Preparation...what do I need?

[gosteady]

Hi everyone, due next month and starting to get nursery etc organised. I think I've got most things sorted, but afraid I've missed something. Can you hit me with the basics, including quantities?? Like how many bottles (planning to breast feed initially), maternity pads etc. Thanks!

No idea I'm afraid but hoping to bump this as I'd love to read the answers too.

Sorry I can't help you either (34 weeks fmto) but would be interested to see what the experienced mums would suggest.

You don't need any bottles at first if breastfeeding as pumping isn't recommended until 6 weeks when supply is established. I bought 3 tiny Tommee Tippee bottles when ds was 4 weeks old and they were all we ever needed up until he stopped wanting ebm at about 10 months.

I would still get the bottles just in case baby struggles to feed. I've had pr9blems breastfeeding and have had to express so I was glad I had them. I got a pack of four tommee tippee ones from aldi for 6 quid. Not sure if they still have them.
Lots of muslin cloths, I have about ten and it's still not enough!!
Lots of mittens too as baby is constantly shoving them in her mouth so they get dirty quickly.
Lots of thin/thick blankets. Found that all the blankets we had were too thick so we had to go and buy more
Not sure about anything else as my baby is still tiny and none of her newborn clothes fit her and all of her socks are huge. Had to go out and buy loads of tiny baby clothes when she arrived

Oh and maternity pads, I took 3 packets of the boots ones with me to the hospital but it turns out I didn't need them as the midwife told me to take as many hospital ones with me as I wanted. I would still stock up myself though just in case your hospital isn't as generous

A few bottles of ready made formula and a bottle for emergency
100 nappies - could use 10 a day!
Lots of pads and underwear for you
Lots of grows and vests
Cotton wool and wipes
Muslins
Comfy clothes for you
Blankets and sheets

Enjoy this special time!

I had a few bottles and milk just in case and I did need to top up my baby. The mam anti colic bottles I found best and they just sterilise in microwave so I managed with 1, the other bottles gave him wind so I couldn't use them ( just bf now though).
Infacol is great for wind. Amazon prime is great if you live a long way from a 24 hour supermarket. Puppy pads for putting on the changing mat or bed in hospital as it absorbs any wee and makes dealing with an explosive poo easy. More clothes than you think especially in your hospital bag. Water wipes are really gentle on babies skin. The cotton wool pads rather than balls. The nappies with the wee indicator strip for newborns so when the mw asks how many wet nappies you know.
I also used a lot more maternity pads than I expected (10 packs).

Thanks everyone!! Starting to get very exciting

I'm trying to prepared too! I'm only 26 weeks but it calms me to feel ready :)

• We've got a small set of 4 Mam bottles ready, just in case breastfeeding doesn't work out. It also came with a pump and steriliser for about £30 on amazon.
• Swaddle blanket, hoping this helps us get into a good early sleep routine.
• Tons of muslins, about 20. They're cheap and I figure we'll need lots!
• Blankets for baby (Our is due January) so want to be able to layer them when we need to and have some spare when they need washing.
• Bath thermometer and nail cutters (tommy tippee do a little set in mothercare with all the little essentials for £12)

Looking forward to hearing other suggestions!

Placemarking to check my list later!

For BFing - get lansinoh nipple cream (it's amazing, accept no substitutes), lots of muslins and a big old cup with a lid and a straw for you. It's thirsty work!

No harm in getting a couple of bottles as a fallback. I liked the Avent natural ones as they mimic a real boob so are supposedly good for BF babies having the odd bottle feed.

Clothes: half a dozen sleepsuits (that's the full on babygro with feet) and ten or so bodysuits (vests that do up under the bum, can be long or short sleeved). Couple of hats. A warm pramsuit for this time of year. Don't bother buying socks. I panic bought dozens of tiny newborn socks and then realised all the clothes had feet . See if anyone can lend you a couple of tiny/newborn outfits in case they are really little at birth, that way you can buy clothes in size 0-3 months and hopefully not waste money on smaller ones that might not be needed.

Lots of baby wipes, buy in bulk. A couple of packs of size zero nappies but don't go crazy, they grow out of them really fast. Get a pack of size 1 nappies too, so you can go up a size without needing to go shopping.

And if you haven't already, start filling up your freezer with food so you don't have to cook until they are at least a month old!

Oh lord , I am 25 weeks with DS2 and this post is giving me palpitations such an amazing time but I have forgotten just how much stuff newborns need!
Lots and lots of muslins
More baby clothes than you think you'll need
More maternity pads than you think you'll need
Hold onto those comfy jammies and maternity pants a while longer
Water wipes are not just for babies!
Plenty of nappies and wipes to see you through those first few weeks
Plenty of ready meals / easy snacks - vaguely remember inhaling Bourbon biscuits during those first few days/nights where everything blurs into one very long feed
Ooooh enjoy it ladies !!!! Cannot wait for this next little bundle of joy to arrive!! There's just nothing else like it