Help!! - What is really worth buying, what isn't?

[LozC0411]

Hiya everyone!

I'm expecting my first child and I want to be as prepared as possible. I am starting to buy things and just want to know what is really worth it, and what isn't worth it?

I also want to know if there are any random things or things people usually forget about that I need to buy.

So far I have only really brought clothing items as I wanted advice on other things that are really worth it before I buy.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you🤗

The buggy/pram /carseat (can buy in a bundle) is the big one. They can even sleep in it. If I had my time again I'd probably buy second hand but then spend a decent amount on a sturdy fold up one (for when they're a bit bigger)
If you're bottle feeding you'll need a steriliser and bottles.
If you're breastfeeding maybe get some of the pads for your nipples(can't remember the name ((like mama mia)) but cut them in half as expensive
A cot (you'll need a new mattress but could buy second hand apart from that. Sleepsuits are great.
If you want to be able to put them asleep downstairs a moses basket is handy
An all.in one suit if a winter baby
A lot of people think they are a waste but I loved my changing unit (saved my back) and some come with a bath. You'll get these second hand also
A bath (or one of the things to sit them in in a main bath)
Cotton balls (for changing at the beginning)
A sling is also great if you are feeding as you can feed them in it (also easy access tops with zips and a good nursing bra)
And big congratulations! It's been a whole so I may have forgotten some!

Muslins. I bought a pack of 3 before the birth. Then we got 6 more as gifts and I thought "lol, needn't have bothered getting any". After she was born I bought another pack of 5.

Also, if you want to go the reusable wipes route, I really recommend cheeky wipes. We found they got her much cleaner than disposable water wipes. It sounds disgusting but you get quite used to the poo, so having to wash them was no where near as bad as I thought it would be.

One thing we did that was probably mad but we found really useful, was having a cloth on top of the changing mat. It was the middle of winter when DD was born and the changing mat always seemed so cold so I chopped up an old mattress protector (why yes, she is my precious first born, how could you tell?). Seems daft as the mat is cleanable, but it was actually really helpful as it just absorbed the inevitable nappy-less wees instead of it running onto the floor. Cloths then got washed with the cheeky wipes

Essentially, do not underestimate the usefullness of absorbent stuff that can get thrown into the washing machine

Cute outfits aren't worth it. Your baby will spend most of their time in sleep suits and get through several a day. It saves on the copious amount of washing too!

Get a bottle set and steriliser just in case. My DD had reflux and sicked up breast milk but could keep formula down.

Sleeping bags. Another excellent investment.

Hats and scratch mits. Went through plenty of those.

Baby monitor - personal choice but I think the video/heartbeat/breath monitoring one's are a waste of money. Just get an audio one.

Outdoor onesie/splash suit for walks. We hadn't thought to get one and were lucky to get one as a gift.

Baby wipes, nappies, cotton wool. You'll use loads.

Congratulations on your imminent arrival!

There really isn't anything though that's universally loved/seen as essential or hated/seen as a waste of time.

For me a sling was brilliant. Two of them, a stretchy one for really early days and a structured one I used for years. But some people never get on with them. Car seats - some people love the ones you can clip out and put on a buggy frame. I never saw the point of that and never did it.

Muslins are apparently essential but I bought a pack of 10 and had no idea what to do with them. Was given more and gave them away.

Dribble bibs! You won’t need them immediately but when baby starts teething (mine was from 4 months old) you’ll go through so so many.
A soft fabric sling and then a sturdy baby carrier sling. The soft wrap around one is good for the early days / for when you’re at home. The more sturdy one (eg Ergo Baby type) are good for walks and one baby is a bit bigger and needs something stronger. Slings / carriers are soooo useful, especially if you’re going somewhere busy and don’t want to take a pram. Or if baby doesn’t like to be put down then you’ll definitely want to put them in a sling to sleep.
I found having a Moses basket downstairs was great. We also used one of those vibrating chair things to pop him in whilst we ate, so we had free hands and he was entertained. Same with a play mat.
You can never have enough muslins.
It’s also helpful to have a few clothes in the next size or two up so then you’re prepared, but good to get them in the sales.

Admittedly this was 10ish years ago, but I bought this book from ebay for about £2. It had great tips on what is best to buy new, what can be 2nd hand, maternity wear, tips etc.
You might find a newer edition of this one or a similar book.

One person's essential is any other person.'s thing that throw away unused when their baby is 5!

One really good tip I got was; don't buy something that's labelled as "baby X", if there is a normal version of it. I.e. you don't need "baby towels". You can use normal towels you already have!!
One person I know bought a baby blender (literally a mini blender) even though they already had a normal blender. It's so easy to get sucked into advertising.

At first, get the BASICS, then add to it if you need it.

