Baby essentials list:

[runtus]

At 20 weeks I wasn't going to start yet but my mum has asked me to draw up a 'baby essentials' list. That way she can choose what she wants to buy us off of it and not end up getting loads of stuff we don't want............which is actually a really good idea.

Anyone have an 'ultimate'list or know where to go to find one??

bloody hell it's gone quick that! lol, how r u getting along, I started a thread like this a few weeks back - will go for a hunt for u!

here u go hon baby thread

Nappies
Somewhere for baby to sleep
One of those net things to wash baby socks in, otherwise they get sucked into the filter.
Lots of plastic backed, very absorbant bibs.

Do remember, a newborn baby doesn't have to be 'dressed' every day. Babygrows are fine, and comfortable. Neither do they need something on their feet to 'complete the outfit', they obnly need something on their feet if it is cold enough for it!

This is something I failed to grasp for ds, and caused myself a lot of unnecessary bother!

You are due in may, yes? then lots of light blankets is much better than a snowsuit, which frankly is a pain in the bum for a newborn anyway.

this is one of those threads that extends hugely!
very very personal. don't forget mn homepage for links to recommended stuff.

buy:
carseat - check out today's threads in Products for list of Which-recommended carseats
sling
moses basket mattress
cot mattress (there are two main sizes)
changing mat

borrow/2nd hand if you can:
moses basket and bedding
cot
pushchair or pram suitable from birth: very hard to say what you will like, but consider how tall you/partner are, how much of a slope you will be living on (good brakes needed), how much space it will take up in your car, or do you live close to town so therefore needing large shopping basket underneath etc)
cloth nappies - e.g. if using 2 piece nappies, 24 inners and 5 wraps, but they vary
travel cot if you will be going to visit anybody.

Only worry about clothes if you don't have much family/friends/colleagues to give them to you.

as i say, very personal.

Muslin squares are great for sicky dribbles and placing under babies head in cot to avoid changing sheets all the time.

I'd switch "sling" from buy to borrow on your list, acnebride. Borrow a variety if you can and then buy the one that suits you. Borrow a baby bath too.

changing mat of some sort for home and one for travel (although a muslin square will suffice - see below!)

Definitely muslin squares. so versatile! Bibs, mopping up, sun shades, knotted sun hats, protector for sheet/shoulder... fab.

Bog standard 0-3 month sleepsuits and envelope necked bodysuits. What I term "nice" clothes are more likely to arrive as gifts from other people.

Some thinnish jersey hats.

Baby Gap socks - they stay on!

@ top and tail dish.

That's why basket and bath would be on my "borrow list

Obviously for my Precious First Born though I had a lovely Pooh top and tail bowl and matching bath

again .

Baby listener...best you can afford. They're a godsend and worth every penny.

Bibs (needed loads with dd as she was a sicky baby)

I never topped and tailed even my PFB DS1. I did use it to put water and cotton wool in at change time but an ice cream tub (empty and clean ) would have worked just as well.

Also borrow a baby gym - really good from birth as gives somewhere soft to put the baby down

metal frame chair thing - so in the first few weeks it can follow you around the house/garden etc, then later can be used to wean the baby in before it's ready for a high chair. Mine slept in these during the day/evening until I was ready to let them out of my sight!

I agree with borrowing a sling to see what suits you, I got mine really cheap from ebay (it was new). If you use cloth nappies look at thenappylady.com they give really useful reviews and have classified ads from people who have bought too many.

I never used baby oil and still have 3 bottles of it (must breed in the cupboard), the bouncing door hanging swing thing, bibs were useless as both babies were messy with milk so just used muslins under their chins (you can't buy enough!). Don't even think about buying stuffed toys, can't beleive how many we've got even after sending a sack load to the charity shop. The baby bath I bought for first one makes as a very good paddling pool in the summer - holds just enough water, doesn't attract flies and the dog can't break it - never used it inside as dd was to squirmy and slippery so used a toweling thing in the big bath or a washing up bowl. Oops seem to have gone on a bit!

Thanks guys - much appreciated!

Not doing too bad at all Munz, got the 20 weeks scan tomorrow so really excited about that!! Going to ask the sex if we can so I will never be able to sleep tonight..........already driving my other half mad with it!!

