Could you please add to my list of must-haves for my yet-to-be born DC?

[1charlie1]

Following on from my 'best vests for newborns' thread, I would so appreciate your ideas of what DH and I need to add to our current purchases for our DC (due in April, but will be a Winter baby, because we'll be in Oz by then. And in Melbourne, so it's chilly. Not as chilly as Winter here, but pretty darn cold all the same.)

We currently have:

2 x 1-2 month old popper long-sleeved vests

2 x 2-4 month old popper long-sleeved vests. I know this isn't enough vests, but have no idea of the amount needed for each age group, so stopped there until I'd sought advice from Mumsnet!

2 x slings (Kangas)

1 x Ergo baby carrier with newborn insert

12 x packets Waterwipes [they were £2.25 each from NCT, and are $7.58 from the only supermarket chain in Oz which sells them - so expensive in Oz! How long does a packet last, in general? Debating whether to get loads more to put in our shipping container...but again, not sure how many we need until the baby can go on to regular baby wipes?]

That's it so far! I guess we'll need a change mat, and a car seat (will be bought in Oz, as UK car seats are illegal to fit in Australian vehicles.) Going to try to be pram free, and see how that goes. But I have no idea the amount of basics we need, or how long babies take to grow out of things. I want to buy as much as possible in the UK, because Oz is great if you're earning dollars, but pretty dire if you're spending pounds, which we will be for at least a while. Any suggestions much appreciated!

2 warm fleece dressing gowns for you. You'll be up a lot in the cold night, and one will always be covered in sick.

This is for you:
after the birth and while you are sore down below use kitchen paper towels to clean/dry yourself after going to the toilet or having had a shower/bath.
toilet paper is rubbish, it crumbles and it will stick to you and trying to get rid of those bits will make you even more sore.
especially if you have an episiotomy. trust me.
normal towels are just to scratchy.

dispose used kitchen towels in a bag, not down the loo.

you are welcome. and good luck

Sorry, Savoycabbage! I thought you were in Oz, and as I had never heard of JL til I'd lived in the UK a while, assumed that of you! Dopey...
Will get another fleece dressing gown from TKMaxx before I leave, thanks for the tip!
Am on the tablet, so can't scroll back to see who suggested the star baby wrap. Gorgeous! Am getting one. Looks so much more convenient than a snow/ outdoor suit, and is MADE IN THE UK! But not too expensive. Thanks for the suggestion.
Kitchen paper - check. Makes sense, and I always have it on hand anyway.

nosleeptilever, I'll have a look on gumtree today. Would love to get second hand things, but I've been a bit disappointed in the quality/condition of the things I've seen in the local charity shops. And a bit expensive too, considering just how cheap it is to buy a lot of these things brand new. Gumtree might be a better bet, thanks.

the most useful thing I had was an electric swing, all my dc loved it and it was a god send in terms of being able to put them down and get on with somethings for a bit.
what are waterwipes? I always used Huggies 'pure' wetwipes straight from birth.

ahhh I couldn't have used kitchen roll for me after birth! especially not the first one... shudder
get those wet wipes that you can flush down the loo!

Lots of good suggestions here already. I went for very plain (mostly white) sleep suits when mine were very small as they were cheap (came in multiple packs) and we seemed to go through loads. Muslins are a must too. I think it's wise not to buy too much beforehand as you don't know how big the baby will be and like Starlight has said, you can always get more of the standard things once the baby is born.

If you're trying to save money, second hand is a great option. Babies grow so quickly that the clothes are barely worn and with a good wash are just as good as new.

If you're planning to breastfeed; breastpads (I used the Lasinoh disposable ones) and stroppy tops which pull down easily to go under a top layer. Breastfeeding tops are expensive and sometimes quite fiddly.

Remember, you'll be given lots of baby clothes as gifts so don't go too crazy! I think you should be fine with just slings, you can always buy a pram later if you find you really need one.

I know they grow out of stuff quickly but given how cheap asda vests / sleepsuits are, i would get a few more. If you have a sicky baby plus an explodapoo you could run out quite easily!

Bibs - the big ones that pull over their heads are best, a bandana style one is no match for a determined vomit machine.

