To be told my newborn essentials list is a waste of money? What do you think?

[Mummatobe98]

I made a list with my partner of the items we need to get together before baby is born, my MIL has seen it and told me it is not needed. We will be given items such as the pram, however I feel that the items I have written down to get before I give birth are essential. Im 20 weeks now

Here it is:

Bedtime

Moses basket - someones given us this
3-4 cellular blankets
2 tog baby sleeping bag
Fitted sheets for moses basket matress
Nightlight/room thermometer
Dummy

Feeding

Burp cloths/muslin squares pack
Feeding cushion
Breast pump (optional)
Milk storage bags
Formula just incase
4-6 bottles
Bottle warmer
Steralising equipment/milton
Bottle brush

Changing

A changing mat
Nappies
Wipes
Barrier cream/sudocrem
Nappy bags

Clothing
Baby grows x 8
Baby Vests x 8
Cardigans x 3
Socks x 10
A warm hat x 1
1-2 special outfits (optonal)

Bath
Baby bath
Cotton wool
3-4 soft towels
3-4 wash clothes
Baby wash

Outside
A car seat
Push chair/pram
Changing bag
Baby sling (optional)

Health
First-aid kit
Nasal aspirator
Soft hair brush
Nail scizzors

Don’t bother with bottles etc if you are breastfeeding. I wouldn’t even bother buying formula- you can always get some if needed. Shops are open pretty much all the time. Just my experience but both my bf dc never took a bottle (or dummy).

As well, if it’s your first, you will probably get lots of gifts so I wouldn’t go mad buying lots of clothes. They grow out of them so quickly. Outfits may be a bit faffy for a newborn, baby grows so much more easy for nappy changes and comfort.

other than that, I don’t think your list is too off!

Formula just incase - wouldn't bother with this, shops are open 24 hours if you find you need some.
4-6 bottles - may not be necessary if exclusively bf
Bottle warmer - never used this, ever.
Sterilising equipment/milton - not necessary if BF
Bottle brush - as above
Barrier cream/sudocrem (would also recommend the yellow metanium here too)

Baby bath - wouldn't bother, just one of those angelcare seats
3-4 soft towels - 1 or 2 is enough
3-4 wash clothes

those I'd say are my only comments after having 2 refluxy but exclusively bf babies for 6 months each. But otherwise I'd say all of those make absolute sense!

We didn't use: moses basket, blankets, sheets, nightlight, thermometer, dummy, any bottle feeding stuff, nappy bags, socks, nail scissors, first aid kit, car seat, special outfits, aspirator. We had 5x babygrows, no vests (summer baby), 1 cardigan, 2 towels. It will be fine either way. Pretty much everyone buys a bit too much and if you are having a second then they might use the things your first didn't.

Your list looks good! I’d say:

Ditch the cellular blankets, sleeping bags are safer than loose covers. I would get the Tommee Tippee Gro Snuggles as they can be used as a swaddles or sleeping bag and I would have 3.

If you hope to breast feed then I wouldn’t get formula stuff, maybe a ready to feed hospital starter pack which comes with single use teats for an emergency. Between Amazon and supermarkets it’s easy to get stuff at short notice if you want to switch.

Definitely no need for special outfits!
No socks, get babygrows with feet until they’re a bit bigger.

Changing bag is just a bag, you don’t need anything specific- I use a large longchamp that I’ve had for years.

What’s the cotton wool for? I used water wipes for changes and a flannel for the bath.

You don’t need 3-4 towels. 1 would suffice as newborns don’t need a daily wash (it isn’t great for their skin to wash them too much). Also you can just wrap them in a regular bath towel. I’d just get 1 hooded baby one.

Don’t buy a sling without trying it first- look into sling libraries.

Ditch the hairbrush. They could be bald until they’re 1!

What’s in the first aid kit? You want calpol for first jabs, definitely the nasal aspirator and a thermometer but that’s it I would have thought as most other stuff isn’t suitable for newborns.

Until 6 months I’d say a pram is optional and a sling is a must, but other than that I think your list is sensible and comprehensive!

Entirely depends on the baby! I’ve had a furious pram refusenik who loved the sling, and her polar opposite, a sling-resistant weirdo who loves his pram so much he kisses it goodnight. Even as a newborn he preferred his own space in the pram; he’d wake up and give me the beady eye if I tried to sling him.

I was fully expecting to see a load of daft stuff on here, this is all fairly sensible! I’d add a cosy towel with a hood.

I would respectfully disagree with the PP who said you don’t need a nasal aspirator, it’s one of the things I often buy first time mums. If you don’t need it great, but when you do, you really do. Babies can’t blow their noses, sounds dead obvious but my EBF DD got a cold when she was a month old, totally streaming, couldn’t feed, was getting into some state. DH ended up having to drive a two hour round trip on Christmas week to another city to find one in stock. That was extreme obviously and since this baby is your first they may be less likely to catch the cold (we had a three year old who brought every virus home to share) but for the sake of £9, was a god-send!

https://www.boots.com/snufflebabe-nasal-aspirator-with-case-10076203

That is personal preference.

