What to buy!?

[Supernova18]

I’m a mum to be, only 12 weeks but starting to think about what I actually will need! Rather than getting caught up in the hype of buying everything!.

What are your essentials? (December baby)

Vests
Baby grows
Nappies
Blanket
Hats
Water wipes or cotton wool
Muslins (LOADS)

That's about it!

They essentially need somewhere to sleep with a new firm mattress - Bedside crib/moses basket or cot, a new car seat, a baby carrier and/or a pram, clothes - sleepsuits, vests/bodysuits and a few hats, blankets or baby sleeping bags, muslin cloths, nappies and changing stuff, and then bottles/formula if you plan to formula feed.

Everything else is extra really. I'm 38 weeks and have loads of stuff, people love to buy clothes for the baby so wait until closer to the end to see what you get given before you get loads yourself. Also second hand is fine (apart from car seat and mattresses) and most stuff is barely used because babies grow super fast :)

To add to what others have said, I'm also getting....

a baby monitor
changing mat
baby bathtub
pump
bouncer

Oh and a nursing pillow and a nappy bin.

I'm 35 weeks on Friday
I started buying as soon as I found out I was pregnant around 6 weeks 🥰

Pram - check out the silver cross sale , we got a silver cross pioneer travel system with car seat pram and push chair all in one

Cot/Basket/bedside pod (I have snuz pod 4, super cute!) with x4 change of sheets

A nest (we got the dokatot but there are more pocket friendly lovely beautiful nests, we wanted one because wanted her to have somewhere comfy to rest when I need to put her down)

Loads of blankets

Muslins

Hats

Baby grows

Little outfit

Socks

Mittens

Breast pump and milk bags (if you wanna do breast milk)

Formula if you wanna do formula feeds

Bottles

Steriliser

Changing mat

Nappy bag - nappies, cotton wool, water wipes

Baby toiletries - shampoo, bath stuff

Baby bath

Play Mat with tummy time , we have the mamas and papas one and came in a set of 3

A few baby books to read to them

Baby monitor - we have the tommee tippee one with video and sound, got it in a set with loads of other stuff, have a look on the website it's always got sales

Nappy bin - again tommee tippee one, it makes nappy sausages then you can just Chuck it all out at the end of the day

Baby grooming kit - tommee tippee

Baby carrier/ sling - we have a bjorn one we found on sale ,

High chair (maybe buy this a bit later? But worth keeping in mind or if you have a bit or spare money and some room in the cupboard)

Baby bouncer , you can put baby in here whilst you're in the bath or shower :)

If I think of anything else il let you know, I did buy her a little Peter rabbit hospital bag from Cath kidston website , she can keep this For our trips away and stuff

I found some really cool places on Instagram that sell stuff for a lot cheaper as well such as baby grows and stuff

But next is the place to go!! Gorgeous stuff for boys and girls!

Hope this helps
Good luck with pregnancy xxxxxxx

Only thing I'd add to the above is a sling

Soo useful and easy to get out and about - you can use them around the house as well if baby is fussing and you want to get things done

To add to the above I bought a car mirror so you can see the baby in the back of the car - it was brilliant and we still have it now she's 2 (she loves looking at herself!). I'd also recommend having some formula on hand, even if you're planning on breastfeeding - if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, you have something to give the baby and the pressure is off you having to 'provide'. Finally, some form of white noise (we had Ewan the sheep), doesn't work for all babies but it was a lifesaver for us!

Thank you everyone :)
Making a list now! X

Don’t forget the car seat!

Also, the nappy bins aren’t great. I use the biodegradable nappy sacks instead.

Nipple shields are good too, plus lansinoh cream if you’re planning to bf.

I found it helpful to break down into different needs and organise the list that way. Helps avoid all of the nonsense that magazines/websites/shops will try and flog you! And a lot of lists will be arranged according to somebody else's preference so making your own makes sense.

