essential kit for a first time baby!

[Emmadufo]

Hi All

I am expecting my first baby in June and just starting to try and get organised with all the things I will need from me, to the nursery to the baby themselves!

Having attending the baby show on Sunday, my first foray into it all, I am now completely flummoxed! Can anyone recommend a website or anything that can you give you a definitive list of all the things you need to consider from breast pads to baby monitors!

Thanks

muslins and breast pads for sure

cotton wool for early nappy changes (with water), cleaning sticky eyes etc

a baby towel with hood

Sling (I liked baby bjorn)

vasoline (to put on baby's bum before first merconium poo, stopps it sticking)

possibly a breast feeding cushion? I used mine lots in the early days when I was stiff and achey, but normal cushions also work well.

pampers new born nappies were my faves(I used cloth later on when dcs were bigger but you prob won't want to be dealing with nappy washing in the first few weeks)

vests and babygrows, (possibly footless ones for a summer baby?)

blankets (not too thick)

sun shade for buggy/pram? (not the umbrella type, but the black cover all variety iyswim). Although I just used muslins clipped on with buggy clips.

changing bag with mat and lots of pockets to keep nappies, wipes, spare clothes etc organised

Slightly off subject but, whatever pram buggy you buy will need to fit into your car with enough space left over for luggage. 1 piece pushchairs/buggies are best for that.

I'll never forget the time I collected a stranded friend from the station with her buggaboo. Getting it into the car was certainly an experience.

Most people start with a super dooper fancy pram but end up ditching it for an umbrella fold buggy. DD2 went in a lie flat maclaren from birth (with newborn support) and was absolutely fine.

I'd also make sure you have blankets the right size for swaddling. Too small and the little Houdini will escape, too big and you'll be fighting with excess fabric and the baby will get hot.

We started off with a smallish receiving blanket like the one on here which DS outgrew and so we moved onto this one which has been lovely and warm over winter and is plenty big enough still for our 16lb monster.

Swaddle Designs also do some lightweight versions which might be a good idea for you over the summer. For example, this one.

I also used a special breastfeeding cushion religiously in the early days, like this one. I don't use it at all now but then luckily I don't have any difficulties with feeding - but it may be that having the cushion gave me confidence and helped establish the right latch early on.

Oh, and I'd highly recommend this book which gave me an idea of the practical stuff to expect on a week by week basis - eg how many nappies of what variety, when to bath, how often to feed. It presents information in digestible chunks and I even managed to get DH to read it!

congratulations! not strictly essential but wish i'd got one straight away - a tiny love symphony in motion mobile that plays classical music and keeps ds entranced for hours (ok slight exaggeration ...) expensive new but i got mine on ebay for about £12 (plus p&P)

fwiw, my baby HATED his moses basket and only lasted a couple of weeks in it so if anyone is offering you cast-offs, accept gratefully!

and i know it's a long way off but when your db is six months old don't bother spending millions on a fancy high chair, head straight to ikea for the antilop and tray - £14. had to share that cos i am so pleased with mine (i found out about it on here)

There are a lot of things you buy first time round that you will not use or will be a waste of money so asking other mums is a good idea! I run the webiste labourbags.com and this is one of the things that mums often forget about cos they are so worried they have everything for the baby when it actually comes! I think the other most impostaint things are

Bed pram chair nappies clothes bedding or sleeping bags

I also agree that a big pram is a waste of money, so is a nappy wrapper. Remember babies can be even washed in a sink for a while so you dont even need a baby bath!!