First baby - what do we actually need??

[Meg86]

Hi,

We're due our first baby in April and I'm just starting to think about what we need to buy. I've been looking online quite a lot and am getting totally overwhelmed by the lists! We live in a really tiny flat so space is fairly limited! We also live way out in the country and do a lot of walking on muddy lanes / paths. please can you let me know your thoughts / comments or any recommendations.

Thanks in advance
Mx

 

[millielaura]

Defo go for an all terrain pram if you go on a lot of walks!
I got like a bouncer, playmat, swing etc but she only used the swing! Every baby is different though but I wont be rebuying a bouncer or playmat this time.
xxx

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[millielaura]

A playgym i mean. She used her playmat which has a ton of sensory stuff on it. She had reflux though so she may of eniyed the gym more if she hadnt xx

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[Loula]

Babies don't need alot to start off with. You don't need alot of clothes as you may find before they get to wear then they have grown out of them.
Definately an all terain pram if you go on long walks.
I had a play gym last time and will be getting a new one for this baby too.
I also have a Fisher price new born to toddler chair which I thought was great. It has a vibrating mode and can lay relatively flat. We was only in a one bed flat at the time so didn't have alot of room.
Baby also went straight into her cot with her pram carry cot I Did t bother with a Moses basket and most probably won't this time as they grow so quick x

 

[millielaura]

Oooh yes I wont bother with a moses basket this time either xx

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[millielaura]

Also I spent loads on fancy tiny newborn outfits and all ahe wore was sleepsuits for the first coulle months! xx

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[Loula]

I only ever bought 0 to 3 people bought the occasional up to 10lbs outfit.
My daughter was a may baby so it was baby grows and rompers. Babies don't need proper outfits just yet x

 

[kirlou92]

You definitely don't need a lot! Essentials for me were bouncer and a play mat/gym for the first stage.

Things I found a waste of time: Moses basket - she was happier in the big cot and I could have used the carrycot from the pushchair for napping downstairs if I'd thought about it. Also, she had lots of cuddly toys and interactive toys but showed no interest until she was 6months +

But again every baby is different. In hind sight the best thing to do would have been to not get too excited and buy everything that I thought she might need ahead of time. I should have waited til she was born and bought one thing at a time so I knew what she would/wouldn't use!

 

[snowbee]

I live on a farm and just have a normal pram, it copes fine with the steep, mud, grass, rocks etc so I don't think an all terrain pram is necessary. (I actually have 2 prams, one for getting muddy on the farm and one for taking out in the car so I don't have to clean it all the time).

Essential stuff to start with.
Car seat, cellular blanket (or sleeping bag if baby is big enough and you prefer), clothes (I like vests and sleepsuits rather than outfits as easier to put on and look more comfortable for baby but is personal preference). Something to put them in during the day, my little one liked his swing. Nappies and wipes (don't go too wild in case you don't get on with a brand). Cotton wool for wiping the neck/leg creases. Milton fluid for sterilising new toys etc that people buy you.

Stuff that is useful to have.
Ewan the sheep (we use as part of bedtime routine), room thermometer, bath thermometer, baby bath or bath seat makes it easier. Changing unit (easier than changing on the floor). Padded mat to go on unit (I also cut up some strips of fleece to go on the top as a liner). Carrier (don't buy one yet, wait until baby here then go to a sling library and try some out). Changing bag/bag big enough to carry spare stuff nappies etc. Muslins. Nappy bin (a bin with a lid) in whatever room you are planning to change nappies in.

Feeding.
I breast fed so needed feeding bras, sleeping bra, bamboo breast pads (lots), feeding tops (I found these way easier and more confidence inspiring when feeding in front of people), dribble cloths ( I found these better than muslins for feeding). My little one won't take a bottle and I've never given formula so know nothing about that.

 

[kirlou92]

Very good list Snowbee, reminded me of a few things I also found very useful like the changing table, was essential for me after c section and the baby bath so I could bath baby at my waist level without hurting my scar!

 

[snowbee]

I would also like to add to the essential list a high back chair with arms and a footstool. My back really hurts if I feed without that set up.

 

[Meg86]

Thank you so much!! This is all so much more helpful than the lists online!! What type of all terrain pram would you recommend? I've been looking at the mothercare orb...

Mx

 

[BecaM]

Thank you so much!! This is all so much more helpful than the lists online!! What type of all terrain pram would you recommend? I've been looking at the mothercare orb...

Mx

Try them out for stability in store. It’s all personal preference really. I went in thinking I knew what I was getting and when I tried it even in the store it felt like pushing a shopping trolley and really not very stable, also make sure it fits in your car.....

 

[millielaura]

I had the orb and liked it

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[Meg86]

I had the orb and liked it

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Thanks millielaura, what age would you say it's actually goes up to? The shop says it's suitable for 3 year olds, but I think it looks a little small x

 

[KHTW]

I had the orb and liked it

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Thanks millielaura, what age would you say it's actually goes up to? The shop says it's suitable for 3 year olds, but I think it looks a little small x

I'd be surprised if your 3 year old still want's to sit in a buggy x

 

[Princess81]

It can definitely be overwhelming. What saved my sanity in the early days was a baby sling. My son had terrible colic and this did help a lot. That's something to consider for later on, but it does mean that you have your hands free to get on with things when baby is having a fussy day x

 

[Shanivy]

I had the orb and liked it

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Thanks millielaura, what age would you say it's actually goes up to? The shop says it's suitable for 3 year olds, but I think it looks a little small x

I hadn't the orb and hated it! They told us when ours broke at 8 months or so maybe baby was too big. Definitely doesn't last very long at all. But then again my dd was out of a pram at 18months because she refused not to walk so I wouldn't worry about them lasting until 3.

 

[russellmuscle]

We didn't buy near as much stuff second time round! Kept it really minimal and I still had stuff I didn't really use.

Didn't use the gym or playmat due to severe reflux and by the time he was on it he was rolling so that wasn't good. With bottles we got a full set which he didn't like got in dr browns then mam which he uses now so I'd say if your FF get a couple small bottles first diff brands if your not sure. (Baby clubs give loads of free samples Inc mam)

There wasn't any clothes or anything we didn't use.

Pram I ended up goin with mothercare expedior. Loved the orb on the site but I found it very clunky and didn't like the wheels/basket area but a lovely pram. The one I have weighs 11kilo and folds as one. Mothercare ranges are good I've had a buggy too for my eldest and that served us well. We still use the expedior for my youngest but next growth spurt he will be too big now but he's quite a big 15m old. He's in 18-24m clothes at present which I don't think will last long. We are opting for a buggy soon - because the expedior was cheap I says I'd prob spend a decent amount on a buggy so going with a cossatto I think.

xxxx

 

[JulyBug]

I bought so much stuff I never used - my biggest regret was the Tommee Tippee perfect prep machine! I used it once then sold it. Clothes was another.. I bought so much stuff and he barely wore any of it.

the only things he really uses are his playmat/gym and his bouncy chair.. all his other toys are just in a toy box, he'd rather play with a nappy! (Clean one obviously) Lol

X