One thing/item that you couldn't do without?

[havingababy2012]

As my name suggests I will be a first time mother this year(November). I am reading as much as I can online and in books to prepare me.

I am also starting to look at buying items at this stage which is a little overwhelming as there are so much things needed, especially for a first time parent.

I am looking for recommendations of one item that you would recommend to buy, something that has been most useful etc e.g.
a friend recommended a slumber bear for getting her newborn to sleep

www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Lionheart-Slumber-Bear-Cream/dp/B000L3ISWI/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1340889403&sr=1-1

I second sleeping bags. Grobags are often sold with a room thermometer attatched to the label (which you cut off).

If one thing swaddling blanket / stretchy home-knitted woolly blanket for swaddling. (Really effective with all 3.)

Also squares (youngest 3 1/4 and still use them all the time).

And as soon as you know which cuddly they're bonding with buy several spares. (Ds1's changed colour as design had changed slightly and I hadn't done this. Took a while for him to accept when the inevitable happened and we lost the teddy. Also invaluable when they're sick all over their cuddly but don't want to be parted from them.)

Otherwise has varied according to the child probably.

You can never have too many muslins.

We had a hand me down Moses basket. Glad I hadn't spent money on it, DS grew out of it in three weeks and DD wouldn't settle in it.

Never had a t&t bowl. Have had two babies.

BabyBjorn do a front carrier with extra lumbar support which is great for carrying the baby after a cs, as it put weight on your back. The wind/rain covers are a good investment too for winter babies (mine are Sept and Oct).

Again for winter babies, a really good fleece all in one. I have had several in different sizes from Bush Baby. They are superb, they do waterproof, fleece lined ones too. Full body length zips to help them on and off.

Decent waterproof for mum!

Mobile. My two have been distracted by theirs for hours.

Then, for when your baby can hold its head up - 4 months ish - a jumperoo. It is by far and away the best baby upright play centre thing I have ever come across. Very pricey
Maybe baby's first Christmas present?

Grobags. Proper ones if you are planning more than one child. Ime only Grobag and JojoMamanBebe ones last, wash and wear well.

Lots of nappies (I didn't get my head around buying them in bulk at first, and we were back and forth to the supermarket every week)
Muslins
Baby monitor that plays melodies
A sling
Babygro with feet definitely, socks are really annoying, but we never used the scratch mits that were built into some of ours.

Take some time to get the 'right' travel system. You will most probably use it every day for a couple of years at least.

I have never really understood what a top & tail bowl is for (well, I understand it, but I don't see why you need a specially purchased bowl for it).

As Many muslins as you can cope with, ds had reflux and I had about 30 muslins they were lifesavers, if you put one under babies head in the Moses basket if they're sick you don't have to change the sheets :)

Loads of Muslins & Bibs
Loads of Vests & Sleepsuits but wouldn't bother with proper clothes
Summer Infant 'Swaddle Me'
Bulk buy Nappies & Wipes
Playmat

I'm glad I had a bouncer given to me as I had about 1 months use from it - DS is 15 weeks and I'm already looking at infant to toddler size bouncers.
If I was going to do it again I wouldn't bother Moses Basket, I would go straight into cot.

Waste of Money:
Baby Bath
Top & Tail Bowl