What do I actually need for baby arrival?

[Cosmogirl86]

I'm a first time mum. I'm currently only 24 weeks and due an elcs at 36 weeks as I'm carrying twins. I know I have time, but I'm trying to be organised. What am I missing for baby essentials? This is what we've purchased:

Double pram

Two car seats birth to group 2

Reusable nappy stash

Disposable nappies because I'm realistic about c section recovery

Cheeky wipes

Baby wash

Changing station with little plastic bath included

2 cots - one for downstairs and one for my bedroom. Twins will share. Also mattresses, sheets.

2 little sleeping bags

Breast pads, maternity pads and hakka pump

Lots of little vests and baby grows in both tiny baby and new born.

Re. your disposable wipes in hospital question.

It's down to you personally.

We chose to only use cotton wool and warm water for the first few weeks because we thought it would feel nicer / more gentle for the baby to be wiped with warm water rather than a cold baby wipe.

Do what works for you as a new family though, good luck.

Pop some vaseline on their little bottoms in the first couple of days - it makes the meconium much easier to wipe off if you are just using cotton wool.
And congrats!

That's a fantastic tip about vaseline! I'll definitely do that

Sounds like you’re just about good to go OP
I’m 37 weeks. Only thing I would add as others have suggested, is a heap of muslins (they’re very cheap from supermarkets) and bouncer seat for them to sit in. I’ve just ordered a baby gym, won’t need it for a few weeks, but it was discounted.
and some cheap blankets too, incase the sleeping bags don’t work out, and as back ups for sick/poo accidents! Fitted sheets for cots and pram also. With spares.

Also, think about things for yourself too. Anything to make life a bit easier in the first weeks.
I’ve got a few basic bf items, like you have, in preparation for the early days and will buy more once feeding is hopefully established. Also a couple of nursing bras, cheap nursing t-shirts and nighties. I have bought a little 6 pack of pre made formula (with teats) in case of late night emergency (no 24hr shops nearby)
I’m putting together a nappy caddy for downstairs changing and a wee breastfeeding kit full of essentials to cart around the house with me
Also stocking up on boring household things like laundry tabs and loo roll, so one less thing to think about when baby is here!
Good Luck X

Nice PJs. I was up and dressed and about quite early ut had a couple of days in bed. Sometimes i had a shower and then got into clean PJs. It felt nice.

Honestly dont buy too much. You'll be guided by what your babies like or dont like and with Amazon prime etc you rarely have to wait long if you buy something. What one person swore by another person will have never touched.

A ridiculous amount of paracetamol and ibruprofen, I must have sent OH out every other day to get me more for the first week and I had a very straightforward birth.
Chuck a couple of boxes in with each shop now and you won't run out/get hit by the two box minimum when you need them!

Can you ask your midwife about expressing colostrum? I'm gathering a stash in the freezer because I also don't want to give formula if baby needs top ups or struggles to breastfeed to start with. Usually they recommend starting after 36 weeks but presumably the rules are different for multiples!

I'm 24 weeks too with twins (first babies), and I've been frantically researching and buying what I think we need since the 20 week scan.

It took me a while to get my head around what I'd need for them to sleep in and sit in during the day and eventually decided that I didn't really want a cot in my living room taking up space and being an eyesore. I ended up ordering these rocking chair things for them to sit in that also double up as napping chairs as well as they recline completely flat www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0746PVGBY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21.

Also, with regards to sleeping bags, you need to be very careful that they're suitable for the size of your babies. I've been told that twins are usually a lot smaller than single babies and most sleeping bags are only safe as long as you babies are big enough for them

They also have a a form of startle reflex for a while after they're born that means that they can wake themselves up and upset themselves which is one of the reasons it's recommended to try swaddling them for the first couple of months. I personally didn't want the faff of having to learn how to swaddle with a blanket properly so decided buy some prewrapped swaddles that close with velcro. These are the ones I bought which are actually suitable for babies from 4 lbs weight so hopefully should cover the small baby dilemma babyboo.ie/product-category/swaddles/.

They'll hopefully be in the light swaddles for a few months over the summer heat and then move up to the sleeping bags.

Sorry, if that's too much information but my head is stuffed full at the moment trying to get things ready.

Good luck with your babies, and you sound pretty organised already!