1st timer confusion!

[mrsmo]

Hi everyone. This is my first post, although I've been an avid reader for a while now! I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my first baby (DD I discovered on Friday!) and now I've had my second scan I'm starting to get my act together and thinking about what I need to buy. I'm really uncertain about what clothing for a newborn I'll need. The only advice I've received so far is 'not much as you'll be given loads as gifts' but I'd like some ideas on what I'm likely to need. Plus I like the idea of a baby sling but again I'm confused on the different types. Although some say they are suitable for a newborn, should a small baby be in a 'sitting' position in front of you? Wouldn't they be better 'lying' in one of those 'peapod' type slings? What has been your experiences? Thanks for any advice.

Hi mrsmo - I'm also 20 weeks with 1st, so congrats and snap! (though don't know about the DD part, scan on Thursday, prob not going to find out). Can't offer much help I'm afraid but will be interested to see what responses you get.

For at least the few weeks the main things you need are:

Vests, sleepsuit/all in one things, a couple of cotton hats and scratch mitts, people will buy the 'proper' outfits for you, and besides if you aren't planning on going out for the day or anything a new born will be much more comfortable in an all in one than say jeans and a tee, and it is much easier for nappy changes etc. than seperates.

I've never used a carrier with either of mine so I'll leave that to the experts...

Good luck

Congratulations!

As far as slings go, I would say a wrap sling for a newborn and a ring or pouch sling for an older baby - I used a wrap for the first few months but found a ring sling much easier once DS2 was bigger as he is in it for shorter periods of time. He's 13mo now and weighs probably about 22lbs and I still took him to Kent on the train the other day in it

Don't get a carrier type (the Tomy sort) they're not much good for babies.

Hiya

I got a souperdouper carrier front/backnursing position, complete with vibration unit (why?)

The cat sleeps in it b/c my dd was too bloody heavy for me to carry it.

She also stayed in newborn clothes for only FOUR DAYS!!!!

Ask for 0-3 month sized gifts!

My DS just wore baby vests and sleepsuits for the first 2 months. I didn't bother putting him in proper outfits as it was too much hassle as he needed changing so often. Ocasionally he wore a cardigan as well. Scatch mitts came in really handy too in the first weeks. When we went out, he wore an all in one outdoor suit thingy (sorry I'm not sure what they're called) over his sleepsuit and he wore a hat.
We were given a lot of newborn clothes but he was in 0-3 clothes before not too long.

As for slings, we had a Baby Bjorn Active Carrier which was great. DS just used to fall fast asleep in it as soon as we started walking We were able to use it from an early age too, I think DS was about 4 weeks but you can use it from newborn I believe.

Honestly you will get loads of gifts only buy a couple of newborn vest and babygrows and a few in 0-3 of each and only really buy something if it is sucha special litle outfit you cannot pass it lol. You will be amazed at the amount of stuff you will get.
Yes a baby will be fine upright or you can get a puch sling for snuggling have a look at this forum and maybe post for some advice
the babywearer they are the experts on every type of sling out there. I would steer away from baby bjorn/tomy type carriers they are not great for baby and not very supportive so by the time baby is a few weeks old she will be far too heavy.
Congrats on your coming soon baby girl

I bought loads when i was pg with ds and i didnt even use half the stuff as you get so much given.
When we try for our next one id get
-about 6 vests
-6 sleepsuits
-scratch mitts
-a couple of cotton hats
-bibs or muslin cloths

Thats all i used for ds for the first couple of weeks,i didnt put him in proper clothes as half the time we were in the house bombarded with visitors