Your top 3!!

[New2020]

As a FTM it seems like there are so many things out there it's difficult to know what will actually be really useful..and what you could live without that you're being suckered into. I'm due in Nov and trying to figure out things I might need for a winter bubs.

I know it's really dependant on how every baby is but I'm still curious..

What would be in your top 3 recommendations and top 3 buying regrets?

Thanks!!x

For us I'd say best 3 were

1. Ewan the dream sheep
2. Bouncer chair
3. Perfect prep machine

I'd agree re clothes for the first few months, just use sleep suits which all have feet and mits so no need for socks and MITs!

Best

1. Baby bouncer - handy for when I had to shower, do things like cook etc.

1. Video monitor with music on - Used it for years great way to keep an eye on baby and turn soothing music on as and when they needed it.

1. Wallaboo flower blanket - great for lining the push hair/car seat, use as a play mat, generally as a blanket, there are some thin ones on offer on Groupon atm x

Ps we also have the chicco next to me.
I would say its handy, but nothing special. The side feature we haven't used as its next to bed so side down, it also doesnt actually attach to our bed as divan. We have just wedged in between wall and bed so it can't move.
And do be aware the rocking feature can't be used if used as side bed, so slightly pointless imo, as we won't every use as stand alone crib, as will use larger cot by that point.

Also, would suggest if you use side cot, you attach to partners side. Its takes up half the side of bed, so I wouldn't have wanted to have to shuffle down bed so soon after birth to get in and out. Therefore Dh has on his side, he passes baby to me to feed overnight, and then he settles back to sleep afterwards. Works well as then i can rest a little after being awake feeding for 30-60 mins at a time (and it only takes dh 0-10mins to resettle baby)

Best buys

1. Soft sling, we also had a carrier for when dd was older. Loved them, can't wait to sling this baby!

1. Large muslins, dd still uses them to cuddle and swaddle her babies at 3

1. Prefect prep, especially useful at night and combined fed before formula fed so was useful for both

(if I could add a walk in shower for post csection I would!)

Worst for us

1. Baby bath. Made a useful laundry basket though..

1. Moses basket and swinging crib. Dd hated both and slept through the night she went in a cot

1. Gro egg, never worked
2. Jumperoo was gifted to us, dd hated it and so huge and clunky

Things we are doing differently this time are getting an electric double pump from the start, considering a baby bjorn Bouncer, bedside crib and hopefully not having visitors to stay too long or from the start. It was so overwhelming!

Also I loved the idea of a baby book but I've never filled in more than a couple of pages, agree with baby shoes being pointless and we only took upto 1 month in but she was 6 lbs and swamped so will pick up a couple of newborn sizes this time

Ps. Congratulations!!

As PPs have said, first size clothing is often wasted because they don’t fit for very long. My DD was 8lb 6oz and only fitted first size for about a week or two. Some people bought us very small clothes and they just never fitted. Both my family and DH’s family make big babies.

This time, I’ve bought three first size baby grows and the rest are 0-3 as a minimum. If I need more first size, three will do until one of us can get to a shop to buy something.

You can guarantee that one person's best 3 things will be the next person's waste of money

So going for the most uncontroversial things which I think everyone could use:

1. Bedside cot - we have a BabyBay but there are various different types - had DD1 in a Moses basket and have had the BabyBay for DD2 and 3 and it makes a huge difference not having to get out of bed to feed and change at night.

1. Nightlight for bedside table so you have just enough light for feeding and changing but not too much so it wakes you up

1. Muslins - put a folded one in the cot / pram under baby's head so if they're sick you just change the muslin not the whole sheet; use to wipe up sick; put on changing mat to catch mid-change wees and / or pat little bottom dry etc, so many uses!

And if I'm allowed another one :

1. Cheeky wipes reusable wipes, so much better for cleaning up baby poo than cotton wool or wet wipes. Just chuck them in a bucket and put them on a hot 60 wash every other day with muslins/ babygros/ towels / sheets etc

Oh and!

1. If planning to breastfeed, a decent book with advice like Amy Brown's book Positive Breastfeeding (I think it's called) or the La Leche League book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding- so helpful when having an "is this normal?!" moment in the early days.

Things you don't need:

1. Baby clothes and "outfits" for the heat six months. Vests babygros and cardigans are all you need.

1. Fancy nappy disposal bin - just bag them chuck them and empty the bin every evening (or use washables)

Muslins - put a folded one in the cot / pram under baby's head so if they're sick you just change the muslin not the whole sheet; use to wipe up sick; put on changing mat to catch mid-change wees and / or pat little bottom dry etc, so many uses!

Yes! I had forgotten we used to put a muslin on top of the changing mat! DD1 is 6 and it’s amazing the little things you forget.

Following with interest!

Essentials ..

Personally I think breast feeding vests or tops are brilliant .. I'd go for those rather than breastfeeding dresses as you can mix and match with jeans/ shorts/ skirts. I use B Shirt.

A cheap bouncy chair as they often don't love them, but you sometimes need to put them were they cant wiggle off / roll off. As it goes both mine would happily sit in them in the bathroom whilst I had a quick shower. The £25 ones are fine rather than the all singing and dancing £100 vibrating swing versions. They are only in them for about 6 months.

A baby carrier .. finding the right one for you is the tricky bit.

Live without...

Muslins, never used them with baby 1 or baby 2. I suppose it depends on your baby and you. Baby 2 is sicky but I go through bibs, and wipe up with a wet wipe rather than a Muslin.

Dungarees. I find these a pain to get on and off and hate them. One friend loved them for style and she said worked best on her baby's shape.

One of those newborn professional photo shoots! I just think it's so cringe. Or maybe I just look too much of a hippo after birth to have one.

