Baby shopping list...

[KittyKK]

I wonder if anyone can please share their baby shopping list?

I want to buy everything over next couple of weeks, but I feel dizzy from doing too much research. I still don't know what the best thermometer, nail clippers, play mat etc are...

Thank you :)

You need to research less! The lre are many many things that only need to be the most basic/cheapest.

The areas to "get it right" are with the pram and carseat. Probably the biggest expense and used daily.

The little bits and bobs just pick up from a supermarket etc. I never had a thermometer, nail clippers - we just bit babies nails til she got to a year old then used normal nail clippers. Basic baby hairbrush from poundland. Muslins from whichever shop I went into that had them on sale. Playmat we just saw one reduced in Mothercare and got it, its been used for two dcs now.

I found the best sleepsuits were from Next - size, quality, choice of colours, plus they have fold over cuffs so you dont need scratchmitts.

Moses basket or crib - just buy any, they are used for only a few moths. Cotbeds are great as they last til around 5 (sides come off), never bothered with a baby sized wardrobe, just got a big chest of drawers for all the clothes. Bought a change mat from Mothercare because I liked the colour and thats done two dcs. No changing station (not schlepping into the babys room every time I change its bum!!)

Oh and we got a towelling covered "ramp" for the big bath rather thab buy a baby bath.

We have a baby bath on a nice high standard. So much nicer for your back!

I remember this overwhelming feeling but honestly most of the stuff you are led to believe you 'need' is a marketing ploy by the big companies for you to spend money.

Work out what are your priority items, for example a buggy, cot etc then I'd spend more time on things like nappies, vests, blankets etc (the things your baby will 100% need from day 1)

All they will really need is you in the first few weeks, I'm now 40+1 day & will be getting bits and pieces as & when we think they need them

Good luck

Agree with pp- there are so many things that you think are essential, that are actually a bit pointless.
Never used our baby hairbrush or nail clippers (both DCs have inherited my pathetically weak nails- they rarely need cutting). Second time round, didn't bother with the baby bath either.
Muslins- nicest were john lewis but morrisons were fine (we needed A LOT due to pukey baby). Mini muslin squares are especially useful as we now use them for cleaning faces after dinner.
I like the electric ear thermometer- it's easy to use.
Playmat- they're all much of a muchness, buy whatever's on offer! We had one with moving parts which is nice but really not essential.

Best babygroes- next, john lewis (these come up big) and sainsburies, but vests etc we just get from morrisons.

I would try and buy things like Moses basket (minus the matress), play gym, cot mobiles etc at nct or other nearly new sales. You use them for a really short space of time.

Good luck, this is such a lovely, exiting time- enjoy buying the teeny babygros and wondering how on earth anything could fit into them. Newborn babygros make me go a bit misty-eyed now, they remind me of my squidgy babies

For things like playmat or bouncers if you want one bear in mind you won't need for a few weeks really. If you think you are likely to receive gift (money/ gift cards) from family (not saying you should expect any of anything) then that's a good thing to yes it for. If you buy every little things right away you'll be left with money/gift crda you don't know what to depend on.

Disclaimer: I m in no way saying we hold expect gifts of any kind but in my experience sometimes people receive gift cards.

My friend recently asked me what she needed to buy for her first baby and I sent her this incase it's any use to you
I would maybe think about getting your skates on now re ordering things. Babies have a nasty habit of arriving early and catching people off guard! I think a basic starting point would be

Car seat
Buggy
Adapters for car seat to attach to buggy
Snuzpod/crib/Moses basket
Sheets for snuzpod/crib/Moses - I recommend 4 sheets (yes!)
Couple of baby blankets (people will buy you lots as gifts)
Newborn sized and up to 1 month sized white short sleeved vests and long sleeved body suits.
Hat (needed in hospital)
Pack of socks
2 x Baby sleeping bag 1.5 tog (if over 8lbs)
Muslin cloths
Size 1 and 2 nappies
Big bag of cotton wool pads for wiping tiny bums (you'll move onto wipes a little later)
Sudocrem/bepanthen ointment
Nappy sacks (sainsburys basics are fine)
Couple of changing mats - great to have one upstairs and downstairs to save your legs.
Breast feeding widgey pillow - take to hospital with you
Lanisinoh nipple cream - absolutely vital!
A Changing bag of some description

Nursery furniture is useful to store all the above but baby is in with you for first 6 months anyway so don't stress if you haven't sorted it out - I'd get the other stuff first!

Hope that's of help!

Oops meant to take the top of my message to her off! She was 36 weeks and hadn't done anything yet!

I got in a few of each type of nappy and im glad i did. I didnt like boots or aldi. Baby likes pampers so i didnt waste money on rubbish nappies. If you have an electric steriliser get some descaler in it was something i hadnt thought about but needed. Loads of bibs!

I got a tommee tippee set with hair brush, comb, toothbrush, nail files, clippers, scissors and thermometer in for less than a tenner on amazon but we did also bite off nails on advice of the midwife. I got a tippietoes bath for £15 as well and i like it. Has a little seat for baby so you worry less about slipping!

I thought we had pretty much everything ready until I read this list from Mothercare that's like 8 pages long

But then I remembered that obviously it's better for them if you buy all this stuff, and that a lot of it probably isn't necessary.

As long as your baby has something to wear, somewhere to sleep and some form of nourishment, everything else is a luxury!

I actually found that little baby nail clippers were better than the ones I use on myself as they were smaller and I can see what I am doing, I still use them now 22 months on. I got them in a tommee tippee set which I would recommend apart from the thermometer, it's rubbish, get a decent thermometer. Things I didn't use: top and tail bowl and baby bath, just get a bath seat or use the sink when they are tiny. Saves your back. X

I'm just getting organised for DC2. Essentials I will be digging out / re buying are:

Buggy and car seat
I'll be ditching the Moses basket and getting a chicco next 2 me crib and sleepyhead
Playmat, swing and vibrating bouncy chair (useful to have a baby-container in most rooms of the house!)
Sling....I have a close Caboo and just treated myself to a Connecta
Swaddling Muslims and Velcro swaddle wrap
White noise machine / app
Sponge bath support
Hooded bath towel
Lansinoh cream
'Water wipes' instead of cotton wool / water
Few Lamaze toys
Snot sucker device!
Ear thermometer
Changing mat and travel sized changing pouch for handbag
Tiny baby sized clothes and newborn nappies
Found a normal feather pillow better than a c shaped feeding pillow
Snacks! (Had a stash of cereal bars by the bedtime for nightime feeding hunger!)

Then of course cot, cot bedding (just sheets), after a few weeks I got a breast pump, a few bottles and a microwave steriliser. And a monitor, recommend a video one as its great once they are a bit older.