Absolute essentials for first baby

[snugglypink]

My first baby is due in December! What would you say are the absolute essentials? How many sleepsuits and babygros? What do I absolutely need for a winter baby?

I've been told to basically just keep baby in sleepsuits/babygros for the first few months just because it's easier than all the cute little outfits.

 

[MoominGirl]

I had a November baby last year. I think really a baby can be as expensive as you make them but they really don't need to cost that much.

Totally agree about just babygros and sleepsuits for the first few months. As lovely as the cute outfits are, it's just easier!! You can get most of them with built in scratch mitts and won't need socks either. I also found that hats never stayed on heads so had a couple of little jackets with hoods and a pramsuit depending on the weather. I wouldn't get anything smaller than newborn size until you know you need it. My LO was 7lb12 so very average and we only needed newborn for a matter of weeks.

We got loads of stuff handed down from family or given as gifts so saved a fortune that way.

Was advised not to get a Moses basket and was glad of the decision as I hear lots of babies don't like them and outgrow them quickly. LO did first 5 months in a next 2 me then into cotbed. Saves on all the different types of bedding as well.

Definitely think about a sling/carrier. Well worth it in my experience!

Also how you plan to feed as obviously this varies a lot between breast and formula or a combination!

 

[teachermummy]

Never thought about this. I've got two summer babies, I'm going to have to totally rethink my newborn protocol lol.
My piece of advice that will stand regardless is that people will buy you plenty clothes! Don't go overboard until you get an idea of what sizes your baby fits. Different stores have different weights for each size (newborn, 1-3 months, etc) so just get some basics and make sure you have plenty blankets, muslins etc. In the winter months you'll need some outdoor clothes, I love the big cuddly snowsuits, but remember your baby can't safely wear those in the car seat so have some backup options too.

 

[MoominGirl]

That's a good point about the car seat and clothes. We layered up with blankets for exactly that reason. Also you can take them off when you go indoors without disturbing them! The snowsuits are so lovely but one really is enough.

 

[Zara96]

My first baby is due in December! What would you say are the absolute essentials? How many sleepsuits and babygros? What do I absolutely need for a winter baby?

I've been told to basically just keep baby in sleepsuits/babygros for the first few months just because it's easier than all the cute little outfits.

Hi lovely, my first baby is due in December I have my first scan Monday. I am so stuck on what essentials I need and what's best to sleep my baby in cot, crib or Moses basket. X

 

[snugglypink]

Hi lovely, my first baby is due in December I have my first scan Monday. I am so stuck on what essentials I need and what's best to sleep my baby in cot, crib or Moses basket. X

I'm getting a next2you cot for the first few months. It's like a co-sleeping cot with a drop down side.

 

[Sugarpop]

I went for the Moses basket as it was cheaper than a next to you and I liked that he will be secure in it. They’re also good for bringing downstairs too (we got two in the end as I didn’t want to do many trips up and down the stairs )

Layer wise baby is due in summer so the biggest thing we’ve got is a hoody but fully intend on layering with blankets when needed so we don’t have the car seat issue.

 

[Kitana]

Hi lovely, my first baby is due in December I have my first scan Monday. I am so stuck on what essentials I need and what's best to sleep my baby in cot, crib or Moses basket. X

I agree with @snugglypink about the Next2You cot. It's so easy during the nights, you don't have to stand up and the baby is just within reach. We moved DD at 5 and half months to a normal cot from Ikea (the one where you can remove the bars) and she adapted easily.

As for other essentials, I got 2 changing pillows, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. We didn't get a changing table since it becomes a useless piece of furniture after the child becomes old enough for the potty.

What I really recommend too is a nappy bin, nothing too big, or a trash bin which can close well so the nasty odours can't escape.

As for clothes, I did have a few pretty outfits she could wear when there were people over! But mostly dressed her in rompers since it was so hot!

I also love the Puckababy 4 seasons sleeping bag. It's a bit pricey but I bought two and she had slept in them until she was two.

I can't think of other things right now, but those popped out. Good luck going baby shopping!x

 

[Zara96]

I went for the Moses basket as it was cheaper than a next to you and I liked that he will be secure in it. They’re also good for bringing downstairs too (we got two in the end as I didn’t want to do many trips up and down the stairs )

Layer wise baby is due in summer so the biggest thing we’ve got is a hoody but fully intend on layering with blankets when needed so we don’t have the car seat issue.

