All things baby related!

[goatlover89]

Hello, I'm expecting my first child. Excited yet very nervous ! I would like some hints/tips and well everything baby/child related.
What should I not spend a lot of money on/ over buy ? What things might I forget I need ? What things will make pregnancy/newborn stages easier for me and baby ?
Thank you !! 🧡🧡

Hi @goatlover89 congratulations yay! 👼 x
I had my first baby in October. I did the following:
Got my hospital bag together.
Bought a Joie cot and bedding from Ikea.
Bought a Bugaboo pushchair and carseat.
Bought nappies, wipes and a changing mat.
Bought a set of newborn outfits (Baby will go through alot of clothes).
Bought bibs from Sainsbury's.
Bought an outfit including a baby grow jacket and hat to bring baby home in.
Bought a Tomee Tipee steralisor with bottles.
Bought a baby bag which will get used alot, i bought a good one on Amazon.
Bought a Angelcare baby bath from Mamas and Papas. Buy soft cotton towels too.
Hope the above helps, enjoy your pregnancy xx

My baby girl is in my arms currently after a bottle 😊
I would suggest getting most things second hand. There are so many clothes that have been worn once (some not at all) by DD before she's grown out of them.
We bought a second hand pram which has been amazing and will probably sell on for the same amount. It's difficult to say what you'll regret buying or wish you'd bought as every family/baby is so different. I could have done without dresses for DD and they just ride up and get in her face. Baby grows all the way!!!

Thinks I am glad I bought and will use again for baby 2 are:

Plenty of nappies, wipes etc

Lots of vests / babygrows (I also got some tiny baby as they had said to me she would be small ish, lucky I did as she was only just over 6lbs). Supermarket brand multipacks are very reasonable.

Next to me Crib.

Tommy tippee perfect prep machine (I combi fed to start with) and MAM bottles.

Angelcare bath seat.

Fisher price swinging chair not essential but our baby absolutely loved it.

White noise toy (we had dream sheep but you can get the noise on your phone).

For you - large sanitary towel's, big comfy knickers best to get black, breast pads.

Wish I hadn't bothered with a bouncer as she really wasn't fussed or one of those nests / sleepyhead things. Also changing table was waste of money never changed her on it. Impractical to keep going upstairs to change them x

Have multiple conversations with your partner (or anyone else who is a key support) about how you will manage sleep, eating, childcare, education, behaviour management, safety.

the key is, do your basic philosophies align? If not, work will need to be done to come to a compromise. You don’t want to be discussing sleep philosophies in a sleep deprived state.

Try to do a little research into the actual science behind babies. I’d suggest ‘solid starts’ for food, ‘hey sleepy baby’ for sleep and Dr Pikler for motor development.

I second the Sleepyhead things being a total waste. Baby can't be left unsupervised in them and so can lie on the bed/sofa without it if you're going to be next to them anyway!

We have a changing/bath unit which has been a game changer!! It is tall so no bending over to change her in the night or bath her. It has loads of shelves underneath to store nappies, wipes, bath towels etc. it's my favourite purchase by far!!

I would wait until close to due date to stock up on clothes as we had to go straight into 0-1 month, DD was too tall for newborn