Must haves for baby!

[Austin0210]

Hi everyone! I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant with my first child, I was wondering what your must haves were?

And when do I start buying nappies etc, do I wait until they are here?

Also do I get things for breastfeeding now or do I wait to see if I can do it first?
Thanks in advance!!!!!

You really don’t need much. Must haves would be clothes, Moses basket, bedding, pram. I liked having a playmat, my first was very sicky so lots of muslins was essential. If you’re breastfeeding you may not need anything. I found breast pads useful. I had a couple of breastfeeding tops, but vest I could pull down under a loose tee was easiest. A few button down nighties were useful too. Exciting times.

Nappies and clothes definitely (seriously, those little outfits are cute but sooooo rarely practical on a newborn. Vests and babygrows all the way).

Nappy changing equipment - nappy cream, cotton wool, nappy sacks (keep well away from baby), baby wipes

Muslins for feeding/burping

A safe place for baby to sleep - moses basket or bedside crib (or one of each so you don't have to move them round the house all the time)

An infant car seat - you can't take your baby home from hospital without one

Cellular blankets

Somewhere to put baby down - like a swing or bouncer. With the best will in the world you can't hold a baby all day every day. They are also sanity savers and allow you to have a meal/drink etc with baby within sight

One or two bottles even if you plan to breastfeed. I wouldn't get things like a breast pump in advance because in an ideal world, it's best not to pump in the first 6 weeks in MOST cases, to help you and baby work out the skill and establish a good supply in terms of demand

A pram and baby carrier if you want one. If you plan to put a newborn in a carrier, get one with head support. In terms of a pram, babies are better lying flat in a carrycot/bassinet for at least the first 5-6 months because progressing to the seat

Sterilising equipment. I've tried and tested and don't like steam sterilisers. They are quick and effective but require a lot more maintenance than a cold water steriliser. Cold water sterilisers need the water and sterilising solution changing every 24 hours, however

I think those are most of the essentials for now!

You don't need anything for breastfeeding except the Lasinoh nipple cream and a cabbage in the freezer for when your milk comes in :)

Somewhere for baby to sleep in your bedroom
Clothes for it to wear
Nappies, wipes and muslins and blankets
A baby bouncer chair, or a nest bed or something for baby to sit in downstairs
A buggy
A sling
A changing bag

Honestly you don't need anything else for a while :-)

It’s such a personal thing to your preference and your baby’s. One person’s must haves is another’s waste of space.

For bf you need boobs and baby, helpful things are water bottle, contigo mug, long phone charging cable, streaming service, kindle if preferred, purple nipple cream (can’t remember it’s name, feeding bras (get later), suitable clothes (Sainsbury have a breastfeeding page and Facebook group ‘can I breast feed in it), a pillow (I found an ordinary one best), therapearl 3 in 1, hydrogel pad (cut in half as they are expensive) and reusable bamboo breast pads.