What do I REALLY need to buy for my first baby?

[Italianbride]

I'm sure there have been threads to this effect before but I am keen to see if any of you mums can tell me what I must buy ready for the arrival of my first baby in December, what are nice to haves and what are a waste of time.

Thanks

YES loads of past threads on this - i would say a thermometer - some say the hand held braun is too big to get into a new borns ear, but would certianly be invaluble later on, so i say some sort of really good fast thermoter.

Best things I bought: swaddle sheets, a bath ramp (use in main bath rather than a baby bath), pushchair with carrycot (daytime naps taken in it), playmat

Stuff I never used: bibs, top and tail bowl, cotton wool

There must be loads of threads for you to scour on MN, but just quickly in my opinion:
Must: muslin cloths, washable cheeky wipes ( www.cheekywipes.com/baby-wipes-kit.html ), a sling, nose-sucker thingy (one where you suck through a long tube)
Nice to have: loads and loads of bodysuits, plenty of all-in-one pyjamas...
Waste of time: baby bath, cotton wool, 'real clothes' (esp. hoodies!), scratch mits...

I'm expecting Nº2 at the end of December, so not too far behind you I think...

Goodluck with getting everything ready. But don't worry too much about having it all beforehand, some things you just don't imagine you'll need, until the time comes. But you'll find new grandparents are falling over themselves to kit you out with additional things, so it's just a question of asking...

Vests and babygrows and cardigans depending on the season and perhaps a snowsuit. No need for "outfits" especially below 6 months - babygrows are so much easier. Get the ones with integrated scratch mitts. The other mitts just fall off anyway.

Somewhere for the baby to sleep. Obviously a cot will be required sooner or later (unless you intend to co-sleep). Depending on the size of your bedroom you could put the cot in there from the start or you could buy/borrow something smaller like a crib or a moses basket for the early weeks. You will need some bedding for it. Sheets are cheap in supermarkets. Don't get the £30 grobags as they are a rip off - baby sleeping bags are available cheaper on ebay and in supermarkets and primark. I didn't tell you to steal one but NHS hospital baby blankets are excellent for swaddling.

Transportation devices. Obviously you will need a car seat and most people also buy a buggy. You may want a sling or baby carrier too. No need for all singing all dancing mega bucks travel system.

Obviously nappies and wipes up to you if you go disposable or reusable.

Washing baby - can be done in kitchen sink at first. We have one of those five pound plastic bath support things that goes in the big bath - so much easier than using a baby bath.

Seating and amusing baby - don't need anything at first so wait and see if you get any as gifts. Some sort of bouncing chair will come in handy and also a playmat with dangling toys from about 8 weeks. No real need for the fancy vibrating chair and the musical playmat but you might decide you like them!

Thank you - really useful and practical advice. I just want to make sure I'm focused on the things I'll really need in the early stages and don't get distracted by lots of cute, unnecessary items!

a very large jar of Nutella so that your dp can bring you a really tasty breakfast in bed when you feel awful in the early days for lack of sleep

Gin, earplugs and touche eclat.

A sling.

Loads of babygrows! If I were having a baby now I'd buy these second hand at an nct sale or car boot because I know they are hardly worn before they are grown out of.

You'll need tiny hats and a warm all in one body suit thingy as your baby is due in December.

I found muslins completely invaluable but I know others will tell you they never used them (but how???).

Some new lovely soft flannels or sponges for washing baby, Johnson's baby bath (nicest smell ever) or Top to Toe wash.

Hooded towels are worth investing in too.

Need
Clothes for baby
Something for baby to travel in sling or pushchair (or both)
Car seat
Somewhere for baby to sleep
Blankets and growbag if using
Cot sheets
Bibs or muslins (we used loads of bibs but never bought a muslin this week dd's bibs are hankeys as she has a cold shes 18 months so got lots of use from them)
If breastfeeding breast pads - you might not need any but you really dont want to wait and see on that one!
Hats, have a few different sizes dd's head was too big for any of the 3 or 4 hats we had with us in the hospital bag.

For a december baby you will want a snowsuit.

Also one of our best buys, not an absoloute must was babygrows with built in scratch mits you fold the ends over. Lots of shops sell them sainsburys and mothercare definatley.

Oh and a good book, game on your phone, dvd series for night feeds/wakings.