Baby essentials help!

[LKH27]

Hi all,

I am planning on buying the essentials for baby for the first 6-8 weeks, as sales will then be on and get more then.
What do I absolutely need for baby in that time?
I'm a FTM and can think of some things, but I'm sure there will be things I haven't thought of!
Please help.

Join a local Facebook parents selling group. Buy all equipment (not car seat or mattresses) second hand. Baby stuff is only used for a few weeks and then you can sell it in afterwards.

@hormonesorDHbeingadick Thanks. I will do. Was hoping for a list of things that others found useful to start me off

@LKH27

I’m a FTM due in November and some of the items I have on my list include:

Travel:
Car seat
Pushchair
Changing bag

Baby:
Nappies/ baby wipes or cotton wool
Changing mat
Clothes (vest baby grows cardi coat hat)
Toiletries

Feeding
Steriliser
Bottles

Sleeping
Moses basket or similar
Blankets

There is a more complex version of the list as I like to shop around etc. I’m trying not to over buy or let family over buy and end up with a load of stuff we don’t use.

Toiletries-
Shampoo
Body wash
Lotion
Nappy cream

Get a couple of towels with hoods and you will need a sheet for Moses basket and pram

Lots of people swear by muslins but I hardly used them.

Don't buy any clothes. Iv got clothes coming out of my ears for my 4 week old as people were so generous at my baby shower and after I feel so guilty that some of them won't get worn!

Brilliant. Thanks everyone.
Not planning on having a baby shower, but I know some family have been buying things, so I think the clothes we will definitely be sorted for.

Chico next to me
Pram/travel system - I like Uppababy
Cot (for later)
Shuggle bath
Mama and papa style bumbo seat
Changing table
Changing mats (new)
Close caboo sling
New mattresses for sleep places including pram
Cellular blankets (Aldi)
Muslins
Baby gym/play mat
Bouncy chair - baby bjorn are good but expensive

Toiletries - I used one bottle of shampoo in the first year.
Bepanthen - every change. Large tubes at upstairs and downstairs changing stations at home and small one for out and about.
Metatanium - nappy rash
Large cotton wool pads for nappy changes and top and tailing (home bargains cheapest place)
Aldi stage 1 and 2 nappies

Tv subscription eg Netflix
Contigo insulated cup

Changing bag
Folding changing mat for out and about

Napisan
Plastic box for soaking dirty clothes
Washing basket for baby’s dirty things down stairs

Aldi baby event is a good too.

How are you planning on feeding? Breast or formula

@hormonesorDHbeingadick
Wow that's an amazing list! Lots of things I had forgotten about.
thank you!

With regards to feeding, I haven't really got a plan. I will try breast feeding and if all goes well and baby latches on etc then will do that. However, if it doesn't work out then will have to formula. I don't have a preference though. Whatever works best for baby.

Don't forget about yourself! Those newborn weeks are topsy turvy and exhausting.
I'd stock up on-
Paracetamol/ibuprofen
Nice shower gel/toiletries
Easy to eat snacks
A couple of tops that are easy to breastfeed in if you're giving it a go
Amazon prime subscription - life saver if you do forget something important and don't want a trip to the shops
Online grocery shopping if you don't have an account already, set up shopping lists ready to order
Any birthdays / occasions in those first couple of months? Sort gifts/ cards now and wrap ready to send / give without having to panic buy online at midnight the night before (haha, voice of experience!)

Good post OP, just posting so I can look back at lists too 😊

You need very little, you want much more!

Buy newborn size sleepsuits, bodysuits, muslin cloths, nappies, wipes, changing mat, lie flat pushchair, something to sleep in unless cosleeping, blanket, soft hooded towel. Everything else is extras, it depends on your budget.

I breastfed and never even used the bottles my mum insisted on buying (we used a sippy cup for ordinary milk) and got enough clothes as gifts to clothe the neighbourhood! Cot was never used either. My midwife told me that it was traditional for babies to sleep in a drawer at first, you really can improvise. I ditched the changing bag quickly in favour of an ordinary backpack, so much better made for instance

Hope you don't mind OP just place marking. It's early days for me but expecting first and this will really help!

Things I’d add to the list:

• eye mask for day naps for you;
• washable breastpads - much nicer than sweaty plastic backed disposable ones. I got mine from amazon.
• maternity pads. Thick ones and skinny ones. But as many as you think you’ll need. Then buy some more.
• netflix/amazon prime subscription.
• travel mug I second a contigo
• water bottle
• big knickers
• flannels (I was advised to use these to Pat my “area” dry after showers)
• arnica tablets
• paracetamol and ibruprofen
• iron supplements (spatone is good)

For baby:

• socks and scratch mits
• sleep suits and vests
• cardigans
• cotton wool
• muslins
• blankets/swaddles
• sleep bags (we’re currently using grosnugs for Dd)
• Moses basket mattress protectors
• laundry powder and stain remover. Lots of!

ememem84 list is great.

If breast feeding get some lanshion nipple cream.
Amazon is surprisingly good for breast feeding tops. This time round during the day I’m living in jojo mama Bebe dresses with or without leggings. You’ll want clothes that can grab a nap in during the day.
Buy yourself some nice new maternity/breast feeding PJs.
Posh shower oil.

Have a think about how you will manage if you do have to have a c section.

Watch some video to learn how to hand express.

Reusable wipes are much better than wet wipes - cheaper, better for the environment and reduce/eliminate nappy rash. I bought the Cheeky Wipes starter kit

Reusable wipes are much better than wet wipes - cheaper, better for the environment and reduce/eliminate nappy rash. I bought the Cheeky Wipes starter kit

Highly recommend spritz for bits. I can honestly say I didn't have one stingy wee after having my daughter and that was something I was really worried about. Spray it on before you wee, onto the toilet roll when you wipe and onto your pad (boots ones are ace really thick and comfy).

Highly recommend spritz for bits. I can honestly say I didn't have one stingy wee after having my daughter and that was something I was really worried about. Spray it on before you wee, onto the toilet roll when you wipe and onto your pad (boots ones are ace really thick and comfy).

Love this thread,
Expecting my first and it's so confusing what I actually need and what websites try to sell me

Worried about money so focusing on bare essentials xx

Thanks everyone. These are great!
I feel like I'm all set - well, once I have bought these things!

Definitely stool softeners!
Lansinoh

The bounty app has a list on there which we used as a basis for our list (also FTM)

Also we found new parent events at stores really really useful! Gave us basic info on loads of stuff - from car seats to cots to basic first aid! Would recommend booking onto one

Is there a specific stain remover/laundry powder people use for their babies clothes or did you all carry on using what you did pre-baby?