Buying stuff

[Mamitobe2023]

First time mother here!

So I registered to become a childminder nearly 2 years ago, so we already have a cot, nappy changing station, baby monitor etc.

We are only 10 weeks pregnant so far, but wanted to know how soon everyone else started buying things for baby?

Also is there anything that is a 'must buy' that I may not have heard of?

Throw some suggestions my way ❤️🥰

Congrats!

I didn't buy too much to begin with. Just the absolute essentials and stuck to simple vests and sleep suits for clothes until a few months old. Best to wait and see for a lot of things.

That said my absolute best buys were:

• A next-to-me crib. This one can be a total gamble as you just don't know what your baby will take to, but it worked wonderfully for us.

• A Totter & Tumble playmat. Expensive but so worth it. My son was on the move from 5 months and this mat has been a fantastic purchase. We love it!

• A rocking chair. We were given one second hand by a friend who know longer needed it. It's a godsend.

• Nursing cushion. He's 9 months old and I still use one for breastfeeding. Bloody love them!

• Hakaas. I never pumped but used these to catch let down and was able to freeze a huge supply of breast milk this way. I bought 3 of them. They're amazing!

• Sooo many muslins. He was a very sicky baby until about 4 months. Constantly bringing up milk. I was producing muslins like a magician's silk scarves.

Some things we didn't use:

• Steriliser wasn't really necessary as I exclusively breastfeed except for the occasional bottle of breastmilk that only needed hot soapy water.

• never bought a changing table or mat. I just don't see the point. He gets changed on a towel on the bed and the towel gets flung in the wash when needed.

• a baby monitor. Our flat is small enough that I can hear him wherever I am. Plus he needs white noise on all night and that comes through the monitor so it's useless. Luckily I bought one which was only £25 so I'll be passing that on to someone who needs it.

I didn't buy stuff until about 5-6months.

Birth must haves:

Peri bottle
Peri bottle
Peri bottle
Giant maternity pads
Maternity knickers
Tens machine
Drinking cup with straw
Snacks
Birthing ball
Spritz for bits
Did I mention a peri bottle?
Nursing pillow for nursing baby in hospital and also for sitting on to help with postnatal pains

Baby must haves:

Swaddle bags and sleeping bags with suitable tog rating for the time of year they will need it

Muslins - you can never have too many. We have about 20 I think and I have to keep on top of the washing to make sure I have some available!

Sling - baby bjorn ones are really quick and easy to put on when you are left at home with the baby by yourself and need to get them in quickly. I also have the ergo sling and find it more fiddly.

Nappy bin - highly recommend tommee tippee twist and click.

Drawers with the changing mat on top - we actually get so much use out of this as all the baby's nappies and wipes are in the top drawer so everything is in one place for quick changing.

Buy Dr Brown bottles in case your baby has acid reflux, if your baby doesn't then you still have a great bottle brand you can use, no harm.

A good baby changing bag to take out with you everyday for all their essentials.

Baby grows with the sleeves which fold over baby's hands as gloves so they don't scratch their face.

Nail clippers/scissors - they're nails grow soooo quickly.

Baby nose sucker thing for snot.

Spotify white noise playlist to calm baby.

Baby maybe's:
A shusher machine - literally shh's which can calm baby. Our baby sometimes reacted to this.

A rockit for the pram - again, sometimes baby reacts to this.

Baby don't bothers:
Steriliser tub thing for the microwave. MAM bottles don't need one and most bottles now can be sterilised with boiling water.

Cute baby clothing that are not onesies or only have the poppers at the legs. Trust me your baby will not live in anything other than onesies and vests for at least 3 months and you will not be bothered to keep unclothing and re-clothing them when changing nappies 10 times a day at newborn stage. Same goes for baby shoes.

Started buying at 12 weeks with intention to spread out cost and buy bits each week. Had weird panic at 26 weeks that nothing was ready and bought absolutely everything in about 2 hours flat online. Once that was done I still got little bits every week so was well stocked by the time he arrived.

I did use absolutely everything I bought. Can't think of anything you might class as a 'must buy', however I do second the next to me bedside crib. Mine absolutely loved it. It was spacious enough that he didn't grow out of it for ages, and rocked with movement like the hospital ones do. Also the nappy bin. I probably wouldn't have bothered, but one was given to me and I wouldn't be without it now, so quick and easy.

The only thing I regret is not getting a nursing chair, didn't think I would need one as there are plenty of chairs. Found myself wishing I had bought one in the first week or so as finding a comfortable feeding position after a section was really difficult.

I second the totter and tumble playmat. I got mine when DD was 8 months but wish I had it earlier. Still use it at 3.5 yrs for playing on! it’s my best baby buy! Will get extra use now with baby number 2.

a next to me style crib

muslins and sleeping bags

a backpack style changing bag to keep your hands free

a snot sucker is also an excellent recommendation!

I agree about backpack for changing bag. But I bought a rucksack style changing bag and never use it. I just use my own rucksack.