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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

First baby - necessary first items/clothing please

14 replies

Toothfairy7 · 22/04/2015 09:07

Hello ladies!
I am pregnant with our first child and already underway with a few purchases .. However, I was wondering if any of you more experienced mums could give me some helpful pointers into absolutely necessary first items for the little one ... For example, how many vests or suits.. Muslins... Etc etc.... I don't want to buy too many (vests for example) because of them growing so quickly but enough ..
What's sensible advice ?
Thanks in advance!!!!

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Number3cometome · 22/04/2015 09:13

Firstly, congratulations!

I am 27+3 with my 3rd, and from experience I would say the following:

  1. Don't buy too much newborn stuff, chances are it won't last long (or won't be worn at all in the case of my babies!)
  2. Keep it simple, vests, babygrows are all you need, no need for trousers / shirts / tshirts etc in very small sizes unless you are planning on going out places - they don't need to be dressed up in the house.
  3. Muslins are a must - get 5 or so and rotate in the wash
  4. If you are on a budget don't feel pressured in to buying things you don't need - for example I found a moses basket completely unnecessary, also some of the big travel systems (mega expensive ones) are just not needed. Yes it's nice to have them (I did all that with DC1) but to be honest, I didn't get any more benefit or use than I did from a cheaper version with DC2 (and saved hundreds!) That of course is personal choice and down to budget, I appreciate some people just want to have nice stuff, and that's fine.
  5. Do not bother with shoes / trainers etc for a small baby, they are not good for their feet and serve no purpose. Socks will do just fine.
  6. Personally (and again my opinion) baby baths are a total waste of time, using the sink or a washing up bowl, or having baby in the bath with you is an easier option (I say again, my opinion)

Good luck OP Grin

FeelTheNoise · 22/04/2015 09:50

Last time I barely had any newborn size clothes and nothing fitted DS Grin this time I've bought a few plain packs of baby grows and vest suits at newborn size. Generally I'm stocking up on vests and baby grows, Muslins and bibs. When we find out the gender (tomorrow!) I will buy bundles from eBay Smile

Toothfairy7 · 22/04/2015 10:00

noise I saw some bundles! Great idea! But mostly I see ones that are gender specific- we aren't finding out the sex of our baby so am after unisex items... Wonder if there's many bundles? Il take a look :) yes have lots of muzzys and vests.... Newborn size is that items marked as about 7lb? Because I am assuming approximately that it is... I would want to risk smaller than that or indeed bigger for a newborn ... Although I have a few larger ones ready for later anyway which is fine

number3 congratulations to you too! And thankyou :)
Good advice there ... Just thinking a few newborn vests and suits and socks, hats and bibs..... Have a bottle and steriliser set ... Disposables can come later on... Any hospital bag essentials? Xx

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LostMySocks · 22/04/2015 15:52

Take food in your hospital bag. Not just for labour but for after. Hospital food is ropey and helpings are tiny

youlemming · 22/04/2015 16:26

People will get you things like the nice little outfits so just go with a couple of packs of the basics, bodysuits baby grows in newborn (about 6 of each) and 0-3 so you are covered for sizes (the 0-3 will always be used later on if newborn is fine at birth).
Definetly muslins and you can never have too many, tesco do some good cheap basic packs of 3 or 5 so get a couple, they last forever and we still use the same ones 5 yrs on.
A couple of little cardis depending on when you are due if too warm for a full suit.
A light weight hat and some scratch mits.
A couple of cellular blankets
As long as you have enough stuff to get through the first few days to a week you will soon work out what else is needed and can send OH or others out to grab bits, there is always somewhere open that will do the basics.

Toothfairy7 · 25/04/2015 12:20

Thankyou ladies... That's really helpful stuff, what about bathing and grooming accessories? Basics and not unnecessary items? Hooded towel.. Disposables... From experience? Sizes? Because at first you think you need everything but I'm sure that's not true... Not the biggest budget on earth so always good to know how to spend wisely

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BucketFullOfDinosaurs · 25/04/2015 12:30

For bathing we just used water. We borrowed a baby bath, but it was awkward to use and we got more use out of a little bath hammock thing we had been lent. A few facecloths are all you need at first for washing, and I found hooded towels really handy, though really any towels will do. The hooded one are generally finer, though, so dry faster.

