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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Must haves for a newborn/ things you got but didn't use etc

56 replies

ttcsolomumtobe · 27/12/2023 12:21

Hi all,

I have checked to see if this best fits in another forum but can't see one specifically for getting ready for the babies arrival. I'm only 14 weeks but starting to preorder some of the bigger items now.

I'm usually a super over preparer and will buy 10 of something rather than risk being short of 1 😆 but really want to buy more wisely when it comes to baby as unlikely to have a second and really need to be mindful of finances as doing this solo.

So guess my main questions are what items couldn't you live without when you had a newborn to 6 month old? What items did you buy that weren't used or needed?

Things such as baby towels/wash clothes/fitted sheets etc how many of those did you have?

My hope is to exclusively breastfeed but will get bottles/breast pump and a few ready made formula incase needed.

Any brands you would recommend for baby toiletries/nappies etc? Again I appreciate every baby is different and what one may be great with another may not be.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CyberCritical · 27/12/2023 12:35

I really liked Aldi nappies, they were cheap, absorbent and fit DD well, Asda and Tesco ones leaked a lot. I would recommend not buying too many nappies as you can find that the fit depends on the shape of your baby, DD had chubby little thighs.

I tried to keep it all very simple. Used a lidded plastic box with cold water and a sterilising tablet for bottles and dummies, just make up fresh water I. The morning then chuck cleaned bottles in and leave them till you need them.

Muslin squares, the big ones from Aldi were great, use to protect your shoulder, tie round them as a bib, cover them as a summer weight blanket, lay on the floor if you need an impromptu changing mat, freeze a clean damp one for them to chew on when teething. So many uses, really cheap and easy to cram a couple in your bag.

Babygrows and vests are all they need for clothes for the first 6-12 months. Socks don't stay on baby feet because they're too floppy and everything gets covered in something gross so you don't want expensive outfits with yellow poo stains all over them. Also baby vests have funny envelope shoulders because they are designed so you can pull them down the body rather than over the head for when the poo has exploded out of their nappy all the way up to the base of their necks!

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 12:45

I found baby towels to be faffy and often too small - grown-up towels are much easier to wrap them up in.

Ewan the Dream Sheep talked a big talk and did not deliver one bit! Experiences may vary...

Treat yourself to three fitted cot sheets AND mattress protectors... at least. Same with sleeping bags, if not more. Make everything easy for yourself at 3am and know exactly where they are at all times.

My two pretty much lived in a Moby wrap for the first six months, so I now have three of those as well. Being hands-free is wonderful!

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 12:46

Oh, and a decent travel mug! I love being able to grab a swig of hot tea while breastfeeding at 2am 😍

KThnxBye · 27/12/2023 12:46

For us ….

Bought but never used -

Pram/Pushchair
Crib
Disposable Nappies (smelled awful)
Top and Tail Bowl
Baby Toiletries, Cotton Wool, Baby Oil, Talc, Baby Shampoo, etc
Scratch Mitts
Baby Coats/Snowsuits
Baby Shoes
Baby Sleeping bags/swaddles
Steriliser

Were essential -

Baby carrier (good one, soft and comfortable)
Car seat (the type that stays in the car not the type with a handle)
Babygrows (scratch mitts built in, preferably zipper ones)
Muslin Squares
Regular flannels and warm water as wipes
Little Knitted Cardigans
Reusable nappies (easier, less smelly)
Bottles
Breast pump
Breast milk storage bags

Everyone is different but basically you can get pretty much anything next day if you really need it now so don’t overbuy.

JandL2020 · 27/12/2023 12:46

following 😊

Rocksonabeach · 27/12/2023 12:48

CyberCritical · 27/12/2023 12:35

I really liked Aldi nappies, they were cheap, absorbent and fit DD well, Asda and Tesco ones leaked a lot. I would recommend not buying too many nappies as you can find that the fit depends on the shape of your baby, DD had chubby little thighs.

I tried to keep it all very simple. Used a lidded plastic box with cold water and a sterilising tablet for bottles and dummies, just make up fresh water I. The morning then chuck cleaned bottles in and leave them till you need them.

