Summer baby recommendations

[rebeccamarlowe]

Hello,

I'm looking for recommendations/advice for products for a newborn summer babe. My daughter was a winter baby and in about 9 weeks, we'll be welcoming baby number 2 to the family.

When my daughter was born, fleece blankets, snowsuits and thick sleepsuits were ready and packed in the hospital bag however, this time round, it's a different story. Obviously common sense plays a big part in the packing of the hospital bag this time around but I just wondered if there was anything you would say to deffo put in or anything to leave out altogether? I've been looking at muslin swaddles/lightweight blankets online; are there any particular companies you'd recommend for these?

Also, in addition to this, there will be a 2.5 year age gap between my daughter and the new baby and I've been toying with the idea of buying a double pushchair. Is there any point? Will a buggy board suffice?

Any help/advice you lovely people can give will be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 😊

Although it may be warm, there probably won’t be much if the summer left. I’d but ordinary sheets and blankets but use less off them. You can get snow suits or a baby hoodie in the bigger for November time.

I’d pack some normal skeepsuits and some ones with short sleeves too, just in case it’s warm. If it stays this hot, which is unlikely, I’d buy an oscillating fan too to keep you cool at home. The only other thing we had was a 0.5 tog sleeping bag.

As for the buggy, it totally depends on the child. My DC1 was a good Walker but had tonsillitis a lot so ended up in the buggy when unwell.

I bought a double buggy - there is 25 month age gap between my 2 and I used it a lot. My DD was a good walker but on days out she would get tired and need a rest/nap.

Should have I bought a Phil and Teds which was perfect and I sold it on for a reasonable price.

should have said that’s meant to read!

Love the Grosnug sleeping bags (smaller than Grobags and you can swaddle arms in)

They do a light version which I think is around 0.5 tog (maybe 1 tog) but it’s perfect if baby likes swaddling and it’s ltherwise too hot

Our’s was in her Grosnug light and just a nappy last night

Rompers are great for day wear! Also love the Groegg thermometer even though it’s on red most of the time at the moment with a judgemental sad smiley!

Cellular blankets were brilliant when we had ours in August. We stocked up on them from aldi.

We bought those giant Muslims which were perfect for laying over baby in warm weather also swaddling when tiny. We did get a couple of 0.5 toy gro snugs too.

I had a 2 year age gap and tried to cope with sling/ silvercross pushchair that laid flat so could transfer baby when got to park/toddler group. But it was so hot and my second was such a good sleeper we bought a 2nd hand Phil and Ted's and sold it for the same as we bought it for! Was amazing!!!

Please don’t lay a giant Muslim over your baby, they are very likely to get squished...

Sorry blaming auto correct 🙈🙈🙈😂

My ds was born in July. It was roasting for weeks. He was my pfb. I thought the Gro egg thermometers were great.

I think he spent weeks in just a nappy it was that hot.

Giant Muslim 😂

I have 2 summer born DCs with a 2yr gap.

I dressed them in just a sleepsuit in the hospital and for the first few weeks, then had them in a vest or short romper. I added socks and/or a cardi if a bit cooler. They had a cellular blanket over them at night as too small for a sleeping bag. By the time the sleeping bag fit it was autumn and cool enough for a 2.5 tog.

I found a double buggy invaluable for the first 6 months, but used it rarely once DD1 was 2.5yo and better able to stand on a buggy board even though we walk a fair bit. With a 2.5yo gap I'd be tempted to go straight for a buggy board, but with a single pushchair that is suitable for both children and a sling on standby. That way you can always pop the baby into the sling and use the buggy for the toddler if necessary.
Does your DC1 still nap? That would be a good reason to still get a double.
If you do get one, I'd definitely think about second hand. They are £££s for a good one new (and they can be heavy and unwieldy so worth getting a decent brand) and you may not get loads of use from it. I bought a Mountain Buggy from eBay, and resold it 12m later for near-enough what I paid.