Help what should I buy in prep for the birth?

[Angel554]

I've recently moved to the UK and am due in August, any tips on what I should be buying in preparation for my arrival, I don't have a lot to spend, which the best places to shop, so much choice I don't know where to start, what I should be looking for??

I'd go for a moses basket (although I was convinced I wouldn't get one, we were given one as a present and it proved very useful, DS hated his cot when he was a newborn. I also used to put the basket in the living room during the day - although he was sleeping on me most of the time).

Also, a bath support (basic plastic one from Mothercare) was great, although remember to put a muslin on it, otherwise it can get too cold and slippery.

Lots of sleepsuits - I bought 0-3, but for the first few weeks I had to get some newborn ones - however it depends on your baby, obviously. Don't bother with cute outfits for the first few months.

I now regret not having bought a changing table. I know I could only have used it for a little while, but changing DS on the sofa or the floor was a killer for my back in those early weeks after birth.

I didn't splash out on anything (IKEA, Amazon and ebay are all good), but I bought a new mattress, car seat and pushchair. I also had a baby carrier, but TBH I'd go for a sling the second time round.

And of course, nappies and barrier cream - I personally didn't bother with baby oil or shampoo, which is just as well as DS had eczema. I am using the Derma H2O water wipes, which are pricey but very convenient, and without all the nasties. However, at home I used water and cotton wool when DS was very little, and saved the wipes for out and about.

For you, I'd suggest getting some good quality hand cream - you will change a lot of nappies in the first weeks and washing your hands so often makes them like sandpaper.

Congratulations, thinking of those first few weeks/months makes me broody... (DS is now 15 months).

I think a lot of what you need is opinon and I disagree with the OP on what is essential. Personally I think a changing table is a waste of money as the baby will soon be able to roll off it. I think a changing mat on the floor is far safer. A baby bath is a waste of money because they soon outgrow it and you can use a sink just as easily when the baby is tiny.

A moses basket is nice, but hardly essential. A newborn will happily sleep in a cot or a pram. I suggest getting a pramette pushchair that will lie flat second hand off ebay. You can then buy a brand new and lighter pushchair when your baby is older. The pramette can be used for sleeps during the day.

I think a lot depends on your budget. There are lots of things which are nice, but if money is tight you can go without. I agree with the OP that a new matress and car seat are essential.

Look for a NCT sale for loads of good-quality second hand stuff. Also Ebay.
You need some clothes, nappies (consider washables for best value), some way to transport the baby (pram, pushchair, sling, carseat?), and somewhere for it to sleep (in your bed? moses basket, cot).

Useful to research stuff to help breastfeeding, bathing, etc, so you can go buy if you feel it's needed later.

I have an 8 week old baby. We didn't spend masses as we got given stuff. The little monkey won't go in his Moses basket. We do have a bedside crib for nighttime until he is big enough to go in his own room in a big cot. Spent a tenner on a new mattress and obviously four changes of bedding.
If you get a buggy with a carrycot then don't bother with a Moses if it's just for daytime, the baby can kip in the pram (although mine prefers a human cushion). You can put the baby straight into a cot at night and miss out the Moses basket and a basic cot is about £30 in Ikea.
The plastic bath support is so much better than a baby bath. Mine loves it as he has space in the big bath to kick about and splash a bit.
Get some newborn clothes unless you are expecting a 10 pound or more baby. But just get vests and sleepsuits - I'd say about 8 of each unless you like doing washing every day. You can get second hand bundles on ebay, alternatively basic vests and sleepsuits are cheap as chips in supermarkets and in Primark. Even in size 0-3 a baby can mostly be in just vests and sleepsuits and a cardi in cold weather. You will probably get given outfits as gifts so use your own cash to get the more practical essential clothes. Ebay is great for bundles of baby clothes and there are often loads at car boot sales too. Babies are only in them for five minutes before they grow out of them so second hand clothes still tend to look good as new.

A new carseat is essential but if cash is really tight the cheapest ones are about £30 and they still have to conform to british safety regulations anyway, you are just saving money by not buying a top brand name.

A sling is a great idea if you want to get stuff done in the house and your baby refuses to be put down. Some of them can be pricey but there is no need to spend loads, just look on ebay. A stretchy wrap type is great for a newborn baby.

If you are breastfeeding then you don't need to buy anything except a couple of nursing bras. Although I personally find having a breast pump and a few bottles is great as it means my partner can do a feed in the evening and I can go to bed. I bought a microwave steriliser but it isn't necessary, you could just use cold water and sterlising tablets which is cheaper. If you are formula feeding you will obviously want bottles and a steriliser. Don't waste money on fancy bottle warming gadgets.

Buy plenty of muslin cloths, they are quite cheap in the supermarkets. I have about 10 which means I don't have to be constantly washing. I use one underneath his head in the crib and pram which means less changes of sheets. The rest are used for catching sick and makeshift sunhats.

Obviously you will need some bedding. Baby sleeping bags are great but the prices are crazy. You can get by perfectly well with sheets and cellular blankets. If you like the sleeping bags, get them in Primark or Asda where they are cheaper. If the weather is hot in August you won't need them at first as a sheet over the top and a light blanket is probably warm enough.

I like having a changing table but then I do have a bad back. It isn't essential though. Downstairs I make do perfectly well with a change mat on the coffee table although obviously when the baby can roll over I'll have to use the floor.

