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Pregnancy

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

Essentials List

18 replies

TreeSparrow · 13/09/2015 09:31

I know these threads might have been done to death already, but what things do you buy before baby arrives? So far I've got:
Cot and mattress
2 mattress protectors
4 fitted sheets
2 cellular blankets
2 sleeping bags from IKEA
2 soft fleecy blankets
1 changing bag
12 muslin squares
1 changing mat

A pram and car seat are the next big purchases but what else should go on the list? Clueless! A baby carrier/sling?

Also, how'd you know what size sleep suits and nappies to get?

Do I need a cot bumper?

Thanks Blush

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 13/09/2015 10:10

No you don't need a cot bumper, they aren't recommended. Some people use the airwrap ones. The lullaby trust has some good info on sleeping see here:

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/mattresses-and-bedding

I bought up to 1 month sleep suits and vests and 0-3. Didn't use newborn, DS would have grown out of them quickly. We bought size 1 nappies, but don't buy tons as you may find they leak and you want to change brands. I think we've used every brand of nappies in 3 years.

Hats are only needed for outdoors and scratch mits are useful or buy the sleepsuits (babygros) with the fold over cuffs.

You may find you're changing vests and babygros 3 times a day so buy at least 10 of each. They're cheap enough to buy, supermarkets do nice ones. We did bit a few more expensive ones from Next. Especially neutral ones as we didn't find out the sex either time.

Nappy cream, metanium is excellent for nappy rash, just apply a thin layer. Sudocrem is good too, they make a good barrier cream. I only apply cream when I need to.

If you're breast feeding then a supportive pillow is good, if not then first time round I bought a microwave steriliser and second time bought a Milton tank which was so much easier and less of a faff. Tommeee tippeee bottles were really good, still using them with dc2. I had a change mat for upstairs and down, I never bothered with a change table.

Don't forget that all supermarkets regularly have baby events so you will always find offers and things cheaper so don't panic too much, and you'll be given loads when baby is born.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 13/09/2015 10:12

Oh and I had a close caboo and a baby born sling, hated the baby bjorn. The wrap ones are lovely.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 13/09/2015 10:14

Oh and we found a car seat that had adapters to clip to the pram frame really useful. But don't forget that newborns can't spend a long time in a car seat and should be laying flat as much as possible. We have a bugaboo bee which I love love. Best thing with prams is to think about what fits your needs and go and play in a big department store.

Gingernut81 · 13/09/2015 10:16

I've got about 12 0-3 month sleep suits and similar amount of 3-6 month ones in case I give birth to a monster! We don't know what we're having so I figure we (or DH) can pop out & get more appropriate size/colour when it arrives, I know for a fact that my mum will be shopping like a trooper when it arrives as its her first grandchild & she's really having to restrain herself on the shopping front!
We've got a few packs of the new born size nappies, again if we need anything different we figure DH or parents can pop & get us a different size.
No idea about the cot bumper, I think they look pretty but then I've read horror stories about them. Ours will be in a Moses basket for some time so I'm going to ask health visitor about it nearer the time.
As for a sling, we're going to purchase it once baby's here. I thought it might be give us a better idea about which is more comfortable for us/baby.

CarShare · 13/09/2015 10:22

For nappies I'm planning on getting two large packets of size 1 and then seeing how I get on. My nephew was in size 2 by three weeks old so any more than that would have been too many.

He is now 4 weeks old and is in 3-6 months clothes so lots of 0-3 clothes remain unworn and will be passed on/sold on eBay.

Don't go too mad- you'll get loads of gifts and can always internet shop whilst you're up at night feeding the baby if you need extras!

CarShare · 13/09/2015 10:23

For nappies I'm planning on getting two large packets of size 1 and then seeing how I get on. My nephew was in size 2 by three weeks old so any more than that would have been too many.

He is now 4 weeks old and is in 3-6 months clothes so lots of 0-3 clothes remain unworn and will be passed on/sold on eBay.

Don't go too mad- you'll get loads of gifts and can always internet shop whilst you're up at night feeding the baby if you need extras!

