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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Right, what do I actually need to buy?

23 replies

WombatStewForTea · 01/12/2019 18:04

So time is ticking and I'm 31 weeks and in no where near ready in terms of buying things for the baby. I'm quite chilled about it but a few of my work colleagues are getting stressed on my behalf Grin

In the last couple of weeks I've got most of the big ticket items (nursery furniture, pram, cot, Moses basket) but know there's lots more to buy.

Having googled it's all well and good that it's says 'cot bedding' but how much of it do I actually need?! How many blankets etc?!

So please give me your list of things I need to buy (and quantities where relevant!) And feel free to throw in any useful extras!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Caroline221 · 01/12/2019 18:07

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scaredycatz · 01/12/2019 18:11

I don't know I'm only 28 weeks so still got time but I haven't really bought anything yet apart from some nappies and a few clothes 🙈 it's too stressful thinking about what I'm going to need so I'm just avoiding it for as long as possible lol!

owlofathena · 01/12/2019 18:31

It depends whether you are using sleeping bags or blankets in the cot. My daughter didn't get on with sleeping bags so I used blankets. I had 3 fitted sheets for the cot, i found three was more than enough, and I had three cellular blankets. The blankets washed and dried very quickly so we didn't need any more. I also had three hand knitted blankets that I used in the pram. You need a lot less than you think you will. Do you have a table dryer?

WombatStewForTea · 01/12/2019 18:53

@owlofathena good point. I was planning on using sleeping bags. Yes we do have a drier which will help!

OP posts:
Kjan · 01/12/2019 19:01

Thinking about buying washable nappies too but can’t make my mind
Which one to pick Confused

FleasAndKeef · 01/12/2019 19:14

Just get amazon prime. It's so hard to know what you actually need until they arrive!

Mine is 7 months now and I wish I had bought less before he was born.

T0rt0ise · 01/12/2019 19:23

@Kjan some local councils do a trial so worth seeing if yours does so you can try some different ones before you buy, worth doing some googling.

T0rt0ise · 01/12/2019 19:23

@WombatStewForTea

T0rt0ise · 01/12/2019 19:24

@WombatStewForTeacurrently 27 weeks here and have bought the pram and car seat because they had a hefty discount and planning on leaving everything else until the week before/arrival 😂

Magpiefeather · 01/12/2019 19:26

Cot sheets and sleeping bags

Blankets (although you’ll probably get gifted about one million of these once baby is here)

I’d go with something like

Vests x 10
Bodysuits (long sleeves no legs) x 7
Sleepsuits x 10
Cardigans x 3
(In size newborn and 0-3 months or a mixture of the two)

A white noise machine - we love MyHummy, really helps baby settle to sleep

Also maybe consider some kind of portable nightlight for getting up in middle of night. I remember not wanting to put the big light on as it woke thebaby up too much but needed to see! We have a Vava nightlight from amazon and it comes with a little carabeena clip . Also think schnuggle do one I’ve seen in John Lewis that has a wrist strap so you can carry it Room to room.

Baby bath - we loved the schnuggle bath

A couple of hooded towels

Some nice big muslins

Flannels!

Changing mat

Nappies

Changing bag (recommend rucksack style!)

Sling ?

Bouncy chair

Play mat (don’t need straight away obv)

For you:

Enormous pants for post birth

Maternity pads x about 3 packs

Breast pads

Good flask or insulated mug!

A few good books or puzzles or whatever to keep you entertained in the wee small hours

If breastfeeding: nipple cream

Breastfeeding pillow

Good luck! How exciting :)

Kjan · 01/12/2019 19:29

@T0rt0ise
Thanks for the tip, going to check with council, didn’t know that
There is soooo much options on Google i can’t pick one

Boymummy3 · 01/12/2019 19:36

Upto now I've got...

Pram// car seat // Moses Basket
Playmat // bouncy chair

Vests x 20 // baby grows x 20
(bought these in packs of 5 or 10)
I'm having baby no3 and know how quick they can go through them esp if they decided have a poo/sick Explosion.