The only other thing i would say is don't forget how much you need to carry around with you, i would not fancy going shopping without a pram for example, unless you are super strong!

Good advice above. I'd add a babybjorn babysitter balance bounce chair. Best one on the market IMO especially if you have a bigger baby. Expensive though.

And sorry, i know you didn't ask but i was a bit worried about your comment about the baby cosleeping on top of the duet. This really isn't safe. I coslept with both of mine and think it's great but please do have a good read of the safety stuff. Baby should be on a firm surface (on sheet only with firm mattress, no major roll together). Between you and the edge not you and dp. And duvets and pillows no where near, which means you need to get used to sleeping in several layers that are also accessible for feeding, because the duvet at best will cover your legs and back only. Sorry if you already knew that.

I would seriously reconsider getting a pram. Lugging dd around after a 3rd degree tear was an impossibility but I could push the pram. I've got a massive antique one that fits oodles of shopping in underneath.
I have a moby wrap too but it's better for short trips, walks and the like. Carrying dd and shopping and spare nappies, wipes etc was just too much.

Aim for having three clothing changes a day for the first 8 weeks. Sometimes dd would stay in the same outfit all day and other days was poonami central for days on end and having a drawer full of 2nd hand vests didn't suddenly seem so excessive! Meant I could properly soak the gags delightful yellow stains out.

We went for biodegradable nappies and nappy sacks in the end as dd got a horrible rash off one washable nappy and the other brand we bought just didn't wash well at all.

After about 4-5 months invest in a secondhand rainforest jumparoo. It saved my life.

I didn't get a a bednest but I did get a cotbed with adjustable bed height so when dd was pre rolling I had it jammed against our bed with one side off. Half the time she ended up between us anyway.

Learn to knit/crochet off YouTube and make your own blankies. Far cheaper and more fun/individual. I got pretty good and could crochet whilst feeding dd. You can also extend them as baby gets bigger.

Thanks for more great tips!
Waterwipes were recommended by my midwife - less fiddly for a newborn than cotton wool balls and cooled boiled water. They're just regular baby wipes, but 'infused' with water only, so they're gentle on delicate skin. The packs weigh a ton!
Must remember strappy tops... I am a bit embarassed to admit, I rarely wear a bra, so I'm dreading the whole nursing bra bit.
Barberry, thank you for your post. I've only cursorily looked at the logistics of co-sleeping, so I will definitely be doing a lot more reading to ensure I know what to do safely. I did know I wouldn't be able to be properly under a duvet, but I didn't know the baby shouldn't even be lying on top of it. Lots more research will be done!
Re the pram comments. I saw a very funny sight in my shopping centre over the weekend - baby happily in sling, baby's pram chock full of bags of shopping! I have a little trolley for shopping, so hopefully that will suffice. We're just going to wait and see how we go.
We'll definitely be buying a load of basics clothing wise. I feel a bit more confident now that I know what's appropriate, and I'll buy a bit more than I would have had I not posted here. Second hand is looking good...

The best advice I got by a long way was a sports water bottle to use when you go to the loo - you can aim quite effectively and using water each time keeps infection at bay - lifesaver!! Also bath salts and do a 'sitzbad' if you have stitches.

I bought all the stuff for breast feeding, including the lanisoh cream (cant spell it!) but my milk never came in and i couldn't use any of it. If you do breast feed try to keep topless at home as much as poss - it's better for your nipples (healing) for one thing.

Baby oil - we faffed about with Olive oil on our daughter until our Paediatrician was a bit just use baby oil, its designed for their skin, and actually there can be impurities in olive oil etc.

We just used normal sensitive baby wipes from birth - they do here (in Germany) even in the hospital. Get some nappy cream in. Use normal supermarket own brand nappies, perfectly fine.

Let the baby have some 'naked' time each day - helps their skin no end.

It's fine to wash them every other day, we wash our daughter every day and have done for a few weeks now (she is 12 weeks). She loves bath time and it helps me have a structure. Its also fine to wash them less often - it is what suits you best.

On bath time - she got terrible colic, giving her a warm bath as a last resort would help bring up the really bad wind that was trapped - worth knowing about. We found a grape seed cushion warmed on her belly invaluable when her coilc was bad. We also gave her fennel tea which worked wonders and much better for us than infacol. Buy all the meds you might need from blighty before you go - you know where you are with everything, and it is nice to know they are there 'just in case'.

