List of Things for When the Baby Arrives

[MerryBlessings]

Hello ladies,

I'm a new expectant mum (EDD 24th of Dec) and being a bit of a control freak/list writer I'm wanting to find a good list of all the things that we need to buy before he/she arrives. I'd just like to start getting an idea of how much money we need to put aside over the next few months.

Also while you're there does anyone know if you can eat parma ham? I'm confused!

Sorry if this is somewhere else but I can't find it!

Thanks in advance,

MBxx

I thought about the whole baby bath thing thinking next time just put it in the big bath so easier to fill, not spilling water everywhere, then i thought well in that case just bath baby in the big bath, saves lifting the baby one in and out everytime I need to get in the bath.

I'd normally agree that baths are a waste of time but we were given one of these and in the end it was a lifesaver, having had a section.

its good to know what things are useful after a section, i never had one but next time you never know...

I am so pleased I found this thread... I am 22 weeks with my first ...and an avid list writer!

I already have a list for my hospital bag, one tip I was given by my s-i-l was to pack flip flops for the hospital for when you have a shower, and glucose tablets incase you have a long labour and start to flag...

Birth announcement cards and stamps or a list of people and phone numbers for dh to phone on arrival of baby.

Hi sazziej! Congrats on your 1st pregnancy, once baby is born you too will become an 'expert' on baby products! Everyone is different and what one person finds a waste of money others will find its the one thing they couldnt manage without but its good to find out the pros and cons of things so you can decide what you think will be worth a purchase and to find out things you had never even thought of!

My thoughts on your list:

Clothing
3 hats - why, they only have one head, and it's not as if they get dirty
6 long sleeved bodies -yes
6 sleep suits -yes
6 short sleeved vests - not sure why. You either want 6 long, 6 short, or a mixture depending on time of year. Unless you have a very hot house I'd get 6 long for a December baby.
4 t-shirts - nah. No need for clothes in first sizes. Just change babygros as and when.
4 pairs of socks - maybe a couple, but babygros have feet
3 complete outfits - er, no. One if you must, but you don't know what size the baby will come out. Far better to buy one outfit once you have the baby.
2 matinee coats - I have not the fainest idea what a matinee coat is. Will the baby be going to the theatre?
Bootees - no. Socks and babygro with feet
Snowsuit - yup, for December baby
2 cardigans/jumpers - yup
Scratch mittens -probably one pair

Sleeping
Moses basket - Can do, or go straight into cot
Cot/Cot bed - Yes, unless you co-sleep
Cot bumpers - not meant to use with tiny babies, I thought. Always thought that they were a bit pointless.
Mattress - yes
4 fitted sheets - four is a lot
2 cellular blankets
Sleeping bag - yes
Baby monitor - yes, if your house is big enough to need one.
Room thermometer - Can do. You get a little one free with a gro-bag. It's not as scientifically delicate as they make out.

Getting Around
Lambskin inlay for cold days - if you want. Or just a general fleecy insert for buggee
Buggee - Yes, unless you'll sling everywhere
Car seat - Yes, if you use a car
Sling - Yes
Nappy Bag - Nah, just use any old rucksack or whatever.

Bath
Baby bath - yes
Sponges - yes
Baby wash - no need for first few months. Can irritate skin (even sensitive baby type products).
Bath thermometer - no. Use your elbow like our parents did, and a bit of common sense.
Two baby towels (hooded) - no, normal towels fine.
Talc - No, no meant to use talc, dries the delicate skin.

Nappies
Nappy cream - yes
Nappy bucket -yes
Nappy sterilizer - what the hell is one of those? Dry pail reuseables, wash in normal non bio.
Disposable nappies - yes, if you will use
Real nappies - yes, if you will use
Changing mat - yes
Wipes -handy for when out (unless you go Cheeky Wipe)
Baby lotion - not needed

Breast Feeding
Maternity bras - yes, if you mean nursing, but don't buy too early. One or two max until your boobs settle down.
Breast pads (either disposable or reusable)- yes
Curved feeding pillow - some people find helpful
2 bottles - only if you plan on expressing. If you find you need formula, shops are still open after the baby...
Bottle brush - ditto
Breast pump - only if expressing
Nipple covers - no, not unless specifically advised by breastfeeding counsellor
Nipple cream- Yes, Lansinoh
6 Muslin squares - no, about 30!

