What are the absolute essentials??

[Lilimum2be]

Hi guys, I am 30 weeks pregnant and would like to know exactly what I NEED from now and when baby arrives?! I am absolutely skint so need to get the absolute essentials! Please help/advise.... Thank you x

Cloth nappies, vests, sleepsuits , cardigans, little blankets, a couple of hats, cotton wool, nursing bras, car seat, a stretchy wrap sling ( moby type). Can't think of any other real essentials off the top of my head. Nothing that can't wait anyway. I didn't even bother with a crib or pram with my third and last baby because after my two others I had learnt that I would use a sling rather than a pushchair for at least 4-6 months and that she would sleep in our bed for a good few months too ( had a bed guard already). However if you did want somewhere for your baby to sleep that isn't your bed, a second hand sidecar type crib would be a good option. So many companies make so much money from flogging non essential baby gear.

Sleepsuits
Vests
Nappies and cotton wool/wipes
flannel or sponge for bathtime
Bouncy chair or playmat
little jacket
cardigan
Stimulating toys
Moses basket/crib/cot
Pushchair/sling

DD 1 hated hats, hated vests and screamed if you put her in a sling.

Honestly, sleep suits, nappies and some sort of moses basket or crib, even co sleeping babies need a place to nap.

A car seat if you have a car and a second hand pram, choosen carefully if you use busses.

pram that goes flat for newborns,
about 5 vests,
3 or 4 babygros/ all in one things,
nappies,
bottles if not breastfeeding,
shawl or blanket,
2 sleepsuits,
crib/cot/co-sleeper/ carrycot - basically somewhere for baby to sleep,
a few pairs of baby socks,
a few hats,
sanitary pads with good absorbance,

don't worry about the jackets or big cardigans- you are having a summer baby - not a roast chicken.

ASDA do loads of baby stuff quite cheap and have both a sale and a baby event on just now. try gumtree or see if there is a local jack and jill market near you for things like prams, car seats etc

Absolute essentials?

Keep baby clean: nappies, some kind of washcloths to use with water (or cotton wool). You don't use wipes or soap on newborns, and they're small enough to wash in the bathroom basin so everything else can wait.

Move baby about: secondhand sling and/or pram, new car seat if you use a car

Keep baby warm: vests and babygros, the more frequently you wash the fewer you need. Since you'll have a summer baby no need for snowsuit etc. You'll need a blanket at night (not fleece, too sweaty) too, they dont go into sleeping bags until later. You might want a sunhat.

Feed baby: breastfeeding is cheapest.

Somewhere for baby to sleep: moses basket, can be secondhand but get a new mattress. Also useful to park them during the day.

For newborn entertainment you don't need much. We printed black and white photos out for example. Some secondhand toys perhaps, but they just sleep most of the time for the first month or so.

I'm pregnant with dc4, you really don't need half of the stuff they tell you to get! I'd say go to Sainsbury's or Tescos and get 2 packs of sleepsuits (3 in each pack) and 2 packs of bodysuits/vests and that should do you for the basic clothes - they don't need outfits until they get older. Then a couple of cardigans and a pramsuit (depending on weather) and a couple of hats. Sainsbury's sleepsuits have fold out scratch mitts (or they used to, I've not lived in UK for 2 1/2 years) so you won't need to buy extras then. A couple of packs of muslin cloths from the supermarket are also a good idea.

I use disposable nappies and wipes, we stock up with a few each time we do a supermarket shop so don't have too much cost at once.

A changing mat to put on the floor (don't need a table) and we used a white plastic bath seat from Mothercare that goes in the bath rather than a baby bath.

We bought a second hand cot when I was pregnant with dc1 and it is still going strong :) Get one with adjustable heights so you can use it from newborn without having to bend right down.