Once you've done this, pick any random nursery brand (Maxi Cosi, Chicco, Joie) and go on their website and search for local stockists. When you find one that doesn't sound like a chain, make a note and go and visit it. The independent stores are generally SO much better for advice than the chains. This will help narrow down some of your choices.

So things like this:

Sleep (night time):
Cot/crib/moses basket
Bedding (mattress, sheets, mattress protector etc)
Covering/warmth (just clothes? Blankets? Swaddle? Grobag?)
Nightlight
Monitor (from birth or buy later?)

Sleep/"parking spot" (daytime):
Somewhere portable/safe/for living room
Blankets
Play mat for floor?

Feeding:
Breastfeeding stuff - bra, breast pads, comfy place to sit
Feeding pillow?
Breast pump? (buy later?)
Bottle feeding stuff - bottles, teats, bottle brush, steriliser, bottle warmer
Perfect prep machine? (etc)
Actually not a thing - but if you do plan to breastfeed at all I found info and support the most important. So seek out local or remote BF groups/specialists/websites/books.
Muslins/bibs
Dummies?

Clothing:
Enough clothing (type you prefer?) for 2x outfits per day, X however many days you want to go between washing and drying.
Winter baby - blankets, winter hat (I'd buy the hat later when you know how big his head is - I find hat sizes so incomprehensible!) pram suit/cosytoes
Space to store clothes
Space to hold dirty clothes before washing

Changing:
Nappies - cloth/disposable?
Changing mat/place?
Space to store used nappies before washing/binning?
Wipes - cloth/disposable/cotton wool + water tub/thermos?

Washing:
Where to wash baby? Bath/sink/baby bath (what type?)
Bath support needed?
Towels/flannels - more needed?

Transport:
Car seat - portable vs fixed? For other cars (partner/grandparents)?
Pram/buggy/sling - diff types? More than one?
Blankets/cosytoes to keep warm?
Rain protection

Entertainment/fun stuff:
Toys - what types?
Books
Playmat
Swing/bouncer
Silly/cute outfits

Next I would ask yourself three questions about everything on your list:

1. Can I achieve this aim with a simpler product, even one I already own, or does it have to be a "baby-specific" version?
2. Am I likely to need this in the first couple of weeks immediately after birth, or can I wait and buy it later after I know what my baby is like, what our routine is like, what kinds of things I want to do.
3. Is it safe/appropriate/a good idea to get this item second hand?

Congratulations and good luck

The things we swear by are:

Chicco air hug crib - It’s brilliant, it’s on wheels, we use it downstairs, baby sleeps really comfortably in it. We can wheel her around with us wherever we go. It has music which we switch on and she often goes to sleep to it.

Angelcare sensor monitor - it’s gives us peace of mind. If baby doesn’t move after 20 seconds it sounds an alarm plus it’s a video monitor as well.

Zip up sleepsuits - They are so easy.

A range of nappies from different brands because all babies are different sizes and you need to try out which ones suit your baby.

Baby bath with sling inside - Skip hop do one shaped like a whale. It is great, baby lies on the sling and is comfortable and it’s much easier to bath her.

Muslins - Buy a pack and see if you use them. They seem to be love or hate!

I second the car mirror.

Small hats for after baby is born most of ours were too big!

I packed everything in zip lock bags and labelled them all. So easy for me and DH to find things as well as if you need the midwives to look for something for you.

Lots of prepared meals in the freezer - There is no time or energy for cooking!

For you -

Lansinoh nipple cream (lots of) if you intend to breast feed and breast pads.

Big comfy pants especially if you have a C-section.

Laxatives in case you get constipated especially if taking codeine afterwards.

You don't need a breast pump or a baby monitor initially. They are both expensive to buy and for the monitor you won't leave the baby to sleep on their own for a few months and the breast pump you should only use once you've got bf established.

