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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Baby things you couldn't live without

79 replies

SophieStripe · 24/09/2018 11:54

So I am going through my list and buying bits but there is SO much stuff out there I keep getting side tracked! I know in reality baby needs very little e.g clothes and somewhere safe to sleep etc but I know there are actually lots of good products out there that do make a difference and juts make life that little bit easier. So, what are the products you would recommend that you now couldn't live without?!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
eggofmantumbi · 24/09/2018 18:10

Oh and definitely don't buy a noise machine- free phone app will do

thebabysmellsofpooagain · 24/09/2018 18:21

Chicco Next to Me crib
Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep
Tommee Tippee Anti Colic Bottles
Steriliser
MyHummy
Angelcare Bath Seat
Video monitor
Dummies
Muslins
Sleeping bags

Thins for you - I bought these things that were like gel sanitary towels that you wash and pop in the freezer! Bloody amazing! Got them from Amazon. Absolute life saver for the first week after!

There's probably more but nothing I can think of xx

TwittleBee · 24/09/2018 18:22

Sling - cannot stress enough how much this saved my sanity. On the days DS only wanted to be held it meant I could still get on and do things.

ButAIBUtho · 24/09/2018 18:28

Everyone who is mentioning Sleepyheads, do you use them at night? I thought they were a suffocating risk?

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 24/09/2018 18:43

Similar to everyone else: jumperoo, prep machine, next to me, poddle & toddle pod for daytime napping/time out as my LO is forever rolling, Lamaze butterfly pram toy. Sorry return button isn’t working!!

TwittleBee · 24/09/2018 18:47

ButAIBUtho I thought the same which is why I never bought one

Smurfybubbles · 24/09/2018 21:21

For you I would say all of the comfy stretchy clothes! I made the mistake of packing my non maternity leggings in my hospital bag, what a mistake that was Confused

Netflix subscription and snacks are key for the first few weeks when your glued to the sofa feeding non stop.

I also bought a hair and face mask for when I felt up to it, it was a nice pick me up to pop them on and hop in a bath for half an hour to try relax. Oh and a really nice hand cream because you'll spend your life washing your hands.

Catspyjamazzzz · 24/09/2018 21:23

Sudacreme. Giant pants for after giving birth.

PointeShoesAndTutus · 24/09/2018 21:29

For baby: infacol, water wipes, lots of muslins, grosnug/grobags, next to me/snuzpod bedside cot. For me: spritz for bits (cooling spray made by midwifes and safe on stitches), the bedside cot so I didn’t have to get up for feeds and could just scoop baby out, lanisoh breast pads (the other brands are nowhere near as good) and enormous pants (I’m a size 10/12, I bought size 18/20!)

thismeansnothing · 24/09/2018 21:29

Muslin. Lots and lots of muslin. And then some more muslin.

Baby bath (we only have a shower so was used till DD was 2.5/3)

Lanisoh cream (tbh I should have got shares in them)

Breast pads (leaked until I stopped feeding at 9 month. Found Tommie tippee and johnsons ones were best)

Breast pump

Jumperoo (for when they are a bit bigger, buy second hand and resell)

Thermos mug, decent box sets and hand cream. More for me but essential

SpikyCactus · 24/09/2018 21:34

Another vote for Ewan the Dream Sheep. A toy saver strap (£1.99 on EBay) to fasten a toy to the buggy and prevent baby from chucking it on the floor and losing it. Portable high chair that clips to dining chair (no more filthy restaurant high chairs without trays).

sohypnotic · 24/09/2018 22:04

Sleeping bags (newborn size not 0-6 - so much easier than blankets)

Infacol

Perfect prep machine and steriliser if bottle feeding

White noise app and Bluetooth speaker (we gave up on Ollie the owl as our baby woke up as soon as the white noise stopped, whereas an app allows continuous play and doesn't need batteries)

Black and white picture books

Changing mat with deep ridge sides - much safer when they discover rolling (usually sold as over cot mats but you can unscrew those bits of using it on a worktop)

Feeding pillow - useful in early days of feeding and then as a support for when baby first sitting up

I also recommend the angelcare sensor pad monitors for later on - it provided the extra reassurance needed when transitioning baby to own room, and we havnt had any issues with it false alarming like some reviews say

Snoozeshade (for Pram) especially in summer (don't bother with Pram parasols - they're really awkward and fall off all the time)

Sleepyhead (not necessarily straight away as expensive if not needed - but quickly if you have the problem of baby waking up as soon as they are put down)

And to the PP who asked, yes we use sleepyhead over night, and have done since 3 months. We used it in the travel cot when she outgrew the Moses basket but was still in our room, and between us in bed if we were having a bad night (regularly) to make co-sleeping safer. She then transitioned with it into cot in her room at 6 months with no problems. Lullaby trust don't endorse anything, however the sleepyhead is tested for overnight sleeping, unlike many similar products. I certainly view it as safer than accidentally falling asleep with a very young baby as desperately sleep deprived, and if there's a next time around I wouldn't hesitate to use it sooner if needed.

