First few weeks - what is really needed?

[Stefka]

I am 33 weeks and I am having one of those 'oh my god - there's an actual baby coming' moments. I have already bought a couple of things that I now realise I didn't need to bother with. What do think is actually needed for the first few weeks.

I want to use cloth nappies but I have been buying biodegradeable disposables for the first few weeks. Also I have been getting things like cotton wool and baby wipes when ever I go to boots. I am going to start buying some maternity pads too.

Someone is lending us a crib although I am considering getting a snuggle nest so we can co-sleep - still looking into this. I don't have a cot yet.

I have a couple of growbag things - should I get some more or maybe some swaddle blankets would be better for the start?

um - what else? I am terrified that I won't have something I need!

You sound like you are doing just fine. My DD is 3 months old and I've become a big fan of buying something once I realised I needed it. You can save alot of money that way.

Couple of things I ended up doing at home once I was out of hospital that made things easier were: I put a simple box upstairs and downstairs with nappies, cotton wool, bowel for water and change mat (in each box) so I could do a nappy change easily without having to schlep upstairs or downstairs to get stuff.

I also had a little handbag to fling over shoulder that i put phone, lanisoh, notepad, infacol, dummy, pills (had a CS), muslin etc... in so as I moved from upstairs to downstairs or outside I had the basics with me and easy to carry.

As I was BF for the first 8-9 weeks I wrote down the feeds in a little notebook so I could get a rough idea of when she was next due and also which boob was to be used at next feed

I bought a pack of cloth nappies from Boots and have found them really handy to use for burping, quick nappy changes etc...

Congratulations and good luck

p.s We cosleep and it's fabulous For the first 8 odd weeks she slept on the outside of me and now she just sleeps inbetween DH and I.

The best night light I discovered by accident was an LED book light from Waterstones. I have a couple of them and you can prop them up on a side table or grip it between your teeth

it's not strictly needed, but a sling is nice
makes it easier to get a few things done/wander round the shops/have your hands free whilst keeping the baby happy. And it'll last right up until they're a toddler too. I have this one but there are lots of similar ones

It's the best purchase I made for DS (I needed my hands for the 2 year old!).

totally agree you don't need most of the bumph that shops try and flog you. but you WILL need the maternity pads, so get those in. The biggest and most absorbent you can find, plus a selection of old, or new very cheap knickers - much more comfortable than the paper ones

There is very little you will need that you won't be able to do without for at most 10 hours (or until the next convenience store opens) apart from nappies.

A properly fitting car seat is a must even if you haven't got a car yourself. Chances are you will be going home in a car and they won't let you go unless your child is properly restrained.

When it comes to the clothes thing, I am not ashamed to say I have done the charity shop thing. Firstly they are in them for such a short time that most things donated are as new, if they have been worn at all. Secondly I think of it as recycling, my DS will be in them for a couple of weeks before they get donated again and someone else gets the chance to use them. Do keep a list on you of what you have in what sizes as it is also good to stock up on the next size you will need before you need it.

have a really good look at the bfing threads on here, arming yourself with as much information as you can is a good idea. good luck, it's all very exciting isn't it?

Nursing pads! Nursing pads! More nursing pads!
I somehow managed to miss this piece of information and got so desperate with my leaking, and not being able to shop, that I cut sanitary napkins in half and stuck them to an old bra (which didn't fit as i was engorged). I also tried stringing nappies onto my boobs.
Trust me, it's so much easier just to have nursing pads.

Sleep suits--people will give you clothes but some of it will be so unpracticle.

Have good movies on hand. Night tv is always terrible and you'll want something good to watch if your up with the baby, or just for watching while your nursing.

This is really helpful - thank you everyone -
I have been making lists!

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no need for baby wipes (maybe a travel pack for when you're out) - cotton wool is best for the first few weeks then once you start with the cloth nappies use flannels or fleece wipes and wash them with the nappies.

in the same vein as ProfessorPlum, I ended up ripping up an old sheet to make lightweight swaddles (Aug baby)

Check the weigth limit on your grobags as some start from 10lb.

sky+ or similar, or lots of dvds, or lots of trashy novels

a dh who will bring you tea and toast in bed after a rough night really helps.

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If you're planning to breast feed, get some nursing bras - trying to bf in a normal bra is REALLY awkward.

Don't get them more than a couple of weeks before you're due though, as you'll change shape continually.

When you do get them, make sure they are generous on the cup, as when your milk comes in, your boobs are likely to grow a cup size or so.

my top tips...

arnica tablet thingys - for the stitches/bruising

matty pants that go over the belly - I got them in case I had a c-section and didn't actually have anything else in the labour bag when DS arived 1 month early (yeah...hear that!! You may only have 3 weeks ).

Midwife was p-ing herself and kept asking if I still had y belly-warmers on but they sure did keep a belly warm whilst BF on those cold January nights/mornings!

And what everyone else said for the rest!

Tops with flaps that you can bf with, I had a thick one that I wore at night because you can get quite cold bf in the winter. I also laid down and dozed while bf and found that I felt that I was getting plenty of sleep and rest. With dd I used washable nappies and changed them about 4 times a night (she did poo a lot though) with ds I just stuck him in a disposable and changed it in the morning. Much better as nappy changing in the night is grim. Now that he is nearly 6 months and sleeps through most nights he is in a washable one for the night as there is less going in and therefore less coming out.