Moses basket to sleep in and a method of transport plus clothes, nappies, cheeky wipes... erm that's about it basically!! A sling or carrier is also an essential buy

@chickenlickenx

I'm 35 weeks on Friday I started buying as soon as I found out I was pregnant around 6 weeks 🥰

Pram - check out the silver cross sale , we got a silver cross pioneer travel system with car seat pram and push chair all in one

Cot/Basket/bedside pod (I have snuz pod 4, super cute!) with x4 change of sheets

A nest (we got the dokatot but there are more pocket friendly lovely beautiful nests, we wanted one because wanted her to have somewhere comfy to rest when I need to put her down)

Loads of blankets

Muslins

Hats

Baby grows

Little outfit

Socks

Mittens

Breast pump and milk bags (if you wanna do breast milk)

Formula if you wanna do formula feeds

Bottles

Steriliser

Changing mat

Nappy bag - nappies, cotton wool, water wipes

Baby toiletries - shampoo, bath stuff

Baby bath

Play Mat with tummy time , we have the mamas and papas one and came in a set of 3

A few baby books to read to them

Baby monitor - we have the tommee tippee one with video and sound, got it in a set with loads of other stuff, have a look on the website it's always got sales

Nappy bin - again tommee tippee one, it makes nappy sausages then you can just Chuck it all out at the end of the day

Baby grooming kit - tommee tippee

Baby carrier/ sling - we have a bjorn one we found on sale ,

High chair (maybe buy this a bit later? But worth keeping in mind or if you have a bit or spare money and some room in the cupboard)

Baby bouncer , you can put baby in here whilst you're in the bath or shower :)

If I think of anything else il let you know, I did buy her a little Peter rabbit hospital bag from Cath kidston website , she can keep this For our trips away and stuff

I found some really cool places on Instagram that sell stuff for a lot cheaper as well such as baby grows and stuff

But next is the place to go!! Gorgeous stuff for boys and girls!

Hope this helps
Good luck with pregnancy xxxxxxx

First time mum by any chance?

OP - nappies, vests, babygros, car seat, Moses basket. Bottles and milk if you won't be bf. That's about it. Everything else can be got after.

Definitely a bouncer/rocker/chair for the first 6 months. Doesn't have to be expensive, although they're are some brilliant ones you can get. It's just brilliant being able to put them down somewhere safe and comfortable. I'd have struggled without.

It is worth hanging back and seeing what suits your baby / lifestyle.

MN would have you believe they need nothing other than a few babygros and a sling but while I love slings and would recommend I’d also look at a good baby bouncer or rocker with some toys / music for baby. The 4moms one is good but pricey I think.

My baby was also December. I bought quite an expensive snowsuit but we didn’t get as much use as I’d have thought as he was in the sling a lot as a newborn.

A sleeping bag is a good buy too. I’d also possibly recommend getting some clothes for the summer in size 6-9 months now if you see some things you like.

Paracetamol

A disco ball - my cousin have me it and said out next to bed. From about 8 weeks it came into its own as she loves the lights projected onto ceiling and it buys us 10-15 minutes sleep on a morning. It once got me an hour and half nap.

Clothing - always think how am I going to get this off in a poosami scenario. Poppers at bottom, poppers up the middle,button s on back annoying til but older.

Wireless headphones and a fire tablet. I listened to audiobooks, radio 4 watched films in middle of night.

A long power cord, so t reaches to your hospital bed and later to the best you build on sofa for mobile and fire tablet.

Forgot to add if you're thinking about reusable nappys, the nappy lady is a useful source of info and advice. Also check out if your council has a scheme, ours gives £30 towards nappies.

If you don't consider cheeky wipes anyway. We love them and the nursery we are looking at use them because you get less smearing. We have ones for bums and ones for hands and face. They've saved us a fortune on wipes (still have some disposable for nappy bag) and helped do our but for planet.advice

And know you will be given baby blankets, we've got tons but only used in pram as we use grobags in for as she preferred them