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

[ttcsolomumtobe]

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

Well used:

Battery snot sucker
Sensor mat which will sound an alarm if breathing stops for a certain amount of time - BUT only if you won’t get anxious because of this! It personally helped me sleep.
So many muslins and bibs
Medela double pump and the bra which looks ridiculous but will save you hours and hours of not having to hold it to your breasts
Baby gym with dangling sensory things
Forehead thermometer
Any nappy cream other than purple Metanium
Sleeping bags in different tog sizes to save your sanity when worried if they’re too hot/cold etc

Don’t bother:

Ewan the sheep
Big pram if you go on buses or tubes a lot
Elvie in-bra pump - leaks
Fussy outfits that take ages to iron and put on - they’ll be sick or poo over them within the hour 😁
Tommee Tippee bottles - leak

I second Aldi nappies

Clothes - babygros and vests for the first few months. Buy bundles on Vinted- so much nearly new stuff on there which is so much cheaper. Don't buy too many clothes until they're born as you may end up skipping sizes if you have a big baby

Must haves:

• swaddle bag. My baby wouldn't sleep without it but it is baby dependent. Pick one up on vinted so you can see if it works for your baby

-baby carrier - go to sling library to try before buying -for breastfeeding- lansinoh breast pads and nipple cream

I wouldn't bother buying bottles etc if you are planning to breastfeeding. Just get them if you end up needing them.

I'm 25 weeks with my second so just sorted out a few bits from my last one and thought about what was essential.

I personally got a sling but he was a little older and in all honestly I didn't use it hardly at all. This time I am going to get a loan sling and use that until my one is suitable.

Muslins and bibs - my first was so sick, I needed so many Muslins and I need to buy them this time round as I assume they weren't in a fit state to keep!

We had a moses basket upstairs and used the bassinet from our travel system downstairs which we will probably do again this time.

A car seat that swivels to get out. I think I'll be investing in one this time, didn't have one for newborn last time just once he moved up in to the next stage and it was such a game changer!

We have 3 moses basket sheets and 3 towels/wash clothes.

Sleeping bags are a must as someone else mentioned.

Things I never used:
Steam steriliser
Bottles (breastfed)
Moses basket (co slept)
Cot (well perhaps for 5 minutes answering the door)
Baby bath (used sink)
Half the clothes

My first dd sicked up a lot so I kept a basket under her crib (that was next to my bed) full of cot sheets, muslin cloths, wipes, nappies and sleep suits/vests. It was a life saver.
Also I didn't bother with a baby bath after a couple of weeks and instead got an angelcare bath support.

Congratulations!

Ooh a little box with organisers for nappies, nappy cream, wipes, muslin, new bib, phone, snacks, drink…. Ideally one up and one down if you live in a house not a flat.