Stefka - I've got a BIG exhaustive list of everything you could possibly need - it's got everything bar the kutchen sink listed, but it's scary...

Would you like me to post it or would it freak you out?

A lot of people will post and tell you all the thing on it you DON'T need... and probably ridicule me for being OTT (but don't worry - I can handle it )

DB
xx

you need babygros, vests, a blanket, boobs and lansinoh, and don't let anyone tell you different.

in fact, designerbaby, post your list on a new thread and we'll tell you all the stuff you don't need from it. it'll be good fun. cos the thing you have to remember is 'whose kids uni education do i want to pay for?'

is it the guy who works for the mothercare marketing dept or is it your own? save your money, stef.

I would love to see the list. I am very into lists right now! It's such a shame the nesting thing doesn't last - my house would always be clean!

OK... here goes... [bracing self for ridicule and being told she's a fool]

Bear in mind though, that this is for baby being born in October... and also that I actually have bought VERY LITTLE of this yet... eeek etc.) Also this isn't just for first few weeks - this is pretty all-inclusive...

Ok enough excuses. Gimme your best shots, I can take it... [brave emoticon]

Clothes (in newborn size)
6 vests/bodysuits
6 sleepsuits
4 onesies (daytime babygrows with & without feet)
2 cardigans/jumpers
1 Shawl
3 lightweight tops
2 pairs of scratch mits
2 hats
6 bibs
Snowsuit (wait a bit)
Jacket
6 pairs of bootees or socks
2 Sleepsacks/grobag (check age limit)

Changing
Dispsoable nappies - 2 packs in new born size
Change pad
Cloth nappies
Nappy liners
Fragrance free baby wipes
Cotton wool
Nappy sacks/bags
Nappy pail
Changing bag
Sudocrem - small pot (nappy rash cream)

Equipment
Travel system (lies flat)
Rain cover
Car seat (part of travel system?)
Baby Carrier/Sling (baby bjorn?)
Cotbed with drop sides
Moses basket
Travel cot
Mattress
2 Waterproof mattress covers
Safababy cot end
Bouncy chair (vibrating)
Chest of drawers
Changing table - not over cot (combined in chest?)
2 Miracle blankets (for swaddling - Mothercare)
4 flat/top sheets
4 fitted sheets
2 lightweight blankets
2 midweight blankets
Baby Monitors (movement monitor?)
Cot mobile (tiny love?)
Car seat mobile (tiny love?)
Long (5ft pillow)
Baby thermometer (forehead one is fine)
Sheepskin
Dummies
Muslin squares (lots and lots)
Terry toweling square nappies
Room Thermometer
Playnest/baby gym
Cuddly toys
Night light
Baby gate (for cat!)

Feeding
Breast pump (Medela Swing or Avnt Isis)
Bottles,
Teats for new born,
Steriliser (microwave not electric)
Bottle brush
Storage kit
(Poss all combined in: Tommee Tippee Breats feeding kit)
Formula (just in case)
Infacol (for colic)
Breast shells

Bathing
Baby Bath
Non-slip bath mat
2 Soft Washcloths
2 Baby towels with hood
Mild Soap and Shampoo
Baby Oil (almond oil)
Baby Comb and Brush
Baby Nail Scissors
Bath thermometer
Soft sponges
Top?n?tail bowl
Baby lotion
Baby talc
Bath toys

For mum
3 Nursing bras
Sleep bra
Maxi pads
Ice packs
Nipple cream (Lasinoh)
Breast pads (tommee tippee /washable Avent?)
Nursing tops
8 packs of maternity pads
Nipple shields
Lavender and tea tree oil (for healing)
Arnica tablets (for bruising)
Paper knickers

I don't think that list looks to bad actually. I am not getting a moses basket and I am not sure what the sheepskin is for but I am probably going to get most of that stuff. But then this is my first time as a mum so I think I need everything!

are you really buying all that stuff? wow. you don't need most of it, you do know that.

rofl!

For the first few weeks I would amend that list to:

Clothes (in newborn size)
6 vests/bodysuits
6 sleepsuits
2 blanket/shawl things
2 pairs scratch mits
1 hat
2 pairs Gap socks

Changing
Disposable nappies
Change mat
Cotton wool pads (much better than balls or roll as don't leave bits)
Nappy sacks/bags
tub for water
Some kind of travel change mat and bag to keep it in (needn't be a special nappy bag)

Equipment
Car seat
Baby Carrier/Sling (not baby bjorn)
Moses basket
stand for basket
pillowcases to use as moses basket sheets
couple of flat sheets (I used a big one ripped up)
couple of cellular blankets
Chest of drawers
muslins
nightlight
Something alongthese lines to dangle over moses basket, changing mat and/or carseat.

don't bother with changing table - either put mat on that chest of drawers or change on floor (much safer)
You don't need any of the cot/cotbed stuff yet but if it makes you feel better to get it in advance do

Feeding
Norks

Bathing
plain water
towels (with or without hood as you like)
dh to hand baby in to you and take her out again
grapeseed oil to moisturise afterwards

For you
3 Nursing bras
Sleep bra
Maxi pads (always ultra extra long get my vote)
Nipple cream (Lasinoh)
Breast pads
Arnica tablets (for bruising)
cheap cotton knickers
buttony pyjama tops to keep your top half warm while feeding in bed

I am not getting a changing table either - I'll buy a mat and make do with the floor. That list is not as bad as some I have seen!