Ok this is really pared down! Starters for newborn:

Somewhere for baby to sleep (ultimately a cot - £30 from IKEA?)

Bedding.

Cotton wool to clean bum. No other toiletries etc needed.

Nappies.

Clothes (depending on time of year) Babygros, bodysuits, jacket, hat.

Muslins.

Car seat.

Pushchair.

Can anyone get it shorter?!

I would borrow before you buy... babybath, sling, breast pump, bouncer etc - your baby may not get on with them at all.

Just to say that we are still using our baby bath at 21 months because we onlyhave a shower and ds sits in the bottom of the shower in it.
Baby gyms are fab for keeping them occupied, as are bouncy chairs. I wouldn't bother with a swing as they take up so much room

My ultimate tip is (wherever possible) BORROW,BORROW,BORROW. Each baby is individual and like some things and not others so somethings are a total waste of money. Top and Tail bowl uneceassary (a tupperware and a nappy sack suffice). One thing I really did like was instead of muslins ( which I found thin and too big) was something from PHP which was a contoured "on the shoulder" thingy which washed well and has served me for the past 4 years.

Keep 'em coming girls!

My DD is twelve weeks old. Of all the stuff we brought / were given, these were the mistakes:

Sling (so far only used it once)
Baby bath (I had a C-section and when DH went to work it was easier to bath her in the sink / big bath)
Muslin squares (never used them)
All in one sleep suits (she doesn't like them!)
Zillions of shampoo / baby creams. Not used any of them yet.

The things that got / get a lot of use:

I use the M&P Pilko pramette A LOT. Folds down easily, fits into the car. Haven't used it as a travel system with the car seat but it goes get a lot of use.
The M&P one click base for car seats, so much easier than faffing trying to fit the car seat into the car with seatbelts etc.
Growbags for sleep. She kicks off her sheets / blankets and gets much better sleep in a growbag.
Johnson and Johnson softwash baby cloths, dunk a little underwater and it produces enough cleaner to wash full body and hair. Throw away afterwards.
Changing mats upstairs and downstairs, plus travel one in changing bag.
Cot mobile - my DD's in on her crib at the mo and she loves it. Keeps her quiet while I brush my teeth, so an absolute must

As for sleep:
Moses basket was used until last week when she outgrew it so probably best to borrow
Swinging crib will be used now in our room til she's about five / six months old and we move her to her cotbed.

what IS baby oil for? I too still have 3 bottles of the stuff, and when I tried it on my stretch marks I came out in a rash....

I think the metal framed rocking chair thing is really, really useful - I borrowed mine as it happens but it was great for plonking the baby in wherever you go and also for sleeping in where neccesary

I always laugh at the 'essential' lists from shops - just looking at the mothercare one and here are just some of the things NOT to get:

brush and comb set - my DD is 13 months and still has no need for this
baby box - er, why? get some cheap baskets for organizing nappy stuff and bath stuff
nappy wrapper - nope, can't see the point
top'n'tail bowl - words fail me

Don't get loads of bedding, I think fitted sheets and sleeping bags + plus blanket(s) are it. I have loads of unused flat sheets etc.

muslins - essential

Swing - do not bother. I have a brand new one sitting in the shed which DD absolutely detested, DH thought it would be the solution to her colic and was gutted when this wasn't so.

Changing unit - never used mine, now holding paint pots in the shed. always changed her on the floor or bed

Steriliser - the microwave ones are useful but if you intend going away much a standalone one might be better as there might not always be a microwave.
Even if you're intending to breastfeed, not a bad idea to have at least one bottle as a backup so you're not scouring petrol stations in the middle of the night looking for emergency supplies (I never used them but it was nice to know they were there just in case)

And as said before BORROW BORROW BORROW especially things like moses basket, slings, swings, babygyms. Also look on Mumsnet for second hand stuff - don't think everything (other than things like car seats, matresses etc.) must be new. You always feel like you MUST get everything before the baby arrives but I wish I'd waited to see as lots of stuff was completely unused. And you will get cute little outfits etc. as presents, so try to resist, especially as they all get puked on immediately!

oh and consider what way you want to feed. We decided on breastfeeding and brought loads of bottles just in case. Breastfeeding is going well, DD has the odd bottle of EMB but other than that, the zillions of bottles and teats are just sitting in the cupboard laughing at me.