20 weeks pg - should I be stocking up on baby things? And if so, what?

[oliv]

Hello! I'm a new girl, first baby due in May. I've got lots of hand-me-down newborn clothes but nothing else. Now I'm over the halfway mark I'm thinking maybe I should start buying in the sales/ begging for essentials but I don't know what I really need and all the baby shops obviously tell me I need everything ever made. Any advice?

thanks all, will have alook this weekend then. lockets, did you have the v shaped one? would quite like one to support while feeding too i suppose

Join the Huggies club online. I got sent loads of freebies, money off vouchers and a changing bag.

And always buy the wipes when they're on bogof.

ok, i'm convinced. I shall have a look around for one. thanks

Mothercare, blooming marvellous?

Dunno what other people felt,

But i found, sleeping on my side, with top leg cocked up on banana pillow was about the only comfy position i could get into.

I had agonising back pain towards the end and it was the only way i could rest. I'm guessing it depends on which way baby lies, to how you can get most comfortable.

get to your nearest boots, they have some very good sale stuff at the mo, also tesco very good for baby clothing and cheap!

I slept with several pillows. One between my legs, one under my bump to the left and another for under my bump to the right if I turned over. Poor dh probably had about an inch of bed to sleep in.

babygros, nappies, sanitary towels, suitable washing powder, muslins and a book called "what to expect in the first year", I also had the "what to expect when you are expecting" and they are great - very factual and not in your face like some. Even told me about daft stuff like why milk was leaking from DS's nipples in the first week - very reassuring.

Good luck!!

I had those books too, and they are great, although do allow for some out of date suggestions, such as switching baby from breast to breast every few minutes!! The advice now is to let baby feed on one side completely, and either switch, or make sure you feed from the other side at next feed.

There were a few other gems in there but can't remember them now book is packed in loft!

Unless maybe they have updated the book i am not sure, it is certainly about time they did, cos it was great, covered everything you need to know.

Wilkinsons is where i got my banana pillow from. Can't sleep without it now! Just put a cushion under my bump while pregnant, was v comfortable.

Disagree about changing table and baby bath. DS is 7 weeks and both have been useful. Even if you don't have a c section, bending over with stitches was very very painful!! congrats, and yes, do make the most of the sales, ans yes, people do go bananas over babies so try and resist too many cute newborn outfits!!

Top of my list would definitely be:

loads of packets of maternity pads and change of old underwear for yourself
breast pads
plenty of newborn nappies (if you are BF and when your milk comes in - you won't believe how runny that baby poo can be and the places it can reach!!!)
lots of baby vests and sleepsuits

the rest of it you can leave for dh/dp to run around and get while you are resting in hospital and enjoying those precious early days with baby!

All the best xx

Agree with Flossty - don't worry about those newborn outfits - my dds lived in sleepsuits for weeks anything else just wasn't practical. If people buy you lots of newborn outfits as gifts (unless you end up with tiny baby of course) it might be worth swapping some of them in shop for 0-3 or 3-6 month sizes. They don't stay in newborn clothes for long!!

hiya oliv,
well all the advice here is fantastic so not much to add really! i wouldnt bother with newborn clothes. ask for 0-3 if people are buying presents. however...people said to me first time round.."oh dont buy anything too early" and when i had a prem baby at 33 weeks i had hardly got anything...cue mad rush around the shops! dd was a few days late but very small also. it wasnt a hardship buying tiny clothes though and within a week she had gained a pound in weight! both my kids hated the baby bath and much preffered the sink so that was a waste of time also! i found a moses basket so much easier than a cot both times round so didnt buy one for ages after baby was born. breast pads are essential, big knickers too and if for any reason you had to have a c section dont forget that you will still need maternity pads (i overlooked this first time and hospital ones are not nice!, nightime always served me very well, not meaning to be crude). if youre going for a steraliser, electric steam ones are good but when mine conked out i bought a microwave one and its just as good. take lots of mags into hospital as it is so mind numbingly boring. couple sheets, couple blankets. if you can borrow a moses basket, wash all the covers and just buy a new mattress then i would recommend that too as if your baby happens to be big, he/she wont be in it for long. dont bother with bottle warming devices either, waste of space and takes too long with a screaming baby! if you find people are suffocating you with clothes maybe ask for more practical things like nappies, wipes (if you choose to use them) etc. you know for someone who didnt have much to say ive excelled myself yet again! congratulations anyway and if i think of anything else im sure i'll be back!!! xx

Was I mad or sad or practical? I read this whole thread and studiously made a spreadsheet to categorise big and small essential buys and big and small optional buys. Now when I get something I tick them off. I also went through a the waste of money thread to assist.