Does that help?

Sazziej - Are you seriously packing birth annoucement cards in your hospital bag? How much energy do you think you will have?

Haha, not planning on packing them into my hospital bag... but they are on my list of things to get.

also a list person, just found the one i had! My DS was born on Christmas day - you will have alot of people stressing on your DC's behalf about 'what to do about their birthday party?'

Clothes
6 x vests/bodysuits
6x sleepsuits (white)
1 x hat
1 x gloves
2 x cardigans
1 x snowsuit
socks - people tend to buy you outfits but no socks

Sleeping
Moses basket
sheets for moses basket - although pillowcases tend to fit (good 2am solution)
swaddling blanket
4 x pram size blankets
2 x sleeping bags
Cot bed
sheets for cot bed

nappies
nappies
cotton wool (buy pads not balls, less likely for them to end up with a fuzzy bum)
top & tail bowls - plastic takeaway trays work perfectly rather than buying any!
changing mat x 2 (for baby's room and one for downstairs)
changing mat covers - just use hand towels - cheaper and we have loads anyway
nappy sacks
sudacream
changing bag

feeding
Breast feeding bras (assuming you are going to breast feed)
Couple of bottles
steriliser (milton is the way forward, far cheaper than anything else, you can always go fancy if you do decide to FF later)
couple of ready made formula cartons for emergancies
breast pump
breast pads - lots

other
car seat (practice putting it in & out of car in advance)
pram/buggy - I wanted one that would allow DS to lay flat for the first 6 months
bouncy chair
monitor
thermometer
baby hairbrush
baby bath
baby nail clippers
disposable changing mats - so useful! Sit on them when your in the car on the way to hospital, put them under the sheets in your bed to avoid water breaking destroying the matteress, put them under the sheets in the baby's bed etc.
tea tree oil (so good in the bath for poorly stitches)
maternity pads (how ever many you think you'll need, double it)

A new hair cut that you can just wash your hair and leave it to dry naturally and look good, it will be at least a month before you get round to using the hairdryer

Frusili bars - stops you eating chocolate when you need to eat but baby is crying

Don't get lots of clothes, people will buy you lots of stuff! It'll be a shock when they are out of 0-3 months and you have to suddenly buy it all.

oh and feeding pillow - I never got round to getting one and just use a spare pillow from our bed. at this stage i think that will do and am not going to bother.

one last one! Champagne in the fridge to be opened when you get home!

I'd be suspicious of any list published by say, mothercare, boots etc as they want you to part with cash...

I got my silvercross travel system off e-bay. £63 instead of £350. It's last year's colours but I don't think baby will notice. Plus I know we'll be swapping it for a lighter Maclaren type thing by the end of the year just like everyone else seems to (easier for public transport here in London).

I'm not bothering with a moses basket. Seems like a silly expense for 3 months use. Pram for downstairs. Cot for upstairs.

Baby bath is another thing we're not getting. The sink will do for a bit and then the bath. A lot less hassle.

Cot sheets seem like a rip off to me. I'm getting some single bed sheets and cutting them in three and hemming them. Cost saving about two thirds! And for pram sheets, pop the mattress in a pillow case.

Muslins - you can never have too many - but shop around as prices vary. And TBH - does it need to have pretty patterns when all baby is going to do is puke down it? White is much easier to clean. I've got 2dozen and am not bothering with separate burp cloths.

Swaddle wraps are HUGELY expensive. Use a blanket, small sheet, towel or a muslin. Job done.

I have heard that for the hospital, basic white blankets and towels can sometimes get lost amongst all their linen so you may wish to have a different colour.

Sleep suits and body suits are the essential wear. You will get given loads of other clothes. Socks get lost very easily (sleep suits have feet on them). Pram shoes are a TOTAL waste of cash.

Join the local Toy Library.

I'm not a cheapskate really (I have been totally sucked into buying pretty outfits), but I realise that we can be taken for a ride when it comes to buying for baby.