Useful baby items

[CarrotCake44]

What's the one baby item/equipment/accessory you can't live without and the one which you thought you needed but never use?

[allofthecheese]

Muslins, lots and lots. I had a few extra large ones too which I used as a swaddle in the early days and or just to drape over him when napping. Used them to sit on at the park etc.

The shnuggle baby bath was indispensable - still using it now actually.

Sleepyhead type of nest (during the day only and whilst closeby), he slept well in this during the day downstairs.

IKEA highchair is fab and so cheap

Those silicone bibs that catch the food with the lip are amazing and we use for all mealtimes still.

Things that we didn't make much use of was a baby bouncer we was gifted. He barely sat in it. And outfits when they're really small as he was in babygrows most of the time.

[allofthecheese]

Ohhhh and I barley used the tutti bambini crib- he just absolutely would be not settle in it no matter how much I tried. He would just come in with me and we co-slept for a year. That was an annoying purchase but I've kept it incase we'll use it for more kids.

And I had a nappy organiser caddy thing which I'd have in the living room during the day and take upstairs in the night. It had nappies, wipes muslins and spare clothes in there and I found it so handy.

Yes. Definitely very individual

[Timeturnerplease]

You could ask a thousand parents this and get a thousand different responses.

For us, essentials were/are: Shnuggle bath, perfect prep, Snoozeshade, white noise machine, Sleepyhead, bouncer.

Hardly used: Carrycot (both detested it) and slings/carriers (neither of mine were keen beyond newborn stage).

[Caspianberg]

Essentials - babybjorn bouncer, sling, cloth nappies and wipes.

I never understand changing boxes dotted around the house. I still need warm water to use cloths in for bum, a nappy bin to put cloth nappies and toilet to put poo down. Plus I need to wash my hands each time. So it’s easier doing this in one set place, with everything and bathroom nearby. I wouldn’t want poopey bums changed on living room rug.

[LakeShoreD]

Best Tripp Trapp high chair, mam self sterilising bottles, perfect prep machine, shnuggle baby bath.

Worst, in order of absolute fail to meh: sling, pram carry cot, changing stations outside of the nursery, muslins, Moses basket, any clothes before 3 months that weren’t babygrows.

[3cats4poniesandababy]

Best- schnuggle baby bath. Sling.

Worst - baby rocker chair. My little man hated it.

So opposite from a lot of people but every baby is different.

[ISaidDontLickTheBin]

Nappy changing stations on each floor (we were in a townhouse on 3 levels and used disposable nappies/wipes). And the baby Bjorn bouncer really is fab.

Other than that, it depended on the DC. DC1 never puked and hated swaddling so I didn't get the obsession with muslins until DC2 and their reflux.

DC1 loved the bumbo, DC2 got out of it on the third try

I really wanted to like babywearing, but frankly just didn't get on with it so slings were largely a waste of money.

[Alitlebitsleepy]

Most useful- a sling

Wish i hadn't bought-a breast pump/bottles/milk storage equipment. Just breast fed so no need!

[BertieBotts]

To be fair I think the snuggle bath is better than the standard cumbersome awkward baths that the baby hates and that are a stupid big shape and impossible to move about when full of water. If I was going to get a baby bath I'd get that one.

I have put all three of mine in the bath with their dad from birth. The NCT teacher told us this would guarantee that the dad was still in the child's life at 6 years old :o this did not hold true for DS1. But all three of them loved it and it was a great bonding experience for dads who don't get to breastfeed. Even though DS3 is a prolific bath pooper DH doesn't mind at all.

I washed DS1 in the kitchen sink a couple of times too.

I think bouncers are only good if you have the baby Bjorn one or the 20+ year old ones. Had an old one for DS1 but the modern ones are all shit. The old style they could bounce themselves and the cover just slid off and went in the washing machine. Baby Bjorn must have put some kind of patent on it though because you can't get that kind any more without buying their overpriced trendy boring grey version!

[professionalnomad]

I actually wrote this for a friend coming out of the fourth trimester
May be useful for this thread!
What to buy/know for a first time mum

[Franca123]

Changing bag useless. Just use a normal bag. Zip up swaddle bags for newborns are brilliant. If I had my time again, I'd buy 100 flannels. You can't have too many flannels. They're so good for wiping bums.

[Franca123]

Just a special mention for cloth nappies. Seemed pricey when I first bought them but my second is now in them and so they're looking like an absolute bargain now. Been washed a billion times and still good as new. Fantastic products.

[plinkplinkfizzer]

I found a good travel iron was great for ironing small clothes , though I realise not everyone irons these days..

[BertieBotts]

Oh I hate zip up sleepsuits. Give me poppers any day. But your document sounds like you're abroad - the popper sleepsuits from UK brands are great, from any other country they are much more fiddly for some reason.

Also find water wipes the most pointless thing ever. There is water in the tap and it comes out warm. Cold water on a wipe is not remotely helpful for cleaning poo, I always needed a wipe with lotion on it. They are really expensive as well.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Those that are recommending cheeky wipes, which ones are you using. Just looked at the website and there is so much choice.

[Franca123]

I never bought cheeky wipes but plain old mothercare cotton flannels are fab. Still available at boots last time I looked.

[bubblebath62636]

Best: Angelcare bath seat, moses basket, freddie the firefly toy, playgym.

Worst: Baby bath

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Looking for a present for mum to be of twins so might be presented nicer.

[Franca123]

Yes. That would be a nice present I think.

[RandomCatGenerator]

@Imtoooldforallthis yeah I don’t know why they make it so complicated. I bought Washable Baby Wipes - White PREMIUM Cotton Terry Cloth".

[RandomCatGenerator]

@Imtoooldforallthis a white noise machine is a good present in my opinion. We were gifted a Ewen the Dream Sheep and he’s a lovely white noise machine with a few different sounds. Makes a nice ambience in the room.

I also really liked being gifted beautiful sleepsuits from JoJo Maman Bebe. So lovely!

[professionalnomad]

@BertieBotts
Yup I'm in Istanbul. I have a pack of poppers pyjamas I bought back from Primark. Still on team zipper!

Istanbul water is harsh. water wipes are actually kinder for the bottom!

[peachesandpear]

Best - baby Bjorn bouncer (2nd hand off Facebook), dream egg white noise machine, angel care bath seat, Moses basket, next to me crib, BT 6000 baby monitor

Worst - angel are bath seat & stand, white noise toys that only last 20mins - needs to be continuous, sleep suits with zips as the zip bends funny and interferes with feeding, any fiddly outfits, other cheaper bouncer

[Peaplant20]

Can’t live without the sling

[RandomCatGenerator]

I love how variable this thread is. I am glad we bought a baby bath, and like zip outfits for their ease!