Muslin squares, the big ones from Aldi were great, use to protect your shoulder, tie round them as a bib, cover them as a summer weight blanket, lay on the floor if you need an impromptu changing mat, freeze a clean damp one for them to chew on when teething. So many uses, really cheap and easy to cram a couple in your bag.

Babygrows and vests are all they need for clothes for the first 6-12 months. Socks don't stay on baby feet because they're too floppy and everything gets covered in something gross so you don't want expensive outfits with yellow poo stains all over them. Also baby vests have funny envelope shoulders because they are designed so you can pull them down the body rather than over the head for when the poo has exploded out of their nappy all the way up to the base of their necks!

All of this except we used naturecare eco nappies. Only water and cotton wool or a flannel to clean them.

Christmasconcerts · 27/12/2023 12:49

While it’s your baby and you can dress then in whatever you want, I would say only baby grows for the first year would be very unusual!

I always recommend a love to dream swaddle to new parents, it really improved sleep for both mine and they hated being swaddled traditionally.

MerryBlueberry · 27/12/2023 12:52

Baby wipes - next time you have a cold/have been blowing your nose a lot and it’s a tiny bit sore, try a wet wipe. They are made by satan and sting like fuck. Now imagine why every baby and child squirms when you try and wipe their face with one. They fucking hurt! Also imagine this on their poor lovely delicate soft skinned bum.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/12/2023 12:54

Don't stock up on nappies - disposable or cloth - until your baby is here , and you've an idea of whether they are long, chunky etc.

I never used my bottle warmer.
I could have lived without a pram for a year, and just used a sling.
I used a lot of muslins. I had isn't even one they were a thing until after ds was born, and dm gave me the ones I'd had.

bucketfullofwater · 27/12/2023 12:55

A bedside crib was the biggest waste for me. Meant i couldnt actually get into bed without crawling on from the feet end, and its really hard to sit in bed and then twist to get the baby into it (especially in the very newbron days when youre sore still) my advice would be to get a stnadalone crib and have it a couple of feet away from your bed

CyberCritical · 27/12/2023 12:57

Oh, if you're using a Moses basket then standard size pillowcases are the perfect size to use as sheets. Just put the mattress in the pillowcase and into the Moses basket. Really easy and really cheap, for some reason Moses basket sized fitted sheets are unreasonably expensive and you need a couple of spares because you will have the night where your sweet little angel first vomits all over their basket, then waits for you to put them down before explosively pooing all over it then just for fun vomits on it again.

FloweryWowery · 27/12/2023 13:01

Breast feeding cushion saved my arms

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 13:02

@bucketfullofwater ah, that's so funny, I'm the total opposite! DS1 would only go to sleep if my hand was on him and I loved that I could lie down and do that. I also mastered the art of breastfeeding him to sleep while he was in it. I love a bedside crib!

OP, unfortunately there might not be any way of knowing what will work for you until your baby is here and making demands. With that in mind, I would get everything/ anything you can second-hand (apart from mattresses, car seats and fluffy toys obv).

Lavender14 · 27/12/2023 13:04

We got lots of gentle wipes/sudocreme but we needed to try a few brands of nappies until we found what worked for ds as he leaked through a lot of them. I think he was just long and slim and some fitted his shape better than others.

Don't get a breast pump until you see what you need. I initially found a Mandela manual pump was really effective for me because I had an over supply and forceful let down, but other women may need a hospital grade electric plug in pump. Everyone is different in how much they pump etc so I'd wait and see what would fit you and baby best when baby arrives. If you need to pump initially the hospital can lend you a hospital grade pump.

I'd join a breastfeeding support group ahead of baby arriving so you've got good support in place. The early weeks are really up and down and often women can feel left to figure it out themselves a lot of the time. Baby will probably cluster feed (some days ds fed for 9+hrs on and off) and it was hard to feel that he wasn't getting enough so always remember your nappy output is more important than how much baby is feeding. Having support will really reassure you in terms of what's normal in those early weeks.

Line up your support from family and your partner. Talk about your expectations of each other especially if you do end up attached to the sofa feeding for hours at a time. Make sure he's prepared for that too because I know dh felt like a spare part at times with it. I'd find out where your local sling library is and get a stretchy wrap initially and then decide on a harness and go and get the fit checked in the sling library.

