Newborn essentials

[Nobhobs]

So far we have bought

• Next 2 me crib & mattress
• Shnuggle bath & jug
• Bath thermometer
• Electric Swing
• Sling
• Playmat
• Bouncer
• Travel system

We obviously have loads we've not sorted yet, especially clothes. Just wondering if anyone has any essentials that they'd recommend?

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This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for the ultimate baby essentials checklist, we’ve recently updated our newborn essentials article with the must-haves Mumsnetters think you can't live without when your baby arrives. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

@Hollowvictory Oh no are swings not good? My friend swore by hers and said she couldn't of coped without it so it was one of the main things on my list!

Amazon prime subscription, Netflix and a freezer full of meals

I didn't have one, was lolling at it being an 'essential' I think they take up a lot of room

@Hollowvictory Oh okay, no I wasn't saying it's an essential. I was just listing the bits I've already bought so people wouldn't suggest cribs etc as we have them. Asking for essentials was a separate Q

I have almost never used a muslin and i'm still not clear what they are for!

Some people use them as burp cloths, sun shades(clipped to pram hood), breast feeding covers, swaddles etc. But I used them, cut up, for drying bum after wiping with cotton wool & water or water wipes - because someone said online their husband thought they dry the best and I now think so too.

(they do come in various softness/hardness types though - the ones that go hard after washing are a bit on the rough side for drying bums).

Not for baby but for you - decent travel mug and decent reusable water bottle.

For baby - Morcck car seat blanket. A friend of mine has just given me the 5-18 months size. If I’d had it since newborn my life would have been so much easier! No picking up blankets from wet carparks for one thing.

My DD loathed her swing and never used it but adored her jumperoo. Always best to try these things at playgroups / other people's houses before buying them!

Schnuggle bath is the only thing I evangelise about as a proper essential. So you've checked that off already!

I find bathing in the kitchen sink easiest. No bending, drainer with towel on to dry/dress baby and somewhere to put all the shampoo etc.
For you, I would say wire cutters, scissors and a teeny screwdriver (ie a Swiss Army penknife) will make getting any purchase out and putting batteries in infinitely easier.

If you are keeping the 'next to me crib' beside your bed, it might be handy to have a moses basket and stand for when you are not in the bedoom. (i.e, downstairs).