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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

First baby must have checklist

34 replies

Bubbles021 · 17/06/2022 10:06

Hi everyone,
I'm currently 31+5 with my second baby, but the first to come home with us. I've been very slack at buying things as we lost our first baby at 33 weeks last year, so I've found it hard to buy things in case anything went wrong.
However, our son was very poorly which was why he died, and our little girl this time is thriving, so there's no reason she won't be coming home!
Now that I'm starting to finally accept that we're having a baby in just over 7 weeks (c section booked at 39 weeks), I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with what we still need to buy for her.
We have a bed that we brought for our son and she has clothes, but we still need a car seat and pram that we're going for next week.
What else do we need? I'm worried about not having 'essentials' that I would never have even thought about! What would be on your 'baby checklist' for parents bringing home a baby for the first time?
Thank you so much for your help! 💙

OP posts:
beansontoastx · 17/06/2022 10:23

Bottle prep machine - although these are very versatile and some people say they build up bacteria, although personally I've never had any problems.
Bottle steriliser is a life saver!
I use the tommee tippy brands for those.
Plenty of muslin cloths
Schnuggle baby bath if you don't have a bath, or a bath seat if you do have one!
Good luck and congratulations Flowers

Bubbles021 · 17/06/2022 10:52

@beansontoastx thank you so much 🥰

OP posts:
lamaze1 · 17/06/2022 10:52

We were in a similar position and so I bought nothing with the intention of buying everything at the end...i then went into labour at 24 weeks. The long stint in the NICU gave me time to buy what was needed. In no particular order, initially I wouldn't have been without:

Nappies
Muslins
Vests
Babygrows
Nappy cream
Wet wipes
Thermometer
Depending on how you're feeding you may need mil bottles and steriliser
Cot
Bedding for said cot
Blankets or grobags
Room temp thing (room should be between 16-19 degrees)
Nappy bin - absolutely not essential but I found helpful as I'm in a townhouse and don't want to stink out overnight!
Baby bath
Sponge/towels

Anything else can follow

beansontoastx · 17/06/2022 10:53

Bubbles021 · 17/06/2022 10:52

@beansontoastx thank you so much 🥰

Sorry to hear about the loss of your angel baby💖

lamaze1 · 17/06/2022 10:53

Some bottles not mil bottles!

Flowerbug1994 · 17/06/2022 10:55

Every single thing @beansontoastx said I use every single day. My baby is only 15 days today. Also cellular blankets as people tend to buy fluffy soft blankets but cellular are well better for sleeping at night. And I quickly realised you need a good baby seat I have bought this week a chicco polly magic relax which is suitable from birth to about 4 years as my baby isn’t fond of Moses basket and is just always in pram this is a seat that is the same height as table not on floor so it’s so much easier for me after c section either as I am not bending.

lamaze1 · 17/06/2022 10:58

Sorry me again. Also changing mat, hats and the sufflebabe nasal aspirator (godsend when baby had a cold).

Flederjo · 17/06/2022 11:08

If you're having a C-section, maybe a next-to-me crib? Or, as we're doing, hacking a cheap Ikea cot/crib to make it into a big next-to-me.

White noise machine I see mentioned all the time and is on my list.

mattress protector for whatever bed and carry cot you get

Bubbles021 · 17/06/2022 11:49

Thank you all so much! This is so useful for us, I'm putting a list together with all of your great suggestions!

OP posts:
PermanentlyTired03 · 17/06/2022 14:14

Babybjorn chair was so handy. They can be used from birth aswell.

Sarahlouise86 · 17/06/2022 14:44

Congratulations OP, not long to go now ☺️

I second the shnuggle bath recommendation! I had a normal bath seat but it was not good for my back post birth so we bought the shnuggle at it was so much easier!

I would say a sling is a must! When they don't want to be put down it means you can just carry them with you and still have hands free to do what you need to do (mainly eating and operating the tv remote 😄). We moved to a baby Bjorne carrier for outdoors once he was a few months old.

If you're bottle feeding then mam bottles are brilliant and a milk prep machine but I didn't get those until a few months old when we needed them.

I loved the baby Bjorn bouncer as well, it's so light and portable so could just move it around the house to where I was.

If you have a cot for the bedroom then something portable that baby can sleep in around the house such as a Moses basket although not all babies seem to like them!

