Essential newborn items and lockdown

[JenL7]

Hi,

Our first baby is due 11th July. We had waited to the last half of the pregnancy to buy things, and were planning on buying things slowly in the next 10 weeks or so. But I'm worried whether baby shops will close if we go on lockdown for weeks like other countries (we in UK). If baby comes early we may end up stuck, and without what we need. I figured we should get the essentials now, in case this happens.

Please could someone who already has a baby list what is absolutely essential for a summer newborn. We dont want recommendations for 'nice to have' or 'this makes life easier', just the basic things that we cant go without. Like we would like a changing table, but feel that's a luxury and need to prioritise what we can buy now in case shops close.

If we could get some suggestions this would be fantastic. Then we know we have what we need, and we can buy the 'nice to have' things at a later date (if shops are open!).

Thanks,
Jenny

Watching with interest as I’m in the middle of buying baby stuff at the moment.

Watching this thread as was just about to post 🥴 xx

Baby needs:-
Somewhere to sleep (cot, crib, whatever, along with sheets and blankets)
Somewhere to shit (nappies, either disposable of reusable, along with wipes, nappy cream)
Something to sustain (breastfeeding, or bottles, steriliser, formula)
Something to wear (babygros, vests, cardigans)
Something to travel in (car seat, plus pram or sling)

That's pretty much all they'll need. Theres lots of nice to haves, but they dont NEED anything else.

We are in a similar position. Baby due in 13 weeks so have accepted that we will probably still be isolating then. Same as you, only ordering essentials. We have lots from DD1 so having done it once I’d say absolute essentials are:

Somewhere for baby to sleep
Clothes - short Sleeved vests, rompers, sleepsuits, cotton hat, socks
Cellular Blankets
Muslins
Nappies

If you need to drive to home from hospital - car seat. If not I’d go for a stretchy sling

Everything else you could manage without...
even a changing mat - a towel or bath mat would do. I nearly put wipes on the list but actually they’re a luxury - could use flannels, cut up old sheets or t shirts and make your own reusable wipes.

You may need a steriliser - even if planning to breastfeed you may need one for dummies if you use them, or like me last time end up having to use nipples shields.

Oh and for you:
More maternity pads than you think necessary (I’ve got 4 packs to start off with)
Nipple cream if planning to breastfeed

All the best, it’s a worrying time but baby’s don’t actually need all that much!

Oh yes nappy cream (I like bepanthen)

Hi :)

I'm just prepping for DS2- and am also worrying about stores closing... (due 10/5).

Amazon has been a real go-to!

My essentials: (aside from clothes/ bottles etc)

Cot-top changing table (if you end up with a section this will be a godsend)- also takes up less space than a stand alone

Plastic backed bibs- loads!

A changing mat to keep downstairs

A bath support- I kept my angelcare

Rocker/ napper- space saving and I used both settings all the time

Tommee tippee perfect prep- some find these controversial but I'll be buying again!

Waterwipes

Hospital style/ cellular crib blankets- help with temp control as can layer up

Waterproof crib sheets

Hope that helps :)

I should say, clearly you could manage without some of these things- but going off my last pregnancy / newborn stage I'm prioritising these where possible :)

Im due June& I have just done the same
If not bf you will need bottles, formula & a steriliser
Somewhere for baby to sleep & appropriate bedding

Muslin cloths
Changing mat
Blankets /sleeping bag
A baby bath
New Sponge& towel
I’d suggest some form of moisturiser my dds skin was very dry when she was born
Nappy cream
I would get some infacol or similar in & something to cut babies nails .
A bouncer / chair somewhere to lay baby down
I’ve had to order some cotton wool , maternity pads , breast pads & nipple cream from an online pharmacy 🤷🏻‍♀️
I Haven’t been able to get any nappies or water wipes yet will be sending dp out to look
Im picking up my car seat& isofix up on Monday & am leaving my pram for now (have ordered a sling )
Haven’t got any baby Clothes yet or things for hospital bag But I assume I can still order online .will just be getting scratch mits, and a few different size vests, rompers , baby grows, thin hats & a few cardigans

Hi all, thanks this is really helpful.

I will buy things on Amazon this weekend. Then if baby is born early and we are in a lockdown we should be ok when we get home.

Everything is readily available except some baby medicines, nappies and baby milk/formulae - is just have some stocks of that ready but I'd do an online order for delivery in May - give the shops time to stock it and not take away from those that need it today

This is so helpful! I'm in a similar position. Thanks all!

The bare basics have been covered but you might want to get
Infacol and gripe water (to use from 4 weeks plus). Both mine had terrible colic!

Different types of wipes. Everyone says water wipes but even at 2 DS' bum can't handle these. I eventually found avenoo works best. Cheeky wipes probs best but I don't want to do reusable.

Breast pads and cream a must if BF.

Baby manicure set and brush.

Something to consider - I don't know how the whole weighing the baby process (you normally go to baby clinic every 2 weeks) will work. Maybe get some electric scales or special baby scales so you can keep track of LO without having to go in all the time. (Mine dropped centiles even though they are totally fine so I had to go every week, I'm actually still supposed to be going every week but will get my own scales to avoid taking baby to clinic). Obvs if you are over ruled on this my the health visitor listen to them!

I know it’s not as nice but any clothes can be bought easily online, for example H&M are closed but offering free delivery. I stocked up on maternity leggings etc this morning x

If you are planning to breastfeed, I would also consider getting a breast pump. I found bf tricky for a while as my dc had undiagnosed tongue tie and my pump really helped get a freezer stash and has also helped a couple of times when I have had blocked ducts. I would also never be without a box of multi mam compresses for sore nipples. I don't really rate the cream. Definitely stock up on maternity pads too.

Good luck xx

Due early July too, and we did the same on Friday night online!

We have clothes and is started buy a couple of packs of nappies and wipes a few weeks ago. We also have cotton wool and cheeky wipes.

We were given some cellular blankets/muslin swaddles and a first stage car seat (was going to be a spare for a second car) but it will get us home from hospital.

We ordered a cot mattress, mattress protector and sheets

A cheap bouncer chair

A couple of bottles incase bf doesn't work.

Milton sterilising fluid

2 dummies

A baby carrier

We decided the pram could wait as we might not be allowed outside and the carrier can be used in the house.

If breastfeeding works we will add a breast pump if we can at that point.

Closer to the time I will grab maternity pads and a can of formula. But I have left these for now as others due sooner need them more than me.

You need to start looking out for nappies now, they're very difficult to find near me so I'd pick up one pack at a time when you see them. Same goes for formula, even if planning to breastfeed you may feel comfortable to have a tub or bottle in for backup. As others have said baby needs somewhere to sleep, clothes and pram assuming walking will be okay and car seat. John Lewis is a good place to get everything and still available for collection and delivery.