What's the number one investment for making life with a newborn a little bit easier?!

[runlolarun10]

Is there anything that I could buy or request as a gift that might make life as a first time mum just a little bit easier?

Antilop highchair is amazing - however, they were recently recalled I think - personally don't know anyone that has bothered to return their's as too well loved..

One item I did buy and people scoffed at BUT, despite me being in no way neurotic about these things I was just a bit anxious as we live in house with no central heating and I had no idea about temperatures and whether it would be too cold for baby (I figured too cold was actually safer than too hot) was a Gro-egg thermometer.. Both hubby and I just both felt comfortable turning it on and warming up room accordingly and it's really been worth money to us..

I didn't even know there was a recall - thanks happyjoyful . Just looked on IKEA website, and its a problem with the seatbelt. Just one supplier affected, and between certain dates. Sorry, would post direct link, but can't work out how to copy url on phone [thicky]

Day/Night system for bottle feeding. The preprepared bottles sat in thermos flask type thing next to our bed and then you put the bottle on the little warming plate until it was ready to go. Not having to go downstairs and start from scratch was a huge help.

Not all Antilop high hairs, just certain batches.

I agree with the following suggestions:
Cleaner
Freezer full f decent food
Travel mug
Access to a breast feeding support group
Smartphone / iPad ESP the tesco online ordering app
Lidl own brand nappies if using disposables

Kindle plus lighted cover to read during night feeds and when you go to bed but the baby is still in your room; the light on the cover is just bright enough to do night time nappy changes.

I have just bought and am loving baby nightgowns. DD is a bugger for shitting during the night and I really have had enough of dealing with poppers when I am half asleep.

I absolutely second buying the best washing machine that you can afford.

Grobags are lovely and snuggly and stop older babies from climbing out of their cots.

White noise is absolutely invaluable.

I love my nursing chair but rarely get a chance to sit in it as DH, DS or a cat has usually beaten me to it.

Yes apologies for startling anyone with recalling antilop it is specific dates.. think it actually came from a complaint made by someone here about the straps not working - We've never put the strap on our's - hopefully dd wont start escaping shortly. Anyway, apologies and diverting from original post.

"the recall only relates to belts on those chairs made between July 2006 and November 2009 which are stamped with the supplier number 17389 beneath the seat"

I think it was Mamas & Papas, but an electronic baby bouncer, one that has womb sounds - heartbeat, breathing etc - it was an absolute godsend when I finally got mine - DD wouldn't let me put her down without screaming blue murder, couldn't even go to the loo - just wish I'd had it from birth, those first few weeks were tough

small bouncy chair with strap
agree with gro-bags
light mesh weave cotton blankets (still going strong after nearly 6 yrs) - thank you Peter Jones Baby dept...
decent baby buggy + mclaren fold up for car
curved waterproof changing cushion
separate washer & dryer - or you'll be at it all day every day

A cheap radio to put on quietly. I bought a clock radio from siansburys which was half price at the time and cost 2.99, and of course a thermos flask if you are bottle feeding especially of a night, it means you dont have to wait for the kettle to cool down! But can boil one and let it cool while you feed ready for next feed!

If you are considering cosleeping, a bedside cot is a real help.

Other than that, a stretchy wrap sling.

Something i wish i had bought was a baby sling.....he spent about 90percent of his wake time in my arms being carried around, and i never did get one, and my back is now paying for it!

The Baby Bjorn chair is great. It's worth having, at least second hand, as it's so high that DC can have a good nose around them while in it.

Breasts.

This for reading while employing breasts to good effect at night

A week's supply of lovely homemade casseroles. And the same a month later. And the same a month after that.

grobags - no faffing with teeny or enormous blankets :)

sling gets another vote - when my baby went through super-clingy phase at around 3 weeks, I could keep her close whilst still going about the house etc.

maclaren xlr - great to have manageable carrycot that she could sleep in at home, then bung it on a not-too-heavy foldable buggy without waking her up, to go out.

doomoo beanbag - still uses it now at 4 years!

lots of very tasty, super foods, all packaged, from somewhere great like M&S - keeps you going when BF or generally knackered with minimal faff.

a tumble drier (wish I'd had mine then - amazing how much washing a NB gets thru).

friends/family who can pop 'round and look after the baby so you can get some sleep = godsend.

wish I'd had an iPad then - could have kept in touch with outside world so much more easily whilst chained to sofa BF :)

My wonderful friends arranged a 'meals on wheels' for when DH went back to work. Each day we'd receive a meal including deserts from a different friend and I can't tell you how much I appreciated these contributions!

Nappies a size larger than your baby's weight - until I found that piece of info out, we were inundated in leaking poo...as soon as we went up a size, it was contained.
Simples.

wow constantlyfrazzled - friends like yours are worth their weight in gold! are they available to hire? :)

Avoid the baby bjorn- just really bad on the back- i cannot believe they sell any with the competition.The ergo or babyhawk are so much more comfortable but borrow to see if your baby likes it first.
I loved having a baby bath to bath my son outside in the sunshine on an evening.

A thermal mug with a lid - bizarre how a hot cup of tea becomes the holy grail

Magical sleepy fairy dust, which induces a deep twelve hour slumber from birth.

Apparently available on Amazon and eBay, not that I ever found it...

Let me know if/when you find that breastmilkdoesafablatte

I will sell all rights to MNHQ and retire off the proceeds. And then maybe have another baby secure in the knowledge of assured repose.

Don't use those mugs while holding baby. They are very dangerous as they keep the tea so hot. Much worse than a normal cup of tea that cools down.

If you're going to leave it on one sie and grab it when you can, fine.

Sorry. One of my hobby horses.

Good advice latrucha

Just have to say; this thread is wonderful; and as my payment back; a direct link to the Antilop recall :)