I do like the thought of the moses basket. I does seem more moveable. Thanks for your help. X

 

[Zara96]

I agree with @snugglypink about the Next2You cot. It's so easy during the nights, you don't have to stand up and the baby is just within reach. We moved DD at 5 and half months to a normal cot from Ikea (the one where you can remove the bars) and she adapted easily.

As for other essentials, I got 2 changing pillows, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. We didn't get a changing table since it becomes a useless piece of furniture after the child becomes old enough for the potty.

What I really recommend too is a nappy bin, nothing too big, or a trash bin which can close well so the nasty odours can't escape.

As for clothes, I did have a few pretty outfits she could wear when there were people over! But mostly dressed her in rompers since it was so hot!

I also love the Puckababy 4 seasons sleeping bag. It's a bit pricey but I bought two and she had slept in them until she was two.

I can't think of other things right now, but those popped out. Good luck going baby shopping!x

Thank you so much for your help and advice. So many things to buy . I have been looking at nappy bins.
Thank you xx

 

[Elfs Mummy]

Absolute essentials for me we’re
Baby carrier - I have lillebaby, ergo (just passed to a friend) wrap and ring sling
Fleece snow suit- Jojo Maman Bebe do a fleece snowsuit it keeps them just as warm but it’s thin and can be warn in car seats.
Lanolin-nipple cream of bf
Next to me crib- my son slept in his until 1 !
Sleepsuits- honestly supermarkets are the best place to get them Sainsbury’s and Asda have lovely ones
Muslins- we like Aden and anais with ds1 he had dummies and we attaché to muslins will do the same for the twins.
Baby sleeping bags- only used them with ds2 but it’s meant that it stops him getting out the cot
Bed guard- we co slept so this went near the end of the bed as they got older to stop them rolling out.

Hope this helps

 

[MissKW]

We bought everything there is to be safe, you know, 'just in case'. DS is now 14 months.
Basket, didn't use it. Cot, didn't use it. Bottles, prep machine, steriliser, formula (I planned to BF but got things incase it didn't work out) didn't use it. Expensive pump, didn't use it. Carrier, didn't use it. Feeding pillow, didn't use it. Top of range baby monitor, didn't use it. Lots of cute outfits, didn't use them. Shampoos, lotions and potions, didn't use them (I found natural coconut oil to be the holy grail for everything, and plain water for baths until weaning). Travels system with all the trimmings, hardly used and extras like sun brolly and fly net etc never used.
Tonnes of blankets, never used. Nursing tops, never used (the ones I did use were utterly useless as the clasps always broke). Travel cot, never used. Changing table, never used. Comforters, mobiles, baby toys etc never used. Dummies, never used.
Needless to say we wasted a LOT of money lol!
It turns out babies don't need much at all, the only thing they really do want/need is YOU, literally 24/7 until they start to become mobile and want to play. They naturally and gradually want more time away from you as they get older.
The things I actually did find useful:
Coconut oil
Sling
Travel pram and foldable trike
Reasonably sized changing bag
Hooded towels
A couple of changing mats (one upstairs and one downstairs)
Muslin cloths have soo many uses
Baby grows with mits attached as separate ones just don't stay on
Woolen hats, many hats don't actually stay on either
Comfortable nursing Bras
Disposable breast pads (washable ones were very visible through bras/tops!!)
Books to read whilst nursing.
Play mat
Play pen
Bath thermometer
Tiny nail clips and file
Just a couple of little blankets for traveling
Oh and they sell changing mats with cones around them so baby can't get their hands down in all the mess when they get older and more wriggly, I found that super helpful!

 

[em1994]

So glad the next 2 me crib has been getting good reviews. I’m planning on using one this time.

DS absolutely hated the Moses basket and couldn’t stand being in a cot bed either - I think he didn’t feel that cosy because it was so big.

We plan on using the Next 2 me at night and for naps when he/she falls asleep upstairs. We’ll also have a Moses basket for downstairs naps, as a colleague from work is kindly gifting a second hand Clair de Lune one

 

[Floofy]

This sounds stupid, but nappies that fit! My first was born 7lb 2ounces so was in no way small compared to the average newborn. Newborn nappies were enormous on her and were the result of many leakages (sorry Mum - you really loved that white polka dot dress!). This time around, I’ll be getting a few packs of premature baby nappies to shove in my hospital bag.