Changing Table and Wash Essentials

[MagicalCreatures]

FTM @ 26 weeks and I’m starting to get all my bits and bobs together ready for my little boys arrival. Went to Asda today and felt a little bit overwhelmed by how many products there are. I really have no idea where to start. I want to fill up my changing table with all the bits I’ll need, from creams to cotton buds and any wash bits I’ll need for baby’s bath too. And also, any essential first aid style things for a newborn such as medicines etc. Anything that won’t break the bank too preferably. Thanks in advance x x x

I had a little travel changing mat that I used in the house and changed on the floor. So much easier and less stress when they wiggle about dropping off the changing table! Especially at night where I just changed on the bed. I decided that I was only washing dd with water for the first few weeks as a newborn skin is sooo sensitive then moved in to baby soap/bubble bath, I had muslins I used with warm water for nappy changes too. Cloth nappied and paid about £150 for everything bum wise until she was potty trained and have them all good to use again for baby no 2. That's all I used, I had other things like cotton buds and soft cotton wad thingies but never used them. A soft brush for cradle cap and a nose sucker thing is a godsend at an early age too, and we ended up needing infacol for a few weeks but that was at about 3weeks old and had so much gas. And sudocrem I used maybe twice for the only sore bums she's had. Hope that helped!

I'd avoid any baby "products" while he's tiny. Something natural like organic almond oil will be lovely for his skin and you can use it in the bath too. Water wipes are great but not cheap, otherwise as Emma says, muslins and warm water are fine.

That’s a great start. Thankyou. I did consider changing him on the floor as some people do say that but I actually have terrible knee trouble and lower back pain caused from my job so it’s just not gonna happen I’m afraid 😂 Sudocrem is one of the things on my list though I wasn’t sure If anyone recommended anything better. And I’ve just ordered a nose sucker thing and soft brush. There’s just so many products on the shelves these days and I really have no idea whether I actually need any of it or if, like yourself, I just use water. I heard Johnson’s isn’t as good as they make out for bath products. Is that right? Is there something else?

@Camsie30 almond oil? What, to wash him with in the bath. Where do you get that? X

Bepanthan nappy cream is great also you can’t have too many muslins!

I've found child's farm toiletries to be excellent in my baby. I use their Nappy cream (on her bum and face 👍🏻), body wash and moisturiser. They're great value for money and really lovely to use. I wash her in the bath with flannels, and use Aldi sensitive wipes and Aldi nappies. Used cotton wool to wash her when tiny but not any more. Used water wipes for nappy changes the first 2 weeks but found them way too wet and have had no issues with Aldi wipes.

Nose sucker is invaluable and saline spray. Have a look at the snuffle babe range. You can't really use anything else on newborns until they're 3 months so not worth buying anything yet I don't think. Anything you give them should be prescribed.

I loved having my changing table at first and always took baby upstairs for every change. Now she's nearing 6 months she's an absolute wriggler so have resorted to changing on the floor.

Ps you don't need to use nappy cream at all unless their skin gets irritated

This is what I have (and use):

Bepanthan
Metatanium in the yellow tube
Sudacrem
Water wipes for the first few weeks then switched to Aldi
Calpol
Teething gel
Nasal drops or spray
Thermometer
Teething granuals
Nappy bags
Child's farm moisturiser
Child's farm wash
Cotton wool
Small bowls for cotton wool washes
Nose snot sucker

Child's farm products are the best I even use them on myself because I have eczema and other products irritate my skin.
I use supermarket own brand nappies and wipes
Nappy bags
Bepanten is better than sudocrem IMO
Metanium for proper nappy rash
Baby scissors
Soft brush for cradle cap
Cotton wool balls for cleaning gooey eyes
As for first aid stuff I would say saline nose drops, calpol plug in and a thermometer

This is fantastic. Thankyou. Just what I needed. I’ve heard about this child’s farm stuff. I’ll look out for it. And nappy bags. I forgot about those. Weve got an Aldi opening up soon near us so can’t wait as I have friends that use their nappies and love them. Also, what type of thermometer is best on newborns x

An A&E doctor told me that an under the arm thermometer was the most accurate. I had rushed my 5 day old in with a fever of 38' using one of those 'no touch' scan thermometers but was given an under the arm one at the hospital and temp was normal!! Have never looked back.

I use one that can be used in ear or on forehead obviously use the forehead bit on newborn. Matched the one the hospital used exactly.

Spugzbunny has already listed my go to items, but can't say enough how great Metatanium cream is. The tube lasts forever as you only need a little amount and only use it as and when. I've never bothered with Sudacrem, as I think your better off avoiding nappy creams unless you need them (and it gets bloody everywhere!) One thing I did find handy were these little add on's from IKEA, kept everything nice and handy until they start moving and grabbing everything www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/changing-tables-nursing/önsklig-stor-baskets-changing-tbl-set-of-4-white-art-30199283/

OP just be aware depending on the size and shape of your baby you may find Aldi nappies don't fit in particular sizes or at all. However their nappy bags and wipes are good.

Don't get too much of anything as you don't know which nappies will fit or which creams will suit your baby. Pampers and Metanium gave DD a rash, and different brands of nappy fitted better depending whether she had recently grown wider or longer. We used Asda's own baby bubbles from pretty early, because she got dirty, she was often sick so needed a good clean. At the time they recommended olive oil for moisturising rather than mineral oils. Cotton wool and warm water lasted until they let us out of hospital, then it was Asda or Aldi wipes. The ones with the plastic fasteners that click worked better than the ones with the sticky tape fasteners, as the latter don't stay sticky/done up for long so the wipes dry out and get bits of grot in from the baby bag. The best thing we bought was a gardener's kneeling pad.

Ooh I forgot almond oil! I bought a bulk on ebay and mixed it with olive, vitamin e and shea butter. I've also used another home made body butter with avocado oil, but my dh is allergic so had to stop with that one...
I smothered my babe in it after a bath and put it on her cradlecap as and when.
Still use it now for dd after baths and I've started using it again for anti stretch mark and perineum softening! Yay for multi uses...

Mamashack.co.uk do some great personalised baby changing mats!

Nappies - try a few brands. DD had a sore bum from Morrisons and Aldi have never fit quite right
Wipes - water wipes at first, then Aldi sensitive
We use weleda candela cream, but only if needed
Something to dry the bottom with, especially if using water wipes as they’re really wet - cotton wool or we use cheeky wipes dry
Child Farm shampoo and wash
Sponges/flannels

Medicine wise we made a little baby medicine kit before she was born so we had it all and it’s been a godsend not to have to go out for things when she’s been ill. We have:
Calpol (2+ months)
Baby ibuprofen (3+ months)
Infacol
Gripe water
Teething gel
Teething granules
Calpol plug in
Baby vicks
Snot sucker
Snufflebabes saline drops
Baby olbas oil

I put a changing mat on a chest of drawers do start with. It saved my knees and I could put all the nappies etc in the drawers.