baby:-
newborn baby sleepsuits/baby gro's with long arms and feet in
long sleeve sleep suits/baby gro's with no legs, for warmer weather
mittens, not wool, for avoiding face scratching
couple of cotton hats
couple of cotton cardies
pack of muslin cloths for over your shoulder burping and general sick wiping (if you use reusable nappies you don't need these, either) (I think these are very useful after baby as well)
couple of breathable blankets, like your mum used to have, with lots of holes in
2 cot sheets, cotton
2 pram sheets for your pram top, you may find the basinet ones may be too big (no need to buy pram sheets - use cot sheets doubled over - or old pillowcases - they fit well on pram mattresses
bibs, tho' you don't really use these when they are really tiny, your muslin cloths are way better
a pack of dummies, don't knock them, they may be your saviour
Kamillosan for sore bums (and sore nipples, see below)
diaper rash cream
stool so you can sit comfortably while bathing baby.
photos for childhood memory photobook
for yourself:-
nipple cream, lansinoh (I think that's how you spell it), the best stuff. Kamillosan is good too. If your nipples are really sore, rub breast milk on 'em.
the phone number of your local NCT branch. They offer breastfeeding support and all sorts of social groups for when you're sick of being at home
a big note for your front door (locked) and/or front window saying "We are asleep. Please come back later"
breastfeeding cushion, a MUST
BIG disposable knickers - get a size bigger than you think you need - ideal for hospital. Not very flattering, but you probably won't give a stuff anyway! Once you get home get some big black knickers (Tesco or Asda) that you will be happy to throw when you need to.
Dark coloured towels for after having the baby then you don't have to worry if you can't get blood marks out as you won't see them.
maternity pads - just take one (big) pack into hospital, but have second pack at home (poss in baby's cot so Dad can pick them up if necessary). Have a big stock at home not just one pack, saves going out for more!! And not a formal recommendation, but I moved onto Always ultra nighttime towel things when lochia (if you don't know what that is, trust me, don't google it) more manageable.
breast pads - I like the Tommee Tippee ones (Zeb)
Stuff you DON'T need:-
soft and squidgy playmat with colourful mobile, don't be afraid to buy lots of colour stuff, very stimulating for baby (my first two liked the washing machine much better)
hooter hider, a trendy breast feeding/boob covering cloth that has a wire at the top providing space for you to see baby but no one else can see whats going on (eh? I've breastfed 4... get over it ffs) (Just wear t shirts and pull up to feed. No-one can see anything anyway as the baby covers any gaps)
plastic milk cups for inside your bra, yep you'll find yourself there, get used to it (they're nasty) (What??)
baby monitor, one with a tv monitor on it if you can find one, brilliant, we loved ours (you can always go and check if they're OK) (I wouldn't bother with a baby monitor unless yu are a very anxious mother. Believe me, when they cry, you know about it!)
pack of pampers paper change mats when you can't be arsed to go to the babies bedroom (ffs use a teatowel then wash it) (Paper change mats? no....)
temperature gauge for the bath (your elbow and common sense) (Unnecessary - you won;t burn your baby if you test the water first)
top & tail container, basically a 2 section plastic container, seperates bum water from face water, very useful when sleep deprived (the sink) (agreed - the sink)
large cotton wool pads for top 'n' tailing, newborns only need a bath once a week for about the 1st 6 weeks (flannels still work for this) (use something washable)
1 warm and cute, snuggly blanket .. chenille or something of the like (you can quite happily use clean dry towels)
baby towels (why? What's wrong with ordinary towels?)
baby sponges (don't you use flannels and towels yourselves?) (Marketing hype)
swaddle cloths (generally made from stretchy material) (See above!)
baby socks (you've got babygrows?)
nappy bin, just put them outside, total con and a waste of money (why not use reusable nappies?) (toal co and waste of money)
too many clothes, they just don't wear them (agreed)
baby bath, just put 1 inch of water in your bath and roll up a towel that can support their head and off you go OR do it in the sink, especially the top and tail as that's a doddle once you get the hand of it (OK as a paddling pool when they are toddlers, but never used for two babies - they went into the sink or the bath as required)
cot bumpers, they don't let air circulate properly in the cot (only if you live in a VERY draughty house, have no heating and think your child will catch pneumonia if left in any kind of breeze)
any kind of 'support' thing for your baby in the cot, a couple of rolled up towels held together with duck tape make perfect support wedges for baby (why do babies need supporting anyway???) (Support? What for?)
baby sleeping bag, better for older infant, swaddling is the way forward and a big comfort for
Stuff to get for a new baby
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SummaryNot exhaustive by any means and only the suggestions of a friend of mine - but if you have no clue (like me) then it's a good start Feel free to add/delete/comment espec. you experienced mums. This article is owned by jude |
| Recent Updates | User | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2017 | sstar | diaper rash cream, stool, photobook |
| Feb 2017 | sstar | diaper rash cream, stool, photobook |
| Aug 2009 | Zeb | |
| Aug 2009 | Zeb | moved breastpads into a necessity rather than a don't need - soggy patches are not a good look! |
| Jul 2009 | Helegant | Agreed with all the unnecessary stuff (who thinks of these things?) - notice no-one has mentioned the bigger and more expensive equipment such as moses basket/pram/buggy/car seat etc. Lots of young mums tell me they wish they hadn't overspent based on 'catalogue envy'. |
| Jul 2009 | icemaiden | |
| Jun 2009 | Zeb | added a couple of things. |
| Jun 2009 | jude | Article created |