Must haves

[Ann9456]

Trying to get prepared.. 24 weeks and starting to feel very over whelmed at the fact I have nothing for the baby at all.

Space is an issue as we are living with parents but baby will hopefully have own room (when ready ofc)

What are the absolute must haves? I dont have the money or space to be buying unecessary things we wont necessarily use.

Thanks x

Very little really - somewhere to sleep, a car seat if needed and something to transport them in (pram or sling). A lot of people say a changing table is a waste of money but I'm really glad we got one - really does your back in changing the baby on the floor or at an awkward height on a table or the like. I only had 6 vests and 6 babygrows (3 each in newborn and 0-3), we were bought so many clothes after the birth that she hasn't worn everything she's been bought despite my best efforts. So I really wouldn't bother with many clothes. We were bought loads of blankets as well so I wouldn't bother with those unless you want a nice one to use in hospital.

Oh and if you're planning to formula feed then you'll need bottles and some method of sterilisation of course!

Doing everything to make your life easier is the aim in my opinion!

You baby will be feeding and sleeping, so think about your feeding choices and how your baby will sleep (and bear in mind these can change when the baby is here!)

I found a side sleeper cot is essential. I wanted to co sleep to maximise my sleep, but felt the cot at the side of the bed was safer.

A sling saved me in the early days when baby was grumpy in the evenings, also was great for getting about during daytime naps.

Breast feeding or bottle? Nipple cream and bras, comfortable vests to wear for the former, if the latter, there’s a lot of equipment you can use. I hear the perfect prep machine is a life saver.

Keep in mind you can buy and order things once the baby is here. Don’t panic too much to buy lots in advance, people find reality to be different and everyone is different, so it can be hard to say what is essential.

I bought a very expensive travel system, for my second baby. Baby hated the pram from day one, and even now at two needs to be bribed to sit in a buggy. Poor pram abandoned and sling it was!

Best of luck

Even if you intend on bf get a small starter set of bottles and some formula. If you never use it no problem (It's likely you will use the bottles at some point) but definitely good to have. We also had the ready made bottles with the sterilized years in the hospital bag which was a lifesaver when I was struggling to feed DD and hadn't slept all night!

The Angelcare bath seat. Honestly it is amazing, cheap and makes bath time a dream. Dd used it till she could sit up confidently on her own. I can’t reccomend it enough!

Absolutely get a breast pump, just a manual one will do fine. It's an essential

Essentials:

1. An amazon prime subscription best thing ever when you have a newborn!

2. Local mummy friends - try to meet some at antenatal classes

@FloralSocks I second Amazon prime, it's amazing and I am currently subscribing to pampers nappies which with other subscriptions and discounts means I get them for 6 pence a nappy They average at like 22 pence a nappy in small packs in the shops so obviously this service is the bees knees.

You can edit the sizes as your baby grows too. Subscriptions can be monthly, or six monthly, whatever you want. So good for bulk buying too. I did the same with giant cotton wool wipes too.

@Ann9456 Don't be put off by the more 'expensive' prices as its for much larger amounts so per unit its so much cheaper. Buying little and often is a false economy, even though it 'seems' cheaper. However spend 15 pounds on cotton wool and you wont have to buy any for months

Just spent 16 pounds on nappies in one go but got like 250 instead of 22. Prime it baby!

Changing table was a lifesaver for me!

My husband at first said, oh we can just change them on the floor- but I'm so glad I insisted on getting a table.

All the stuff you need for changing is on there- nappies, creams, bags- we had drawers underneath so all the clothes etc were to hand

@TurquoiseDress the changing table is a revelation. I am so pleased we have got one this time round. Gumtree is a joy for these things OP, try and get a solid wood one, you can then even paint it if you want and can be used for chest of drawers after too

Also just gumtree for like everything! and eBay for baby clothes. All mine are organic cotton, or jo jo mamen bebe, petit bateau, john lewis, baby mori....litrally like a thousand pounds worth of baby clothes for just over 100 pounds.

As long as you don't mind second hand but most 0-3 months are in such beautiful condition when they arrive and they have to be washed anyway, new or otherwise

I started buying with the eBay clothes though at about 28 weeks as it takes a while to build a little collection for your baby. I just set myself a £4 limit (including postage) per grow, though some I got in a job lot of say 5 for 10 pounds (these in particular were a bargain as were all petit bateau and would have cost between £15 and £20 each so £2 a piece wasn't bad! Honestly, they were immaculate

Plus hey wash amazing where as the cheap ones (as my friend found out) from h&m ect after a few washes can go really thin. Quality will last and can be packed away for another future baby or sold on eBay too.

These packs of baby grows from the supermarket or H&M look so cute and gorgeous in the packet and the price tag is amazing..there is a reason for this. They are cheaply made, often unethical, and wash really badly, they are throw away often and it's unlikely you will keep them or be able to sell them on too.

It's hard to budget with limited funds I'm totally understanding of that, but a few quality items will benefit you and save you money in the long run.

I have nearly everything second hand and have all the best products on the market, one of the best car seats, a mountain buggy swift travel system (the buggy part was £35 pounds on gumtree, the carry cot £30, car seat and isofix £50, this system is like 800 pounds new ), an ergo baby sling, a medela electric breast pump (35 pouns) a snuz pod (40 pounds with the little green sheep mattress) all second hand but can be washed, sanitized, cleaned to perfection.