For a pushchair get something that will last! I have been through a lot of prams and the best I have found by far is the Mountain Buggy, particularly the Urban model. I have a second hand one I got for the equivalent of £15 and it is indestructible! It goes from newborn, or you can add a carrycot for baby to face you. This is one of the newer ones here www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mountain-Buggy-Urban-Jungle-/181412343265?pt=UK_Baby_BabyTravel_Pushchairs_GL&hash=item2a3d04ade1 but you can definitely get them cheaper, mine is a 2008 model I think. And then a car seat.

Can't think of anything else at moment, hope that helps!

Not much.

If you breastfeed, get some Lansinoh. Apparently you can get it on prescription.

You almost definitely don't need a changing table (although useful if you have a section), a monitor, any fancy or expensive electrical equipment, any fancy outfits. You don't need a fancy pram either. Second hand or a sling is fine, especially at first.

eBay and gumtree are great.

Thanks so much ladies, I have written a lot down and will budget everything out.
I wanted to know the absolute essentials as there are so many daunting lists I have found and they seem very expensive and far fetched.... Thanks for your help xxx

As one of OP said, gumtree is great for things. Also try freecycle.co.uk and have a look on Facebook to see if your area has a for sale and wanted page.

There's also an excellent website to get new mattresses for Moses basket/cot. HERE

Not a lot of stuff is essential when they're tiny;
vests
sleepsuits
scratch mits
hat
Maternity pads
Car seat
Bouncy chair (make sure it has enough padding/support for a new born)
Moses basket
A couple of cellular blankets (Adsa do good ones for around £4 each)
Something to use as a changing bag
Muslins

If breast feeding;
Lansinoh- If you can get it on prescription then do-it's expensive £9 a tube but it is really good and a little goes a long way-essential in my book.
Breast pads
If bottle feeding:
3 bottles and teats
brush and steriliser

I second e bay- particularly for a buggy. Everyone I know who bought a really cheap buggy new regrets it- IMO your money goes further buying something good quality second hand rather than something less good but new.
Seek out second hand sales. We went (still go) to one called Table Tots and have got some really good stuff there. Get there 15 minutes before they open and take a list. Beware any thing that's still brand new in its box- probably means it's useless!! I wish I hadn't bought as much as I did before DS was born- you have a much better idea of what you really need after

Sleep suits and vests, is double what most people say here that newborn poo means you could be changing them 3 or 4 times a day, cot blanket and sheets, Moses basket, little cardi and hat, car seat, sling, changing mat, wipes, cotton wool, nappies and some muslins.

That's it

Why this obsession with vest?

They are just something else to wash. DD1 was born in January. She grizzled, grumped and was too hot in a vest.

DD2 wasn't fussed either. The dolls have worn our smallest vests far more than either child!

If u are skint, try some charity shops for the above. Our local one often has beautiful baby stuff x

I wouldn't bother with Lansinoh unless you find you need it. I never put anything on my nipples, and they were completely fine. Breast pads were really useful but I would wait and see if you get going with breastfeeding before buying some good reusable ones. You can get a box of very cheap disposable ones to get started with, but if you'll be using them long term reusable ones a re much cheaper and nicer.

Scratch mits are also a bit of a mystery in this house - much easier to cut their nails...

Maybe start stockpiling maternity pads now? After the first week I moved to normal sanitary pads, but maternity pads were completely totally and utterly essential. Also some bed mats are nice for your bed for the first night or two, and good under the sheet for the last weeks of pregnancy if you worry about your waters breaking. Amniotic fluid does not come out of mattresses.

Lochia is much much messier than a heavy period.

My summer babies didn't wear hats or cardigans much until late Aug/early Sept. they did often wear just a vest when it was warm though (those little romper vests with short legs are lovely but not essential) 6 vests & sleep suits is manageable but if you can afford an extra pack it will make life easier I think.

If you are using a crib or Moses basket then you will need sheets and blankets for it. 2-3 fitted sheets and 2-3 flat ones. Grobags are brilliant once they get a little bigger though (not cheap though - maybe if anyone wants to buy you a gift you could suggest?)

