New baby essentials?

[DevonshireDarling]

Hi all,

I'm due in August and feel slightly overwhelmed with what we need to get for baby! So I'm asking on here for an essentials list? The things we will most definitely need straight away.

I'm planning to breast feed but if it really doesn't work out I can get bottles etc after baby is here right? I've already got a bundle of newborn babygrows and 0-3 month baby grows as well as vests for both of these sizes and cardigans. I'm knitting a blanket and bought one cellular blanket so will need a few more I'm assuming? I've been given a 0-3 month gro bag but may not be able to use this from birth depending on weight?? What bedding is needed? Mattress, cover, blankets? I just don't want to forget anything! (My brain so foggy at the moment!)

We are currently researching travel systems, cot beds and slings. It's more the little things I don't want to forget about that I'll definitely need in the early days. We have amazon prime if needed for things we can get after she's here.

I'm going to knit some hats but what else is needed clothes wise for an August born baby? Most of her baby grows have built in scratch mits.

I know I'll need pads, maternity/nursing bras (already wearing!!) big cheap pants and breast pads. What else will I need? I know everyone recommends a certain nipple cream so that's on my list.

I'm not sure about bothering to buy a baby bath, what have others done? And cotton wool for cleaning? What else? Toiletries etc? And nappies? Not worth buying loads at first is there, due to unknown size, how long she'll be in them, whether they aren't best for her etc? What size should I get? We do want to research reusable after we've got past the newborn stage. I know we'll need lots of muslins too!

Thanks to anyone who replies! I'm going on maternity leave early July so want to start making a list soon.

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This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for the ultimate baby essentials checklist, we’ve recently updated our newborn essentials article with the must-haves Mumsnetters think you can't live without when your baby arrives. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

Travel system/pram/car seat
Somewhere for baby to sleep at night
Somewhere for baby to sleep in the day
Muslins
Nappy disposal (We use a lidded camping toilet rather than a system or going to the wheely bin every time)
Changing mat
Some kind of swaddle (We had both gro-swaddles and a Woombie, much prefer the latter)
Naturebond or Haakaa (suctions onto your non-feeding boob to catch letdown)

We used water wipes in hospital then changed to Aldi sensitive.

Use baby dove body wash (freebie from either Bounty pack or Emma's Diary pack and I like the smell so we've carried on with this).

Started in Asda nappies but switched to Pampers (buying in bulk when on offer).

We've done the odd late night run to the 24 hour supermarket and LOTS of next day Amazon Prime purchases!

Baby towels
Room/bath thermometer
nipple cream
Nappy cream

maternity pads
Scratch mits?

Waterproof mattress protector
Changing bag/mat
Baby wipes
Nappies I brought size 1 think they had Good weight ratio
Going to buy aptamil first formula in little bottles just incase.

Essential will mean different things to different people, and depending on your baby. I never needed Muslins with DD1, she was neither dribble-y nor reflux-y and I didn't need more than 1 or 2 vests and sleep suits for her as she never had any explosive nappies. DD2 was slightly different in that I need a muslin handy all the time and she needs an outfit change during the day more often than DD1 ever did.

So long as you have the absolute bare minimum you'll be fine. Amazon Prime everything else. Good luck!

I couldn't live without my vibrating bouncer!!

We had some size 1 and 2 nappies in (as they told us we were having a big baby). She was dinky. We needed a few packs of size 0, but then used them as she's grown.

Not sure nappy cream got mentioned...

She sleeps in a Moses basket but it's getting a bit too small and she's 10 weeks on weds, so not sure we'd plan that again as it doesn't seem great value. We use three different blankets for different things. Sheets, obviously! And waterproof sheets.

I've been breastfeeding exclusively. It's been handy to have some pre-made aptamil bottles in, so I know there's always a backup!! And a breastfeeding pillow makes both of us more comfortable.

Wash clothes for the bath. We never really used cotton wool... always just water wipes or clean washcloth. And baby towels. Thermometer for bath (do NOT get the tommee tippee one - it rusted on the back after 6 weeks of use!!).

Nappy bag.

Breastfeeding friendly clothes. I joined the Facebook group 'can I breastfeed in it?' For ideas of clothes you already have that could work.

Those are my essentials that haven't been mentioned (or expansion on what's been mentioned).

following for good ideas! I'm due September and haven't really bought much at all yet x

We are waiting to buy pushchair as we didn’t use it with dd until she was at least 8weeks, prior to that she was in the sling.

I would also argue nappy bin isn’t essential, I would take nappies straight outside.

I would say essentials for newborn are;
Nighttime crib/Moses basket (wherever they will be sleeping)
Something to sleep in the day, we used to just move Moses basket from room to room.
Mattress and sheets for whatever they are sleeping in.
Baby bath or bath seat.
Gentle bubble bath and sponge.
Steriliser if using bottles/dummies
Breast pump if you wish to express.
About 7 sleepsuits in newborn size
About 7-10 newborn outfits, including socks.
A sun hat as it’s an August baby

That’s all I can think of for now.
If you google I think Mothercare have a useful newborn essential list

I'd get at least 2 bottles in just in case, and some formula. I breastfed but had problems to begin with and having to go down to the shop to get bottles over and over again because DS wouldn't latch to the cheap ones I got was a pain. Tommee Tippee closer to nature ones worked well while he used them (and then decided once his latch was better to never use them again) and has meant they're ready for this baby. Of course, it's always trial and error. My cousin didn't latch on to bottles unless they were MAM ones.

But definitely have a back up ready

Sheets for the cot, Moses basket or whatever you go for. muslins can’t get enough of. My daughter was an August baby and hats were wasted on her. Also scratch mitts just came off buy the baby grows with integrated ones.

bearface re hats: really? I’m having an August baby, first born was January so that was easy, but it’s hard trying to plan for a UK summer baby!

Sleeping bags of different togs are better than blankets.

This is my shopping list for the next couple of weeks if this helps you?
I basically asked all my friends that have children what they felt was essential when they had dcs (I'm the last of my friends to start a family) wrote it all down sat down with dp and went "do we really need this... We absolutely need that"

There is probably stuff I haven't listed, but that's why I'm taking my mum and mil shopping 😂

Thanks everyone for your replies! Very helpful so far! Im adding all these things to my list!

It's just so overwhelming when you've not done this before! I'm normally such an organized person but I'm putting off buying just because I know there's so much I need to get, so many options etc. but you've all helped! Thank you!

@Aimily your list has been helpful too! Thank you! I'll be checking my list to see what I'm missing that you've got on yours