It’s fine overall. I personally think 3-4 cellular blankets is overkill, as is 4-6 bottles if you are planning on breastfeeding. Plus I wouldn’t get formula just in case, it’s so easy to pick up.
I would get 1 cellular blanket and 1 warmer blanket, 2 small bottles and ditch the formula.

I think it is a good list. There will be things on there you use more than others and every family has different needs. I would say you are very unlikely to need a baby hairbrush on day 1. My eldest has always had short hair and has still never used a hairbrush in his life at age 9. I still remember dp fretting about getting one I time for the birth.

Forget the baby bath, use the kitchen sink and be kind to your back! Agree with pp about the temptation of all the formula stuff - breastfeeding can be hard to crack for the first week or two and it's available pretty much everywhere if you do suddenly need it. Dummies aren't necessary at all.

I agree with PPs about the feeding stuff. Don't get a breast pump in advance either, until you see how the breastfeeding is going - if you need to pump initially to get feeding started, they will probably help you with that in the hospital, and you might be able to hire one. But otherwise you won't be pumping regularly until you've got feeding established so you can just get a pump then. Other things people are saying not to bother with are very inexpensive so I don't see the harm if they make you feel prepared! We did use a nasal aspirator and baby nail scissors. Also liked having a baby bath rather than a seat because you don't need as much warm water. And we had a room thermometer because our house is quite cold.

If you've got friends and family who are likely to give you presents, they are most likely to be: muslins, blankets, clothes and little toys, so don't stock up too much on those things.

And in the case of your MIL and her 'advice'? Smile, nod, then completely ignore and do what YOU want. Your baby, not hers!

@oferilin how is that helpful for the OP though? You not using a carseat because you didn’t have a car is hardly useful info for her.

@LadyMonicaBaddingham Dummies aren't necessary at all.

They are essential if you want to use one though, and it’s absolutely for for OP to make that choice.

Your list looks fine to me. I would say definitely get an electric breast pump just in case, you can leave it in the packaging and return it if it’s not needed (I had problems breastfeeding and had to buy a pulp at short notice and didn’t have time to research and get a good one). You can buy a 4/6 pack of tiny pre-made formula bottles which come with pre sterilised teats. They’re really handy to have just in case, lots of people saying don’t bother but I really needed them with my first born.
i recommend getting a baby bath second hand, they are handy but they don’t go in them for long at all. We actually got one for free on a Facebook free group and then passed it on to another mum when we’d finished.
I found it really enjoyable researching and getting things ready for a new baby, don’t let your mother-in-law suck your fun away! Enjoy choosing the things you like, anything you don’t need you can always pass on to another family.

Seems like a great list to me, I'd make sling essential and add about 300 more muslins 😂
Also a hand pump or at least a haakaa let down collector if you're trying to breastfeed x

I had one bottle and a couple of cartons of ready mixed formula only. They were never used.

Baby used the towels we already had.

Remember unless you live in the back of beyond, you can get extras from 24hr supermarkets if you need them.

I think your list is great!

I disagree with PP about the formula though, I would get say 4 of the small ready made bottles with teats on to have in the cupboard. You never know when you might need to give some formula, I had to with my first in the middle of the night on day 3, we could not get the latch and she was so hungry.

Not saying this will happen to you but the lady thing you need in that situation is to be sending your DP out driving around to find somewhere open to get formula- when you could just have a few in the house. You can donate them to a foodbank if you don't end up using them.

From my experience:

Bedtime

Moses basket - someones given us this: generally only used for a short period.
3-4 cellular blankets: depends how cold your house is/if your pram comes with covers. I had 2, that was enough.
2 tog baby sleeping bag: yes but not straightaway. They generally prefer being swaddled early on.
Fitted sheets for moses basket matress: yes
Nightlight/room thermometer: no
Dummy: I wouldn't bother initially until you see what the baby needs. Mine never used dummies and hated them.

Feeding

Burp cloths/muslin squares pack: yes and still used years and years later. Just get plain white ones as when they become comforters if they lose their favourite one with the mice on or whatever its heartbreaking for them. All white is the way to go.
Feeding cushion: 2 pillows on your lap 👍
Breast pump (optional): wait and see.
Milk storage bags: as above
Formula just incase: as above
4-6 bottles: as above
Bottle warmer: as above
Steralising equipment/milton: as above
Bottle brush: as above

Changing

A changing mat: nope.
Nappies: yes
Wipes: recommend reusable ones (cheeky wipes)
Barrier cream/sudocrem: boots own is good.
Nappy bags: nope

Clothing
Baby grows x 8: 4
Baby Vests x 8: 4
Cardigans x 3: 2
Socks x 10: no, get baby grows with feet
A warm hat x 1: yes
1-2 special outfits (optonal): no

Bath
Baby bath
Cotton wool: flannel better
3-4 soft towels: 2
3-4 wash clothes: 1
Baby wash: not at first.