Thetimehascometo · 24/09/2018 22:27

For baby- grosnug bags (amazing swaddle bags that even DH couldn’t get wrong), bouncy chair, millions of Muslins, angelcare bath seat. for you- nipple shields, big pants, maternity leggings, snacks, batch cooked meals in the freezer 😊

owl89 · 25/09/2018 07:35

The two things I couldn't cope without: perfect prep machine and Ewan the sheep. I planned on breast feeding but that didn't work so perfect prep was a life saver. My 2 year old still loves his ewan now.

owl89 · 25/09/2018 07:36

Oh and for after giving birth get yourself lots of comfy leggings and big t shirts. Nice warm socks and big granny pants Grin

QueenOfMyWorld · 25/09/2018 07:44

If you don't want to breastfeed or can't the perfect prep machine is a godsend

twiglet · 25/09/2018 07:49

This is an incredibly useful thread thanks as I have also been baffled!

wasthataburp · 25/09/2018 09:05

perfect prep is by far the most used product we had

londonfeather · 25/09/2018 09:35

We are a year in... lots of stuff you can see how you go and buy later (jumperoo etc) but things I would suggest for when you get home from hospital: baby bjorn bouncer, next to me cot if you plan on breastfeeding, cellular blanket, zip babygrows/ kimono style vests for when they are really tiny and feel like head held in place with a piece of atringn, cheeky wipes bum set - if your baby has sensitive skin these are so much better than cotton wool or using wipes all the time. For you, so many more maternity pads than you think you’ll need - my midwife said to avoid infection if you have any sort of stitches change after every wee, nipple cream that comes in purple tube (forget the brand name), breast pads, parercetamol and iberbroofen incase you have stitches, lots of snacks. (Sorry for no paragraphs, return button not working) the more expensive items like bouncer and bedside cot can be bought second hand and then you can buy new bouncer fabric & mattress if you are looking to save a few £££

stargirl1701 · 25/09/2018 09:43

DD1 - a shit load of other adults

DD2 - breasts, sling, nappies, babygrows

stegosauruslady · 25/09/2018 11:11

For you...really lovely pjs and dressing gown. I like receiving visitors in my pjs after a baby is born, I feel like it reminds them that I'm recovering, don't ask me to run around after you!

Travel mug. I'm a clumsy oaf and would have spilt my tea on my babies otherwise.

VeryIdentifyingTatt · 25/09/2018 11:18

I'm going to echo what others have said I think, I had a very colicky DD who also had dairy intolerance so was very prone to reflux and liked to be held.
For you:
Travel mug (you might actually get a hot drink),
Lanolin if planning to breastfeed,
Comfortable pull on clothing.
For baby:
A baby carrier or sling
More muslins than you ever think you will use.

TheVanguardSix · 25/09/2018 11:20

Sleepyhead
Fisher Price jumperoo
Ama wrap sling
Cheeky wipes set
Sophie the giraffe (all 3 kids had one- from the 16 year old to the 4 year old... the dog chewed up our last one).

For myself, Tisserand aromatherapy roller balls.
I recommend an excellent ergonomic bedtime pillow for every mother! Not only new mums! My aching neck and head benefit so much from this. We are often bending our necks with kids (and phones!) plus the strain on my neck when cycling with kids in tow adds more stress to this region.

And a ghillie suit. Always have a ghillie suit, especially at the school gates when you’ll need it most. Grin

BertieBotts · 25/09/2018 11:32

H&M nursing tank tops with built in bra

Always Discreet pants - layer a maternity towel on top for the first few days. (They aren't discreet, they are comfy). Just get large.

A fluffy dressing gown

Lansinoh

Muslin cloths

Galt playnest

Baby wipes with the snap close tops. Don't bother getting any brand without this.

Bedside cot. + Set of safe co sleeping guidelines even if you plan never to use them - it's MUCH better to be informed than make a less safe choice in desperation.

Foodylicious · 25/09/2018 11:36

You might find this thread a good read

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/3369593-things-you-didn-t-bother-with-the-second-time-round