What do I need for my new baby's bottom???

[Chunkamatic]

I'm just trying to get myself organised for baby due in 2 weeks and am full of stupid first-timer questions...

I have got nappies and some wipes, but what else do i need for changing LO's bum? Do you put cream on as a rule, or just if they have a rash? Where does vaseline come in to it? Also, am i right in thinking that talcum powder is not a good thing? (MIL has bought me extra large volumes of both of the latter).

Also, we live in a hard water area so is it better to use wipes or lotion rather than water to clean the baby?

And... (last one i'm sorry this is long...) do i need to have any medicinal items in the house for baby, i.e. calpol or such?

TIA!!

Lol. I get quite exasperated at all the marketing for baby stuff, most of it is totally unnecessary and in some cases even harmful. I mean, why do newborns need perfume? Don't they smell lovely enough as they are? And why the detergents/SLS/parabens? Madness

Don't bother with baby oil - my mw said to use olive oil to moisturise, my ds's skin was very dry and flaky to begin with,. now ok apart from slightly flaky scalp so use the olive oil on the head. It is rich in vit E plus is edible, so you can use it on hands and not worry about baby licking it off!

Brangelina - the Weleda products look like a great tip. Do you know if any shops stock their stuff or do you have to get it on-line? (I could only seem to find on-line stockists)??

I've seen their stuff in the odd independant health food shop but not a wide range. I don't know if somewhere like Holland and Barrett do it, or maybe the bigger branches of Boots? It's probably cheaper on line, though.

Whoops, pressed post too soon.

I used to get it from a German website as it was half the price compared to what it is in the shops (am in Italy though, the product are much more expensive here). The only problem with this was you had to order loads to keep the postage costs down. Lately I've just been buying the stuff as I find it when I'm in the UK.

Chunkamatic - I think they also sell Weleda in Waitrose (the bigger stores).

Oh good old waitrose - i have a big one 5 mins away so will take a walk down (and get some carrot cake whilst i'm there!) Thanks!!