4 sets of Mitts
4 hats (thin ones) 2 thicker ones for out and about
Handfull of tops & bottoms
Couple jackets
3 thickish blankets // 2 thin ones
Pack of size 1 Nappies & pack of size 2
Box of baby wipes

Microwave Steriliser // about 5/6 bottles
(won't buy milk till he's born)

Things I havnt got yet but will be getting soon
3/4moses basket sheets
Cot + bedding ( 3/4 Sheets)
Baby monitors

WombatStewForTea · 01/12/2019 19:38

Thanks @Magpiefeather that was really useful and some bits I hadn't considered.
@FleasAndKeef I've got prime and have already said one day delivery is going to be a life saver.
@T0rt0ise to be honest the only reason I've got as much as I have is thanks to black Friday 😂

OP posts:
DappledThings · 01/12/2019 20:08

We loved the Angelcare bath seat. You just put it in the normal bath and can then have both your hands free even when they are newborn.

fblake · 01/12/2019 20:20

Congratulations! Hot water bottle to warm up the crib before you put baby in and also lanolin gel if you're planning on breastfeeding- both were life savers for me 😊

RLI1105 · 01/12/2019 20:38

Hello!
I'm 36 weeks and it's such a minefield! I didn't want to get things too soon but things do really add up so if I was you I would just start getting things together week by week so as to not part with loads of money all at once.
The lists above look really good! I wrote down a list and then had my sister in law look over it (she has young babies so it was fresh in her mind!)

The one rule my husband and I have which I think is sensible is that if we're not sure if we'll need it then don't buy it. If there's something we need when the baby's here we can get it delivered next day!
Second hand is also you're friend 😁
Good luck!!

Phillipa12 · 01/12/2019 20:42

Lots of muslins, very handy!
Decent sling, i had the connecta.
Baby change bag that can fit your life in.
Baby bouncer.
Minimum 10 vests and 10 babygros, you could easily be changing an outfit 3/4 times a day if they are sick.
Cardis, 3/4, actually oxfam sell hand knitted ones which are lovely.
3 fitted cot sheets
3 sleeping bags
I always plan on 3 as if they puke on one its in the wash and then you still have an unused spare, just incase shit happens again, yes im looking at you dc4!

Babyg1995 · 01/12/2019 20:49

I'm only 22 weeks and have got
Pram
Car seat
Changing bag
Changing station
Nappys
Vests loads
Baby grows loads
Hats
Mits
Travel changing mat
Bottles
Bibs
Socks
Few dresses
Tight s
Shoes
Tops
Leggings
Shampoo/baby bath ect
Baby bouncer
Blankets
bath

Still to get
Cot
Crib
Wardrobe
Drawers
Steriliser
baby towels
Coats

Anything else I'll get when she arrives

hauntedvagina · 01/12/2019 21:07

Look for babygrows that have the little flaps that you can fold over instead of mittens, so much easier. Get around ten in a combination of newborn and 0-3.

You'll need around the same amount of vests. Probably three or so cardigans and some hats.

At least three Moses basket sheets, and make your mattress up with two at a time. Gives you extra mattress protection and you can quickly whip the top one off in the night if you need to.

Size 1 nappies, plenty of. At least 6 packets of baby wipes. Cotton wool and flannels are also an essential. More muslin clothes than you think you'll ever use, at least ten, and get the giant ones if you can, they make great feeding covers, emergency cot sheets, all sorts.

For you, maternity pads, giant supermarket knickers that you won't mind throwing away, plenty of nighttime unscented sanitary towels. Breastpads and nipple cream (don't scrimp one these, your tits will thank you).

Cheap slippers to wear on the maternity ward, I threw mine away in the hospital, there was no way I'd wear those on my own carpets. Cotton dressing gown is nice to have too, lighter the better as the wards are usually sweltering.

Also, there's no harm in stocking up on calpol, nurofen, teething gels / crystals and infacol prior to birth. There's nothing worse than needing these things and not having them. A decent digital thermometer is good one to have to.

You'll probably be gifted a gazillon blankets, most of which will be completely unsuitable for a baby to sleep under. Get sleeping bags, just check the weight guide on them.

Greenleafer19 · 01/12/2019 21:22

Hi, I'm 31 weeks too... I babe been referring to the free mothercare book that has tonnes of lists in. Try and get one before they close! It's so helpful.

WombatStewForTea · 02/12/2019 06:24

Thanks @Phillipa12 and @hauntedvagina

OP posts:
Tiddlertoddler · 02/12/2019 22:23

The best things we bought that I would recommend to anyone...

Perfect prep machine if planning to bottlefeed, absolute life saver.

Ewan the dream sheep or similar white noise machine.

Sleepyhead, so handy and portable for carrying around the house whilst you are trying to do things, we also got the toy arch which was great.

Think we had 3/4 sets of fitted sheets which seems to be enough, ended up with about 10 blankets which is more than enough! Second the posters who said you can't get enough muslins, you will go through more than you would ever imagine.

Also love the angelcare bath seat and we got a bath thermometer as I was clueless as to how hot a babies bath should be!

Angelinthenightx · 02/12/2019 22:42

My baby is 6wks things ive needed the most is baby grows,vests id say 12+ u will need also cot sheets as babies are sick alot so at least 4 of them.
Im breast feeding if u will be then a maternity or feeding pillow helps alot.

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