I loved our next to me for having ds beside me without physically co sleeping, but look into safe co sleeping set ups. If you're bringing baby into bed with you to bf when you're exhausted it's very likely you'll end up falling asleep at some point, so make sure you're in the safest position possible in case it happens even if you've no intention of actually co sleeping.

Glow in the dark dummies. We introduced one sparingly at 4 weeks and the glow in the dark ones are great for middle of the night wake ups. It helped ds with his reflux and wind and they're now shown to reduce risk of sids. Just give it 4-6 weeks if bf to allow your supply to get established before you introduce one.

A good feeding pillow and a snugglebundl were essential for me because I had a section. Plus I set up a changing station on our kitchen table and one upstairs so I didn't have to bend down or go upstairs to change ds initially. Similarly a pillow for between tummy and seat belt for the car journey home if you have one.

Ds lived in baby grows for the first 3 months. He had maybe 4 outfits that we rotated but baby grows are so handy to throw on with a wee cardi over. So I'd recommend lots of baby grows and vests.

A Frida nasal aspirator is so good for congestion and the calpol vapour plug in is great if they get a cold.

I found a glo egg room thermometer was really useful when deciding on what to put ds in for bed and as a night light.

I used 3 cot sheets but probably could have used an extra. Make sure you get a mattress protector as well.

Good luck!!

blackpanth · 27/12/2023 13:06

CyberCritical · 27/12/2023 12:35

I really liked Aldi nappies, they were cheap, absorbent and fit DD well, Asda and Tesco ones leaked a lot. I would recommend not buying too many nappies as you can find that the fit depends on the shape of your baby, DD had chubby little thighs.

I tried to keep it all very simple. Used a lidded plastic box with cold water and a sterilising tablet for bottles and dummies, just make up fresh water I. The morning then chuck cleaned bottles in and leave them till you need them.

Muslin squares, the big ones from Aldi were great, use to protect your shoulder, tie round them as a bib, cover them as a summer weight blanket, lay on the floor if you need an impromptu changing mat, freeze a clean damp one for them to chew on when teething. So many uses, really cheap and easy to cram a couple in your bag.

Babygrows and vests are all they need for clothes for the first 6-12 months. Socks don't stay on baby feet because they're too floppy and everything gets covered in something gross so you don't want expensive outfits with yellow poo stains all over them. Also baby vests have funny envelope shoulders because they are designed so you can pull them down the body rather than over the head for when the poo has exploded out of their nappy all the way up to the base of their necks!

I like asdas little angel nappies. Had no leaks

bucketfullofwater · 27/12/2023 13:07

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean that was my plan, I'd lie in bed and feed baby in the bedside crib- unfortunately i found my boobs were far too small for that! oh well.....

Definitely agree about second hand- its such a waste buying things new, especially when a lot of baby stuff gets used for such a short time anyway!

DuploTrain · 27/12/2023 13:11

Normal bath towels are fine for babies, nice and big so you can wrap them up.

Wash cloths - literally a couple of flannels or just use your hands.

Don’t over order baby bath products, you literally need a tiny drop so they last for years.

Shnuggle baby bath is good.

Remember you can get most things delivered next day if you really need something, so don’t worry about getting everything.

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 13:11

@bucketfullofwater finally, I benefit from my flappy boobs 😂

ImNotAsThinkAsYouDrunkIAm · 27/12/2023 13:17

Get a night light. We didn’t think of it and the first night we brought ds1 home from the hospital we popped in his crib next to the bed, turned the light off…..and I couldn’t see him. Which I did not like at all! We ended up sleeping with the light on and buying a night light the next day.

Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 27/12/2023 13:29

Things we used i'd buy again

Wrap sling
Swaddles
Steralising bags for microwave
Black and white muslins/sensory strips/books (etta loves)
I couldn't express easily so a haaka worked well as i put it on one boob while i fed from the other.
Baby play mat to put them on for a minute
Newborn(ish) suitable high chair. We had a tripp trapp with newborn set but others are around.
Multiple crib sheets. We never used a moses basket as they grow out of them too quickly.
If you're going to have a pram consider one suitable for nighttime sleep as means it can double as a bed if needed when away if thats your lifestyle or downstairs for naps.
Sheets for pram.
Best purchase a bit further on was an out n about nipper. Best buggy EVER if you like getting out anywhere thats not inner city.
Phone numbers for your nearest lactation consultant and tounge tie specialist.
Sleepsuits and vests aplenty
Sockons for baby socks
One pair of baby booties. DD's feet used to get really cold walking in winter and they helped. But you only need one pair.
Thermometer (in ear)
White noise machine
Black out blind
Amber night light for night feeds
Ultra long charging cable for phone.
Water bottle with sports cap.

