What was one thing you couldn't live without when you first had a baby?

[BabyCJuly]

Hi all,

I think I have got most things for baby arrival

Lansinoh cream
Baby grows
Baby changing mat
Gym membership.
I found I had a load of baby equipment that was over priced and not really needed or they grew out if it too quickly.

Stretchy sling and the next to me crib.

I barely used any muslins - it all depends on the baby.

Sling which LO preferred over pram.

A washer/dryer, food bought from Cook and kept in the freezer, jogging bottoms and essential: sleep bras!

Pack triple the amount of clothes (for baby and you) and nappies you think you’ll need in your hospital bag...
My birth was long and messy and I stayed in a lot longer than I’d prepared for! Big men’s t-shirts are good for giving birth in.

I couldn’t have lived without my perfect prep bottle machine. I got it when ds was 6 weeks old and it was a life saver as I didn’t plan on formula feeding. I’d recommend an electric breast pump if you’re planning on breastfeeding- it’s a good back up for keeping your milk supply up if you’re struggling with breastfeeding.

What slings do people recommend? I bought one for my first baby but couldn’t get my head round how to put it on. Baby number two due in August and I’d like to try using a sling before I buy a new double buggy. Thanks!

Oh and another vote for the grow bag! They are well worth it. I had 3 :)

Sling (following a visit to a sling library).

@YummyInMyTummy
I found the Close Caboo easy to use and not scary to put on. I got mine 2nd hand and will sell on after so not an expensive purchase.

I’ve moved on to an Ergobaby Omni 360 air mesh now she is bigger but the Caboo was fantastic when little.

@YummyInMyTummy

The BabyBjorn Mini is really good for newborns. I could put mine in and out without the need for anyone else to help and it’s lovely and soft. I’d say it’s good for the first 6-9 months but after that there isn’t really enough back support (despite it saying up to 12 months). There is a BabyBjorn One Air that carries up to 3 years old which is more expensive but better if you want to use it for longer.

Wine.

If you like any hot drink a decent travel mug, just to use at home but then it keeps your drink warm a bit longer.

a seat/lie down thing for the baby in the bath. It means both your hands are free, and you don't have to worry about the slippery baby slipping under the water.

Places to put her down safely dotted around the house. We've got a chair thing in the bathroom, buggy in the kitchen, jumperoo in the living room. Handy for popping to the loo or when I just need 5 mins of not being touched!

Soft night light!!

Dried fruit. Postnatal constipation is not spoken about much but it's common and horrendous.

Me- nipple cream

Both- sling/ next to me crib

Baby- me!!!!! 😂

For those mentioning a sling, are you refering to one of those fabric pieces that you tie yourself or for a proper carrier that is already set up (the ones that look like a backpack)? Why would you chose one over the other?

I am a FTM so feeling really lost on what are the benefits of each..
Thanks

@Bubblesbebe

A sling/stretchy wrap comes in all sorts of styles. Some you tie, some have rings, but they are unstructured. They are really comfy for tiny babies to sleep in and for you to wear a lot. I loved the Close Caboo, really easy to put on. I used this for hours a day to about 4.5 months.

The structured carriers are brilliant once they are bigger, I use mine indoors and out. I have the Ergobaby 360 Omni Air Mesh. But it would not have suited around the house when she was little. My baby is 7 months now and I use it everyday too.

Pandemic aside Sling libraries are great for trying different ones. But I just chanced it, the Caboo I bought used so didn’t matter if I didn’t like it and the Ergobaby I got after trying a friends.

Sleepyhead

Breast shells

@Bubblesbebe a soft sling made from stretchy cloth is good for early days when your baby is likely to sleep on you a lot and you want to sit down or get on with things at home.

But the downside of soft ones is they're not so good once your baby is heavy and wriggly.

Backpack looking structured ones are good for being out and about. You can put them on and off easily and they're better for supporting a heavy baby (up to 18 months or so).

Co-sleeping cot. Just eases that anxiety. And a proper read through of the safe co-sleeping guidance. I can't deal with all that sitting up, feeding them getting sleepy off the BF hormones, waiting until they are asleep and putting them down all gently and then they wake up again just as you think it's safe. Just stick them in bed next to you (safely) and doze as much as you need. You can move them to a cot when you are awake, if you want to encourage independent sleeping habits, but this will save you from falling asleep accidentally.

Bouncy chair (fabric stretched over metal frame type).

2 litre bottles of water or a water filter jug for when you’re breastfeeding (very thirsty work). On a table with a remote control holder/organiser and a kindle (only real way to read one handed although with first pre-kindle I used to fold a broadsheet down to the most interesting page and manage one page per feed )

Electric steam steriliser for bottles (faff free, doesn’t clutter up the microwave and the bottles stay sterile for hours as long as the lid stays on).

Fruit. Big bowls of fruit, for when you only have hand free and are starving, and for the vitamins.

Changing table.
Feeding cushion.

Although loads of people on here have said sling, we had one and I never used it!