Good luck and congrats.

I'll try and not repeat anything but appologise if I do.

For you
If your trying not to spend in oz look at some hospital bag lists and get the stuff of there. Eg pjs, big pants, post birth clothes, pads etc.
As you want to breastfeed I would get a cheap pump, even if you aren't planning on expressing, in case of any bf issues. We ended up having to run out and buy one so spent more than if we had pre bought. Same with having a bottle or two. I wouldn't pre buy formula but that is a personal choice.
With nursing bras look at the Emma Jane ones as they are back size only. You can only get measured for nursing bras after I think 36 weeks by which time I assume you won't be in the uk. Measuring pre baby isn't always accurate also. That way you know you will have something to put you on for the early weeks.
Bio oil?
Hypnotherapy cd?

For baby
More second hand vests, sleepsuits and bibs than you think you will need. You can pick them up so cheaply second hand it is better to over estimate how many you will need than underestimate and have to rush out and buy more pricy brand new ones.

I used water wipes since dd was 7 weeks. Loved them and should have used them from birth. They may be more pricy but are the only recommended ones for newborns despite what other packets may say.
Bouncy chair- eBay or gumtree.
Same if you want a play mat. Jumperoos are from approx 4-5 months but you may want to buy in advance.
What about an Ikea £12 Highchair. Highly recommended on mn and easy to transport.
One of my best buys was a tipitoes mini bath. It is a small baby bath with the seat built in. So much easier to bath
baby safely, saves water and is much easier on your back.
Again looking ahead but toys? Lamaze type things, cloth books etc?
Grow egg/ nursery thermometer?
Bath thermometer- we got ours from pound land
I'd get blankets as well as sleeping bags. There is a minimum weight requirement on most sleeping bags.
I know you say no pram but would it be worth getting a cheap second hand one, just in case e.g you have a difficult birth, c section or for what ever reason cant use the sling. You could always sell it of you don't use it. Not saying you need to do this but it depends on the financial implications of not having one and needing to buy one quickly in oz vs buying a cheap second hand one that you could sell at no loss.

Just be aware that even standard cotton in the UK can be very hot by Australian standards! Where we live is warm and even the M&S tshirts make DS sweaty by spring time.

Agree that even though it may be more expensive it may be worth waiting to buy too much.

People do give you lots of things, and like someone said upthread, you don't know until your baby arrives whether you'll have a pukey one / sweaty one / scratchy one / giant one, which will really change what you need to buy. While big ticket items are cheaper in the UK, the difference for a few vests or little items will only be a few dollars.

Your list so far is very sensible, good luck!

Friends in Oz have been appalled at how expensive baby things are there eg a euro / nappy (five times the price of in Ireland!) so I'd suggest buying lots of vests and sleepsuits for up to 6 months as well as all the other items suggested and shipping them. You 'll save a fortune and also won't need to worry about sussing out the best baby shops there for a while.

So grateful for all tips, thanks so much. And it's actually helpful when posters repeat items, PartPixie, because it helps me see which things are popular with everybody. So thanks for any of your repetitions! (and great to hear you like the Waterwipes) And I guess I'll be waiting until I get to Oz to get the dreaded bra fitted!
Teaandflapjacks, will be sure and get some baby oil to pack. And I was shocked when I arrived at how cheap the Johnson's baby shampoo was compared to Oz. I use it to wash my nice woollens, so it was a pleasant surprise to find it so cheap. Thank you for your good wishes.
Sunny, it is bloody freezing here in the UK at the moment, but Melbourne can be pretty darn cold. I visited with DH last July/August, and he was cold a lot. Complained in a way he never does in the UK. And he's a big furry Englishman! (Then we went adventuring up north, and it was 30s all the way across the top... bliss) It's the lack of central heating in a lot of houses there, especially. But I think I'll go for a few more short sleeved vests- especially if I have the baby in a sling, it will also be kept pretty warm by my body heat, right? I'm quite surprised and very curious that you say that it's the big ticket items which are cheaper in the UK - I've found the opposite when searching and comparing online. Like, the cot we're getting is the same price in both countries, but for clothes/ wipes/ blankets/ boring basics it's literally pounds difference for every item, which adds up very rapidly.
surgicalwidow, I would love to buy some nappies to ship, but I know it's a bit pointless as we'll have no idea of the baby's size. Not sure why this stuff is so much more pricey in Oz, unless it's sheer weight of numbers here in the UK which keeps prices down.