Outside
A car seat: yes
Push chair/pram: yes
Changing bag: get a bag you like not a bespoke one.
Baby sling (optional): no because I tripped over and fractured my baby's skull when she was in one.

Health
First-aid kit: yes
Nasal aspirator: no
Soft hair brush: wait to see if they have hair
Nail scizzors: yes (get these for day 1)

Additional: baby grows with curl over gloves on the arms or baby gloves.

One person's 'never used' will be another person's 'don't be without'. All babies are different, parents are different.

DC1 was a breastfeeding refusenik colic monster. She was also a yoghurt factory
DC2 was a happy breastfeeder with no colic
DC3 was a constant breastfeeder with mild colic

You pay your money but you get what you are given.

Forget about the bottles/formula etc unless you know you want to use them.

Bath isn’t necessary. We got a simple foam bath cushion from John Lewis.

Sling should not be optional! Mine all lived in ours until they got too big. Baby gets all the closeness/warmth/heartbeat it needs while you have your hands free.

Bedtime
Moses basket - someones given us this
3-4 cellular blankets
2 tog baby sleeping bag
Fitted sheets for moses basket matress
Nightlight/room thermometer
Dummy

Both mine ended up cosleeping. I did have one of those little bed nest pod things though for the very early days.
Never used a dummy.

Feeding
Burp cloths/muslin squares pack
Feeding cushion
Breast pump (optional)
Milk storage bags
Formula just incase
4-6 bottles
Bottle warmer
Steralising equipment/milton
Bottle brush

Mine never threw up. Yes to the BF cushion, though a standard pillow works just fine.
I did use a breast pump, but 1st baby didn't take the pumped milk, I didn't bother offeri g 2nd baby a bottle. But was essential for me as sometimes I made too much milk and needed to get it out.

Changing
A changing mat
Nappies
Wipes
Barrier cream/sudocrem
Nappy bags

Yes to changing mat, obviously nappies (I used cloth nappies and wipes).

Clothing
Baby grows x 8
Baby Vests x 8
Cardigans x 3
Socks x 10
A warm hat x 1
1-2 special outfits (optonal)

Both mine hated being in clothes. One was born before the great snow of 2010 and still hated clothes. Buy less now, add if you need it when baby is here.

Bath
Baby bath
Cotton wool
3-4 soft towels
3-4 wash clothes
Baby wash
Mine both loved the baby bath with the soft netting. And yes to a few lovely baby towels.

Outside
A car seat
Push chair/pram
Changing bag
Baby sling (optional)

Yes to all except changing bag. Any bag you have is fine. I just used a backpack I already owned.

Health
First-aid kit
Nasal aspirator
Soft hair brush
Nail scizzors

Only needed baby nail clippers here. No hair on 1st baby til he was nearly 3. Second baby had such knotty hair, the soft brush I'd bought for baby 1 was useless.

Bedtime

Moses basket - YES
3-4 cellular blankets- YES
2 tog baby sleeping bag - YES
Fitted sheets for moses basket matress - YES
Nightlight/room thermometer - YES (a gro clock will be useful for a LONG time)
Dummy - Mine never took to them so depends on the child

Feeding

Burp cloths/muslin squares pack - didn't need many for child 1, Needed TONS for child 2
Feeding cushion - YES
Breast pump (optional) - NOT OPTIONAL, will be useful when you get back to work, if you ever go away, to prevent mastitis, etc
Milk storage bags - YES
Formula just incase - NO or maybe 2/3 bottles of ready made stuff
4-6 bottles - NO
Bottle warmer - NO
Steralising equipment/milton - YES as can be used not just for bottles
Bottle brush - NO

Changing - ALL YES

A changing mat
Nappies
Wipes
Barrier cream/sudocrem
Nappy bags

Clothing
Baby grows x 8
Baby Vests x 8
Cardigans x 3
Socks x 10 - NOT REALLY NEEDED IF YOU ARE WEARING BABYGROWS
A warm hat x 1 - WHEN ARE YOU DUE? MAYBE NOT
1-2 special outfits (optonal)

Bath
Baby bath
Cotton wool - NO? WHY?
3-4 soft towels
3-4 wash cloths
Baby wash

Outside
A car seat
Push chair/pram
Changing bag - a regular back pack is enough
Baby sling (optional) - NOT OPTIONAL - a LIFE SAVER

Health
First-aid kit
Nasal aspirator
Soft hair brush
Nail scizzors

It totally depends. Mine was in NICU a dummy was essential as it helps them through the night and to learn to suck. I'd get some, it's not much £.
Will your mother in law buy the pram? Is that why she's saying someone will give you one? Where I live ( working class area north england) this is the norm. Mother or mother in law buys the pram. The other mother buys cot/ bedside cot ( usually both).
Father's and father in laws give money.
I'd check what family are planning to give before buying anything.