Essential stuff for new baby

[Loulou000]

Sorry if there's already a thread on this, but I couldn't find one. What stuff do I absolutely have to get before the baby arrives? So far I'm thinking nappies, clothes (but how many?), a basket thing... um.... help!

1 bag nappies or a real nappy trial

a moses basket and sheets and blankets

a handful (I mean a handful, not a drawerful) of vests and babygros. Six each max. They grow out of them in five mins. I only had three, I just kept rinsing them.

parents

really, that was all I had. I got the rest online when dd was born

i wouldnt get too many clothes as they soon grow out of them!get a few babygrows (i got 6 0-3 mth,but had to get newborn as dd was so tiny!)id get 6 vest the same size babygrows,a couple of cardys and some scratch mitts.jacket.

you can always go shopping when baby is here then you can get boy or girl clothes!

moses basket,bedding and stand,pushchair,raincover,footmuff,suncanopy
carseat,baby monitor,baby bath,smellys for baby (i knwo they say not to use baby bath stuff on newborns,but i did with mine!)hooded towels

depending when baby is due, something warm - little cardigan, snowsuit, hat.

muslin cloths

you may need a few more babygros if you have a sicky baby, but six should do it.

oh okay then I'll give you carseat I did have one of those

Don't buy too many clothes, you will get lots of presents, and if you are happy to do so lots of folk will pass on hand me downs, really useful.

Yeah definately dont buy too many clothes, I bought a few and already gifts from family and friends babys chester draw and wardrobe full!

breast pads if your planning to breast feed,
bottles steriliser etc if you dont want to breast feed.
baby bath top and tail bowl.
I could go on and on but half the stuff I got is sooo not necessary so dont buy too much it just adds up and doesnt get used!

Pram/pushchair - if you have a carrycot to attach you don't really need a basket too.
Infant car seat - can double as a first chair indoors
Blankets/sheets, muslins, couple of soft flannels or natural sponges and towels (regular ones are fine!)
Nappies, cotton wool pads and a bowl for warm water (I used the margarine type tub from hospital for a while), changing mat, nappy sacks or bucket
Baby monitor
Cheap white babygros and body suits - about 6 of each.

For you - lots of maternity towels or overnight type sanitary towels, some nice smellies to take into hospital, night shirts or pj's you won't mind throwing if they get yukky, feeding bras if you plan to b'feed (measure at around 37 weeks)

Thanks everyone, that's brilliant. I don't have a car, so I guess I can scratch the car seat.

How will you bring the baby home ? Might be worth borrowing one in advance even if you plan to take a taxi.

In a taxi - but I thought not all seats fitted all cars, so you didn't have to have one in a taxi? Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick. But how could I get one that I know will fit?

You don't legally have to have one in a taxi but it is much safer. Your baby will feel so tiny and vulnerable anyway. A standard infant carrier will fit most 3 point belts.

Like this one . Do you have any friends with slightly older babies who could lend you something similar for that trip ? Or as I said lower down, it can double as a seat for indoors and feeding before they can use a high chair.

Er... about the three point belt thing. How does a baby seat actually get attached to a car? Does the belt go over it? Does it have special clips? Complete ignorance here.

Yes, hmm, should probably see if we can borrow one.

Thanks for all the help!

It faces the rear of the car, and usually the shoulder part of the adult belt goes behind the back of it, through notches in the plastic, and the lap part of the adult belt across the front section, above the baby's tummy, again through guides, and the seat belt clasps as usual. The baby has a separate 3 point harness which fits snuggly. You can also get Isofix versions which attach to a base fixed into a compatible car and don't use a belt at all, but these are £££.

Loulou000

Even if you don't have a car, I'd recommend getting the car seat type baby carrier because:

a) your baby can use it around the house some of the time. Altho they shouldn't spend long periods of time in one, it helps to have somewhere he/she can sit and watch you while you go about daily life. DS used to sit in his on top of the fridge while I prepared our meal or his bottles. I remember he sat in it in our living room the first night home while dh and I ate dinner.

b) you will need to go out sometimes, surely, in taxis or friends/families cars. and it is the safest and most comfortable way to travel with a small baby.

Right ho, am convinced, and will buy one! I think I'd got the idea you needed a different type for each different type of car. The Britax one doesn't even really seem that expensive if you can use it as a seat too. Cheers!