To think it's not really true when people say you don't need much for a baby?

[NojitoandLime]

Preparing for first baby and everyone keeps telling me I don't need much.

I'm not one to buy things frivolously and I have got a lot of stuff second hand, but I still feel like it's quite a lot to have a comfortable and happy first 6 months or so!

We've spent quite a bit and we haven't gone overboard or gone for fancy brands. I mean... clothes, pram, nappies, wipes, creams, blankets, changing mat/bag, muslins, bottles, steriliser, crib/cot/somewhere to sleep, all the stuff mum needs to be comfy in hospital and after (maternity/nursing clothes, pads etc), car seat.

It's quite a lot and then most people want a couple of little extra luxuries for such an exciting time, like I've just got a bouncer and a couple of toys for when the baby's a bit older, nothing extravagant.

I know you could survive with hardly anything... like you could use a blanket instead of a changing mat... but everyone keeps telling me "you don't need much!" when actually I feel like the standard amount that people get is quite a lot.

People have raised an eyebrow when I've said my flat is overflowing with baby stuff, but it's just stuff I'm going to need and I have quite a small flat.

Maybe I'm just a minimalist and this seems a lot to me when it's actually not!

Ah the unsolicited advice of parenting! Fun isn't it? I think someone has already said that if you can learn to let this stuff go now it'll stand you in good stead for life with kids. There will always be someone with more/less stuff. There's usually a percentage of those who are competitive about how much/little stuff they have. There will be people who buy their child gifts up to the ceiling at Christmas and those who spent £5 at the charity shop and call it done.

Best bet is to do what works for you (and the planet I guess, we could all be more mindful there) and be confident in your decisions.

Sure you'll do just fine :)

Two random things I bought were complete lifesavers. One was a proper hiking baby carrying thing with a metal stand.

I could stand the hiking carrier up and put the baby in by myself and go hiking or go through an airport and push a luggage trolley at the same time. The other was a wind up swing that I could put ds1 in and he was unable to squawk through the hypnosis.

I was a very young single mum and I went travelling and hiking alone with the baby a lot. I must have been very strong! And insane.

I'm extremely tired now and he's in his late 30s 😂

Truly . all you actually need are nappies , blankets and a sling.
And when it comes to nappies you need many fewer than you think. Get a top hat potty! ;)

Oh dear god @Wanderdust, the nesting comments. We moved house at 37 weeks (idiocy) and it's called unpacking. I got so many comments about nesting from the various visiting health professionals, then afterwards got comments about why didn't we have curtains and it's in my notes that our house was full of boxes! There were only 5 left when the baby was born, most of which held said curtains!

I bought a huge amount of clothes form a really nice woman at a car boot sale for a fiver. Washed them all before using obviously. We were given a crib, just bought a new mattress and bought a second hand cot, again bought a new mattress. We did buy a new pram, car seat and baby bouncer.

I just laid him on a towel to change and no changing table, chucked stuff for him in a rucksack I already had so no extra bag.

Back in the day I was planning to buy all the stuff we needed when I went on mat leave at 38wks but got caught out as DD arrived at 37 wks when I went for a planned checkup (preeclampsia and urgent delivery). I had a packet of newborn vests, a moses basket and that was it. I hadn't even brought a hospital bag! Called DM after delivery "DD has arrived can you bring newborn nappies, sudocream, babygros etc!" She was just 🙄 🥳

We were lucky to be gifted a lot of clothing from ILs and friends. Used my roomy work rucksack as changing bag when we went out. Was much better organised for DD2!

A lot of the expensive branded merchandise aimed at new parents is just a way of ripping them off and makes them feel if they don't have x, y ,z then they're not a proper parent.

Sounds like you have been sensible. You right you don't need much for a baby. I wouldn't pay a changing bag but a nice rucksack with lots of pockets. Babies grow so quickly and you be gifted alot of clothes I took much clothes wise. Babygrows and vests

The 'old rags' are for nappy changes / bum wiping. Seems quite reasonable to me.

I wish past me had one of these.

You will find every Tom Dick and Harriet has an opinion on every blasted thing you do. I have 5 children. Just do whatever you like and learn to smile and nod while thinking of other things.