What do I really need to buy...?

[legallyblond]

And what will end up being a waste of money?

In particular, I am thinking of getting a 2 in 1 pram/pushchair... if I have the detachable pram bit, do I really need a moses basket or crib as well or can baby just sleep in the pram carry cot? I plan to get a cot-bed and move the baby in to the room next door after just a few weeks, when it would start sleeping in the cot.

In terms of all the stuff that's out there to buy, what do I really need and what is a waste of money?

I had a pram but also a Moses basket as it was much easier to carry around. Agreed you can have baby sleep in cot and some experts think this helps them settle quicker but I loved having my DC asleep next to me in whichever room I was in. Also in the early sleep deprived days don't think I could've faced traipsing up and down stairs all the time.

Don't buy a diaper genie - never used mine. But do buy at least 2 changing mats so you have one upstairs and one down.

Do buy a musical cot mobile, or drop hints that you'd like one as a gift.

Found the towelling bath seat that goes in bath great too. May not need a baby bath but
I'm a bit clumsy so I found it easier on my back.

Personally I would get a crib, or borrow one as I did. The baby will sleep in with you for minimum 6 weeks, maybe much longer and I think you'll want them on the same level as your bed...makes nightfeeding and getting them in and out of the crib MUCH easier in the dead of night - otherwise you'll be scrabbling around on the floor. Plus it's nice to be able to see their little chest going up and down without actually having to move out of your nice warm bed...essential at 4am when you've already been up 3 times!

A good colourful playmat with stuff that dangles over their heads is a great investment...they will spend ages on their backs looking for entertainment

A good bouncy chair is essential. I recommend the Babybjorn Babysitter. It's expensive but well worth it...it folds down flat so transportable and has 3 positions so they cn sleep in it

Will think of more but need to rescue DP from screaming toddler

You can use a towel instead of a change mat.

Dont bother buying a bottle warmer - just use jug hot water

It's worth finding out about any NCT nearly new sales near you - I went to my 1st one recently and was amazed by all the great condition baby stuff - eg moses baskets for a tenner, baby bjorns for £8, loads of nursery bedding sets etc. Unfortunately I have all that stuff already from 1st time round so didn't need it!

Don't buy a baby bath!

If there's a chance your baby will be big/long both moses basket and carrycot for pram will last five minutes. Easier if cot fits in your room to slide it up against the bed with the side off. (Will do this next time)

Agree about playmat

Don't buy bottle warmer - use a jug - will be just as quick.

Borrow/ask for as gifts lots of sleepsuits and vests of varying sizes. As LO grows these are the things which you will have to buy as most people will buy outfits.

If you're bottlefeeding don't buy the small bottles - you'll need the bigger ones eventually.

Muslins can be used for lots of things. Buy lots.

twosofar advice is good - playmat and Baby Bjorn bouncer were both ace and kept DD1 entertained for hours

Do not bother with a changing table. Use a cheapish changing mat on top of a chest of drawers.

Don't bother with fussy clothes...this baby will be in vests and babygros for at least the first 6 months of her life - DD1 had loads of dresses and things which were just daft on reflection.

Don't go buying loads of bottles, a steriliser, etc., until you know exactly what you're doing feeding wise. I wasted loads of money on all of those things and DD never had a bottle.

I agree with Rindercella
Just get literally a couple of bottles incase.
I had masses of bottles, formula, sterilising things which never got used as thankfully nature did it's job :-D

Also I wouldn't be so sure about that baby leaving your room after just a few weeks :-p hehe

Get / borrow moses basket, my pram had a carrycot but it was more waterproof type material and I would not have wanted him to sleep in it for a long time.

Don't get a bottle warmer, total waste of money, took AGES to heat the bottle.

Ditto 2 changing mats, also some nice wicker baskets for nappies/wipes etc.

Try and borrow as much as you can.

I wouldn't bother with a baby bath again, I used mine once I think.

I would highly recommend a Cushi Tush baby seat over a Bumbo, it is fantastic and supported my DS much better and is so light.

I am sure I can think of much more that we brought and didn't use - I will mull over and let you know.

Guys this is GREAT stuff!! How would I ever know any of this of not learning from those who have gone before?!

I will def beg/borrrow/steal/buy a moses basket then... it seems sensible. I will however avoid the baby bath and bottle warmers!

Any more hints very gratefully received!

Totally agree re chaging table - waste of money.

I do thnk mats are better than towels as when they are tiny they poo an wee all over the place so a wipe-clean surface is better than washing endlkess towels.

I had 2 changing mats, one on top of a chest of drawers upstairs and one which I kept under the sofa in the living room, with a couple of nappies and a pack of wipes on it. You don't always feel like traipsing upstairs to do a nappy, although this is particularly important when you're on baby number 2, so you don't have to take a toddler upstirs with you for every nappy change.
Mothercare do a good mat with sloping sides which means they can't roll off once they start experimenting.

I think a bath seat is a good investment..you can get ones that are suitable from birth which go in your main bath. I used the 'Ergonomically shaped bath support' from Mothercare £14.99. It's on their website. Don't underestimate how slippery they get in the bath and this means they can just lay back and relax and you don't have to panic about dropping them! If you can borrow one then great but I think both my boys were in it day in day out for at least 7 months so it's definitely money well spent.

I also think a babymonitor nearer the top of the range is a good investment. Others may disagree but the cheap ones are basically rubbish and if you are of a nervous disposition and like to be reassured constantly (!) then the hi-tech ones give you more peace of mind. Again, do some research and see if you can pick on up second hand.

I agree re fussy clothes, especially for girls as once they start to move find dreses a huge hindrance! Personally speaking though I only had mine in babygros at night - I always got them dressed into proper clothes in the morning, even if only leggings and a top. For my own sanity I had to distinguish between day and night and this added a bit of much needed focus to morning routine and evening routine in the early days...just my humble opinion of course!

Try to borrow a baby sling... I liked the idea of it but found it wasn't really practical for me but DP loved using it - limited to weekends only!

Sure I can think of more if I put my mind to it!

I had a wipe clean changing mat was quite cold, so I covered it with a towel anyway! I've got to 8 months without him pooing on it. Peeing, yes!

My godsend at the moment is a bouncy chair that swings and plays music for my DS to sleep in during the day - and muslins - loads of them ! £3 for a pack of 3 in Asda !