Having baby in July - Tips/What do I need?

[disorganisedasalways]

Hello..
I am having a c section at the beginning of July.
Do you have any tips/advice?
And what do I need for the baby?
We've made a bit of a list but often hear people say that it's easy to go overboard and not use everything you buy so just looking for advice really.

The list we've made (apart from pram and big things like that):

Baby-grows
Bibs
Vests
Bottles
Steriliser
Breast pump
Crib
Hats
Mittens
Carrier sling
Sleep bag
Nipple pads
Blankets
Room temperature thermometer.
Muslins
Cardigans

Baby storage box for nappies and creams etc.
Baby products - toiletries
nappy bags.
Nappies

Not mittens, they're a total pain in the arse and just fall off. Get babygrows with fold over mits.

If you're breastfeeding you won't necessarily need bottles/steriliser/pump. I wouldn't bother with those yet, just wait and see how feeding goes. Remember supermarkets are open pretty much 24 hours and stock pretty much everything.

Don't buy lots of nipples pads/nappies til you know what fits and suits you both.

Painkillers for you (paracetamol+ibuprofen).

Maternity pads (boots own are best IMO)

Something to clip baby's nails (they're surprisingly sharp!).

Sheets for crib.

Change mat.

Moses basket or somewhere to put baby down round the house (nest, bouncer).

Some kind of baby bath/seat. I'd recommend an angel care one- they're great.

Don’t buy lots of any one thing. You won’t know if it suits you, or baby.
My ds is an end of June baby and he lived in nappies and a vest for a good three months, it was so hot when he was born! Little clothes and sleep suits were pointless.

As they get older I highly recommend baby sleeping bags. Worth looking out in advance as they are popular second hand.

You don’t mention a baby monitor… it’s not essential initially when they are with you all the time but keep an eye out for offers if you can, once they are sleeping away from you it’s definitely needed.

I would personally have some of the ready mixed milk in for desperate times. You don’t know how things might go and in my case it was all that stood between me and a complete meltdown.

Also ready meals or easy options for you and your partner stacked up in the freezer, if you can. Never underestimate how shattered a newborn will make you feel.
Good luck!

@TeddyTonks
Thank you for the tip on the mittens.
Would I still need maternity pads when having a c section?
I forgot to mention we have a Moses basket and a little bath.
Going shopping today so will be getting a few bits but don't want to go mad getting all sorts if it's unnecessary.

@Cryingbutstilltrying
Thank you.
Yes I did wonder about the weather. It might be quite hot around that time so don't want to get too many clothes she won't be able to wear.
I'm going to try to breastfeed but do think it's a good idea to get some milk just Incase I can't etc.
We are currently trying to make space in the freezer to prepare meals/buy ready meals. Its absolutely full at the moment!
Thank you for the tips!

I also wouldn’t buy all the feeding stuff if planning on breastfeeding.
I bought one bottle and a couple of those ready made formulas (£1 each) as emergency back up incase needed. Figured I could then buy pump, steriliser, more bottles on Amazon priority if needed.
Ended up breastfeeding 18 months without pumping. Tried bottle with the formula a few times, but Ds refused. You can sterilise just by using hot water in a pan if your only doing occasionally.

Il add socks and baby knitted booties. Mine was summer born, but his feet freezing the first few weeks. So midwife recommended adding socks under or over his babygrow. It can be cold mornings or September onwards, so buy 0-3 months, not newborn. Plus if it is hot they will be just in vest and socks.

Put changing mat ontop of chest of drawers. Saves bending, and then you can use top drawer for all nappy storage and clothing is all in one place if you need to change

[quote disorganisedasalways]@TeddyTonks
Thank you for the tip on the mittens.
Would I still need maternity pads when having a c section?
I forgot to mention we have a Moses basket and a little bath.
Going shopping today so will be getting a few bits but don't want to go mad getting all sorts if it's unnecessary. [/quote]
You will still bleed and leak after a C-section. It’s called lochia.

@Suprima
I didn't know that. Just googled it as I'd never heard of it before. Thanks for that. I wondered about the pads because I just assumed I wouldn't need them after a c section!

Yes, you still get all the bleeding with a section. I got through a lot of maternity pads as it can last a few weeks. The Naturcare ones are really soft

@Caspianberg
Thank you for the tips. Yes I plan to breastfeed but not sure how long for. I'm not sure really how it works in terms of trying to do both breast feed and express to bottle feed. Because my wife also really wants to feed the baby therefore, I'll likely express too so that she can.

If I really struggle to breastfeed, then we will get formula. But I know breast pumps seem to cost a fortune so we won't really know the full situation until the baby comes and we see if I can breastfeed enough.
Aww yes we'll get some little socks when we're out shopping today too. Thank you.

@Hugasauras
Thank you. I definitely will. I didn't have a clue about it and no friends have mentioned it so probably assumed I'd know already. It just didn't occur to me!

[quote disorganisedasalways]@Caspianberg
Thank you for the tips. Yes I plan to breastfeed but not sure how long for. I'm not sure really how it works in terms of trying to do both breast feed and express to bottle feed. Because my wife also really wants to feed the baby therefore, I'll likely express too so that she can.

If I really struggle to breastfeed, then we will get formula. But I know breast pumps seem to cost a fortune so we won't really know the full situation until the baby comes and we see if I can breastfeed enough.
Aww yes we'll get some little socks when we're out shopping today too. Thank you. [/quote]
Have a look at the Haakaa, it's inexpensive and collects milk from one boob while you're feeding on the other. It would be a cheap way to save some milk, without laying out lots of money for an expensive electrical pump. Gets tons of great reviews on Amazon! And is super simple too!

I've never used a room thermometer. Stock up on paracetamol for you post birth. I wouldn't go mad with clothes because it could be a heatwave or it could be rubbish, July is a tricky one.

Maybe a couple of extra large muslins (120x120cm) for lightweight, breathable swaddles? Your baby might love being swaddled and in the warm summer you could just do nappy, vest and swaddle (or just nappy and swaddle). If swaddling doesn't work then you'll find tons of uses for the big muslins anyway

Oh and massive pants. Make sure any you have won't rub where the incision wound will be. DH had to be sent out to buy emergency huge pants after mine

I think I bought those mini formulas as I wanted to have back up incase I was too ill to feed or express for some reason so dh had something to start him off. You can use on porridge for baby when weaning if not needed.

I think you can rent pumps too. Maybe from medela? That way you could try before you buy type thing