another newbie mum question - what did you buy for newborn...

[comeagainforbigfudge]

That you ACTUALLY used?

The shops/tv ads make me feel very confused/overwhelmed as to what I will definitely need/use when baby arrives. And I always wonder when I see the "this is what you need" type lists what never even gets used!

Baby not due til June. Plenty of time but having bought my pram yesterday I'm now starting to organise thoughts (writing a list I do Iove a list) as to what I'll need.

So far I have bought:

Steriliser (will have to ff very quickly even if I manage to establish bf as need to go back on meds asap)
Baby monitor (aldi one that we tested already)
A pack of newborn nappies (was not going to buy too many until baby here in case is a monster sized baby and needs a bigger nappy straight away)
Couple of boxes of wipes - 24 packs in total.
Pack of Muslins
Washable breast pads (for me!)

I will be getting a whole host of hand-me-down clothes/blankets/muslins so don't intend to buy any more like that until I see what I get and its all sorted into relevant sizes etc. (Unless I see something too adorable to resist of course!)

Plus a Moses basket that is in the family.
Not buying cot until decorating done.

I'm also not intending on buying a baby bath. Will get a new basin for kitchen sink plus one of those crafty sponges with baby shape for support.

So come forth oh wise people of mumsnet, share your collective wisdom and tell me what I really will USE as opposed to what the advertisers tell me I need......

Come again.. The reason I found the video monitor so good (no good for co sleepers) but as soon as they are in their own room and you shut the door on them, you find yourself going in and out for all kinds and disturbing them, and with our audio monitor as soon as ds was sitting up (about 5 months) and then pulling and standing up (not that long after) he would wake at night and if he was lying down would be able to go off on his own again but sitting up or standing would need me to go in and put him back down and by then he would be properly wide awake.
And once he got to toddlerhood it just got so frustrating, and you don't know before you open his door whether he needs you to go back in to lie him down, or whether he is lying down and will be fine in a minute and you would just be disturbing him. And especially as the older he gets the more he plays up to you going in, we caved to video in the end and it's really improved his sleep because you can see clearly without opening the door whether he needs it or not.

Mrsdicaprio, that makes perfect sense when described like that. Will keep an eye on prices.

Unless I see one in community shop that aims to recycle baby stuff

We got a great video monitor second hand on Ebay, and have used it from about 7 months; we co-sleep, but it's still really useful for when you put the baby to bed and want to enjoy precious undisturbed hours in the evening. You can see whether little noises really require intervention or are just baby turning over etc.
We didn't have a sound-only monitor, went straight for video, and it's been a great purchase. Paid about 80 quid vs. +200 new for the model we got second hand (a Motorola MBP36).

What sort of healthcare and grooming items did you guys get?

Nail clippers, little brush...

Was told that I definitelly NEED thermometer you put on forehead but they are quite expensive. Wondering if something cheaper would do?

Baby grooming stuff! Never even thought of that!

bouncer or rocker. i got a lovely one from asda was only £18 and its so padded and soft and it lies flat or sits up, bottle brush blankets and sheets, baby gym, bottles,car seat, changing bag, new mattress for moses basket if moses basket isnt new,changing mat baby towels and wash cloths

Ooooh Xmas came early!

Stuff I got today (from family)

*Blankets x3
Gro/sleep bags x5
Bibs x10
Moses basket sheet x1

New baby
Vests x3
Baby grows x6
Leggings x1
Jackets/cardis x5

0-3months
Vests x18
Baby gros x7
Leggings X2
Winter suit x1

3-6 months
Winter suitx1
Vests x7*

Plus a bouncer chair, rocking padded chair, sling and a baby walker (that may or may not ever be used).

So I'm thinking I still need to buy

• Some newborn vests
• mittens
• some socks (?)
• muslins
• sheets X2 for moses basket
• sheets for cot (cot still to be bought)
• a couple more blankets

It's coming together slowly

I'd echo the bouncy chair and sling recommendations - both were invaluable for us! We got two slings - a Victoria Sling lady jersey one and an Ergo and love them both. Out bouncer was £3 in a charity shop and the best money we've spent!

its great being given baby things :) my friend gave me a cot that was given to her. it was missing 2 of the screws and barrel nuts i got 4 for £2.20 i think from ebay and brought a new mattress for it. i always buy new mattresses in line with fsid advice. i still had ds's moses basket mattress cost £10 from mothercare. i brought one from argos for £8 but it folded up when i put a sheet on ot so useless and it went in the bin

the cot was in as new condition apart from the 2 screws being mossing