Buying for baby - What do you swear by?

[Edelweiss2020]

Okay so I’m feeling rather overwhelmed by looking at stuff for baby and there’s sooooo many different products and gadgets out there. Obviously I know you technically only ‘need’ basics so place for baby to sleep, clothes, car seat, pram etc but what things are really useful and what stuff isn’t worth it?

Seeing things like baby swings and bouncers etc all the time on baby buy and sell groups - are they unnecessary or just outgrown really fast?

Only 14+2 so obviously have a lot of time to buy and figure stuff out but please help my overwhelmed brain out!

Personally the Love to dream swaddle was my best purchase. My DS was constantly waking himself up with the newborn startle reflex. He liked to be swaddle but is so fidgety that he comes close from a normal blanket in no time. Brought this and he sleeps for much longer periods now!

I also agree with getting a sling and a bouncer. I brought an expensive elwfric rocker but it didn't really do anything for my DS (not yet anyway - hes 11 weeks now), but he does like his £12.99 bouncy chair!

Thank you all for your suggestions, all super helpful! Sounds like swing chairs/bouncers are a definite thing to investigate, at least there are tonnes on seek and sell haha!

We were looking at doing cloth nappies but couldn’t decide whether to just do disposables initially then try to find something that suits when baby is here and we’ve started to figure life out a bit! Mainly because again all the different kinds baffles me a bit 🤦‍♀️

You can hire a kit of loads or different ones to try so you don't have to shell out. Google Napier libraries near you

A dummy

I found a bouncy chair essential, however outgrown very quickly.

ALso made good use of the little chairs that go on the floor with a tray on for eating.. ‘Bumbo’ seat i think it was called? From mamas and papas.

Please research your slings and be very careful if you get one. I personally hate them as at work (ambulance) I have seen a 3 month old baby suffocated and dad thought he was sleeping whilst out for a long walk . But i know they can be very useful for some if used properly..

There are so many cloth nappy options out there it is mind boggling!

I did the nappy lady questionnaire and she suggested muslins and wraps at first then some shaped and pocket nappies to move on to. My little is 4 months now and we are still using the muslins. I love the ease of washing and drying of them. They are pretty robust I haven't had poo escape them once! I use two wraps a day (more if poo escapes the muslin and gets on to the wrap). It was easier than I imagined to learn the folds I have used a few and after a day I'm pretty comfortable with them.

Muslins and wraps come under a 2 part system they are pretty robust and dry quicker. I've now added a couple shaped nappies (these are similar to a disposable as I you just velcro it in place you just have to put a waterproof wrap around it afterwards) and terrys squares.

We aim to cloth full time but we don't. I supplement with disposables when I miss time washes or need a break. Supplementing disposables with cloth is also an option it doesn't have to be one or the other.

@RayOfSunshine2013 that's so sad I've seen people wearing their babies in unsafe ways but no one likes being corrected on things like that (I wouldn't mind though). Lots of babies are worn too low or their scrunched down and it's not good at all, there's a photo of BJ wearing his son at belly button level and I've seen similar all over the place.

We had a swaddle sleeping bag for newborn, very useful to feel snug. I didn't like blankets for sleep they worried me!

It's been 10 years for me and now I'm going again 🤣

But those powder milk dispenser for travel were great.

Nappy bins weren't helpful. 😂