Realistically what do you actually need for a newborn?

[BigGooseyLucy]

Hi ladies, I'm having my first baby and all my friends and family are saying how I need to get this and that and get this type of something and don't get this type of something and honestly I just want to know what realistically do you need for your first born and what items are just a con ?

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MNHQ

Onesies, vests, nappies, wipes, somewhere safe to sleep and safe bedding, muslins, a baby carrier/sling or a pram (both are useful though), car seat if you have a car, somewhere to put a changing kit if you go out. A blanket or two for on the floor at home and out and about. Bottles, formula and sterilising method if you decide to feed that way. A very large water bottle and lanolin if you choose the other. Winter babies need at least 1 hat, probably some mittens and extra blankets/ a pram suit for out and about.

That’s probably the minimum.

Exactly what @BalconiWaferAddict said! The only thing I’d change is the wipes bit. I’m not a fan if disposable wipes for many reasons and def not for a newborn. I’ve always used cotton wool pads and water when little and more recently moved to cloth wipes. For advice on safe sleeping and bedding check out The Lullaby Trust.

Things you absolutely need:

• vests
• onesies
• hats
• cardigan
• nappies
• wipes
• nappy cream
• muslins
• car seat if you have a car
• safe place for your baby to sleep (cot /

Moses basket / baby box), including safe bedding (fitted sheet, no bumpers etc)

• 2 blankets, one lightweight one heavyweight
• formula. bottles and steriliser if you plan to FF
• nipple cream, breast pads and nursing bra if you plan to BF
• some form of bag to use as a changing bag
• books to read to your baby
• teething toys

Things that are useful but not strictly necessary

• baby bath
• changing mat
• sleep sack
• white noise machine
• nightlight
• sling even if you have a pram

Baby grows
Vests
Muslins
Bibs
Moses basket and sheets (can use pillow cases)
A few blankets
Lansinoh
Car seat
Few cardigans
Nappies
Wipes
Changing mat
A pram or from birth buggy
A decent sling I used a ergo baby360 with new born inserts

Large supply of maternity pads
Big (up to the waist) comfy knickers
Nice pyjamas and dressing gown. Stay in them for at least a fortnight after the birth.
Supportive adult to bring you cups of tea, massage your feet, hold the baby while you civilise yourself, fend off unwanted or overstaying visitors etc.

Changing stations/tables are a waste IMO as realistically you're not going to take the baby to the room it's in every time they need a nappy change. Even the changing mat didn't get much use - usually just used an old towel - although a foldable mat or a Muslim cloth is essential for when you're out and about. Better to just have tubs with nappies and wipes etc around the house (e.g. one for upstairs and one for downstairs).

Babygros
Vests
Nappies
Wipes
Cotton wool
Moses basket or whatever you're using
Sheets/ blankets
Pram
Milk and bottles if not breastfeeding
Bibs
Hat, cardigan, coat, snowsuit depending on time of year.

A lot less than you think. I used a moses basket for naps for 6 months, no cot. No pram until a year old, as he just screamed in it, I used a wrap/sling instead. No nappy bag, a small basic backpack was easier.

I never used a musli , don't know what Lansinoh is, and think a changing mat is vital.
I breastfed and found breast shells invaluable, they catch milk from leaky boobs which you can then freeze. They also stop your clothes getting damp.
Otherwise vests and babygros, a hat and a couple of cotton cellular blankets, and some thing to port the baby in- sling/pram/car seat.

V little
Sling
Car seat if goes in car
Moses basket (or crib but basket great as easily portable) with sheets and cellular blankets
Nappies & wipes/cotton wool
Vests & sleep suits
Boobs or bottles/formula/sterilising kit
Changing mat useful but changing table unnecessary
Nice to have - a reclining bouncer thing
For yourself postnatally - maternity pads and breast pads

Patience and lots of coffee

Also muslins/bibs if sicky baby
I’ve focused on newborn but everything else you need you can pick up as you go.

We do actually use changing table upstairs for every nappy change. Ds is now 15 months and still use every change. It’s just a chest of drawers with Mat on top, nothing special. But easier as no bending down, all his nappies and clothing in one space, and bathroom next door for water for wipes ( we use flannels) and nappy bin storage ( washable). And then can wash hands at same time.

Agree with lots of the suggestions on here. Also I’d say some things depend on what your baby is like and how things turn out so you don’t necessarily need to buy them in advance - for example we needed about 30 muslins, they were absolutely essential because we had a really refluxy baby, but I had friends who barely used them at all. On the other hands I bought a huge box of breast pads and never used one - my boobs just didn’t leak - so I gave them to a friend who really needed them. But you can get most things at very short notice!

I never used cardigans until my child was about 6 months old and dressing her regularly. She was born in September.

In regards to snow suits/pram suits if you are mainly using a wrap/sling you don't need them as your baby will overheat.

I ended up with 7 snow/pram suits given to me. Of those I only used the two thinnest - one because it was Christmassy and the other because it also had velcro fastenings.

I actually found cellular blankets more useful for the time I used the pram and in the car.

In regards to mittens use baby socks that go up over their wrists. They are actually more useful for covering their hands than wearing on their feet if you have baby grows without hand coverings or your baby likes to scratch their face.

Then once they get to the point where they can wear socks, if it is winter put them in tights as it stops them taking them off and losing them.

Things you don’t need:
Cute but impractical ‘outfits’
Wipe warmer (wtaf)
Nappy bin
Cotton wool (just use reusable wipes with water
£1000+ travel system
Expensive nursery furniture

I had all new with my first but didn’t bother with my second, saved a fortune and had a lovely swing which was a lifesaver as it was the only place no2 slept other than on me.

My essentials would be pretty much what the first few posters said. Definitely the big knickers for you! Sling was brilliant too, meant I could get things done when they slept.

I also like those seats for the bath that hold them when they’re tiny. If you have crap water pressure or a massive bath, a separate baby bath is better.

Good luck!

It’s absolutely fine to put a newborn straight in to a cot if you follow the sids guidelines no one ever mentions this.