Apart from that I would say just basics such as Muslins, nappy rash cream (metanium from boots is the best, don't bother with sudocrem etc), cotton wool for the early days, baby grows with feet and hands.

I was surprised actually that new borns don't need so much and I probably should have waited to by some of the other stuff to seen if we would actually use it! X

tealandteal · 17/06/2022 15:35

Some of the small premade bottles of formula, even if breastfeeding goes well these are useful to have for the first few days even if just for peace of mind. Plenty of muslins, a good water bottle for you that won’t leak for keeping you hydrated. I set up a little changing station downstairs and one in our room so I don’t have to carry stuff or baby up and down the stairs.

SantiagoSister · 17/06/2022 18:06

@Bubbles021 Wishing you all the best OP, I am in a very similar situation having lost our first angel at 29 weeks, and I am now 33 weeks with our hopeful rainbow. It’s certainly a rollercoaster of a journey that’s for sure.

georgarina · 17/06/2022 21:40

AOTA plus -
Sleepyhead for daytime naps
Weighted swaddle from Nested Bean - they are incredible and helped my babies sleep for longer stretches

The sling I use is the Baby K'Tan, it's really easy and lightweight and you can use it from birth to 1 year.

Also, look on Gumtree/Ebay for stuff rather than getting it new.

whoknow · 17/06/2022 21:49

About 10 million babygros and baby vests. Babies are poopers!

A massive stack of nappies (I swear by pampers but I know others find different brands better),
A massive stack of baby wipes
A bin beside where you will end up sleeping lol (for the nappies and wipes)
Pretty things if it's a girl. That's just me. I like little pretty things.

If breastfeeding? At least 3 breastfeeding bras. Lansinoh. Breast pads. A lot of water set up beside where you will feed her. The thirst when they feed is unreal.

A husband is useful to have too especially if he can obey orders and feed you lol.

chardaboo · 17/06/2022 23:59

this is a great thread - thank you everyone for the input it is helpful

JLQ1020 · 18/06/2022 00:22

Oh good luck! I've a 4 month old and the flowing I'd be lost without.
Perfect prep machine
Muslin cloths ( buy loads and loads)
Infacol - found this so helpful the first 2 months as my baby struggled getting wind up
A nappy caddy for living room filed with nappy changing essentials. ( nappies, wipes, nappy bags, nappy cream)
Shnuggle baby bath - loved this as the little bump for babys bum made it more study for bathing I felt
Baby thermometer - get one that goes in the ear it's much more accurate
Dummy - some people don't want to use a dummy and if your breast feeding recommended not to until bf is established I bottle fed so I used from day 1
Doona - this is an amazing carseat with wheels I don't know your budget but this is worth every penny. Its so easy to pop baby in plop in the car and away you go.
Pram - make sure when pram shopping you check out if it fits the boot of your car we bought venicci travel system and love it.
Change bag - I didn't go fancy did go for a backpack one with a change mat but got from amazon cheap as chips
Groegg - love this it helped me make sure temp for baby's room is safe
Sleeping bag for baby - again helped me know baby was safe sleeping
Ewan the dream sheep-thought he was a gimmick no no this sheep is a godsend and is basically a 3rd parent lol
Sling or baby wrap - really recommend this helps you keep baby close while you can get a few things done around the house or even out walking. Helps babies with reflux as well don't be scared of the wrap process it's very easy. You can check out a sling library Google sling library in your local area.
Black out curtains /blinds - again totally worth it.

JLQ1020 · 18/06/2022 00:30

Separate comment for things you might need for yourself after birth.
Breast pads
Giant knickers that go up to belly button
Maternity pads
Disposable knickers
Crocs of flip flops for shower in hospital
Extra long phone charger lead
Snacks for hospital cereal bars etc in car u are starving middle of night
Arnica tablets - I had an emergency section and I swear this is why I recovered so fast.
Stool softener/ constipation relief like movicol - noone talks about the constipation after a baby be prepared unlike me. Save yourself a lot of discomfort
Comfy loose pjs or nightie
Soft bra to wear

Glendaruel · 18/06/2022 00:44

Wireless headphones and a tablet for night time feeds. I listened to lot of radio 4 and made my way through Downton abbey.

a cordless vacuum. Bought a Dyson just after I had her, it allowed me once I recovered to do quick short bursts of hoovering. Also novelty of new Hoover encouraged other half to do it for a couple weeks while I recovered.

