What would be the one item you couldn't live without for your newborn?

[Rosyisgonnabeamummy]

I'm a mum to be, and I am hugely overwhelmed by all the stuff there is to buy on the market.
What's your best purchase? What made life easier?
Not just the obvious things like a car seat / pram, but for example breast feeding apron, or changing bag, or nipple cream????

[MortifiedAdams]

My favourite item was a set of Aden and Anais swaddling sheets totally extravagant but I fell.in love with them. I used them for every sleep and nap, have used them for laying baby on at the park or the beach, as sun shades, and will use them again for.the next baby and just envisage them making up parts of dens or what ever in the future. LOve them.

Never bought a baby bath, top and tail.bowl or a baby wardrober.

[smellysocksandchickenpox]

sheepskins are good pram liners cause they keep them warm in winter and keep them from being sweaty in summer

some people use them for putting the baby down for naps/sleep on at home but that is not considered safe at the mo

[Woofers]

Antenatal group are all about sheepskins. What's it all about ??

[Woofers]

Ooooo must get one of those!

[notso]

It's this essential IMO

[Woofers]

Wow there's even more stuff I have no idea about. What's a mummy's hook for the pram

[notso]

Metanium nappy rash cream, works almost instantly.

[notso]

Baby nighties/bundlers,
Aden and Anais massive muslins, a billion uses from emergency nappy to sunshade to comforter to towel and everything in between.
Dummies,
Swing wish I'd had one for DD and DS1,
Mummy hook for the pram,
Wallaboo baby wrapper so much easier than a snowsuit and has lasted much longer as well,
Lily Pads silicone breast pads, amazing.

[Evilwater]

Moses basket,
Infacol/ gripe water
Dummies,
Mumsnet.

Evil

[AnAirOfHope]

Moby wrap
Infocol
Nappies

For mum
A supply of frozen gauze soaked in lavander oil/water (heaven on stichtes)
Nipple cream
Snacks of night time feeding
Maternity pads as they are big and softer than normal pads

[Birdies]

Baby bjorn carrier with back support (worn all day for a few weeks!)
Bednest
Ewan the sheep
Lansinoh
Kiddapotamus fleece swaddle wrap in large size (as can tighten) - I tried about 4 different swaddles and this was by far the best
Bachs rescue remedy to help me sleep when I got so tired I couldn't

[MrsJohnDeere]

Wine

[TheYamiOfYawn]

Wrap sling, without a doubt. It provides all the head support a newborn baby needs.

Also snacks, contact details for breastfeeding counsellors. Washable baby wipes are nice but not utterly essential. Supportive friends and family are invaluable, but not really for sale.

[rcs19]

Another vote for a sling, wish I'd had my moby with dd1.

Also my widgey feeding cushion gets hours of use each day. Enables you to have a free hand when feeding.

[Andcake]

Ooh long vest tops for bf out and about
And of course cake

[Andcake]

Sling (not carrier) although carrier is also useful.
Angelcare sensor monitor
Gro bags
Dummy :-/
A DP who could/would cook and feed me when no hands free (ideas for food that can be eten with one hand :-)

[bsmirched]

Lansinoh is free on prescription! Don't fork out for it!

[seeker]

Gin.

[Woofers]

Question about slings - do you need one which supports babies head or do these soft ones do the job?

[smellysocksandchickenpox]

you use white noise when they're fighting sleep or colicey.. if they're fed, clean bumed, hugged, and not to hot or cold.. but still unhappy then sling and/or white noise will do the trick!

[smellysocksandchickenpox]

white noise: hoover, cooker extractor, walking on a path near busy traffic, hair dryer, babysoothe CD, white noise MP3s, Ewan the sheep etc

wombs are very noisey

[Rosyisgonnabeamummy]

What is this white noise thing all about?
Is it a replica of womb noise?
When do you use it? I thought it was for POW in Guantanamo

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

Wanted to answer before reading thread, but have now been reminded: washable breast pads x lots. I had breathable waterproof ones and never got thrush (well, not until baby was 13 mo, but that's another matter). And a white noise app on my phone.
Also I had Sky + then and it saved my sanity! Lots of tv for feeding

Also, if using washable wipes, which are great, get a thermos for warm water. Babies object to nappy changes far less if the wipe is warm!

Cereal bars are good for middle of the night feeds, keep a breastfeeding helpline number to hand and lots and lots of pillows

[Neena28]

Nipple cream and breast pads!!

But mostly breasts. Breast feeding cut down on so much stuff.

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

Baby sling! Not a structured carrier, but a soft, stretchy piece of fabric sling. It was amazingly useful