Love the squirt bottle idea too! I have one somewhere, unused... it's going in the shipping container! Just in case...

Baby gym. My dd doesn't like being put down anywhere but is learning to spend time in her baby gym giving me valuable hands free time. They are good from birth too.
FWIW I avoided scratch mits on my MW's advice. They learn quickly not the scratch themselves and the sense of touch is iimportant. My dd didn't do any damage to herself at all without mits.

Also, if you don't like wearing a bra then wait til after dc is born to get them. I have found it so much easier to feed without a bra and have never used the ones I bought because dd can't latch properly, the cup doesn't move out the way enough.
Depending on how sore your boobs become a hidden support vest might be better in the early days.

A support vest is the best idea yet, earlgray!! I really don't find bras comfortable, but a support vest will at least give my breasts a 'resting place'. And I guess I can still use the pads/ witchhazel etc without a bra, if there's at least some supportive padding in the vicinity of my boobs.
I'll see about the scratch mits. I don't really fancy them, but I remember my SIL saying she wouldn't use them, and my DN then slashed his cheek a whopper as a brand newborn, and was shown off to all the admiring visitors with a nasty welt. She used them for quite a while after that. But who knows if he would have done it again?

A Savoy cabbage chilling in the fridge for when your milk comes in. . . The pain of engorged breasts is almost as bad as labour itself

The relief of a cold cabbage leaf inside my bra was unbelievable!

If you buy bandana-style bibs, the best ones I found had a cotton top layer and a fleece backing - the cotton absorbed the dribble/sick and the fleece kept it off their skin.

Best genius tip I ever read on MN: those envelope neck onesies? They're designed to be pulled down over the body after a poonami, so you don't have to pull them over the baby's head. A revelation!!!

See if you can find a fine jersey infinity scarf/long snood, they make great breastfeeding covers and impromptu blankets/sunshade amongst other things, they're very versatile things! Because the fabric is a loop, I even used mine as an emergency sling once.

The Ergo is a VERY good buy, well done, DS was regularly in his until 2.5 - only reason we stopped recently is that I'm now too pregnant to use it!
Can also recommend the HippyChick HipSeat, great if they're up and down contantly when a sling can be a faff.

InchBlue, Daisy Roots and Robeez type soft leather pram shoes are fantastic for small babies and crawlers, and up til cruising stage. DS wore his as slippers up til now - he's finally outgrown the largest size.
Easily found 2nd hand on eBay.

You'll need a good roomy changing bag, if you'll be slinging possibly a backpack? Whatever you use make sure it has a waterproof section/insert! There will be lots of grim wet stuff you don't want to get mixed up with your wallet when rummaging for a clean mussie... It'll probably end up being your handbag for a couple of years, so best to get something simple and versatile - lots of satchel-type actual handbags make great change bags, or this style at Cath Kidston seem v popular with my friends, and comes with a change mat etc too.

A chilled Savoy cabbage... check. Thanks for the tip!
That is a brilliant tip re the 'over the body haul', thank you LongTailedTit. I had no idea.
We're loving the ergo already, even without a LO! DH had his first really broody moment, when he unpacked the infant insert. Very cute.
A backpack! Your suggestions made me google 'backpack baby change bag', and I found the PacaPod Picos Pack rucksack. (I tried to link before, and lost my whole post, so I'm not going to try this time) Looks awesome, and even though I like the Kidston one you linked, this one is a bit more gender neutral - I want DH to feel really comfortable taking the baby out without me, and he is quite blokey and outdoorsy. The idea of a backpack makes sense, as I was feeling vaguely worried about managing 'stuff' without a pram. I need to check if it's got a waterproof section though... Thanks for your suggestions, they've helped a lot.

Re the back pack changing bag, I looked at these and they were quite pricey, so I brough a roll up change mat and am using a normal backpack, I stick in a few carrier bags for wet clotehs and it works fine.