To ask what I need?

[chxm19]

Posting here for mainly traffic as I really need help.

I'm expecting my first baby in May and going through what is left that we need to buy,

I've already sorted through what family and friends have already given us, we don't have much in the Newborn size but we have some things in up to 1 month/0-3/3-6.

I don't want to end up buying too much in case he doesn't fit in them/never wears them.

Can anyone please help and share what they had for their DCs? Many thanks!!!

You can also get loads of vouchers for bits so use then up.

Boots give you free baby bits with the loyalty card.

Also check out Emma's diary and bounty for the free packs of bits and bobs

If you buy pampers then make sure you add your receipts to the app for points to redeem against some cool bits.

To be honest OP, there's a lot of things people will recommend that aren't "necessary" or "must haves" for you because your baby and your body will be different.
I just got the basics, and waited until it seemed like we definitely needed the thing (we got the bouncer 1 week after baby, the breast pads 2 weeks later, the haakaa I've only just got 7 weeks later, etc).
And people will give you stuff with your first.
I've not bought any muslins or wraps because they all got given to me.
All the toys were given to me.
Our cot and baby bath were gifts as well.
I don't believe in gift registries (I think telling people exactly what you want is a bit off-putting), I liked the surprise of not knowing, and being surprised.
I'd wait to go shopping until after you have a baby shower (if having one), and until in your 3rd trimester, and even then just the basics to get you through. You can always go shopping for more clothes afterwards, once you know how big/small your kid is.

Oh, I forgot to mention some things for your own post-partum recovery:

• get condoms and fill with water then freeze them (make sure they're somewhat of a flat shape). They make nice ice packs for down there, just put it on in your underwear underneath your pad.
• make sure you have lots of loose and comfortable trousers. I lived in pyjama pants the first 2 weeks.
• maternity pads, as well as some heavy and regular pads, as your bleeding will ease off after a while and you usually won't need the super long heavy maternity ones for more than 2 weeks max. But the bleeding usually continues, gradually lightening, for 6 weeks.
• have heat packs and ice packs. Heat for your breasts when they become engorged as your milk comes in, it helps with the milk getting out, ice for down there, and also for any back pain or pelvic or muscle pain you might have after labour.
• lots of paracetamol and ibuprofen on hand, you may need pain relief for several weeks after having the baby.
• either a water bottle or a "Peri" bottle to spray down there to make weeing easier and sting less
• take some UTI relief as well (the kind with sodium bi-carb in it), if you drink 1 a day along with lots of water, your wee will be less acidic and hurt less if you have tearing.
• take some gentle laxatives the first week or so to help pooing be less painful (something like movicol is ideal as it's not too intense but keeps things nice and soft).