Db ? I never had stretch marks with ds1 and don?t have any yet this time either. Think genetics has a lot to do with it ? my mum didn?t get them either ? but I use bio oil on my bump every night to try and ward them off!
I have cut and pasted your shopping list in and will add my comments ? hope they?re helpful!
Clothes (in newborn size): I wouldn?t buy any clothing in any other sizes (unless your baby is predicted to be huge) as you will be gobsmacked at how much you are given!
6 vests ? would say 6 is min. Fine to start with and you may be fine if your baby isn?t sick a lot. Can always send dh out for more if needed!
6 sleepsuits
6 onesies (daytime babygrows with feet) - I never got these. Didn?t change ds out of his sleepsuit / vest combi for at least 4-6 weeks. Anyway someone will probably buy you newborn outfits so proba don?t need this ? you can always buy later
2 cardigans/jumpers
3 lightweight tops ? again not sure you need this ? see comment above
2 pairs of scratch mits
1 Bunting with attached gloves ? don?t know what this is?
2 hats
6 bibs ? I never used bibs for first few months. Just muslins. Most of my mates were the same
1 coat - I don?t think you need this as well as a snowsuit. Would def get that though!
Snowsuit - I bought 0-3 months thinking it would last longer. Don?t do this ? it was HUGE!!!
6 pairs of bootees or socks ? only if you?re getting outfits ? don?t bother if just going to use sleepsuits.
Muslin squares ? YES! Buy LOTS!!!!
Muslin cloths (bigger than muslin squares?) - not sure what the diff is. I bought some that were about 10 inches square. Don?t think you need diff size ones
Terry toweling square nappies ? are you using real nappies? I didn?t but I bought these anyway. Used wet cotton wool to clean his bum but dry cotton wool sticks. So I used these as his bum towels. Even if you have put these down for nappies I would get some for bum towels too.
Sleepsack ? I bought grobags (beware some are only for use from 10lbs) but didn?t use them at first. I used miracle blankets which is a kind opf technical swaddling blanket and it was FAB. Tiny babies love being swaddled (although not actually having it done if you see what I mean) as it gives them comfot and reminds them of being in the womb. Could just use a sheet but they get out of it. Can buy in mothercare. Whatever option you decide on buy 2 so you have 1 to use and 1 to wash
Changing:
Dispoable nappies - 2 packs in new born size
Cloth nappies
Nappy liners
Fragrance free baby wipes
Cotton wool
Nappy sacks/bags
Nappy rash balm/cream
Nappy pail ? I didn?t bother with this. Just took them out and put them in our wheely bin. Prob would make life easier but could do without if you wanted to save some pennies
Nappy bag
Equipment:
Travel system (which lies flat)
Car seat (part of travel system?) ? make sure it fits in your car ? get the shop (somewhere reliable like Mothercare / Halfords) to actually check it is safe and to show you how to do it.
Baby Carrier/Sling (baby bjorn?) - I had a baby bjorn ? you can get them pretty cheaply on ebay if you?re into that.
Cot/cotbed ? just something to think about ? we have just had to get ours for ds2 early (and might have been able to get ds1 into proper bed if not for this) because ours has fixed sides and with my bump I can?t now get him out of the cotbed!!! Drop sides are useful if you want another baby when your firs tis about 2 ? younger and you would need 2 cots anyway so irrelevant and older and they would prob be in a bed anyway. Not the biggest factor but worth baring in mind
Moses basket? ? we borrowed one
Travel cot ? wait and see if you will need it. If you get a pram with a carrycot this will do up till they are about 6 months so I wouldn?t buy one now unless you know you will need it asap
Mattress
2/3 Waterproof mattress covers ? didn?t bother with these.
Bouncy chair - get a vibrating one ? ds loved it and they?re not much more expensive. I would also get one with a head hugger as ours didn?t have one and he looked really uncomfy when he was tiny
Chest of drawers
Changing table
Change pad
Wardrobe
Toy box/chest ? could wait for later if you wanted to save time / money now.
Flat sheet
3/4 Fitted cribsheets ? can use these in the cot after so if lo vomits / leaks through onto bed you don?t have to change whole bed in middle of night
3/4 light/midweight blankets ? if you buy grobags or similar don?t think you would nee dthis many. I would go for 2 midweight ones personally and no others. Of you are using sheets / blankets of course this is different and then I have no idea how many are a good idea
2 heavyweight blankets
Baby Monitors (movement monitor?)
Cot mobile ? we got the tiny love one ? it was great. The fact that it is battery powered means it lasts for 15 mins. Which bought me time to go for a shower, to the loo etc while ds was happy
Car seat mobile ? again got tiny love one which has an attachment to put on pushchair to. Great buy
Long (5ft pillow)
Baby thermometer ? ours is a waste of money (got from argos). Its readings are so variable its pointless. I would get the strips you put against their forehead rather than fork out money on anything else
Feeding:
Breast pump (Medela Swing?) ? I had an avent isis uno battery / electric one. Its expensive but great. Most of my mates who started with hand pump ones upgraded to an electric one early on but I guess this depends on how flush you are after the rest of the list and how much you plan to express
Bottles,
Teats for new born,
Steriliser ? I would get a microwave one not an electric one. They are much faster and although they don?t take as many bottles the time to do the same number is less. Plus cheaper. Our electric one was a waste of money
Bottle brush
Poss combined in: Avent bottle/breast feeding package - includes bottles, teets, steriliser, cups, spoons, dummies, bottle warmer, descaler, bottle brushes perfect for expressing?? ? I would NOT get a bottle warmer. It was a waste of money. Boiling water in a flask with a pot to put the bottle in in their room can be as convenient and good. The bottle warmers don?t turn off when it reaches the right temp so carry on heating it up. So unless you are watching closely (they don?t have an alarm unless a new one has been invented!) the bottle can overheat massively and you are lulled into thinking it will be ok. Dangerous and pointless in my view but would be interested to hear what others think? Plus ds wasn?t bothered about having warm bottles anyway!!
Bathing:
Baby Bath
2 Soft Washcloths
2 Terrycloth towels with hood
Mild Soap and Shampoo ? not sure you need this to start (but no harm). I was told not to use anything other than water for first 6 weeks or so
Baby Oil
Baby Comb and Brush
Baby Nail Scissors
I would add a bath thermometer. Can get disc that sits in the bath while you?re filling it for about £3 in mothercare. Great for when your sleep deprived babybrain is incapable of rational thought!!
For mum:
3 Nursing bras
Maxi pads
Ice packs
Nipple cream ? LASINOH!!!! Marvellous stuff
Few boxes of breast pads (tommee tippee?) ? I found the washable avent ones more comfy and not that much hassle
Nursing tops
4 packs of maternity pads ? At least!!!!
Hope that is helpful ? remember just my experience so if I sound a bit like a dictator I don?t mean to!!!!!
Ejt ? good tip about word ? did that this time and its so much easier!!!