CarShare · 13/09/2015 10:23

Sorry! Double post

soloula · 13/09/2015 10:50

We had a couple of changing mats. One for upstairs and one for down, with a wee changing box downstairs. Not essential but saved running upstairs every time we needed a nappy change during the day which with newborns can be a lot!

I never bothered with a feeding pillow - I just used a regular cushion on the sofa and had a spare pillow beside the bed for night feeds.

Lunastarfish · 13/09/2015 10:53

If you're planning on breastfeeding buy a sports waterbottle so you have water next to you at all times

SparklyPenguin · 13/09/2015 11:03

Somewhere safe you can pop the baby in for daytime naps/ if you need to nip to loo... We have a daybed but a bouncy seat/ Moses etc would do the trick. Yes to support pillow for feeding (if breast then maybe you want a pump and basic bottle set too, and definitely some Lansinoh nipple cream!) and a sports bottle for yourself cos it's thirsty work! Plenty of baby vests to go under main outfit. A bath support eg Angelcare so you can wash baby easily and safely, and those little hooded towels are good. Tons of gentle wipes or cotton wool. Non bio washing powder or tabs.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 13/09/2015 11:48

DS1 napped on the floor, on me or on the sofa next to me. I didn't have a moses basket until DS2 came along. If I needed a shower he came with me in his bouncy chair!

Yes to a basket with nappies and wipes for downstairs, makes life so much easier. When they are bigger, emptying it is great entertainment...

Silverglitter · 13/09/2015 12:35

Thanks so much for starting this thread TreeSparrow I had the same questions and so far it's been great.
Can I ask do people think a baby bouncer of some sort is necessary? I'm happy to buy one if it will make life easier but at the same time don't want to waste money on something that won't be used?

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 13/09/2015 12:36

Totally depends on your baby. My first hated it, second loved it!

RooibosTeaAgain · 13/09/2015 13:15

Cotton wool
nappy cream ( I liked metamium)
laninsoh ( great if breastfeed)
Small container of hand gel
Nappy bags and nappies ( I used washable ones after six weeks but bought 2 packs of newborn size 1 to start with, then needed more!)

CarShare · 13/09/2015 13:30

Silver You could possibly get a bouncer cheap on eBay or at an NCT nearly new sale so it's not too bigger investment if the baby isn't a fan! It's the only thing that gets my 4 week old nephew off to sleep! (But as Jeff says- could go either way).
My sis suggested I buy a bucket for soaking clothes covered in sick/poo so the sinks remain available.
On a more pleasant note- hardly an essential but she also recommended a little memory box to keep scan pics, first photo, lock of hair from first hair cut etc

TreeSparrow · 13/09/2015 17:05

Thanks so much for all the replies. I feel better informed already and I can update my list. Smile

OP posts:
Topsy34 · 13/09/2015 18:18

My essentials this time round
8-10 vests
8-10 babygros
2x swaddle or gro bags
2x crib sheet
1x blanket for out and about
1x car seat
Pack or 2 of nappies
Pack or 2 of wipes or cotton wool
Crib
Bum cream
Lanisoh
A full buckle sling
A wrap or 2 (or 3 depends how excited i get)
6 muslins
1 or 2 cellular blankets

Erm....thats it i think. Otherwise breast pads, and new bras for me

BuggerLumpsAnnoyed · 13/09/2015 19:17

I've got a few packs of up to 1 month sleep suits and vests, but I've left them in the packet and kept the receipt in case the babies quite big (first DS was 8lb1 and there are some 10lb babies in our families) the rest are up to 3 months.

I've got the car seat from DS and all the pram stuff, but I discovered slings later on with DS and can't see me using the pram much. My SIL is buying me a lovely wrap.

A bunch of knitted cardigans (my mum runs a nursing home and I think she runs a granny knitting sweat shop) and a snow suit (due November)

The main thing I've splashed out on is a co-sleeper and the bedding that goes with it.

I think bouncers are good, from a few weeks when DS was getting more alert he liked having a little look around so liked being a bit more upright.

Yes need lots of lanisoh and breast pads! Hoping my feeding bras from before might be alright.

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