Getting ready for baby tips needed please!

[sarahhutchinson]

Hello. I need some tips for getting ready for baby please. What do i need to do/get prepared? I'm sure there is stuff i have forgotten. I know shops are always open and people here to help but i want to feel organised! Thanks

FTM here, baby due January so i'm also keen to see what everyone says here.

So far my list is:

• Travel system (pram and car seat)
• Bedside Crib
• 3 in 1 rocker/napper for downstairs (daytime naps)
• Nursing chair
• Cot/bed and changing unit
• Sling/baby carrier
• Sleepsuits (about 12, mix of newborn and 0-3 months)
• Couple cardigans
• Baby hats

-Nappys/changing stuff

• Baby bath support

i also feel like i must be missing things

First thing you do is tell everyone - family, neighbours, colleagues, friends, acquaintances -you know you are pregnant and see if anyone will give/lend you their stuff.

Then and only then start buying stuff.

For example some babies use Moses baskets for 6 weeks so buying a new one would be a waste of money if someone can lend you one and you just need to get a new mattress.

In regards to slings - DO NOT buy one until the baby is born. When the baby is born go to a sling library and hire a wrap one - that's if someone hasn't already given you one you are comfortable using. I know people with wrap slings they can't or didn't use. Also try out their different carriers before deciding what to purchase.

Also apart from cots to save money buy proper furniture not baby specific furniture.

Nappies
Wipes
Muslins (lots)
Vests
Babygrows
A few cardigans
Hats
Mittens
Blankets
Cot / Moses and bedding
Pram
Bouncer for daytime
Formula, bottles and steriliser if FF
Nipple cream, breast pads and nipple shields if BF
Nappy cream
Baby towel
Sling

Also in terms of preparing I'd really recommend batch cooking lots of healthy and filling dinners and freezing them. Also not necessary but I bought myself a couple of nice tops and jumpers to wear when I had visitors after baby born. Just made me feel more put together and more myself wearing something new.

Prepare also by getting lots of sleep and doing fun things like eating out, cinema etc!

And if VB....pads. Big ones. Lots of them. I bled heavily (after episiotomy) for the first 3 weeks and tapered off after but still carried on until about 7 or 8 weeks