What to buy - first time mum

[VickyBallance]

Hey Everyone

There is so much choice on things to buy and some of it Im sure isn't essential!!! So just wondering what products you recommend please?

Thank you

Vicky x

You'll get a variety of responses! For us, baby needs a safe place to sleep (can be in your bed if you're able to co sleep safely), clothes to wear, nappies, food, and a means of transport.

We co slept, but did have a co sleeping cot (not really used as he ended in bed with me), breast fed (so no bottles/sterilisers needed) and found for us a sling/carrier worked much better than a pram. If you drive or are given lifts in other people's cars you'll need a car seat.

I would say sign up to Which (& remember to cancel subscription after free trial) to research their "best buy" car seats. The safety tests they do are far more stringent than European minimum. Don't spend loads on a pram, because you will probably hate it after a couple of months. -Don't go in for a package it's a rip off as it includes stuff you probably won't use.

My advice is always to buy NOTHING, but let it be known you are open to second hand stuff people are getting rid of.

Then spend time thinking about your lifestyle and probable after birth lifestyle (eg car or bus? Will baby have their own room? Aiming for breast or bottle feeding?etc) and spend a lot of time window shopping.

A month before baby is due you can then see what has been given to you and what you still need. You can throw away anything which you don't want, or give it a trial run and buy new if you don't like it once baby is actually using it.

Which is a bit rubbish when it comes to extended rear facing seats though (which are safer), there's an excellent Facebook group for car seat advice.
Less important for infant carriers (ie the first car seat you'll need) but it's worth getting one that lasts to 13kg. There are a few that aim to last for a few years but often expensive or some other compromise.