We're adopting a 10 month old boy - what do we need to buy?!

[HGrace]

Hi I'm new to mumsnet. We've been matched with a 10 month old boy and he's moving in in about a month's time! We're starting from scratch...what are the must-haves for looking after a boy of his age? Any top-tips for making things simpler also appreciated!

Oh I don't know, it was the 2G in my time! I expect the newer one is more supportive but wouldn't really know. I expect there will be comparison videos on youtube, that seems to be the done thing these days.

If you're in the Midlands I know of a sling consultant who would probably do a home visit.

Congratulations!

I'd second keeping baby on bottles - if they comfort him then there's really no harm done - just make sure you brush his teeth after his last feed. An infant's sucking reflex only disappears when adult teeth come through. Continuing to suck has shown to be good for neural development. Cosy milky feeds are the best and fantastic for bonding. He may prefer formula to cow's milk. Perhaps get some 1yr+ milk in his usual brand.

Some board books would be good, a buggy board too. Ds loved Organix gingerbreadmen biscuits at that age. A few new toys chosen by you & dh. A fisher-price walker (that baby pushes along) might be a good idea. Photo album & camera.

Best of luck xx

Just thought about the little things you will need - Calpol! And baby nurofen.

toothbrush and milk teeth toothpaste, baby shampoo.

A thermometer, baby nail clippers, baby soft hairbrush.

bibs with sleeves like this although you can normally pick them up cheaper in the supermarkets.

P.S. I found a baby carrier much easier too use than a sling.

Soft sponge and mild soap

I agree, calpol and metanium, possibly some teething stuff too, not the sort of thing to realise you need and not have to hand!

Other than that, I echo what everyone else has said - milk, bottles, steriliser if needed, nappies, wipes, clothes, somewhere to sleep, a few toys and books, pram and/or sling, camera...

Good luck!

Sleeping bags if used to instead of blankets.
Hooded towel useful and cute after baths and swimming
Baby monitor
Night light.
Second a car seat like britax two way elite or britax dualfix which is suitable from birth to 4 years.
Ergo baby buckle carrier great too.

Congratulations! You must be very excited. I think people have covered the basics, sorry if I'm repeating:

Highchair - £12 ikea one is great, v easy to clean
Gro bags - sleeping bags for baby as still too young for duvet etc.
'That's not my monkey etc' board books, and touch and feel books, bath books
Maybe some musical toys? Early learning centre do good ones
A comforter - soft fabric/bunny etc good to get them attached to something
White noise app on your phone/Euan the sheep - can help with sleep (though don't expect miracles...!)

10 month olds vary so much in weight, I was really keen to keep on slinging but my boy got too heavy (98 centile), sling library might be a good idea so you can try out one first.

Let us know how it goes.

Might be worth investing in a digital thermometer - really clear

Parent facing pushchair?

Some great suggestions, but as a foster carer I would recommend finding out what he will bring - my babies tend to take a couple of carloads! Babies are all different, some like jump stood some don't etc, so find out before you buy. I would stick to buying the basics and bits that you like :), we have 24 hour supermarkets and you can buy things as you need them, and a trip to the supermarket can be fun for a 10 month old!

As for routines, I would stick with his existing routine at first, and then change it when he is settled. Familiar toys and clothes will comfort him at first, by Christmas he will be ready for spoiling!

I'd recommend checking with his foster carers what his favourite bath products etc are. Does he prefer strawberry or orange favoured medicine?

Mirror for the car seat if you are keeping him rearfacing. This is one area where I honestly believe if he has been forward facing putting him rearfacing will be fine.

Another as the time if year he's arriving, high factor sunscreen!

A sunshade for the buggy as well.

And as this will be a British summer you are becoming a mother in, a waterproof coat with a hood for yourself (pushing a buggy uphill in the rain and holding an umbrella is tricky, hoods are the way forward!)

Bath toys and a bag of ball pit balls (because they're nice and light for when you catch one to the eye)

You have had lots of great suggestions so I won't add to them, but wanted to say congratulations, I'm really happy for you :)

Changed my mind :)

Baby first aid kit - calpol, thermometer, bonjela, ibuprofen, plasters, nasal spray, cough syrup

Changing bag and contents - nappies (prob size 4 or 5, Aldis are great), wipes, nappy bags, bum cream. Baby sun lotion. You get a nice free changing bag if you join boots baby club and it's still going strong for us.

Baby plates, bowls, cutlery, cups. IKEA do nice ones and tommee tippee cups are nice.

High chair (ikea again)

Bottles, maybe one tin of formula if he hasn't been weaned off it yet. Other wise blue cows milk. Milton sterilising tablets if he is still on formula.

Changing mat

Cot, mattress (needs to be new) fitted sheets, mattress protector, light blanket or sleeping bag in this weather

Group 1 car seat. We have gone for the maxi cost axis as can't afford rear facing

Buggy - we have two, a big travel system (Quinny buzz) and a more compact umbrella stroller for holidays (Chicco something). Start a new thread for buggy advice :)

We don't use anything in the bath other than toys and shampoo, he uses our towels etc

A few toys - don't go mad! DS's favourite is a wooden Noah's ark, and tomy hide and squeak eggs. Other than that, lots of cups/bowls, our phones/remotes/keys

Clothes - agree to wait and see what you get, but about 7 vests, 5 sleepsuits, a couple of pairs of pants and a few tops should see you right. Socks and a sunhat too. Bibs are always handy at this age.

