First time mum. What do I need to buy?? Help

[ExcitingTimes2021]

First time mum over here. 22 weeks and starting to plan what I need to buy for the baby. Iv been buying a pack of nappies or baby wipes every food shop so we will have plenty In. Bought a few bits of clothes but no idea what I actually need clothes wise/what is best/how much for an august baby!! I have just ordered my pram and made a list of things I think I need but starting to feel a bit overwhelmed as I just have no idea where to start! Any advise on the essentials/quantity is greatly appreciated!!

Xxxx

Don't buy too many 1st size nappy as they quickly grow.
Sleep suits and vests
Bedding a couple of sets
blankets for pram
changing mat
You really don't need too much as people will buy you bits and you can soon get stuff delivered these days.

If your planning to bottle feed definitely a prep machine was a life saver for us x

Car seat? Maxi Cosi are pretty good.

Play mat, sheepskin rug.
Clothes wise, they only really need sleepsuits and baby grows (long and short sleeved) for the first few months.
Moses basket might be good initially, sometimes they sleep better in them (or next to me cot).
Steriliser and bottles (and breast pump if you're breastfeeding.)
Front carrier (baby bjorn one is good)

Most of this you can wait and get closer to the time or when you think you need it.

This is my list so far. My second pregnancy and I wasted a lot on gadgets with the first baby. This is what I consider essential. A lot of it will be pre-loved too so don't be put off if something is too expensive as a lot of pre-loved things are safe. Obviously you'll need new mattress, new car seat and anything safety related should be bought new.

Cotbed
Mattress
Sheets
Swaddle Blanket
Sleeping Bag
Bedside Crib
Car Seat
Pushchair
Changing Bag
Stretchy Wrap
Haakaa
Muslin
Milk Storage Bags
Feeding Pillow
Nipple Cream
Nursing Bras
Nursing Tops
Bath Seat
Hooded Towels
Baby Wash
Baby Shampoo
Nail and Hair Kit
Changing Mat
Nappies
Wipes
Bouncer Chair
Play Mat
Newborn Babygros
Newborn Vests
0-3M Babygrow
0-3M Vests
Pramsuit
Hats

First make sure as many people as you can tell know your are pregnant.

Then if you have generous family and/or friends and/or neighbours and/or colleagues wait until you are over 30 weeks before getting more stuff.

I got stuff from lots of people and 2.5 years later am still giving stuff away.

Also don't stock up on nappies, wipes and bottles.

With nappies you don't know what shape your baby will be and which brand of nappies will suit them best at each size. You also could end up with a baby who has allergies to particular brands. This is also why you shouldn't stock up on wipes.

With bottles you can get loads of one type and discover your baby won't drink out if them. I had lots of expensive bottles and my DD was happiest with Boots and Adsa's own brand.

You are better of knowing which large supermarkets have baby stuff in stock near where you live and their opening times.

Baby essentials? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4132809-baby-essentials

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Some things I found useful initially (in addition to above):-

Muslins - you can never have too many. :)

Nappy cream

Metanium (clears nappy rash quickly)

Since your baby will be born in mid-Summer, I would recommend getting some Factor 50 suncream. Young babies have very sensitive skin!

A baby thermometer.

A baby monitor.

RedMarauder makes a good point about creams. My baby was allergic to one nappy cream and so we had to experiment with several to find one that suited.

10 babygros
10 vests
2 hats
2 cardies
2 blankets
1 pram suit
Moses basket
Sling
Pram if you want, I didn't bother
Car seat
Baby bag

That's it

Babies don't need much

You don’t need suncream. Keep your baby out of the sun.

Not 'essential' but I'd highly recommend a white noise sheep/ owl. My DD is six months old and we've used it every night since she was born.

If you can see if you can join a lock mums page or selling site on FB as lots of stuff can be picked up very cheaply or free. Because a lot of baby stuff is used for such a short period of time most second hand stuff is in very good condition.

Probably not a must have list as pp have said most of it, but things I wish I knew about sooner and got in preparation:

Swaddle bag (I used the Love to dream swaddle - was a game changer for my little ones sleep).

For when they get a cold:
Baby sterimar
Baby vapour rub
Humidifier
Baby vapour oil

I swear by Aveeno baby products for my sons dry skin. I found Johnson’s aren’t a great brand - at least for my son. Aveeno is a lot more gentle.

As others have said, don’t stock up on loads of newborn nappies and don’t by just one brand as some may not suit your babies needs.

Same with bottles, I brought one of each from the main brands (some I got for free by signing up to boots parenting club because I brought something else I would have needed for baby anyway) and tested them out with baby before deciding which brand to buy more of. So glad I did this as I nearly brought a whole set of Tommee Tippee bottles and decided against it - it was the brand he hated the most and didn’t get on well with at all. We decided MAM bottles in the end were the best match.

If you know you are bottle feeding a perfect prep machine is an absolute saviour! I would only buy if you are definitely not planning on breastfeeding, it’s a lot of money to waste if you successfully breastfeed.

Really helpful thread thank you!

Everything mentioned plus a Sleepyhead. They're amazing for getting babies to fall and stay asleep.