a disco ball. Would never have thought of this but cousin have me there old one to put near crib. Once she was couple weeks it could buy us 15 mins extra sleep. Once I was exhausted and laid her in crib for safety out disco ball on and laid down next to her. An hour and half later I woke up and she had gone to sleep. So I shut my eyes. It was heaven.

set up a nest upstairs and down. Everything in reach so you don't need to move to much, water, remote, tablet, snack box

Sarah13xx · 18/06/2022 00:53

Awww sending you a big hug firstly.. I’m sure he will be watching as she comes into the world ❤️

Id say you can get carried away with lists. Everyone does then buys all the stuff and you actually don’t need it all. i will number mine in order of importance 😂

  1. Ewan the dream sheep, he comes with us if we’re ever staying anywhere over night. I’m not sure how essential he actually is but all I know is I use him every time and he sleeps every time without fail so I’m scared not to 🤣
  2. Nappies (obviously), buy some of the smallest size then send someone out for more when you assess how long they’ll be in them
  3. White vests and baby grows, you can never have too many in the small sizes!
  4. One thing I didn’t really put on any lists was a cardigan or jacket for baby. My son was born in August so presumed it would always be warm enough just for the little jumpers he had. My mum bought me the little fleecey zip up you get in next and he wore it constantly! You are so paranoid about the temperature of everything to start with
  5. Swaddles - I used them for the first 2 weeks, the hallie and harlow type Muslin material ones. Nightmare to wrap them in and my partner could never manage it himself meaning I had to get up to do it. I only used them at nights so baby knew the difference and although it was a carry on at the time I would do it all again as I’m sure this is another reason he’s such a good sleeper now.
  6. love to dream swaddle bags for after the initial swaddling period. These were a lifesaver after weeks of him wriggling out the swaddles, plus it’s just a zip so my partner could do it himself in the night! In hindsight I’d have bought them before he was born and got more than one as I was frantically drying it some nights.
  7. bepanthen - the only thing in my nappy caddy I’ve ever used. So handy for any little red bits
  8. my little coco shampoo and bubble bath. The only stuff I’ve ever used on him. Who knew bubble bath was such a common present to buy someone but I have the UK’s largest collection of bubble bath now. At the time I told myself I would use the my little coco stuff first then switch to the other stuff but it works so well with his skin, never had any issues so don’t see the point in using anything else now.
  9. Milk - either formula and a tommee tippee machine (essential!!!) or breast pump etc. Should maybe have included feeding the child higher on my list actually 🤣
  10. water wipes to start with. I now use any old baby wipes but aldi do the best replica water wipes for 60 something pence. They are the white ones with the light blue on the packet. You can sometimes get a huge box of them in the aisle. Such a saving as water wipes are like a tenner for 3 packets 🙈

I would say those are the essentials really. I read Gina Ford before he was born (turns out he must have too 🤣) and I’d say its essential! I was never planning to do any of the hard core things she mentions like putting my baby in his own room from day 1. Just followed her principles of setting a bed time etc from early on. This was the hardest part as I wanted his bed time to be 7/8pm but obviously you need dinner sometime around then and when they’re tiny they need more milk later on too. We decided to go through the whole bath routine every single night (a lot of people don’t) at 7pm and kid on that was bed time. He’d go back into his Moses basket downstairs at this point and be transferred upstairs into his snuzpod at 11/12. This period of a few weeks felt really all over the place as he would always wake just as we were about to eat then you had no option but to not eat or hold him while you ate. We persisted with it though, despite my partner saying can we not just stop this now 🤣 We did eventually make life easier for ourselves by putting him into the snuzpod at 7/8 after his bath in a dark room earlier than it’s advised but this really was the turning point for us. I was so paranoid about leaving him that I’d often just go to bed at 8 and lie beside him but this was when it all clicked into place for me, the nights got so much easier, he dropped his later feed and started sleeping through for 12 hours and it was just such a difference from the struggle of carrying a crying baby about in a Moses basket not knowing what to do with him 🤣

Good luck, sorry for the speel but that’s just the one thing I wish I’d known at the start to save all that faff at night. He’s now 10 months and I haven’t seen him at night time since he was 10 weeks old, he is a ridiculous sleeper!

