier to nappy bag and straight to outside bin ASAP as you don't want dirty nappies sat in a bin inside especially in a flat

I found when people buy clothes they buy nice sleepsuits and outfits as it's a nice gift. So maybe get some basics of your own. Vests, socks and scratch mits etc. There is a tommee tippee grooming kit that comes with a thermometer, so that's 2 birds 1 stone. Bath thermometer not needed, just use your elbow. A bath seat would be good though, unless you would prefer a separate baby bath. Did you mention a nappy bag? I have a backpack and found it so useful. Don't forget about yourself either, postpartum and breastfeeding (if you choose to) you will be greatful of a few things to make you more comfortable. I found a nursing pillow helped stop my back and arms from aching. Lanisoh for sore nipples and breast pads for leaking. I am sure there is much more but I can't think.

If you live in a house, don't bother with a changing unit - but do buy two changing mats, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. It is such a ball ache carry around the baby looking for a changing mat (and it's always on the wrong floor!). It's a cheap and simple thing but it makes life a lot easier!

You definitely need a nappy bin in a flat! Trust me you won't want to be taking them outside after every change (including throughout the night!). Plus, they are not expensive.

Some formula if you're going to be using the perfect prep machine.

I did find a nappy bin in a flat useful. No way was I going downstairs in the middle of the night.

I wouldn't bother with changing unit or baby bath.

Baby monitor? Lots of baby monitors have room thermometers on them so you could combine those. Some bath thermometers will also work as room thermometers.

Play mat, bouncy/swing chair - not essential but you might want to consider them.

When you buy a nappy bin, buy one that takes normal bin bags, you will save an absolute fortune! We found this out the hard way.

If you can, buy Cheeky Wipes, washable wipes, so easy and our set is still going strong after 3,5 years.

Never used a bath thermometer (just use your elbow to check the temp).

We just used a snub-nosed pair of nail scissors to cut nails.

Never used a sleepyhead, I also read they're not considered safe these days,

Get a swaddle, you'll probably get a lot of use out of it for the first few months.

Also, don't invest in one brand of bottles. Get a few different ones, to see which suits your baby best and then decide which brand works best.

The book 'Your Baby Week by Week' is always on the list I send to pregnant friends. It's written in such a good format and is really reassuring (for example when you get to six weeks and your baby feeds non stop and doesn't sleep, the book is broken down by week so in your sleep deprived state you can see that it's just a massive growth spurt that will end soon)

Bibs! Looks like you’re bottle feeding, so buy more bibs than you think you’ll need. There’s lots of dribbling and baby sick to mop up. I also get though tonnes of muslin squares.

The perfect prep doesn’t sterilise bottles. Tommee Tippee do an electric steriliser that is really easy to use. Also, have a practice with your perfect prep and get it all set up now. There are YouTube videos. Oh and have spare filters on hand. They are easy enough to buy on amazon, but will always run out when least expected.

I don't think everything on your list is essential (and DD is 14 months so we've not long been through it). Remember that (esp if you live in a city) Amazon or a 24-hour supermarket is never too far away.

This is so useful!

I'm adding stuff to my amazon wish list and going to remove the sleepy head (especially as it's £130!)

Also, if you have an old smart phone lying around, you can use baby monitor apps. We've been using Dormi on Android since day dot, and it's been great (just sound though, not interested in video, although it does do that) and it's the fraction of the cost of a baby monitor.

Get a Angelcare bath seat rather than a baby bath, it’s perfect. Sits baby up and leaves you entirely handsfree to wash etc. We used ours till dd was fully confidant sitting up in the bath so it’s worth it.

You probably won’t need a Moses basket if you have a sleepyhead and next to me. Our sleepyhead was our Best Buy as you can put it anywhere, bed, floor, sofa etc

Don’t bother with a bath thermometer I used a cheap normal thermometer did the same job for a couple of quid.

Dummies are useful to have just in case you get a sucky baby who won’t stop crying.

Cheeky wipes are amazing and will save you a fortune on plastic wipes, also better for the environment. We were converted to reuseable nappies too as it’s horrifying how many you will get through.

Something that plays white noise is also useful, spare phone or iPad or a specific toy eg. Ollie owl.

Hold fire on the monitor until later the baby will be with you most of the time and if you live in a flat you will definitely be able to hear it cry!