We're due in a couple of weeks and our absolute essentials list is:

Pram
Car seat
Newborn, 0-1m and 0-3m clothing (not too much of each).
Nappies (either reusable or disposable)
Muslin cloths
Pram suits (baby due in winter)
A sling/carrier
Bouncer
TrippTrapp - long term investment (goes from newborn to adulthood)
Changing mat
Chest of drawers (get any old chest of drawers, don't get a changing table!!)
Next to me cot - we will buy their 6+ months cot when we need it.
Playmat / grabby toys

But for every baby there are things that all people have and buy. Im asking as I'm a first time mom, so wanted help thanks.

Thank you so much! And yes will defo be looking into some second hand items, as everything is just soo expensive!

So far I have 3 packs of 5 muslins as I know they come in very useful, so I'm glad someone else has suggested this! Thanks :)

Really helpful with the monitor, as I know some spend a fortune on them! Thanks x

Having a downstairs moses basket is such a good idea, I didn't think of this... Thanks! x

I will defo look into this, thank you :)

The baby blender is ridiculous lol! I don't want to spend an absolute fortune on some things as I would rather have the money for things like a pram, nursery furniture, crib etc.. So if I can save money on things (like towels as you said) then I am all for that

If you plan on breastfeeding maybe the number to a private lactation clinic. I remember wanting to cry because I needed help but there was no signal in the hospital and as much as the midwives try, they don't really know how to help with breastfeeding issues. The second time around I made sure to have the numbers I needed saved in my phone so I was able to book for a tongue tie cut as soon as it was discovered.

This is a really useful one... Im still deciding whether to breastfeed or not, so I will defo be keeping this in mind

Recently had baby - bought 2nd hand swing which has been great and bought a video monitor - I think the video is great so you can keep an eye if in different room.

Buggy bought 2nd hand - I didn't buy car seat with buggy, I bought one that twists and remains in car. I used the carry cot as the moses basket downstairs.

I think nappy bins and changing table are a waste but others think they are great. Don't buy much clothes because you will be over run with presents and they don't get to wear half them. My advice buy bare essentials and buy for baby as you get to know them and what's handy. For example DS is coming up to12 weeks now and only just bought highchair

I'm set to be a FTM too! This is my list of essentials - we've bought nothing new, except a cot mattress, as our friends gifted us their car seat and I know they wouldn't give us one that had been in a crash etc.

A few packs of newborn disposable or reusable cloth nappies
Cotton wool or gentle, non-scented, water wipes
Changing mat
Sudocream
At least 6 all-in-one sleepsuits or babygrows
4 to 6 vests or bodysuits with poppers that close under the nappy
2 cardigans - choose wool or cotton, rather than nylon
A pramsuit
Scratch mittens
Hat
Moses basket
Sling
A crib
Mattress
Waterproof mattress cover
At least 4 fitted sheets
2 sleeping bags
Infant car seat, rear-facing
Pushchair with a fully reclining seat
Pramsuit or blanket
Breast pads
Nipple cream
Breast pump
Muslin squares for burping
Bottles with teats and caps
Sterilising equipment
Brushes to clean the bottles and teats
Formula milk powder (aiming to combi-feed...some of this may happen/may not. I'll just chuck the bits on FB marketplace or offer them to another mum)
Muslin squares
Baby mat
Bouncing seats
Thermometer
Cot mobile
First aid kit
Video monitor
Gro-egg
Night light
Baby carrier

And I'm sure a good chunk of these things may not be useful! Just the stuff I feel like I want to have beforehand!

Actually I lie, I have bought some bottles and a breast pump new (tho I regret buying the BP as I might not end up using it and wish I'd waited to see.)

Overall, we're giving our friends some cash so I reckon we'll have spent about £300

Absolute basics, Muslins, sleepsuits, blankets, nappies, wipes/cotton balls, hats etc for baby. You will probably be gifted more when they arrive.

Essentials like pram and moses basket/next to me. Crib isn't needed until later unless you plan on having it in your bedroom.
Sling, a good sling is amazing! Especially in the 4th trimester days- both of mine were velcro babies and it was the only way I could do anything (and then also used it for puppy before vaccinations!).

Lots can be bought second hand, newborn stuff is often in good condition because it's used for such a short time.

For you, maternity pads, breast pads, cooling spray for water squirter for immediately after birth (cannot recommend enough!),comfy clothes and a nursing bra, a good thermal cup, convenience food you can grab without prepping. If you breastfeed get lanolin for your nipples!

Yeah I won't be buying things that won't be used pretty much straight away, like a highchair for example. Thanks! :)

Basically FB marketplace, baby sales near you and Vinted are your best bits IMO....but I am cheap/happy with second-hand

Congratutations! Wow! This is so useful, will be using this as a checklist that I can alter for myself, thank you so much x