Re a pram, think about your lifestyle. I walk a lot so I'd have struggled with shopping without one I think - but friends who drive everywhere would say it's less essential. If you plan to use the bus you'll need something that folds easily with one hand.

Totally agree with everyone saying look at secondhand - you could also try free cycle - I've given away lots of baby stuff on there.

Have a look for an NCT nearly new sale in your area. You can get most things for a fraction of the price, and you don't need to be a member to go.

We are skint too.

Have managed to sort out clothing for the first few months by gratefully accepting hand me downs. Have topped up by buying cheaply 2nd hand. Have also sourced muslins, cot sheets, blankets, swaddling/gro bags this way. Spent about £10 in total doing this.

Bought a lovely 2nd hand timber change table and mat for £10.

Friend has kindly lent us a Moses basket and swing. We will buy a cot 2nd hand once the baby has arrived.

We still have ds pram/baby capsule/baby bath support thing that we can use. If we didn't have these I would buy a buggy/bath support thing 2nd hand, but I would try to buy the baby capsule/car seat 2nd hand from a trustworthy friend/acquaintance before buying new. I wouldn't buy 2nd hand from a stranger.

I have a collection of nappies, wipes, breast pads that I have picked up on sale.

I have to breastfeed (can't afford not to!). I breastfed ds so hopefully I will manage again. If we have to buy bottles/ formula/steriliser etc this will be very difficult for us to afford. So I would suggest looking into breastfeeding. You don't really need much. Just some bras and breast pads.

I don't see the need for scratch mitts. Just a nail file worked well for us.

Moses baskets. Use pillow cases instead of sheets.

Olive oil in the bath or for moisturiser.

For the bed we got the cheapest travel cot - cheaper than a real cot, you con move it around (on the off chance anyone offers to babysit) and now that he likes spinning himself around at night Ithaca soft sides and is wide enough that he can sleep sideways (which is apparently THE only way to sleep).

Nappies, - just prebought size 2 but end up needing a pack of newborn.

Baby grows I'd just gor 0-3 months nothing smaller - they swamped my ds for the first month but it's not like they are doing anything so it doesn't matter really.

Aldi nappies.

I can't believe I ever bought pampers. I only discovered Aldi nappies on DC2. Although, I've never used newborn size but presume they're ok.

Terry nappies are possibly the cheapest way to go - but only if you're prepared to do the washing and don't mind doing it on top of everything else. We used terry squares from birth with our DCs but DH was completely committed to it as well (essential) and we already had a tumble dryer. Two dozen terry squares, four wraps, a pack of nappi nippas and a bucket cost well under sixty quid and we just needed bigger wraps every few months.

Yes defo breastfeeding. Look on ebay for bundles of 0-3 stuff, but basically you will need say 3 babygros, 3 long sleeve leg less gros and 3 leg less sleeveless gros. Size 1 nappies but don't go too mad as they are out of these in no time. Pram with detachable basinette as baby can sleep in this next to your bed. Swaddle blanket for me personally was my must have item as stopped dc's waking themselves when arms jerk about for first couple of months. Summer infant do a great one with Velcro (I wouldn't bother with the non Velcro ones as I had one and DS had worked out how to bust out if it within about a week. If you're on FB then put a post on your wall calling for any unwanted baby stuff you may be surprised how many people have things still in the loft and are happy to see it go to someone they know. Xx

One thing I wish someone had told me, is throw away all of your Always sanitary towels - you will never use them again lol!!! Maternity sanitary pads are essential for a minimum of a week after birth, and then you need cheap, supermarket own brand sanitary towels. The fourth midwife who cheeked to see why my stitches werent healing properly said "you're not using Always sanitary towels are you?" Arggggg lol!
2 things babies need from new are a mattress and car seat (if you use a car). Everything else can be purchased second hand / borrowed / loaned etc. Just wash them or steam clean them first. Also don't forget family and friends usually buy your little one a present or two!