Remember the shops will still be open when you have the baby so no need to go mad! The baby might like to sleep next to you in bed at first. Some babies hate Moses baskets with a passion.

You need basic clothes: vests which have envelope necks and which pop at the crotch. You can get packs of five or six from Mothercare, John Lewis or supermarkets such as Tescos or Sainsburys or Asda, and you can order online.

Sleep suits: not just for nighttime, babies can wear them 24/7 when new. 0-3 and a few newborn unless you are expecting a big baby. Mine was 9lbs and wore newborn for ten days only. Again, five or six is fine.

Muslin cloths, again, from the shops mentioned above. Mop up sick or wee or spit up milk, use as bibs, drape over your shoulder to save your clothes when cuddling.

Nappies (diapers) can be bought from chemists (drugstores like Boots or superdrug) or supermarkets often have bulk deals but don't go mad at first as some babies don't fit certain brands so experiment.

Most people wash new baby kit as it's got chemicals on when new to keep increased and moth free which can irritate baby skin. Use non bio sensitive detergent.

A cheap padded plastic change mat can be laid on any convenient surface. Babies can go in the big bath with you or even in the sink so you may not need a baby bath. Anyway, they don't get very dirty at first, so warm water, cotton wool and washcloths can be used to wipe them down. Even baby shampoo and baby wash can Ireland them and baby wipes are quite harsh.

A rucksack or canvas bag can be used instead of a posh change bag and you can get disposable packs of change mats to use when out and about.
If breastfeeding, Kelly mom website and La Leche League e great advice as does this sites breast and bottle feed forum. You should alswo be able to find breastfeeding cafes and support groups locally - many health professionals are not all that great with specific BF help so it pays to look at what help is around til you master the skill with your newborn. A stool and breastfeeding cushion can be useful but can often be borrowed or just put phone books under your feet

Cellular blankets can be bought from Mothercare and supermarkets and are safer for babies as they have little holes in case baby gets it over his face.

For cribs/cots you need fitted cotton sheets - avoid cot bumpers and frilly stuff, which attracts dust and can get tangled in the baby and is a suffocation risk. Some pillow cases fit Moses baskets.

Swaddling babies often helps newborns settle as they like to feel cosy and warpped up like they were in the womb. White noise, such as a hairdryer or Hoover or a downloaded ocean or White noise MP3 can help settle them - again reminds them of being inside.

Basically they just need your cuddling arms, breasts if BF, soft cotton snuffly things to wear and be wrapped in and wiped with, and somewhere warm and safe to sleep, which can be your bed if you want - google safe cosleeping.

A sling - soft stretchy jersey ones- can be useful to carry your baby while you think about what sort of pushchair or buggy you need.

A car seat.

A supply of drinks, frozen meals and snacks for you. You will be spending a lot of time on the sofa.

Big sanitary towels for post birth - Kotex night time were good I recall.

You can always send a friend or partner out for supplies once baby arrives. Good luck!

Oh yes, avoid things with hoods and poppers at the back, babies spend a lot of time lying on their backs and it's not comfy for them.

Bloody iPad.
Ireland them - irritate them.
Increased - un creased

Thanks everyone, really helpful.

How do you find supermarket own-brand wipes, nappies and babygrows are they ok quality or should I stick to the big brands like Pampers? Which supermarket own brands are best and which are best avoided?

I find the supermarket stuff really good. I have tended to go for Sainsburys and the baby vests/grows etc. are just as good as Next and Mothercare which are more expensive. Under no circumstance's buy Muslims from Mothercare. They are horribly expensive and Supermarket ones are fine.

On nappies and wipes again supermarket ones are really good. I like Little Ones by Sainsburys again but one thing you can do to save some money is sign up to the baby clubs online. You tend to get freebies and advance notice of special offers on baby stuff.

Good luck with the baby.

Damn my iPad. I meant Muslins!

Thanks Lozza70, don' worry, I presumed you meant muslins :)

I found asda vests and sleepsuits great.
I wasn't as keen on their wipes or nappies, with Ds I prefer huggies but that's a personal choice really

Another vote for George at ASda stuff, their vests and sleep suits were great and washed well and online delivery great. Also got a wipe down change mat for about five pounds which we still use. Not much point spending £££ on things worn for a few weeks that get sick and wee on!

Aother tip: if you have a baby boy, hold a tissue or muslin over his willy when changing, or he may wee in your face as cool air hits his bits! Also, when putting a nappy on, make sure willy is pointing down. :)

3 pack sleep suits for five pounds direct.asda.com/george/baby-sleepsuits/3-pack-sleepsuits/GEM80126,default,pd.html. I'd get two packs.

7 pack vests for £7.50 direct.asda.com/george/baby-bodysuits/7-pack-baby-bodysuits/GEM149305,default,pd.html

Large muslin squares pack of three for £3.50 direct.asda.com/george/baby/muslin-squares/3-max-muslin-squares/GEM80133,default,pd.html

There you go, that's the first weeks clothes sorted for twenty pounds and I expect you will get given some newborn clothes too.

:)

Kiddicare nappies are the biz. A box of 240 for £20. The size 2s might be a bit big for a small newborn and I liked having the Huggies with the cut-out bit in the first week but after that the kiddicare just for bums ones have been great and the box is delivered the next day to your door.