What baby must-haves would you recommend that a first time mum should buy? Anything from buggies to breast pumps to books!

[CR7]

After many years of trying and heartbreaking losses, I’m finally pregnant and due early January.

I would love some advice on what you bought for your baby that you got loads of use out of and would recommend.

There is so much conflicting advice out there that I don’t know where to start. I’ve looked at some baby essential checklists but I’m not sure how good they are and some contain sponsored items which doesn't really sit well with me!

I’d love to know from real mums what you would recommend / steer clear of.

Thanks in advance!

A next to me cot is a lifesaver, especially if you're breastfeeding. You don't have to get out of bed, no having to lean down. I also found it was easier to transition my son from me to the cot as there wasn't too much shuffling or having to lower him too much.

I highly recommend MAM bottles. They're pricey, but they come completely apart so it's so much easier to wash. They also sterilise in the microwave on their own, so no having to mess around with bags, cold water sterilising stuff (which I found gave all the silicone bits a weird sticky/tacky film), etc.

If you're not breastfeeding, Tommee Tippee Prep Machine makes making bottles so much easier. It saves waiting for the kettle to boil and waiting for the water to cool down (or running it under a cold tap for a while). A lifesaver if you've got a screaming baby that's hungry.

Onesies with zips! They're a bit more expensive but they're so much easier to put on and take off. Especially at night for those late night nappy changes.

Also, just a tip. When they have a nappy explosion, stick the messy clothes straight in the wash before it has a chance to dry. I found this was the best way to prevent stains!

Another tip, buy the next size up before they need it! They grow so quickly in their first year, and it's so much easier to have the next size ready instead of having to rush to get it.

Things to put baby in/down on in various rooms

Baby sensory videos on YouTube have been brilliant when you just need to entertain them to get stuff done. Or stop a crying fit 😆

Vests and onesies, you will never use socks, or the gorgeous baby outfits!

Vinted for clothes - absolute bargain and barely used or new stuff. Facebook marketplace for things like bouncers, high chairs, crib etc.

For me, a perfect prep machine and a big UV steriliser have been great. And loads of bottles so you just wash and sterilise in one batch a day.

Baby carrier - although he's too heavy to carry now, I did a lot of long walks with him on my front for the first few months! I actually never used my sling though.

Ewan the sheep - love him!

Huckleberry app for tracking sleep and feeds - and do a sleep course online. I spent hours and hours reading about sleep and have ended up with a brilliant sleeper - coincidence or not who knows.

I personally wouldn’t bother with a snoo, my baby always woke up when I strapped him into it and honestly I gave up on it after two weeks. I thought it was a bit gimmicky.
hmmm baby grows that have zips over anything else are amazing at night.
mama bamboo nappies
got a relatively cheap baby camera from argos - works great. I would say avoid all the super expensive things you don’t need them
Ergo baby carrier - life saver
baby bouncer - somewhere to plant baby

@FFSwhatisthis thank you so much! Excellent recommendations. I am excited too and so scared haha! xx

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime thank you for taking the time to write this.

I've heard aldi nappies are the best and cheaper. I have never heard of baby week so I'll keep an eye out for it. Thank you again xx

Purflo baby nest, perfect prep machine, zip baby grows. Never wake a sleeping baby.

@mcdonaldschip thank you for taking the time to reply to me! Excellent advice about the explosions straight to washing machine 🤣🤣

A lot of shops do baby events where a lot of things go on sale! There's a group called baby deals uk group on facebook that always post about them (and other fantastic deals too).

@Chestnutlover heard great things about the ergo. Thank you for taking the time to reply xx

@mcdonaldschip joining it now! Thanks again x

Congratulations!
I found the angelcare bath support really useful. Can be used from newborn. You place it in your bathtub and baby lies in it fully supported leaving your hands free. It has holes so the water runs through it. Not too expensive either.

Thank you @Spottypineapple I've just googled it. It's not the cheapest but everyone says they are worth every penny and then some. It's now on the list. Thank you xx

@BertieBotts this makes so much sense; I should have thought of it like this. Very logical and thorough. Thank you so much xx

Think most people have covered the basics, for sure have muslins just everywhere there isn't anything they can't be used for practically!

I loved my reusable wipes from cheeky wipes, not for everyone but they clean up a big poo so quickly and using minimal wipes which was so helpful with a wriggly baby.

For going out and about a tuppence and crumble star wrap is super helpful (vinted is your friend here) they are made from fleece so can be worn in car seats unlike most coats/buggysuits and they are so warm and easy to slip on.

@pbdr totally happy to spend the money on the right items. Thank you again for taking the time to reply xx

@FoodFann I saw the nappy caddy on Instagram. Thinking maybe to get one for upstairs and one for downstairs so that there's always one close to hand.

I hope to BF but who knows how I'll get on so you're right to see and wait before buying things I may or may not need.

Thank you for taking the time to reply x

@CR7 Boots had a baby club too, not sure if they still do. It was great because you got extra points for any baby things you bought. I asked any friends/family that wanted to get us a gift to give boots vouchers so had lots. Would use them to buy baby formula, thermometer, clothing etc then get extra points which I could use to buy more. I basically spent nothing on formula or nappies for the first 3 months because of vouchers and points. We also bought some of our big items like pushchair from them for the points.

My essentials were these:
Perfect prep machine
Nuby Rapid cool for on the go formula feeds
Sling
Doona Carseat with wheels
I bought a buggy when baby was a bit older a second hand Joie model as used mostly the sling or in the car the Doona.
A million muslins
Dream egg white noise machine
Snuggle baby bath
Backpack change bag
Nappy caddy
Cellular blanket
Grobag
Gregg
Bath thermometer
In ear thermometer

@napsarelifewithtwo I've just had a look at the tuppence and crumble. They are incredibly cute as well! Thank you for taking the time to reply x

See the sleeping comment I also spent probably days and weeks reading up on sleeping and eating and weaning etc. .I've a rubbish sleeper but a great eater so I think it's a bit of luck. ( So don't feel bad if you baby isn't a great sleeper or eater or a million other things)

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime such a good idea. I was thinking about asking for vouchers and not actual presents.

@Riverbananacarrot just read up on cellular blankets - thank you so much for mentioning as I hadn't heard of them (I'm clueless!)

Sorry if these have been mentioned!

Vests and Sleepsuits, outfits are just a waste of time.

Dummies

Ewan the sheep

Next to me cot

Moses basket (for the living room)

@Chanhedforthis just googled Ewan the sheep. So cute and so useful!!!! Thank you for taking the time to reply xx

Best buys for me have been:

. Birth to potty one size adjustable cloth nappies - cured baby of nappy rash within a few days and totally stopped the constant leakages and poonamis we were getting with disposables , also just so convenient to never need to buy again or worry about running low, sizing up etc. We use the bambino mio all in ones

. A haaka silicone breast suction collector, really helps with breastfeeding and you can get a surprising amount of milk from these in a really gentle way

. A baby electric nail file - because baby claws are evil, they will scratch you and themselves and they're so hard to cut , these circular baby nail files are great , I got the haaka one but I think they pretty much all work the same

. Silver nipple cups - these healed very sore breastfeeding nipples quicker than any of the creams and didn't put baby off feeding like the creams did

. Washable breast pads - because milk leaks and the disposable ones feel like having a sanitary pad on your breasts (plus they chafe terribly)

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/sleeping-products/

https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/making-infant-milk-safely

There are several of products available that don't fit with national and international guidelines. Information can be found on the websites above regarding sleep products and prep machines.