First born must haves

[Niki93]

Hi everyone. Im 16 weeks pregnant, first time. Me and partner have started planning a head on what we need once baby comes in May. We thought if we make a start getting bits and bobs in each month then its more manageable.

Is there any first born must haves that anyone recommends that made their journey with a new born much easier? So far we have the baby co-sleeper crib, nappy caddy, changing mat, nuby bath, nuby breast pump, some anti colic bottles, muslins, couple of baby grows...the little things really.

Whats the best brand nappies out there? Best quick fixes? Bargain must haves that we maybe havnt thought off? All tips and tricks welcome :)

Thanks in advance :)

The only things we really use are
Steam steriliser
Flask to store hot water when out and about
Formula dispensers
Bouncy chair ( we have a swing but she doesn't like it)
Muslins
Blankets when out and about
Pram suits
Good changing bag that fits everything but you aren't rooting around to the bottom for something (the ALDI bag is good value but we found everything important sank to the bottom)
Reusable nappies
Johnson's pink wet wipes (although going to invest in some cheeky wipes which are just cloth wipes)
We have an all terrain pram as we don't drive, we also bought a silver cross push chair for when the time came but have swapped with someone else for a sturdier one
Lots of dummies and dummy clips! I was dead against them but gave in after a few days when my friend suggested just trying it to ease the non stop crying
Baby monitor
Thermometers for rooms, bath, and body (ours can be used on the head and inside the ear for comparison)

Things we found useless/not used long enough to be worth it
Moses basket
Milton
Changing mats, we just change on the sofa or floor and leave the nappy underneath whilst we're wiping. If an accident happens it happens 🤷‍♀️
Base for a car seat, it was a brilliant idea but as we don't drive it was more hassle taking it from someone's car up the path that's a minute walk to the flat, storing it, then back down. If you have your own car but can't use isofix it's brilliant though!
Loads of cute outfits. Especially in the beginning the baby will just be in sleepsuits and it's so much effort putting them into cute outfits
Shoes. Bought lots of nice shoes to go with outfits but she kicks them off/they don't stay on the feet well enough and honestly some socks are good enough for an immobile child
Scratch mitts. Most sleepsuits have them built in, the ones that don't just put socks on over the hands. They reach further up so are harder to pull off

A travel mug.
Trust me you will wish you had one if you drink tea or coffee.

@thatguiltyfeeling if you are making formula when out and about the flask water needs to be 70 degrees plus or else it won’t kill formula bacteria. Sorry if you already know that

I actually found changing mats useful as my DD exploded often until she was about 8 months. We also went through various brands of nappies e.g. Aldi, Lidl, Pampers, Asda, Sainsburys as her shape changed slightly as she has grown.

I would suggest you don't spend lots on clothes for your baby or for you.

In regards to the baby most babies now are larger do only stay in newborn clothes for a few weeks if at all. You are better of knowing were your local large supermarket is that sells baby gros rather than stock up on loads so if you have a small baby or a refluxing one you can go/send someone to buy more. (DD was born small but has gone through several growth spurts.)

Traditional pram suits are shit. They are too hot if you go inside from cold out doors e.g. in and out of shops. You are better of using thinner layers including blankets can quickly add or remove. Added to that the sizing of them leaves a lot to be desired. (I was given 7 pram suits of those I could only use 2 as the rest were too small for my then small 3 month old. The two I could use were also thinner than the rest and had easier to do up fastenings.)

In regards to you if you are breast feeding there is a Facebook group plus other information online about how to layer normal clothes so you don't spend a fortune on breastfeeding clothes.

The main thing is to work out if you actually need an item targeted at new parents like a white noise toy, a baby monitor, stretchy wraps, etc then see if you can safely borrow it or buy it second hand rather than buy it new. For example sling libraries hire out stretchy wraps as you only need them for 3 months.

A sling. It means you can go out without a buggy, and little one is snuggled up warm against you. The exercise means you can get lots of fresh air, carrying baby helps get your shape back and you’ll feel less down.
Congratulations.

A wee medicine kit with a nose Frieda (sucker for congestion) saline drops, in ear thermometer and Calpol for when their a bit older.

My baby is 7 weeks and full of the cold so all of the above (except Calpol) have been a godsend!

@stophuggingme that's okay I did know that but it's always best to mention in case someone doesn't. This flask keeps water boiling hot for hours as long it goes straight from a freshly boiled kettle to the flask. We use it at night time as well so we don't have to go the kitchen in the middle of the night and we've tested the water a couple of times and it's always good perfect.

Thank you everyone for all the tips and tricks.

So far we havnt went wild. We’re lucky as our family are over the moon and naturally got abit excited and have all bought some bits and bobs for us. My mam has bought us a ‘bottle warmer’ nitted some cardis, bought some grows etc and shes also offering to buy us the pram/buggy (god send to us). My partners parents have offered to buy a bouncer, the cot/crib. My sister in law has given me a room thermometer aswell as a brand new nuby breats pump for free that she didnt end up using, so over all we’ve been so lucky!

I think so far in total we’ve spent about £20 and the rest is being given by friends or family so we’re over the moon. We’re ticking off our list to make sure we dont get 3 lots of everything or over loaded withh gifts that wont get used, so all your suggestions are much appreciated and helpful.

I agree its all trial and error, but we deffo have a good foundation of items to start of with so i feel much better and confident with all suggestions now. For breast feeding as everyone has said, I’m giving it a try but il just see how i go. Then possibly trial the prep machine or ask of anyone has one they’re willing to lend me before making the purchase.

I never knew there was so many baby items before being pregnant! Mothercare had me over whelmed hahah. Xx

I have two boys an the things which were essential for one were not needed for another. e.g. With ds1 I never used muslins, nappy cream, he never slept in the cot, but Ds2 made a good use of all of these. you may activate amazon prime trial once the baby is there to quickly get any missing items . local Facebook baby buy and sell groups are also useful

If you’re planning on breastfeeding and expressing then by and large you don’t need a bottle warmer. Breast milk that’s been expressed can be left out for a lot longer ths formula.
Obviously if you refrigerate that’s different ! Or freeze it!

Not read the comments, so not sure if anybody mentioned this, but DON'T buy cot bumpers. 'They are a hazard for choking, suffocation and strangulation' (copied this from the NHS website).

Also, if you live in the UK, as a new mum, I would recommend following the Baby &Toddler Info UK Facebook page. They post information on a daily basis and strictly follow the NHS guidelines.