What is the best thing you bought for your baby?

[dadtobe19]

Wife is expecting our first baby in 2 weeks and we have bought everything we need.

We are interested to know if there is any one thing in particular you bought that helped you through those first few months? Anything special that kept the baby amused/helped out you?

My husband and I bought a Cocoonababy it saved our sanity. It's expensive, but as it was the ONLY way our baby would sleep not lying in our arms or on our chests it was amazing.

The other thing that we loved, which is not for everyone is our sling. We did not buy a pram. Our baby was and still is a super cuddly wanting to be close all the time kind of baby. I used it until she was about 10 months our so, which is when she started walking and wanted to be down. It was absolutely amazing for getting her to sleep, as I previously mentioned she only liked to be cuddled up while sleeping. So I could strap her to my chest, walk around the flat for about 5-10 minutes, she was asleep and I could still run to the loo, etc. during her two hour nap while she was strapped to me.

the ergobaby wrap - not the more well known buckle carrier. I was able to put dd in it from birth and as it's a stretchy wrap is lovely and snuggly for her. She's 5 months and we still use it loads as I can potter about the house with her in it and do laundry etc. As a newborn she would fall asleep in it all the time and it calmed her down.

In terms of toys she has loved her mamas and papas octopus activity gym. The tentacles are all different textures and even when she was too small to grab the dangling toys she loved to lay and kick the tentacles.

DD has always loved feeling different textures so Lamaze toys and Taggies went down well. She enjoyed looking in the mirror from an early age so we got her a baby mirror with a plush frame that stands on the floor so she could look at herself. She also loves watching bubbles so a pot of bubble mix is a good buy (especially as it is only about 30p!).
We have the Ikea Antilop high chair which is very cheap and easy to clean or dismantle and transport to grandparents etc.

Newborn baby recliner bath seat for the bath. £7 for a bit of plastic that saves your back and keeps your hands free. I couldn't be doing with filling and emptying (and storing) baby baths.

Baby Bjorn carrier. Used it to go everywhere and keeps baby soothed and snuggly.

Oh I forgot about Ewan! DS prefers the rainforest mobile now but I found it helped me get back to sleep after feeding him

Can I ask what muslins are used for? Feel stupid asking when DS is 3mo but MIL bought a pack for us and I've never opened them ??

White noise on YouTube and a swaddle blanket became my best friend when my DD wouldn't settle! It was the only thing that worked!

Muslins, Muslins and more muslins!! To answer the above question I've used them for spit up when she was little, mopping up drool when teething and now she's nearly one for sticky fingers and chins.

Grobags
Another vote for rear view car mirror. There's often a bright starts one that has a cuddly elephant on it on offer in the asda baby event.

Stacking cups. Easy transported and we've used them dince a few
Months old.

Calpol!!!!

I personally found the jumperoo useless. Dd was small so by the time her legs were long enough to jump she was bored. Glad I borrowed it. Even if it had been of use I think it's a lot of money for only a few months.

Murphy, I think people use them if they have a sicky baby - wipe up sick, put on adult shoulder to protect clothes if holding pukey baby etc. We didn't have a pukey baby and never used our muslins either.

Bedside cot... Did all 4 of our children, was absolutely the best baby buy ever! Loved that we could almost co-sleep but they had their own space and it made transitioning to the cot in their own room easier.

Oh and free white noise app sound sleeper I think it's called ....it's been great he loves the womb sound.

Bedside cot ours is called next to me I love it I can see him when I open my eyes unlike a Moses basket. Slings have been a godsend moby and connecta.

oball best £5 i ever spent. she still plays with it now at 13 months

Thanks for answering both. Thankfully DS isn't much of a sicky baby so probably why I've not used them

Moby Sling

Jumperoo from 5 months, Baby Bjorn bouncer from 1 - 5 months. And a proper bath thermometer!

The bumbo and widgy pillow were the least used for us.

Prince Lionheart slumber bear. Really helped settle my DD when she was a tiny baby. Also The Baby Whisperer. Found the routine in there really useful.

Tripp Trapp high chair (still in use 12 years later)
Baby Bjorn Baby sling (also a sling for older children - can't remember the brand)
A changing table with bath for DC2. Didn't have one for the first baby as thought it excessive but changing and bathing was sooooo much easier and dc2 prefers the bath because I was more confident/comfortable.

A white noise app
Dr browns bottles and infacol

(He had colic)

A mei tai

Muslins

I also agree with the tummy tub

Isofix base for car seat

Video monitor

Tula carrier

Cheeky wipes

Another vote for Ewan the Dream Sheep. DS still likes him at 1.

A bouncy chair was also invaluable for us. We had a fisher price one that vibrated and had activity bars with animals that make a noise. It was easily moved from room to room and was great when DH went back to work as I knew DS was safe and amused while I showered, ate etc.

A big foam thing to hold them steady in the bath. A poncho for easy putting on and off when moving a sleeping baby in and out of the car. The Baby Whisperer book.

The one thing I bought on the basis of the wisdom of MN was Ewan the Sheep. Worth every penny. Though there are cheaper alternative white noises apps out there.

The one thing I swear by is a bedside cot. It made my life so much easier in the middle of the night when all you want is to sleep.

And the one toys DS loves more an any other (he's 4 months) is his oball. It was the first toy he could grip, and because of its nature I can see it being used for a long time.

Beyond that, I think it depends on your baby.
If I was doing it over, I wouldn't buy a sling.
A bouncer was a life saver for us as DS got bad wind and it was the only place you could put him down when he did. I'd still buy the cheapest possible one though. No need for frills.
There is no point in a jumperoo at this stage. DS is only just getting to his - we bought based on his personality and knowing he'd love it.
Swaddle - DS hated being wrapped up.
Dummy - DS hates, but so cheap anyway might be worth it.
Sleeping bags - great, but DS was too small for the minimum weight for a long time. I would recommend having two or three but we found that this one of the things people bought us.

• sling (we loved our Connecta)
• vibrating bouncer
• white noise machine
• baby sleeping bag
• dummies (plural, because they will grow legs and walk away regularly)

Caboo sling
Motion activated night light.