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

Your list looks perfect to me-I have a three month old. Get a baby ear thermometer as well.

I used all of these. If anything I’d increase the amount of clothes!

Oh yes definitely! So scary when they get sick

Looks absolutely fine to me.
I would double up on the grows/vests :)

If you want to breastfeed at all, breast pads are great! Omg I leaked so much.

Helpful list have screenshot it lol

Good list - I had and used most of it , kids now teens . Get as many baby grows and vests in cheap multipacks as you can though or have the next size up ready in case of poo emergency

I think that’s all needed except a dummy. Definitely not an essential.

Your list seems fine to me. I would also add bibs to your feeding list as well as lots of muslin cloths. Plastic backed ones are the best IMHO.
Can never have too many muslins either!

Same for me @Bluebellst.

My DS2 was either attached to my boob or crying and on day 3 I couldn't handle it anymore and offered him a dummy that had been part of a pack that was a gift.

Turns out he just wanted to suck on something and it didn't to have to be my boob!!!!

I went out the next day and bought a bunch of them.

Looks about right to me - my tip would be to have a changing station/mat, nappies and wipes etc both upstairs and downstairs or in two places if you live in an apartment.

Skip the cotton wool, get washable wipes instead. Cotton wool leaves bits everywhere.
Definitely get the sling.
Muslins, get a quality muslin and they last forever eg Muslinz.
Before parting with cash for any see if people pass stuff on. myeldest was last of my cohort/siblings so everyone was offloading everything! I didn't buy anything bar some washable nappies and a pack of baby gros which I kept taking back for next size up.

I had a very cheap basic baby bath. I put in in the bath for ease of filling and emptying. Meant that DS could have a deep bath without using all of our hot water. With energy costs as they are could save a lot of cash.
He did love water though and screamed if his bath was too cool.

I’d say that pretty standard. Except the nappy bags. Just another layer of bloody plastic. You can roll the nappy up and use the tapes to secure it in a neat package and chuck it in the bin (just put loose under the pram if you’re out).

DS is 2+ and I can count on one hand the number of times the ‘packaging’ trick has been even a bit dicey. Nappy bags drive me nuts.

Honestly the only thing I would say is unnecessary is the bottle warmer. Its handy but not necessary. The rest is completely necessary.

Maybe you don't need 4 blankets, I manages with 2, however I'd say you need more baby clothes initially as you've suggested. My baby would go through 5-6 changes of clothes a day initially due to reflux.

Ignore your MIL, she doesn't know what she's talking about!

OP, I've just remembered your previous thread on this as reminded by @QueSyrahSyrah. If you are living in MIL's house while you save for your own place, it makes a bit more sense that she is being judgmental about anything that she thinks is a waste of money (not suggesting that she's right - just that it explains it). You said before that she disapproved of you buying clothes since she thinks you'll be given loads. Obviously your list is not unreasonable as many PPs are saying they found all or most of the things really useful, but in your position I would definitely be sourcing a lot of it secondhand - on my local FB groups people give away these sorts of things for free all the time. I'd also listen to the ones where PPs have said 'wait and see' - although all of your list is potentially useful, it's not all essential for before the baby is there, and you can retain some useful moral high ground by buying milk bags, night lights, dummies, sleeping bags etc. at the point when it becomes clear that you need them.

Oh I agree on the ear thermometer! Also on ditching cotton wool which is pointless, just get tons of baby wipes.
This is not an 'essential' but if your MIL wants a nice gift suggestion (!!!!) the best thing I got for my newborn, though it was pricey, was the tripp trapp chair with the high chair and newborn seat attachments. My newborns (both times) were so much happier sleeping/ playing in that than in the moses basket etc, she was safer in it than on the floor (especially if you have pets/ other kids around) and the chair is amazing at every stage, great high chair and toddler chair and DD still uses it age 6. Not cheap but a really good investment.
Also on essentials, you need Lanisoh if you're going to BF!! Tons of it!

As far as essentials, no they are not all essential. Bedtime fair enough though I never had a room thermometer or nightlight, the only essential on the feeding list is cloths initially, unless you live very remotely you can buy all of the rest at major supermarkets in the evening if needed, or next delivery from your retailer of choice. Changing and clothing fair enough, 2 towels is plenty and you can use the sink. I had a standard first aid kit anyway, never bought anything especially, never owned a thermometer nor nasal aspirator.

Your list is pretty modest!

