what do we really need to get?

[boardingschoolbaby]

Sorry to be quite so useless but every list for what you need is different, and there seems to be so much of it. I wondered if you could tell me what things are really vital, and which bits are simply "nice to have"- or possibly even which bits are utterly pointless and can be avoided altogether.

So far we have;
moses basket plus stand (to raise above curious dog height), additional mattress and a couple of fitted sheets.

lie flat car seat/ pram/ buggy device

some babygro/ all in ones and a blanket that were given as a gift

I am only 33 weeks but he could be whipped out by the hospital at any point from now onwards due to some medical issues which are being monitored so trying to get sorted just in case.

many thanks in advance

More Muslins than you would believe possible (dd is 3 weeks old) they are a godsend.

All in one sleep suits and short sleeved vests. At least 7 of each I would say. (Dd as had 4 outfits on in one day more than once)

Breast and maternity pads for you

Nipple cream

Sponge or wash cloths, cotton pads for wiping bum, nappies.

Sheets and cellular blankets, grobags when bigger.

That seems to be the basics I've found.

Nappies. A stretchy sling is nice especially if you have a prem baby. Get some clothes in tiny baby size. Keep them in the packages and keep the receipts so you can return them if you get to term. Mothercare and boots both have reasonable ranges.

Ask for a tour of NiCU in case your baby needs to go there and research electric breast pumps in case you get discharged before the baby. Our hospital lent them for £40 returnable deposit.

just a question on muslins for mums - I have bought ten in preparation - my DH can easily whizz out and get more if necc (we have an ikea not far away where they are really cheap for two in a pack) - but is this number way off? I have a while to go - just interested!

for the original OP - I think you can go mad buying the earth, but in reality it sounds like you have a sensible list there - and TBH anything you realise you need, you can order quickly off the internet or get someone to get for you. If you end up taking him home a few weeks early in the end - they may advise that when you take his clothes on/off to ensure room very warm, so a mini electric heater can be useful then (uk weather unpredictable!) - just a thought. Hope it all goes ok for you x

Nappies

cotton wool/water wipes and small tubs (a clean marg tub will do) for water to clean baby

Maternity pads for you

Method of feed - if bfing, then breast pads, nipple cream, muslins; if bottle feeding, bottles, steriliser, formula, muslins

Sling is a good idea - see if there is a local sling meet

Ok, i'd have the following:

Clothes - babygrows x 10, vests x 10 cardigan x 2, hat x 2
Muslins x a million! Great for lots of things and we went through loads as also used to put them over the sheet of the crib/carrycot and take off if baby was sick as it saved changing the sheet.
Bedding for Moses basket/carrycot - bottom sheet x 3, cellular blanket x 2, waterproof sheet (we never did, but will this time I think)
Something to feed baby - depends if you intend to breastfeed or bottlefeed. If breast, then you need breast pads, nursing bras x 3. I also had nipple cream and nipple shields and a pump but you could get these later on if you need/want them. No idea on bottle feeding though.
Change mat, wipes/cotton wool, nappys

I think those are the essentials as you already have a pram.

Nice to have items are:

A sling, a baby bath (loved ours but a lot of people don't. We got the Tippitoes one which has a support in it so we didn't have to hold the baby), a crib (lasts longer than a Moses basket), a bouncy chair (DC never really liked his though), play mat.

That's what springs to mind now. There are probably some items I've forgotten but I'm sure someone else will cover them.

The numbers are just ideas, some people will have more, some less.

Check out eBay as none of it needs to be new, except the mattress.

i know this is probs a silly Q, but what are muslins for? im pg with my first so this is all new to me lol.

wispa we used them for loads of stuff. Used to put them over our shoulder whilst winding to stop any sick getting on your clothes, you can use them as bibs, tie knots in each corner for a makeshift hat, use them as a sun shade over the pram, put them over sheets and remove if baby is sick, use as a change mat, wipe grubby hands and faces with them.

I'm sure there are lots more uses too :)

patches - thanks for that lol. havent the faintest idea what im planning to buy in yet so threads like these are handy.

Thank you so much; have stocked up on a few more bits and pieces- plenty of muslins were the first things in the basket!

I'd agree that most things you can nip out and buy, especially bits for the baby (we mostly swaddled dd and ds in a sheet for the first few weeks!) but I would look at advice on here or other websites for things for you.

This is not relevant if you're not having a natural birth or breastfeeding but I won't be doing without these this time round. Not to sound scary or anything but I couldn't have had too many breast pads, maternity pads but also (if you have a natural birth) perineal soothing spray/cream (amazing!), paracetamol is a must (I stupidly didn't have any in the house both times and it's a godsend!), senokot (just in case), loads of clean and comfy pyjamas, antibacterial wet wipes for by your bed (a lazy tip for if you're putting on nipple cream or changing a wet nappy and feeling too lazy/comatose to wash your hands in the night). People have different opinions of nipple cream- I used it the first time and had sore nipples for weeks. The second time I fought through for a few days and I personally think I was better off without it (as it doesn't let your nipples naturally harden). But it's worth trying anything. I got a medela breast pump the second time round, I didn't even express for feeding but it really helped with excess milk and I wish I'd had one with dc1. Again, that's of course if your'e bf.

A baby hat is also something we forgot and had to rush out to buy both times in the past but you don't want to see your little newborn's bare head in the cold.

Not sure if this is any use but thanks, it's just helped me recap what I need for dc3!

Good luck and like everyone says, you'll work out what things work for you in the first few weeks. Enjoy your baby, it's a wonderful time :-)

You'll need more maternity pads than you think - so get at least 5 bags to last for the first few days.

I got a cheap foam bath support for DS once I started bathing him in the main bath from about 6 weeks, body shaped one from mothercare - we still use it for him to sit on at 2.5yrs so that has to be my best buy.

But as long as you have enough for the first few days, you 'll be fine. you will be out and about in a week or so

Don't worry about bath support stuff right away, if your baby comes early you won't be bathing right away, sponge wash only till the cord stump falls off at about 10 days so plenty of time to buy what you need. And you can always bathe a baby in the kitchen sink.

Get some plain short sleeved vests and sleepsuits in newborn size. If your baby comes early you might need a few tiny baby, but shops are open 24 hours so you could easily get someone to pick up a few items. I would also think a couple of cardigans and a hat would be a good idea as the weather is so unpredictable at the moment.

You already have somewhere for the baby to sleep so that is sorted. I recommend having 4 sheets rather than 2. Get about 10 muslin cloths - use some for burping baby but also put one over the sheet of the basket where the baby's head goes, it will mean fewer changes of sheet.

Unless the weather is warm you will need something for the baby to have over at night. You can get baby sleeping bags but they won't be suitable for a premature baby and in any case, newborns often like to be swaddled. A cellular blanket (the type with little holes in) is fine for this purpose although the best sort are the blankets that you get in the hospital (not suggesting you steal one, honest...). You can buy swaddle wraps in the baby shops if your baby likes to be swaddled.