What do I actually need for a newborn?

[Bellasblankexpression]

Feeling slightly overwhelmed and under prepared! What are the essentials I actually need? There’s just so much stuff!

We have decided to get a pram. We could probably cope without as fairly rural so need to use sling locally or in and out of the car.
However, I figured a pram we can use next summer with carrycot in the garden for baby to nap in shade when we are outside, will use inside as daytime bed downstairs, and out and about It will be handy if we want to just put baby down for a while to eat or wander. Also if grandparents are here they will probably happily take baby for a stroll but not in sling.

I love my sling but couldn't have done without the pram. Especially in the early days when I was still sore. He was more settled in there to be honest.

In terms of needs, slings, reusable nappies, cloth wipes... They don't make the cut because of the investment. You might invest and love it but you need the baby here and to test run this stuff. In terms of prepping with as little waste (both in terms of money and items you'll just not use) as possible, when the baby is here/a few weeks old, you can hire:

Various slings
Cloth nappies
Cloth wet wipes

You can rest run all the different brands and styles and work out what works for you.

Going out any buying 15 little Lambs or whatever might work out, but is likely to end up with you taking a loss reselling online when you realise they don't work well with your LO or you prefer the all in ones or whatever.

There are a million and one suggestions for what parents can and should buy, but a pack of disposible nappies for a few quid from aldi to make do before you can hire a cloth nappy kit is going to make your life easier.

Also, cotton wool balls stick to shit, cotton wool pads - the large ones - don't. Always get the large pads!

Bassinet
Swaddle wrap
Nappies and wipes
Onesies
Singlets
Pram and or carrier

Thank you this is all really useful and reassuring that I don’t have to buy loads (which is what I was initially thinking)
I was going to get a gro-bag as well but this hasn’t appeared on any lists - did anyone use one from
Newborn?

And yes to the PP About muslins - I think I’m
Overthinking everything!

Not from newborn, but they are good when big enough. A blanket and vest and sleepsuit/baby gro are fine for first few weeks. It's more of a faff getting them on and off at first and you worry they will slip down in them. Also, easy for babies to overheat as they are rubbish at regulating their temperature so easier without one at first. You can feel their chest or back to feel how warm they are and whip blankets on and off as needed. (you need those cellular blankets)

Grosnugs are good from birth - pick up a couple off eBay/marketplace as they are always in great condition. You’ll use them for about 3-4 weeks then sell them on!

Waiting to buy stuff is sensible though. I wanted to BF - spent loads on nipple cream, feeding bras, cushions etc, then ended up with a premature formula fed baby. Second time round I just bought a started pack of formula with the disposable teats and figured out the rest once I’d worked out if breastfeeding was going to work.

Buy the bare minimum and get everything else once you think you need it. Stuff like changing tables - most people don’t bother, some people love them - if you find you need one once you’re home then send someone to the shops!

Babygros and vests
Nappies
A warm hat
A sling

That's it I reckon.

Best muslins I've had have been from Aldi

Sadly missed the baby even this time but I had 4 packs last time and they were lovely quality.

We're not finding out this time and it has saved so much on unnecessary clothes buying and I have DS stuff still.

My essentials knowing from the first time what we used and didn't..

Snuzpod/bassinet (have it, but didn't buy a cot until DS was 6 months)
3 sheets for bassinet
Pram and car seat (still have ours, but found the combo ones that work together really helpful)
2 bath towels
Muslins (think I got 3 packs of 3 at first)
Baby bath (Already have this but you could also co bathe but if baby had a poo it was less mess)
Vests and Sleepsuits (I had the 7 packs of each)
Hats and mittens sets x 2
Warm cardigan and fleecey jacket (depends when babies born if you get either or a pramsuit)
Baby bouncer (this I usually wouldn't say but when DH went back to work and I was desperate for a shower I use to put DS in it (in doorway so he could see me) nip in and wash, then out)
Changing mat (helped with a million poo disasters 😂)

I didn't use a grow bag until DS was 3 months, he was so tiny and it was a hot summer, so usually he had a fleece type blanket on or I swaddled him in a muslin wrap during the day or used that over him.

Also I breastfed for a while but ended up going onto bottle, steriliser was a waste of money as we used mam bottles (self sterilise).

Bounty have a really good shopping list, and if you download the app you can claim some freebies from certain shops

I'm using a grobag on my 10 week old and have done since he was about a week old, I hate using blankets, I'm convinced they'll end up over their face and I never know how many to put on so the bag is easier. He slept better once I used it so I think he wasn't warm enough before. Just make sure you get one with poppers in the armpits which stop it riding up.

@Caspianberg we used our carry cot as a daytime (and often night time) sleep location too, but if you plan to use it next summer, how old will baby be then? Our DD is too long for the carry cot now at 5 months so it's been consigned to the loft.

Breastfeeding pillow
A chair to put them in, I had a vibrating one that was great during the colicky weeks
A lot of babygros.
Nappies/wipes

I think those are the essentials.

I have a month old ds, with him Grosnugs (the newborn swaddle sleeping bags) have been brilliant. You only use the for few weeks so don’t buy new though! We borrowed 2 from a friend and I bought two second hand for £15 (I have a baby that likes to bring up a lot of milk so 2 weren’t cutting it!).

I’d also recommend a couple of cheap cellular blankets and a rocking stand and Moses basket (also second hand with a new mattress)

I’m a huge advocate of slings, but do get a pram!

@ThePurpleMoose - Thank you, Baby due April, so will be under 6 months throughout the late spring/ summer. The one we are considering getting, the carrycot converts into a parent facing seat after carrycot mode anyway giving another 6-12 months use so hopefully it will be worth getting.

Commenting to follow, and have a good ol' study at home this evening - thanks, ladies!