Time saving tips/gadgets - newborn?

[milkyman]

Have bought a perfect prep and plan to batch cook. Any other tips for those crazy first weeks? Is a milton steriliser better than faffing with microwaves as will probably ff?

If finances allow, get a milk man, a cleaner for the first few weeks and register yourself for home delivery with your favourite supermarket. Can't advise on ffing sorry as I bf but if you really are after time saving methods I'd try that. No prepping, no sterilising and you don't have to make or warm up feeds

If you live in a flat and it's a long walk to an outside bin, a Sangenic poo sausage bin is probably worth getting.

Doesn't a perfect prep sterilise?

i always took a few pre made cartons with an empty bottle on any outings as much easier to pour and feed than carry flasks of boiling water etc. Plus my DD wasn't fussy whether it was warmed or not so I guess that was easier.

I've always found the microwave steriliser handy, just shove everything in and microwave for 4 minutes, but I mix fed so didn't have many bottles. I've heard fantastic reviews of the perfect prep. Get home delivery sorted out now- we left it until after ds was born and it was just one more thing to do. A cleaner would always be lovely. Work out how to use all of your stuff now, practice with the car seat, buggy, sling etc.

Definitely go for the perfect prep! I found a Milton cold water steriliser better than a microwave steriliser, but used those when I went at way, at home I used the tt steam one. Muslim cloths, you won't have got enough, I thought 9 would be more than enough, double the amount, they are great for all spillages.
I also found water wipes really useful as when not at home they were easier to use than cotton wool and water.
To start with can think of much else.

Great thank you

I have the perfect prep. Was also thinking of buying another for upstairs for the night feeds. They don't sterilise - I wish they did!

I bought some milk powder dispenser tubs and refill them before bed for use the next day save counting scoops when half asleep!

I have nappies/wipes in a box for easy reach in the main rooms I will be in.

Sort the nappy bag out the day before so it's ready to pick up and go in the morning if you are heading out.

I second the muslin cloths I have 20 so far...

I have 2 microwave steri's - When one is cooling I pop the other in to be done.

Ready milk if you are out for the whole day and cannot be arsed to prepare a hot flask/lug it about.

Our freezer isn't big enough for batch cooking so I printed out some quick home meals recipes from various websites - saves trying to think what to have for tea.

Register for home delivery, make and save your weekly/two weekly shopping list so it can all be re-ordered with one click.

Invest in a woombie...

Congratulations!

Oh and get spare filters for the perfect prep, when my first filter ran out everywhere and I mean everywhere was sold out, my inlaws managed to get me one from the other end of the country to post to me!

A tumble dryer if you have room for one

Great ideas - how long do the filters last for?

Prefect prep is a GODSEND!! Filters last approx 3months but i think it goes by the anount of fluid oz's it delivers or somat like that.
If i had room in my kitchen, id do milton cold water steriliser but i dont so electric steriliser here.

Have plenty of teabags in.
Make people come to you (and make you tea whilst they there)

If baby crying and you really need to pee, it really is ok to put them down and go pee.

Get a shift pattern type thing going with your partner if you do formula feed. So one of you goes to bed about 9 (this was me, allowed me a good block of sleep), whilst other takes over all care until say 2am. The early to bed one then takes over for any wake ups from baby (but not actually getting up iyswim). If baby fed at 1.30, potentially will not need anything more until 5.30-ish.

Do not discount a dummy if FF. Can be very helpful if you have a "sucky" baby. Has helped us no end.

Choose formula that is easily available at nearest supermarket.

Good luck

Cold water sterilizing is very easy. I have twins and at one point we were making 16 bottles a day and it was so easy just to stuck everything in the tubs.

I found the steam sterilizer a faff and got rid of them after a week.

A lamp you can turn on and off by touch.

Also, a bath support instead of a baby bath.

Buy less. The more gadgets and baby stuff you buy, the more you have to clean and tidy and find space for. Buy absolute minimum. Then buy anything you find you really need or miss after if you find its needed, chances are you wont.

I was so against the idea of a dummy but id be completely lost without it as my DS is a sucky baby (and currently teething so ALWAYS wants something in his mouth)

Get some tommie tippie dispenser pots if your going away and your not bringing your perfect prep (i wanted one of them but my DS hates warm milk and only drinks room temp bottles) so you can prep for the night feeds and not be misscounting scoops at half 3 in the morning!

Im a muzzy worshiper! Buy all the muslin cloths you can find (asdas has packs of 6 for £5 at the moment)

My biggest advice? When your baby is napping during the day, NAP AS WELL. im kucking myself for faffing around with ironing or cleaning up after myself when little man was snoozing, now hes 2 months old and power has 10 min power naps at rare occassions during throughout the day.

Home delivery is a great shout, going to start doing that!

Accept help if offered. Your totally allowed to go have a bath while a friend or family member looks after little one. Look after yourself otherwise your going to struggle looking after your baby.

Congratulations, its a gorgeous time!

Dishwasher and a tumble dryer.

A sling. My DC2 practically lived in her moby wrap for the first 3 months. Baby was happy and I had my hads free to do other stuff.