I am a student with absolutely no money and as I have brought early, from about 28 weeks, I have accumulated everything I need, and want, at a fraction of the price

You can have what you want too @Ann9456 you don't have to settle for cheap crap that breaks or doesn't function properly.

There are always staples that are very reasonable, i.e muslins can literally just be the cheapest you can find, just one of those 5 pound baby cloth things stretched over wire (they sell at mothercare) but I would especially advise getting your buggy second hand.

Some people are so loaded they have like 2 or 3 and you can benefit from this. It does take a lot of looking though I must say, and it definitely helps if your in a city for collecting things

'one of those 5 pound baby cloth things stretched over wire'

I meant to say this is to bath the baby on it sounded barbaric!

I disagree with potteryprincess, the supermarket baby grows we have wash much better than those from more expensive places like next and are a fraction of a price. DD is 3 months and the majority of her clothes are from asda.

Essentials for us were a sleepy head, baby Bjorn carrier and chair, new born and 0-3 months baby grows (3 of each is all you need as people love to buy them as gifts), baby bath, towel and thermometer for bath water (we had a tummy tub which was great for reflux baby), car seat, buggy (bought second hand), sleep bag, nappies and water wipes, changing bag, back up bottles with ready made formula (just in case you have any problems breast feeding), play mat, night light for bfing at night, and baby monitor. I also wish I'd bought a cot to go by the side of the bed as I believed I would never cosleep and she would go in a Moses basket... silly silly me!!! I coslept from the first night and she was in her sleepyhead on our bed for 3 months!

For the first 6 weeks or so you really don't need much.

Somewhere to sleep - space saver cot, mattress, 4 sheets, 3 cellular blankets

Something to travel in -
Group 0+/0-1 car seat, sling/lie flat pushchair

Something to keep warm -
10 vests, 10 babygrows, 3 cardigans, 1 hat (newborn size to start then buy smaller/bigger when you need). Personally I absolutely love(d) Boots clothing and babygrows, they're cheap, wash really well and do lots of lovely bright colourful things that suit boy or girls.

Something to keep clean - wipes and nappies (either cloth or disposable for both) and muslin squares.

Something to eat - breastfeeding you'll need breast pads (washable or disposable) and some nipple cream
Bottle feeding you'll need formula, 4-6 bottles and a steriliser (cold water/microwave/electric) although MAM bottles are good as you can take them apart and sterilise them in the microwave without any other equipment which is great for space!

Everything else can be added as and when needed. Personally my must haves were a vcushion (cheap from Argos), a bath support and a baby swing I bought second hand for £10 as it was the only place I could put her down without screaming!

@Bobbiepin my friends Next baby grows were awful quality and I would kind of lump them in with the supermarket and h&m ones tbh. Sure some are fine but it is also an ethical choice to for me not to buy them from Asda

And please, please, please do NOT buy a second hand car seat unless you know that it comes from an honest and safety conscious person that you trust.

It's probably the most expensive thing you'll buy but it's the one piece of kit that could be the difference between life and death so it's not worth scrimping IMO.

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@YerAuntFanny I agree, obviously check they have not been in an accident. Even the very pricey ones for 0-12 months are just plastic and pollystyrine under the cushioned fabric which can be removed and checked too see conditions

Because those first ones are only good for a year op, I'm sure someone you know who is trustworthy would pass one on or sell to you. Decent ones new are only about £100 (without the isofix) though you could also get the isofix second hand and the car seat new.

Basically you have lots of options and ways to save and get the maximum potential out of your budget and get some of the nicest, most practical, and safest items for your baby

Buy a car seat new (if you need one?). You don’t have to spend lots to get something reasonable. We bought our isofix base 2nd hand (didn’t need it straight away - just used the belt but it did make it easier when baby was more wriggly!) for £15 from someone around the corner - keep a look out on Facebook/eBay.
Definitely think about 2nd hand for the pram. Also consider whether you need a carrycot attachment or just a lie flat option (for use under 6 months). We did use the carrycot as we travelled (on holiday and to family) and used it for overnight sleeping instead of a travel cot.
Feeding - we bought 2 bottles and were gifted a steriliser. I tried breast feeding (so lanolin/breast pads/feeding bra) but it didn’t work out so we bought a perfect prep - but we did that after baby was here. I’d probably try to put £50-100 aside for purchases once the baby is born as you just dont know until they are here for some stuff.
Lots of stuff is extras. You will most likely get lots of gifts. Some family may even ask what you need (my sil bought my change bag/Mum got the cot).
Try Aldi nappies - if they don’t work no prob but they could save you lots of money (the size 1 ones are 99p atm!)

I was just saying it's personally not something I'd want to scrimp on unless I absolutely had no other choice.

Most expensive doesn't always equate to the nicest or safest anyway :)

@Wait4nothing this is all such great advice I have also heard on the grapevine about aldi nappies so if my pampers subscription ever gets more I will definitely give them a go.

The Op is so lucky to have all this gained knowledge! I didn't know anything or have half of these useful tips 8 years ago with my first.
If you just took @Wait4nothing advice alone @Ann9456 you'll be winning all the way

@YerAuntFanny yes that's exactly why I buy second hand. It's not the most expensive and it's the nicest and often most safest as well made and sturdy

I think mattresses should be bought new, shouldn't they?