Fantastic purchases:
-Amazon Echo - we have them all over the house. In baby's room, I use it for white noise, and for the weather so I can decide what to dress the boy in. In the kitchen, I use it to record my shopping list as I use things up, to set reminders for me, to read me my calendar events. I use them to play baby music playlists for when we're doing floor time, to read me audiobooks when I'm feeding. I know she listens to my conversations, but I don't know how I'd get on without her now. I really make an effort not to be on my phone around our baby and Alexa really really helps with that.
-Ikea LEKA activity centre. I'd been gifted a pricey (£75) baby gym that our baby hated. I was at a weaning class that had random toys out, put him under this simple wooden thing and he absolutely loved it. Went out to buy our own the next day. Was only £20.
-A Gousto/Hello Fresh subscription. When pregnant, I batch cooked to the point that we needed a chest freezer in the garage to contain it all... but I got so bored of the same thing night after night. Recipe boxes meant I was getting interesting food, without having to go to the shops and my husband could totally handle the recipe cards (with Alexa helping with the timings).
-A water bottle with a straw for me! Carry it everywhere and you'll need to stay hydrated if breastfeeding. I bought it for being in labour so I could take easy sips, but was so useful after my awful emcs that went horribly wrong, and is easy to drink from while nursing.
-H&M nursing vest tops. They have inbuilt bralets to contain breast pads. I wear them in place of a bra under normal clothes. Lift up my top, unclip my vest top, but keep my tummy covered.
-increased iCloud storage. So many photos and videos...
-I really recommend going to see the prams you're interested in second hand first. You'll be able to see how they wear. I went to see some iCandys and Eggs and found the leather handles really showed signs of wear as they collapse onto the handle. Ended up buying a silver cross wave (new) as they collapse onto their wheels.
I wish I hadn't bought:
-So many grow bags and swaddling muslins. I exclusively used Velcro swaddles til he was 4 months. Far fewer night wake ups using them, he can't break free or scratch the shit out of his face.
-expensive water wipes in huge supply. I bulk bought on Amazon and still haven't run out nearly 5 months later when his arse would happily take a normal, cheap Aldi wipe.
-so many clothes. People buy you so much and they'll probably only wear things once.
-nasal aspirator. Why the expensive kit of torture when a small finger nail will do?
-loads of nursing hoodies. I just wear normal clothes and lift them up.
Hope this is helpful!