Experienced mums: what did you wish you bought?

[Spooples]

Currently 26 weeks with baby number 1 and trying to start buying in bits for when she's here.

Ive had a look through the recommendations in my books and online about what to get, but is there anything in your experience you found was really useful but you maybe didn't know about it in advance?

What would be your top recommendation of useful things to buy for baby? Or even for child birth?

Also if no one ese has mentioned it, instead of a change table we use a chest of drawers with a change mat on top - non slip shelf lining under the mat to stop it sliding off.

So much more useful than a change table.

More muslins! DS has been a very (happy) sicky baby and I do a mussie was every day! Think we have about 20 now! Also the big muslin cloths are good for swaddling, placing under baby for tummy time (see aforementioned sickyness).

Best buy: baby sleeping bags/ grow bags. Get two so you always have one clean. My baby won't sleep unless he's in one.

My 9 month old is almost always in baby grows... Warm, simple and easy. I dressed my first in little outfits but I have to say baby grows are far easier with no socks to pull off.

evilgiraffe 'Also if you fall when carrying a baby (whether in a sling or arms), then it is instinct to protect the baby by twisting as you fall.'

Ahh, so it's okay to put your back out then!!! I know of someone who's child was brain damaged because their father tripped and fell on top of them. Just saying, especially as you can't see your feet or what's in front of you properly if there's a carrier strapped to the front of you.

JessieMcJessie Tue 11-Dec-18 12:14:19

Re thermometers and “feeling” the baby. You can wash clothes by hand but most of us prefer to use a washing machine now that the technology is there!

Thermometers are hardly expensive and useful so you know if the temp is going down after Calpol. Doctors seem to prefer using them to just guessing by feel after all, and you’d think they’d know... hmm.

Bit of a cheeky mare aren't you!! As I said, you don't NEED a thermometer. It will just make you paranoid for every little thing. If baby is sick, you'll know about it!

Orsy2017 you’re taking this all very personally!
DH’s friend didn’t put the brake properly on the pram and the pram and newborn baby rolled into a freezing cold lake last December. Baby was in hospital for 4 days (thankfully ok). There are risks with everything, everyone you take a baby in a car you’re taking a risk.

SoyDora Tue 11-Dec-18 12:17:27

Orsy2017 I wasn’t criticising confused, just saying it’s different for everyone. Don’t think elaborating is necessary!

That's because you have nothing to elaborate with.....

I will if you really want me to! Just didn’t see the need to get into a debate on a friendly thread about baby purchases....

Yeah, you don’t NEED to make personal comments Orsy, but clearly you chose to. I think that it is bad, potentially dangerous advice to tell a new mother not to buy a thermometer.

I would definitely get a thermometer. Provides peace of mind.
Also I have at times thought baby does not feel overly warm but check with thermometer and they do.
Also if u phone out of hours docs etc they ask for the temperature.

Op's choice but just listening to all the neurotic mothers reinforces my reasoning. It will be the bane of your life. You will obsess over it and imagine all sorts is wrong even if it isn't.
I wouldn't rely on a thermometer. I'd like to think that I'd know If my child was sick and indeed I always have instinctively known.
It might be handy to keep to one side, but chances are it will come out for every little thing.

SoyDora Wed 12-Dec-18 08:41:27

Orsy2017 you’re taking this all very personally!
DH’s friend didn’t put the brake properly on the pram and the pram and newborn baby rolled into a freezing cold lake last December. Baby was in hospital for 4 days (thankfully ok). There are risks with everything, everyone you take a baby in a car you’re taking a risk.

That's not really appropriate now, is it? That's carelessness. Falling over and squashing a baby is not., especially with all the bumpy paving around. Not for me, but I know of some who use them. Two of them have chronic back pain too. Just saying.......
If op wants one then she'll buy one.

At the end of the day, this discussion is meaningless as everyone has suggested a multitude of things. Best advice-wait and see. Good luck with your baby, op.

Oh for goodness sake Orsy do stop patronising people and bandying about insults of “neurotic”. The vast majority of sentient women of childbearing age are perfectly capable of owning and using a thermometer without it becoming some sort of ridiculous obsession.

Checking baby is not too hot is hardly neurotic!

Anyway....
Another thing I thought of OP is a light projector. Sometimes baby will fall asleep watching but at least it keeps baby occupied for a while to let u have 5 minutes.
If you buy stuff or get gifts keep tags on. E.g. I ended up with far too many blankets but had taken tags off so could not return.

Thermometers are really useful, particularly in the under 6 month age group. With more and more medical care (111 and gp out of hours) be triaged over the phone, an accurate temperature reading is almost essential.

Also sepsis guidelines now are all about too hot OR too cold, a slight drop in temperature in a sick child might be harder to identify than a toasty warm hot to touch child.