Sarah13xx · 18/06/2022 01:01

Now just reading other people’s comments and realising there’s more 😂 I got a light projector with stars and put it on every night drinking his bottle in the dark after his bath. I think that was also a massive clue in the routine that it was about to be bed time. We kind of randomly stopped using it at 6 months but it definitely got him into a good routine

Sarah13xx · 18/06/2022 01:06

Last ones, I swear! The tommee tippee nappy bin, keeps the smell totally enclosed! Otherwise you’d have to take the bin out with every dirty nappy

and the last last one that I wish I actually still had, I need to get some more.. puppy pads! I took these to hospital and you can just put them down anywhere to change them. Also so handy for a really bad dirty nappy, you don’t need to worry about it going everywhere and can just wrap the whole thing up and throw it in the bin. Good for taking out with you to lie on the dirty public changing tables too

LemonSwan · 18/06/2022 01:18

Really all you need to start is:
Carseat
Pram
Cotton pads for washing babe
Water wipes
Nappies
Sleepsuits (with feet and hands)
Baby vests
Hat for hospital
Next to me + Sheets
Moses or some way to transport round house (sling)
Muslin - a shitload!
Nappy bin
Change Mat
Cellular Blanket
Baby bath with seat
Baby Towel/ Dressing gown type thing

Everything else you can buy on Amazon next day as and when you need it and make decisions about feeding etc,

I say that because I probably have a grands worth of stuff here in boxes which I don’t need - a pump I used once, a bottle steriliser and formula prep machine I have never used - amongst a variety of other things.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 18/06/2022 01:24

For when the baby is born, you actually don’t need a lot. You need some vests, sleepsuits. I would get a couple of different style of sleepsuits from different places, you’ll quickly work out what suits your baby. I would get no more than two swaddle blankets/cellular blankets and two sleep bags because your baby will probably only like one - DD hated being swaddled and pulls blankets over her head so she got put in sleep bags straight away but some babies hate sleep bags. Love to dream are good sleep bags for newborns because you can have swaddle options. However, they are expensive. You need more muslins than you could ever imagine. When you think you have enough, buy at least another 15. You want some large ones as well as the regular size muslins. Also get yourself a travel mug with a closable lid, a water bottle and a shoulder bag - you’ll be taking drinks, snacks, your phone, maybe a charger, possibly a bottle or a dummy, maybe some laundry up and down stairs with a baby. You might want a shawl for your shoulders, breast or formula feeding it can get cold doing the night feeds.

Some babies like the Moses basket/bedside crib and some don’t. Some like slings, some don’t. If you think your baby would like a sling or a chair or you’ve realised you need a jacket or a cardigan, you can pretty much get something delivered the next day. We didn’t have a baby bath until a few days in, when we realised we ordered one at 2am and it was click and collect at 3pm that afternoon. So don’t worry about having everything straight away, you can buy things as you learn about your baby and what might work for them.

If you formula feed, I would recommend MAM bottles and a perfect prep machine. You’ll probably want a night light for the night feeds. We have the shnuggle light, it works well for us but it wouldn’t be bright enough for me to see what I was doing to get a baby to latch and it’s not bright enough for a nappy change. We have the groegg but honestly we don’t use it, you can tell if a room is too hot or cold by being in it but you’ll also find that many other things have a room thermometer (we have a bath thermometer that does the room too, the baby monitor has a thermometer, the charging stand for the shnuggle light has one). We found that having the thermostat in the room where the baby was sleeping helped because we set the temperature to kick in at 18c, if it’s colder than she wakes a lot.

Get some cook meals, new parents get 10% discount. Buy some and put them in your freezer. I didn’t have the energy towards the end of my pregnancy to batch cook but the cook meals means you can have a proper meal without actually thinking about it.

ALittleBitofVitriol · 18/06/2022 04:00

Congratulations! So sorry to hear about your son.

I'm having my 5th after a big gap (so need to get everything again) and my list is pretty short.

Cot & carseat
Nappies, wipes and nappy bags.
Growsuits & singlets
Swaddling blankets - eventually a swaddling sleep sack thing
Heavier blanket - I agree on the muslin and cellular, they're the best.
A bouncer/seat/somewhere safe other than cot to put them during the day
Lanolin cream for breastfeeding nipples
Zinc cream for nappy rashes
A good baby book (I like Baby Love by Robin Barker) to give you help and reassurance day to day.

That's it. I was given a change table but I wouldn't have bothered buying one. I'm still iffy on a pram because I hardly use them, maybe a few months in I'll get around to getting one. I hated baby bath stuff and found it much easier to bring them in the shower or bath with me. Honestly they don't need that much in the early days!