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

Yes, new mattresses has been the advice for many years from sids ect

Though if they fit certain criteria they can be second hand. Easy to research online and through midwife

New ones, especially for bedside cribs are not very expensive though so not a problem op

Definitely Amazon Prime.
I went to an Aldi baby event when pregnant and basically bought everything for newborns - some baby grows and vests, muslins (I had a very leaky baby so we actually ended up ordering a ton more of these), a moses basket with bedding, nappies, sudocrem, cellular blankets and some bottles and formula (as a back up in case breastfeeding didn't work so didn't get tons). It was all very reasonably priced and I used it all - still buy the Aldi nappies now.
Other than baby stuff, stock up on painkillers, laundry detergent and food for you and your partner to keep you ticking over for the first couple of weeks. Congratulations and good luck!

Hey op, there is an app called shpock where you can get bit you need cheaper. It's used or new bits. Just an insight I got a box of 96 size1 nappies and a pack of 22 size 1 for £6 bargin.

Have a look on local Facebook selling sites for stuff. You can put the baby down into a car seat / rock them in it if you don't have room for a bouncer. We used a changing mat from Ikea that had inflatable sides so you could fold and travel with it. We didn't think changing tables were safe and could store the mat under the cot when not needed. You'll also need to wash baby laundry at 60 degrees so think if you need a seperate laundry basket. We'll be using a washing basket that, again, can go under the cot when not needed.

We found hippy chick waterproof sheets a god send as well to speed up bedding changes overnight.

Remember second hand clothes are fine - dettol laundry sanitises everything if your worried and people buy you so many things clothes wise.

I found a sling so helpful - we got and expensive one but sure the cheap ones are fine. Means you can strap the baby to you, cook and clean(sort of!) and get ro7nd the shops with both hands free and baby cosy and close to you. Seen some second hand on eBay for about a tenner.

For me, a sling was essential. Not a fancy one, but literally one that is a long stretchy piece of fabric that you tie yourself. Buy as much as you can second hand. The only piece of equipment we bought new was the car seat. We borrowed a moses basket and bought a new mattress for it for £10 from Mothercare. We also use cloth nappies and wipes which saves us a lot of money. You will need LOTS of muslins. The cheap ones are fine. Big muslins can be as sheets, a changing mat, blankets, a shade for the oram or car, etc. We borrowed a baby bouncer which has been invaluable, but not all babies like them.

We wash all the baby clothes and bedding at 40 degrees and with normal washing powder, but half the amount specified on the box. We haven't had any issues. Nappies and wipes are washed at 60.

We have a baby monitor but haven't used it (DS is 16 weeks) as he sleeps in the same room as us. In the day he sleeps in the sling or bouncer in the same room as me. When he was smaller he would sleep in the moses basket. Baby towels are not essential.

If you plan to breastfeed: I was an overproducer when it came to milk and breast shells were essential to me, as was a breast pump when I had problems. Lanisoh nipple cream is a must have. It's quite expensive but so worth it and you are unlikely to need more than one tube. It also is an excellent lip balm.

Wow thankyou so much for all your suggestions and advice. It is much appreciated xx

A stretchy wrap style sling is lovely and soft for a newborn to carry around the house in the first few weeks, helps settle baby and you have your hands free for getting a sandwich/going to the loo etc.

An inexpensive bouncy chair is great for when you want to get a shower (if you have a Velcro baby like mine who hates being left on his own for too long!)

Get a Netflix subscription for times when you will be pinned to the sofa under a sleeping/feeding baby (and for the first few days if you struggle to move anywhere other than from the bed to the sofa!)

Plenty of muslins in case you have a sticky baby, also handy as impromtu changing/play mats, and bibs when they are a little older.

Invest in a few H&M nursing vests if you plan to breastfeed. I wasted so much money on bras while I was pregnant but went up about three cup sizes after my supply had finally settled down! Also they will be much more comfy than a bra when your boobs are all sore in the first week.

A co sleeper cot is great, I had my DS in a next 2 me until he was 8 months it was pretty roomy. He’s still not gone into his own room yet though and I’ve ended up taking the drop side off his big cot and sidecarring it up against my bed, potentially could do this to save a few pennies from the get go? But the co sleeper cots have the advantage of being slightly more compact (if I did this all over again I would probably still get the co sleeper!) and you can use the next 2 me as a travel cot too.

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and posting to come back to this list!

Car seat
Pram or sling
Moses basket or crib, fitted sheets, blankets
Shawls or swaddling thing
Steriliser, bottles, dummies, formula
6 babygros (I found mothercare very good)
6 body vests
A few cardigans
Plastic backed bibs with velcrose fasteners
Snow suit, hat and gloves (winter baby)
Jacket, sunhat (summer baby)
Pack of newborn nappies, wipes, sudocream,nappy sacks
New washing up bowl for bathing
Baby bubble bath, shampoo, whatever is recommended for umbilical cord nowadays (midwife should advise)
Changing bag for going out.
Think thats about all I had.
People will probably buy you stuff like clothes.