Find out what food he likes but I would have thought he is feeding himself a bit at this age, google blw for food ideas.

I hope that helps! A month is plenty of time. I will keep posting if I remember stuff.

My FC is a very similar age and about to move on. She has a load of toys/ jumperoo etc that will go with her, also a full wardrobe of clothes and bedding (recommended for familiarity). She hates slings (I have one), so I wouldn't recommend buying one until you know what he likes. We also don't use a cot mobile or light show. Try not to fit this baby into how you want it to be, as he will have his own clear preferences. Introduce changes slowly, his whole world is about to change. Are you able to chat to his foster Carer? They will know him best and be able to give you an idea!

I think you might need

Cot
Pushchair
Car seat/ sunblinds for car
High chair
Fire guard/ stair gates/ safety stuff
Nappies/ wipes (although I will send some as I don't need half used packets)
Formula (ditto, will send what I have left over as well as bottles and dummies)
Steriliser (if you want to use it)
Changing mat
Bath stuff
Calpol/ thermometer
Baby monitor

Very exciting times

All the suggestions seem good, I have a just 10 month old ds, I carry him in a mai Thai, but he's been in a sling since birth, don't know how babies get on for new slinging.
Thou if you are confident putting him in it, he will feel better.
But any age of baby related question feel free to message me.
And good luck, they are tremendous fun at this age.

Congratulations!!!!

You've had loads of suggestions that are great. I'd recommend a rear facing buggy (sling is great but backs need a rest!). Try for one with big wheels rather than small, it will be easier to control with one hand when he wants to cuddle rather than ride.

If you can find a leapfrog musical soft cube they are IMHO the best musical toy!

Stabilo woody pencils are the best for little artists. They are expensive but my 6yo is still using the same ones she had at 1.

The boba 4g sling has foot straps for toddler use when on back which is main difference to you. Slings so handy for the 12-24 months especially as it's when they are too heavy to carry in arms for a while in places pram isn't useful ie on trains/ airports/ beach etc.. Also many will want to toddle for a while then carry so saves pushing empty pram once walking

I recommend the merino kids sleeping bags. They last 0-2 years and 2-4years and you don't need to change according to temp as the merino regulates. Sleeping bags good if they wake in night/ are ill as you can keep them warm. Also stops them climbing out of cot once bigger!

Cot bed rather than cot. Sides come off once older to turn to toddler bed until 5 ish years so lasts longer

Maybe buy a nice blanket for sofa big enough for you all to snuggle under

I wouldn't buy a steriliser at this age. He will already be licking toys off floor/ crawling in germs on floor etc so bottles fine in dishwasher/ hot soapy water in bowl washed. I also wouldn't buy baby bouncers etc, he will outgrow in weeks and will prefer being with you anyway

Also aldi nappies are brilliant my ds is in 4.5 size,but he is pretty tall just not chubby, I'm sure the fc will tell you things. But as people have said asda is 24s and the little Angels nappies are good as well.

Ball.
Ikea high chair.
Get next size up in clothes as well so your ready when he grows out of this size.
Paddling pool.
Bath mat.
Nice soft towels but not baby ones.
A taggie or teddy for him to attach too.
Music or lights for bedtime in his room.

Thank you all for your congratulations and best wishes. So much great advice and so many suggestions....I'm taking notes!

Congratulations!

My baby list is something like this:

Sleeping
-cot or cot bed
-waterproof mattress sheets
-sheets
-cellular blankets or gro-bags
-some very soft teddies

Bathing/changing
-changing mat
-nappies
-wipes
-cotton wool balls (good for cleaning eyes - DS had a lot of eye infections)
-hairbrush
-nail clippers
-nappy cream - sudocrem is good
-sponge/flannel
-he's big enough not to 'need' a baby bath, but I'd probably get a non-slip bath mat to go in your bath
-shampoo if you want
-bubble bath if you want
-talcum powder if you want
-bath toys boats, different sized cups, squirty toys
-towels
-changing bag

Feeding
-Formula
-Bottles and teats
-Steriliser
-Bottle brush
-Sippy cups - I'd stick with the two handled basic tommee tippee one, they're really good
-bibs
-plastic plates, bowls and cups
-plastic knifes, forks and spoons
-high chair

Clothes
PJ's or babygrows
Vests (can sleep in just vests when weather is very hot)
Light trousers
Shorts
Long sleeve t-shirts
Short sleeve t-shirts
Cardigans/jumpers
Raincoat
Wellington boots
Sandals
Shoes
Sun hat

Misc
-sun cream
-calpol (always good to have in case of temperature and/or teething)
-teething gel
-thermometer
-pushchair
-car seat
-stair gates if you have stairs

Toys
-baby walker (even babies that can walk like to push around a baby walker still!)
-wooden bricks or megablocks
-musical toys
-cars and/or trains
-books 'Dear Zoo', 'The Hungry Caterpillar', 'Spot' are all popular and any books with pictures of other babies they seem to enjoy as well!
-nursery rhyme cd

I also second the suggestion of finding out what baby groups are on in your area, check your local Surestart centre, also quite a lot of churches have a baby/toddler group, our local library has a baby rhyme time and also a toddler story time session once a week. Check out any local indoor soft play centres and local swimming pool opening times. This is all stuff I wish I'd found earlier with DS!