Pointless things we never used

Baby carrier. Sling worked carrier didn't.
Hand punp (electric is better)
Faffy Baby clothes that weren't sleep suits.
Bath Thermometer
Any baby toiletries. Not needed at all and not good for baby skin.

itsmschanandlerbong · 27/12/2023 13:40

I wouldn't buy too many nappies, you'll likely get packs as gifts and you'll find your preference.

Sensitive / water wipes.

I also wouldn't buy a breast pump just yet - decent ones are expensive and unless you plan to exclusively pump, you probably won't use it straight away anyway. You'll be better waiting until you see how you get on with BF first.

MAM bottles then you don't need to buy a seperate steriliser either.

At least 3 sets of sheets, mattress protectors & sleeping bags. My boy was a sicky baby and we often had to change him more than once through the night.

A nice supportive carrier.

We got good use of our travel system for walks.

A car seat with an isofix base was much easier just to click into place rather than bending around and faffing about with a seat belt.

Alexa for white noise rather than a dream sheep.

I exclusively breastfed until 8 months & at that stage didn't bother buying a prep machine / rapid cool, just made them up the old fashioned way.

Breast feeding cushion.

Netflix subscription for those long breastfeeding sessions!

We got gifted loads of creams and still haven't got round to using them all.

Next2me crib was an essential. Our baby hated the Moses basket.

A cheap night light will come in handy so you can still see baby during the night.

In ear thermometer is also an essential.

PlumpShady · 27/12/2023 13:52

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 12:46

Oh, and a decent travel mug! I love being able to grab a swig of hot tea while breastfeeding at 2am 😍

THIS!

I picked up a Contigo one with my weekly shop at Tesco, the one with the clip down lid. Stays hot for ages and can drink hot drinks without worrying about spilling it on the baby.

Still a godsend now she’s 2 and has a penchant for unexpectedly jumping on me while I’m sipping. And to take to toddler groups where there’s small people racing around everywhere. Get one of these!!

Devilsmommy · 27/12/2023 13:57

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 27/12/2023 12:46

Oh, and a decent travel mug! I love being able to grab a swig of hot tea while breastfeeding at 2am 😍

Yes! The travel mug is essential if you like a hot drink 😁 if you do end up bottle feeding formula then buy a hot water dispenser. No faffing with jugs of hot water or bottle warmers. You can make a bottle straight up in seconds which is brilliant when little one decides to scream blue murder cuz he's hungry🤣

DaftyInTheMiddle · 27/12/2023 14:11

Hand punp (electric is better)
Not true for me. All breasts are different so this may just be trial and error OP if you go down this route. I got more from manually hand massaging than any manual or electric pumps.
electric didn’t do anything for me.

Personally I found muslins useless as we didn’t have a sicky baby.

But a wrap sling was a life saver, then I know other babies that hated it.

A travel mug is great. A flask made up at the start of the day too so just a quick unscrew and pour was fabulous.

ChicoryDip · 27/12/2023 14:38

Completely agree with the advice upthread that firstly, a lot of baby stuff is very personal and you'll find out out what works or doesn't work for you. Secondly that you can get pretty much everything now next day delivery so don't go mad buying a lot of things 'just in case'.

Things I never used...

Newborn outfits - we were given lots as gifts- they look cute but sleep suits much more practical for the first few weeks/months.

Lots of blankets, even with our winter babies we found that a fleece was fine (and more easily washed) and then we moved into sleeping bags. Ditto flat sheets for the cot.

Baby toiletries - apart from a bottle of baby bath that lasted for ages.

Baby sunglasses - seriously, what was I thinking!?!

Snow suit. Dangerous in a car seat and too hot most of the time. Difficult to get baby in and out of if you are moving between indoors and outdoors.

Keep tags on gifts and keep receipts until you know that you will use things.