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

Cellular blankets to swaddle
Bouncy chair
Bibs
Sleepsuits for the hospital (I.e. before the presents arrive)
Maternity pads for you

Also read ALL the baby books whilst pregnant. so much emphasis is placed on giving birth people forget that its essentially just one day. Knowing how to look after a baby and tackle certain situations for the first couple of weeks/months is really useful. I found looking after a baby super easy because I had read so much about how to do it (granted I was completely clueless before I didn’t even know how to hold a baby 😂)

I found a dimming lamp really helped. During the night feeds as you need a bit of light to see what you're doing but also don't want the big light on. Can get a really cheap one from asda!

Yes to a dimmable light!

Also read ALL the baby books whilst pregnant

This is why it’s so subjective, I’d say ‘don’t read any baby books’!

A thermos mug if you want a vaguely hot drink in the next 6 months

This is really subjective. I lived in a flat when dd1 was born but I didn't need a nappy bin as it was a ground floor flat. I also didn't see the point of a moses basket as my living room was right next to my bedroom (in any event dd wouldn't nap in her crib). Her baby bouncer chair had a lot of use though, we used it from the day we came home as somewhere safe to put her down.

I loved my changing table. Again, being in a flat it took 2 seconds to walk from the living room/our bedroom to dd's bedroom and it meant I only needed one set of baby wipes/creams etc in one place. It was also better for my back.

I'm expecting dd2 and we now live in a house. I doubt I'll use the changing table as I can't be arsed walking upstairs all the time to change a nappy. I don't have a moses basket but have bought a carrycot for our pushchair with a view of using it as a moses basket. I'm not sure if the bouncer will get much use in the early days as I have a small living room and a 3 year old running around so it's not very safe.

I agree to buy something like the angel seat instead of a bath tub, it takes up much less space plus it also means you don't have to hold the baby whilst you're cleaning them.

Infancol is useful to have from the start.

Have more maternity pads than you think you need.

The baby will probably be too small for gro bags for the first few weeks but might like being swaddled.

Waterwipes are useful.

As it's a January baby buy yourself a decent raincoat if you want to take the baby out!

I don't know what I would have done without the sleepyhead, we loved it and it meant we could out her down in the early days.

A moses basket, sleepyhead and a next to me sounds excessive. You'll probably also have a carrycot on the buggy you can use too.

Echoing PP about dummies. We were never going to use them but a friend bought a 2 pack we left in the spare room and it saved us one night.

Muslins are useful but get the massive ones with some sort of pattern- giant ones can be used as a play mat, a swaddle, blanket etc.... and the patterns mean you're never sat around with mum friends trying to decide whose muslin is whose.

Bath and room thermometers we never bothered with but did have a schnuggle baby bath. It's big and takes up space but DD is only just starting to grow out of it at 1 year old. It has a little bump to stop them sliding down.

A couple of pre made bottles with the ready to use tests makes ff in the hospital much easier. Put then in your hospital bag.

A couple of multipacks of vests and sleepsuits, you'll get loads as present but you will get through them. Also everyone bought us 3-6 thinking everyone else would buy newborn.

A snow suit type thing will also be useful for winter walks etc but otherwise cellular blankets are best for the car as you can take them off easily so baby doesn't overheat. You can get star wraps that are specifically for the car seat which are lovely but you can manage without.

Amazon Prime so you can order what you want for next day delivery if there's anything you run out of / have forgotten.
Equally, set up online grocery accounts now so you can quickly and easily order a food shop when needed.
Are you planning to breastfeed? Breastfeeding friendly tops / jumpers etc. if so. Also stock up on easy to eat snacks as bf-ing is a hungry business in those early days and it can be hard to cook with a baby on you permanently!
Personally my best buys were a vibrating bounce chair which was the only thing DS would settle in that wasn't my arms! Also a decent change bag with lots of pockets to organise stuff so it's in easy reach when on the run. These sorts of things will depend on your baby and also your own preferences so can wait a bit.
Good luck!