What to buy as a first time mum??

[BabySquid]

Hi All, I'm just trying to make a list of things to buy as a first timer. Obvs I need nursery furniture, car seat and travel system.
But like, clothes... how many of what? I'm due in Feb so it'll be cold. Feeding pillow, what kind? How many blankets etc? This all sounds so lame asking but I'm honestly clueless and I hate being unprepared 😔

With clothes don't just buy size newborn. Also get a few tiny baby bits and 0-3 month bits. You can never be sure which of the 3 sizes your baby will need from birth!

You can get all-in-one reusable nappies that aren't hard to use (if I can understand them anyone can, ha!) and easy to wash, plus you'll save loads of money in the long term. Don't worry about the comfort or convenience of nursery workers or a childminder, they'll just have to adapt. Check out the Nappy Lady, google "fill your pants" for cheap reusables and pop down to your local nappy library for a demo :)

Some form of chair/swing to put baby in

Somewhere for baby to sleep
Cellular blankets x3
Sheets

Pram & carseat with changing bag

Dummy's, Bottles/ brush & sterilisers if planning to FF or breast pump, Nipple cream / pads etc

Bath, towels, baby wash, flannel/sponge

V shaped pillow for feeding

Clothes, baby grows/ vests x9 or more Jacket, pram suit if you do a lot of walking, hat gloves.

Thick blanket x2 for pram and carseat

Muslins

Healthcare set with thermometer, brush, nail clippers etc!

Nappies size 1 & 2
Wipes

Thick pads (I like boots maternity)

Comfy pyjamas for afterwards

All mums and babies are different with DS I couldn’t get enough Muslims used them all the time for everything as he was a sicky baby. With DD I hardly used any.
DS loves his soothing rocker chair which was a gift from a good friend. DD hates it same with the playmat with the dangling toys DS loved it DD hated it.
DS was mesmerised by some wine bottles and the washing machine. Nothing settled or pacified DD apart from my holding her.

Pregnant with my second & have been able to re-use most things -getting neutral colours is helpful for second or to sell on.

Whilst I agree you will probs get lots of clothes, we had the issue of our son not fitting into them as most bought 0-3 months or bigger so I had to do a baby shop at 3 days old. So I would buy a few sleepsuits in tiny baby or newborn to ensure you're covered for first few days (keep tags on for exchange if needed)

Things I couldn't live without:
Sleepyhead (my son slept best in this)
Bedside crib (ideal for getting to baby quickly & BFing)
Changing mat for upstairs & downstairs
Muslin cloths (used daily)
Blankets (for lying on, wrapping up in)
Cellular blankets for crib
Bath seat/support

Things I didnt use or were pointless:
Sling (still have it just in case)
Swaddle blankets
Bath oils, talc, lotion (gifted but never used)
White noise toy

I am so bookmarking this thread. There's such a lot to think about!

I used cotton wool and water most of the time until mine were about 6 months tbh. I found it easier to remove the poo with this than with wipes although I used wipes when we were out. Someone else has suggested cheeky wipes- I use these on hands and faces now and find them great. Never used them on bums but I think again for little babies they’d be better than baby wipes. Baby wipes spread it around so you end up using loads!

Ooh ooh and if you’re going to breastfeed DEFINITELY get the Haakaa pump or similar (ALDI had a version in their last baby event I noticed.) When feeding of expressing i’d put it on my other boob and get at least an extra ounce off it, sometimes 2-3 oz. They all add up.

I mean I did use Muslins but would probs only use two a day if that. In the end I switched to bibs which I just put on for feeding. The older generation couldn't fathom the muslin thing at all which probs swayed my judgement.

We were bought so many snowsuits and I actually requested a gorgeous rather expensive one. I out dd in one once, the drama was enough to put me off ever doing it again. Definitely definitely check out the star wraps. Much much easier.

Oh and a schnuggle bath. Love ours. So easy.

I quickly switched to flannels for a face wash rather than cotton wool and water. Just used a different end for each eye then flipped to do the rest of face. I started with water wipes for about six weeks then switched to huggies. Huggies are the only ones I've known to come out of the packet one at a time. You will be surprised how much that matters .

One thing I wish I'd thought about was storage for babies things downstairs. She had so many blankets, hats, cardigans etc. Things we would use every time we left the house so we bought a big storage unit from argos. Similar to the IKEA kallax with storage cubes in for all dds stuff which made life a lot easier and kept me a bit more sane that I could keep the house looking tidyish and know where everything was.

I know that it is tempting to buy loads and that's fine if you have money to burn but you really need very little;
Vests / sleep suits/ hats/ cardigans/
A sling or a pram or both
A car seat if you have a car
Somewhere for tha baby to sleep.
A snow suit for a winter baby.
Sheets / bedding for bed/ pram
Nappies and wipes or if I were doing it again reusables of both.

Great thread and so helpful!