Oh and I never had dummies either

my thoughts below:

Bedtime

Moses basket - someones given us this
3-4 cellular blankets yes
2 tog baby sleeping bag not immediately
Fitted sheets for moses basket matress yes
Nightlight/room thermometer not needed
Dummy but if and when you need it

Feeding

Burp cloths/muslin squares pack yes
Feeding cushion buy if you need one, lots of women dont
Breast pump (optional) yes
Milk storage bags yes
Formula just incase no - buy if you need
4-6 bottles a couple is fine
Bottle warmer no, waste of money
Steralising equipment/milton yes
Bottle brush yes

Changing

A changing mat yes
Nappies yes - but dont buy too many as you won’t know what size to get
Wipes yes
Barrier cream/sudocrem buy if tou need it
Nappy bags yes

Clothing
Baby grows x 8 too many, they grow out of very quickly and you will get loads as gifts
Baby Vests x 8 as above
Cardigans x 3 no
Socks x 10 no - get baby grows with feet in, socks will fall off
A warm hat x 1 yes
1-2 special outfits (optonal)

Bath
Baby bath yes
Cotton wool yes
3-4 soft towels no, use normal towels!
3-4 wash clothes no
Baby wash -yes

Outside
A car seat yes
Push chair/pram yes
Changing bag -yes
Baby sling (optional) i never used but plenty do

Health
First-aid kit dont need a separate first kid kit for babies
Nasal aspirator no
Soft hair brush no
Nail scizzors yes

but every parent is different and I’m sure plenty of parents do use the things ai’ve said I didn’t!

To those who are saying shops are open 24/7 so wouldn’t bother with formula, you have no idea where OP lives…. My nearest 24 hour shop that sells formula is a 30 minute drive away. It really won’t kill to have a £10 box of formula in the cupboard or some ready made bottles just incase.

OP, do whatever you want and good luck with baby. You can save money getting stuff second hand on marketplace or Vinted if you really want or need to, but I’m sure you know that.

P.S. If you do bottlefeed, the nuby rapid cool is brilliant!

@@Mummatobe98

your list is pretty normal, not excessive, so don't worry about that.

Does you MIL think the family will give you so much that you don't need to buy it? Or just that you don't 'need' it?

all of us will think certain items are brilliant/pointless.

It is personal choice & lifestyle.

id definitely have nappies/vests/babygrows/cardis because I'd wash them all first.

I used the baby bath loads!! I send it on the table as my back hurt using the big bath. It uses a lot less water. (My own baby bath (I'm 54) is still being used as an ironing basket by my mum!! It's done it's time over the years for siblings, laundry, teddies, boat, all sorts, you can't do that with a bath seat!! 😂😂

I would get any of the feeding stuff if I intended to bf, unless you live somewhere very very remote you can easily get it within hours if deciding you need it.

id definitely have the Moses basket/side sleeper/whatever all set up, ready to go. With several sets of linen washed & ready.

cellular blankets, you can't go wrong, & are used in car seats, prams, on the floor, sofa snuggles. So having a few is good.

they didn't used to recommend sleep bags until the baby was older, do they use them for new borns now??

all SO exciting!!!

Bedtime
Nightlight/room thermometer - not needed. Thermometer is helpful to aim for optimum room temperature but again not essential.Baby won't be in own room for some time. Baby monitor also not needed until baby able to sleep solo.
Dummy - personal choice. Not essential.

Feeding
Feeding cushion - not needed. Personally found it a hinderance and a sofa cushion was better
Bottle warmer - optional not essential even if bottle feeding
Bottle brush - very handy even for normal drinking bottles so don't bin it!

Clothing
Cardigans x 3 - outdoor warm suit is more useful in the winter than cardigans

Bath
3-4 soft towels - you shouldn't wash every day so you won't need so many.
3-4 wash clothes - same as above

Health (I have added some)
D drops if breast feeding
Calpol
Consider post partum vitamins for you

Really it's personal preference but there is a lot of stuff on the list that is non essential. Doesn't mean you can't get it but mil is probably thinking of saving you money. You will likely get a fair few gifts including clothes, muslin cloths etc. don't forget super markets are open 7 days a week so you or partner can get bits once baby is born if needed

Also never used hair brush even for cradle cap

they didn't used to recommend sleep bags until the baby was older, do they use them for new borns now??

You can if the baby is big enough, I think, but the reason they are not recommended under a certain weight is that the baby's head might slip down inside them. We started using one when our DC stopped wanting to be swaddled. If I were the OP, I would wait and see when the baby needs one, and buy based on what season it is at that point.