I've also got good use out of a "top and tail" bowl, though a regular bowl would do the job too (but I only use the top end, and keep things in tail end!).

Grooming wise, a hairbrush is handy if baby has hair (wait and see, you won't need it at first anyway), and I like the Nipper Clipper for cutting nails.

BabyTuckoo · 25/04/2015 12:54

Honestly, Toothfairy, very little. You'll be bombarded with bumf from people who view a first baby as a major marketing opportunity, but you don't need much at all for months! Your newborn needs to eat, sleep, wear clothes and be transported around - that's it. When in doubt, don't buy - there's virtually nothing you can't buy after the baby arrives, and some things you are definitely better off waiting for.

For instance, different babies and parents suit different slings, so I would always try some at a local sling library after the baby arrives, rather than buying when pregnant. Don't bother with a changing bag at all - after the very first few outings they seem bulky and unnecessary and nearly everyone I know just stuck things in a big handbag.

We bathed DS in a plastic bowl when he was brand new, then he graduated to the big bath with his dad (and still does at 3). Metanium nappy rash cream is very useful if needed. A friend gave us a soft hooded towel, which was lovely, but we usually just used our own old, soft bath towels. No products in the water. Easier to trim newborn nails with your teeth. A semi-circular BF pillow was useful for feeds and for supporting DS once he started to sit up.

You'll be given loads of clothes, so just buy a few basic babygros, a blanket or two, sheets for whatever cot/Moses basket you are using, cheap muslins. A bag of nappies, but again, some newborns are whoppers, some tiny, and you'll be able to gauge better once the baby is here.

The only frantic purchase we had to make in the first few days was bottles, formula and a steriliser when it emerged I couldn't BF.

Toothfairy7 · 25/04/2015 20:41

Interesting, thanks ladies... Yes I don't want to go overboard... You do feel bombarded with things and feel you should get everything... Their needs are basic and will grow very quick!
Very good about the sling too, we will wait until bambino is here and go from there ...I think we will be alright you know :)))

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 25/04/2015 20:44

Get a Gro Swaddle. Its a shaped stretchy wrap that basically induces sleep Grin. Once you get used to swaddling (or know baby responds to it) you can just use large muslins or sheets, but its handy in the first months to have a shaped blanket.

Toothfairy7 · 26/04/2015 11:33

Oooh!!! Are they well priced? Did you like yours? Sounds a good idea actually... So etching to make them feel safe and snuggled and secure to sleep well

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 26/04/2015 12:03

Ypu can get them from around £7 up to about £15 depending on the print/pattern. I got white plain ones on offer from Tesco for £4 but that was a year ago. I sold mine on ebay for next to nowt so may be worthlooking on there if you want a real bargain. We loved ours - both babies slept so well.

3rdbump · 26/04/2015 12:11

This will be our 4th baby.
We have bought all neutral as its going to be a surprise :D
Have bought everything in 0 - 3 months as last baby was 9lb2 and none of the new born stuff fitted!

Around 15 vests
Around 15 sleepsuits
3 cardigans
4 hats
2 summer hats (will get these once baby is born)
6 muslin cloths

The baby will live in these, we find people love to buy the cute boy/girl baby outfits anyway and TBH sleepsuits are more practical in the early weeks

Sleeping bag
3 fitted moses sheets
3 moses blankets

1 larger blanket
3 baby towels with hoods

Moses basket
Cot bed (we already have from our son)

Baby bath

Bugaboo (donated by sis in law)

Maxi cosi baby seat & base

Change bag

Changing mat

Baby bouncer chair (essential for when i need to put baby down!)

Steriliser
6 x baby bottles

Supplies of nappys & wipes for first 2 weeks

Formula

I think thats it, if i think of anymore will let you know! :D

Toothfairy7 · 26/04/2015 22:26

thankyou very much !! :) thats really great Grin
I like knowing experiences from other mums because you know what you've found really essential and what is not so essential because it's hard to tell when you're a first time mum to be. I really appreciate everybody's input xx

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