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What do I have to buy for the house for a new baby?

17 replies

MrsFogi · 04/11/2005 11:51

I've been putting off buying anything as I get a bit worried that it will tempt fate and things may go wrong once I start buying (as the last time I bought pregnancy books I had a late m/c on the same day). But now even my dh is starting to suggest that we maybe should plan for the eventuality that things will go ok and that we'll have a baby at the beginning of January (I think he's worried that if it comes early we'll have absolutely nothing).
So I'm going to get the minimum necessary so......what is the minimum necessary? I know I need a car seat, moses basket or equivalent, nappies, babygrows but what else is the miniumum I can get away with on the basis that I aim to breastfeed(the intention really isn't to neglect this poor child before it's born but I'm afraid the idea of going out and shopping as though everything's going to be fine scares me somewhat (although I'm too much of a stubborn cow to allow dh or someone else to go out an choose stuff)).

OP posts:
charliecat · 04/11/2005 11:54

Start stockpiling the baby wipes

LIZS · 04/11/2005 11:54

Few blankets and sheets, all in one vests, couple of soft towels, changing mat.

teeavee · 04/11/2005 11:56

pushchair/pram?

But tbh I didn't buy a single thing until ds was born, as we were given almost everything. Do you have relatives or friends who have had babies?
Cots, babygros, etc might well be acquired from them.

HandbagAddiction · 04/11/2005 11:59

You don't need much at all - not even baby wipes - far better just to use cotton wool and water on newborn bottoms.......

MissChief · 04/11/2005 12:12

big pack of muslins from mothercare - mulitpurpose for mopping up all the messes, useful if bfing out & about, also for ad hoc blanket/changing mat etc
baby carrier may also be useful..
btw, wouldn't bother with moses basket until after, if then, as many babies hate them!

justbetweenourselves · 04/11/2005 12:12

I would go to a major dept store (like John Lewis) and choose everything vital (cot/car seat/pram), then ask them to hold on to it for you till you ask for delivery. I did this and all the shops said that if anything went wrong you would get a full refund. My stuff was delivered at 38 weeks.

That way you know everything is in hand in the event of baby's safe arrival but there is nothing in the house at the moment to make you feel uneasy.

Normsnockers · 04/11/2005 12:26

Message withdrawn

Normsnockers · 04/11/2005 12:30

Message withdrawn

Lucycat · 04/11/2005 12:37

LOTS of washing powder! that yellow poo from bfed babies is a bugger to get out AND it goes right up their back if you're really unlucky!

Do you want some newborn sleepsuits as I'm selling some on here!!

Normsnockers · 04/11/2005 12:37

Message withdrawn

Normsnockers · 04/11/2005 12:41

Message withdrawn

Lucycat · 04/11/2005 12:43

Not sure, it was the bright yellow colour that seemed to do the damage!

LIZS · 04/11/2005 12:43

Nappy cream/vaseline might be a useful standby - apply vaseline to bum each change in early days to help ease off the meconium poos !

highlander · 04/11/2005 12:58

Well, here's what you don't need...........

a nursery decked out in matching wallpaper and curtains and bedding.

A hideously expensive cot, car saet and pram. Beg, borrow and steal here until you decide what suits you best. The sprog will outgrow the initial car seat in a couple of months. Bugaboo is the new Burberry

A diaper wrap system. Cheap nappy sacks from Tesco do just as well and it's more hygenic to remove the dirty diapers straight away.

ANY type of baby clothing with poppers/zips down the back, or zips that end up under the chin with no guard - ouch, ouch, ouch!.

But do get scratch mittens!

Tesco's nappies really are as good as Huggies.

Tesco's body suits etc are ace - come up like new after each wash.receiving blamkets. ( 4 pack)

Find out now how to overcome common BF problems - yo'll be too knackered to care (and thus susceptible to formula) when the sprog arrives.

sweetkitty · 04/11/2005 13:27

welcome mrsfogi

I'm also due in January (come visit the Due in Jan thread we're a nice bunch) I bought far far too much last time and got laods of presents this is what I am getting this time and think is essential

Baby
7 vests
7 babygros/sleepsuits
4 little newborn outfits (I have loads left from DD though)
scratch mittens (essential last time DD started scratching her face the minute she came out)
socks
hats
snowsuit (for going out as it will be Jan)
shawl
blankets
sheets
moses basket/cot/crib (although DD refused to sleep in any of these) so I would only get one
car seat
pram
swing/baby bouncer (but this is to keep DD2 safe from DD1 more than anything)
baby gym (more for somewhere to put them)
muslins
nappies
wipes or cotton wool
nappy sacks

you
breastpads (if you do BF you will need loads)
sanitary towels (about 10 packs I'm not kidding)
big pants (either disposable or better still buy loads of really cheap ones and chuck)
lavender oil (for baths afterwards)
arnica
i never used half the stuff in my hospital bag either

teeavee · 04/11/2005 13:35

yes - all the things listed below for you, are pretty essential, esp. breastpads!
although I leaked a lot and found that sanitary towels cut in half did a much better job of keeping my tops dry!

LIZS · 04/11/2005 17:31

Forget the baby list for now ! Indulge yourself. Choose a nice comfy outfit for afterwards so you don't feel you have to wear the same drab old maternity clothes until your other clothes fit. Sort of soft jersey separates, perhaps, that you could wear in hospital and around the house during the day. Some nice smellies, body moisturising cream, nipple cream (like Kamillosan ), water spray etc.

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