What essentials do I need for me and the baby when it's born

[bumblebee86]

I'm pregnant with my first and we want to get together a list of things we need to get for me and the baby. What things have you found really useful, essential and also things you didn't really use? Any advice would be really helpful

If you can, book a nursery appointment with John Lewis and create a list from there. We did that just after the 20 week scan so DH and I could agree on big purchases like the pram and cot. We then snapped up offers when they came along.

Nothing is really "essential" in a world where you can get anything within 24 hours so I'd do loads of research but buy as little as possible. Rest and have a much tlc with your partner as you can!

Get things as you need them, for example don't bother with highchairs and jumperoos etc until the baby is nearly ready for them. Don't stock up on nappies, wipes, or even shampoos etc, various reasons really but I've found that my two didn't get on with certain products, took rashes from wipes, had frequent nappy explosions with certain nappies etc.

If you aren't bfing I highly recommend the Tommee tippee perfect prep it takes any bottle and is so easy to use.

We bought very little before DS was born as it turned into a high risk pregnancy and I was too anxious to even consider the fact that I would bring a baby home. You can get anything you need from Amazon or 24 hour supermarket! It actually worked out really well and we were bought lots of stuff and things that I thought I would need but actually didn't never got bought! You need somewhere for the baby to sleep, a means of feeding (even if planning to BF it's worth getting a starter pack of formula with tears included just in case) a couple of packs of babygros and vests, nappies and wipes, a couple of blankets/sleeping bags and a car seat.

Definitely the Tommee Tippee perfect prep bottle machine!! It's amazing. Saves time when your baby is screaming for a feed. (That's I'd your not BF of course)

I'm on baby no.6 and have never bothered buying baby toiletries since baby no.1 as they go unused, apart from baby top to toe wash. Plenty of baby sleepsuits and bibs/muslins, outfits are cute but it's very awkward dressing a newborn in the early weeks. Nice comfy clothing for your self and plenty of maternity pads, decent painkillers for after pains. Nice snacks. I'm sure others will give plenty of ideas, I've done a huge brain fart so can't think straight 😂

You definitely need a baby car seat. I'm not being a snob here but that is one thing that I'd make sure was brand new. Speaking of new stuff never use a secondhand mattress. I'd also make sure my bottles were new whether pumping or formula feeding because I found that as bottles got older they suffered wear and tear, some leaked or the teats busted.

You will want a baby bath, and yes plenty of vests and sleepsuits. Baby nail clippers are a little essential their nails grow very quick.

You might want to have more than one changing mats because when there's an explosion it's easier to clean baby up then put them on a clean mat to put the new nappy on and dress them.

If you are on a budget don't worry you don't need £700 prams etc, I found that these things got puked on anyway so I went for cheaper prams and even cheaper buggies.

Nipper cream
Nicole Shields
Shit loads of heavy duty sanitary pads
Nipple pads
Nappies
Fibogel and plenty of dried fruit as constipation can occur!!!
Loads of wipes (water wipes are great)
Water bottle with straw
Snacks (nuts, dried fruit)
Good box sets on hand
Easy food to bung in oven

Nipple Shields not Nicole ffs

Lansinoh cream for nipples is best.

One thing we did was to get my dh choose the 'going home' outfit for the baby, helped him feel a bit more included. We kept this in a memory box.

Also a large travel mug so that when you make a brew make two and there is one done for later if you are home alone with a baby sleeping or feeding on you.

This is our 'need to get' list for baby number 2 due in September. Not everyone will find the same things essential though.
Moses basket with new mattress
Sheets
Blankets
Mitts
Socks
Cardigans
Snowsuit
Hats
Dummies
Bottles
Bottle brush
Steriliser
Formula and starter pack
Muslins (we didn't use bibs until DD was around 4 months last time)
Play gym and some toys
Changing mat
Wipes
Nappies
Cotton wool
Bath
Top to toe baby bath
Babygrows
Vests
Olive oil (for the dry skin)

And for you
Slippers without a back
Plenty of big knickers and massive pads!
Nipple pads
A comfortable bra
Dry shampoo
Painkillers
Snacks
Wipes
Easy food (I will probably freeze a lasagne, cottage pie etc. For the first week as it will be so busy.)

Oh just seen nail clippers. Those too!

Cushions and pillows in a vast array of shapes and sizes. Firm to support your back and arms - ideal bfg position is straight back (cushions or pillows to support), baby raised to her cheek level with your nipple (might take four pillows or firm cushions underneath to support mother's arm and baby) and then you'll need extra for your sides.... comfy mother and baby with no need to tug really minimises pain in early breastfeeding. Running alongside this is the firm advice, if you co-sleep remove all pillows and cushions as it is perfectly possible to place one over the baby in your sleep - I've done it. Fortunately my baby was over a year old (I didn't have pillows in the bed until she was that age) and could give me a good kicking to wake me up.

Lavender oil for your bath. And painkillers. Plenty of maternity pads. Nappies. Citton wool pleats. Muslin cloths and blankets. Vests and sleepsuits. Stretchy sleep bras are cheap in Peacocks. Washable breast pads from Boots. Tea and biscuits for visitors. Cleaning wipes if you don't want to spray cleaning products around the baby. A low light lamp for night feeds. A baby bath support. Pram, car seat, somewhere to sleep. Not much else.