Thanks for all the responses!! I'm looking forward to finishing work and having a proper read through and replying!

Not that I'm on a vendetta against muslins, but you shouldn't be putting a loose piece of fabric in your baby's cot,pram or Moses basket. That is not safe sleep. The same for the sleep pods or sleepyheads. I did actually buy a sleepyhead against the safe sleep advice as a lot of people swear by them, but it gave me so much anxiety with my big baby turning its head into the fabric that I couldn't use it and sold it on. Here's the official advice..

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

On a changing mat were they are supervised ok maybe put a muslin, but the mats are wipeable to save you washing.

Good thread and interestingly quite a lot of agreement so far!

Best:

1. Reusable nappies and wipes. Save a fortune, no poo explosions, no worry about running out.
2. Stretchy wrap or close caboo carrier from newborn - hands free, baby happy.
3. Insulated leakproof bottle/cup for you if breastfeeding - you'll always be thirsty and stuck on the sofa with a cold cuppa out of reach if not!

Worst:

1. Outfits for newborns, esp if made of anything other than soft jersey. Uncomfortable, hard to put on, grown out of too soon!
2. Changing table - mat on drawers or floor doesn't take up any room and will be more flexible.
3. 'sleep aids' promising the earth - they just want your money. Some babies will stay asleep longer than others - Ollie the owl and Ewan the sheep will do bugger all to change this! (Yes, we had both... Plus rocking stand for moses basket, soothing music, swaddles - she often sleeps through now at 27 months!)

Best buys:
Bounce chair - not a fancy swinging, singing one, just the kind you can bounce with your foot. Used it with both dc.
Amazon Prime - anything you need delivered quickly when panic-bought at 3am.
Sudocrem - I use it on everything!

Regrets:
Change table - I use the drawers but have only changed about 3 nappies on it, a big chest of drawers would have been more useful.
Nappy bin - pointless.
Fussy outfits - babies need to be comfy and easy to change, not kitted out in jeans and trainers or mini tuxedos.

Following for ideas!

@ishouldtryabiteachdayy

Not that I'm on a vendetta against muslins, but you shouldn't be putting a loose piece of fabric in your baby's cot,pram or Moses basket. That is not safe sleep. The same for the sleep pods or sleepyheads. I did actually buy a sleepyhead against the safe sleep advice as a lot of people swear by them, but it gave me so much anxiety with my big baby turning its head into the fabric that I couldn't use it and sold it on. Here's the official advice..

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

On a changing mat were they are supervised ok maybe put a muslin, but the mats are wipeable to save you washing.

I should have specified in my reply earlier, I was only agreeing with the changing mat. I never put one with a sleeping baby.

I put a puppy pad under the fitted sheet to stop any sick or nappy leakages from going through to the mattress.

Best purchases for me were

1. some sort of carry case or caddy organiser so you can easily transport nappies, wipes, creams etc from one room to another
2. a door bouncer (for when they are a little older). We had a Lindam one and both my kids absolutely loved it
3. a sling. Great for walks where a pram isn’t suitable but I also found it a really good way to get some housework done and carry a clingy baby at the same time

Worst

1. scented bubble baths, lotions etc baby skin just doesn’t need it
2. dummies as both my kids refused them

Congratulations and good luck!

I'm starting to remember and I agree with @Colouringinbook completely. All four things she listed were absolute musts for us!

Essentials for me, very similar to others.

1. Reusable nappies and wipes. It’s not hard to bung them in the wash and they are so much better than disposable. Way cheaper over time as well. And cloth bums are so cute!
2. Sling or carrier
3. Babygros rather than clothes before 3 months, especially with a winter baby. Snuggly, easier to change and way less faff. Extra bonus if you get the ones with a zip!

Unnecessary: bf clothes though that may be as I have been in lockdown for the majority of my feeding so far so have no issues getting my boobs out. I may wear them more afterwards but they seem a hassle.

Most useful:

1. Perfect prep machine (especially during the night) if you don't want to or are unable to breastfeed
2. Chicco next to me crib
3. Sleeping bags - not from birth but invaluable from a few months old

Least useful:
Bottle warmer-never used it
Nice outfits in small sizes. Lived in babygrows for the first couple of months
Nappy bin-we didn't actually buy one but just think they're pointless

Thanks everyone.

I had a nappy bin on my list but I can't believe the cost of some given it's just a bin!

Also good tips on newborn sizes. Going to get a few but not loads.

My SIL is also expecting and has lots of baby clothes and socks. I thought it would be pointless and have just got a few 0-3month clothes. I felt a bit lazy not getting outfits but think sticking to 0-3 basics might be a better idea!

Good to see a few posts saying scratch mitts aren't needed. I was wondering whether I should get them in case but also didn't know why I'd need them if they are inbuilt in the sleepsuits

@New2020 you just need to check they have them integrated. Not all do but it always says on the description if they do.

Thanks @chubbyhotchoc been keeping an eye out for the integrated sleeves. It's quite difficult to find many clothes for newborn or 0-3 months at the moment :(

Question to put out there...how useful are the zippy grows? I was keen to begin with but they are pricey and also I was thinking you'd have to unzip the whole thing rather than just getting legs out for a change

@Thestrongestavenger any caddy recommendations?

I've been looking at the gro egg...it's quite reassuring as a FTM to just look up and be able to see the temperature but I wonder how useful they actually are. Lots of mixed reviews

I had a gro egg. Always took the temperature and colour with a pinch of salt. It was always blue for freezing or red for boiling in my DD’s room according to the gro egg.

Marking my place to read later. I have a ten year gap and feel like a FTM again! So many nee things on the market and a it bewildering.