How on earth do I know what I need?

[irish_cob]

This is my first baby and first pregnancy. I haven't bought a thing yet, and I'm completely mystified and baffled by everything out there, and so my natural reaction is to just do nothing, which may not be entirely useful!

I'm not planning on buying anything until after my 20 week scan, but even then, where do you start? Mothercare seem to be out to bankrupt you! I can't afford to spend £400 or £500 on a buggy or a pram, so that's going to have to be second hand, but what other big purchases do I need?

Anyone found any useful lists? I'm hoping my antenatal classes will be good sources of advice, and that I'll work it out as I get a bit nearer my due date. Need to get some work done at home too, got to get a light fitting moved in the spare room so my huge wardrobes can go there, so I can then clear out all the junk from the baby's room. Maybe then I'll start to feel like I have some idea what needs to go into the room.

Anyone else as baffled as me?

 

[bump0911]

I found this helpful:

•As newborn babies will need their nappies changed 10 to 12 times a day, buy enough to keep you going for at least the first few days or so. If you are planning to use reusable nappies, it's a good idea to have at least one packet of disposables handy too, so it’s not the end of the world if you get behind on the washing.

•Three or four babygros or all-in-one sleepsuits will be very handy. Small babies tend to live in these during their first few months and really don't need to wear anything else, apart from a vest underneath in winter and a cardigan over the top if it is very cold.

•At least three or four vests, also known as body suits, are essential, with envelope necks and poppers underneath. These can be worn under babygros or on their own if it’s really hot.

•A baby bath or a newborn bath support if you don’t want to just use a washing-up bowl.

•Bottles, teats, bottle brushes and some sterilising method, if you are bottle feeding.

•Cot sheets and cellular blankets, or a bottom sheet and a baby sleeping bag.

•A pram, pushchair or buggy that lies flat, so is suitable for newborn babies.

•Moses basket or cot, unless your baby will be sleeping in your bed.

•A rear-facing car seat, if your baby will be travelling by car.

•One or two cardigans to provide an extra layer of clothing.

•Nursing bras and breast pads, if you are breastfeeding.

•A couple of small towels and some mild baby bath.

•Baby wipes or cotton wool, for nappy changing.

•A mattress which fits the Moses basket or cot.

•One or two blankets to wrap your baby in.

 

[SamiraNChris]

hey hunni i was the same!

heres a thread i started that might help xx

https://www.babyandbump.com/pregnancy-second-trimester/556754-baby-essentials-thread.html

 

[irish_cob]

Thank you, that's very useful. Now what on earth are envelope necks?

 

[xKatie Tx]

A really usful site that I found was net mums. They have a nearly new board which you can set up for your area. I got my cot off here for £15 pound. It was pretty much brand new no marks or anything. It is a mothercare one and should have been £200 new in the shop. It is definatly worth a look xx

 

[L999]

... i know the feeling - its mind blowing!!! xx

 

[scots_mum]

Whatever you do dont shop in mothercare they are far too expensive, look in shop thats dont specialise in just baby stuff like argos, asda etc and babies r us have some bargains too

 

[irish_cob]

Thank you all, very useful advice there

 

[Scarlett07]

Hi , I'm sorry if this offends your advice, but a baby should never sleep in the same bed as you, my partner is a solicitor and is currently dealing with a case where a 2 month old baby was smothered whilst sleeping in parents bed.
A baby should always have its own cot.

 

[irish_cob]

Hi , I'm sorry if this offends your advice, but a baby should never sleep in the same bed as you, my partner is a solicitor and is currently dealing with a case where a 2 month old baby was smothered whilst sleeping in parents bed.
A baby should always have its own cot.

Did you post on the right thread?

This was a post about being overwhelmed and wondering where to start with what babies need, not about a baby sleeping in bed with his or her parents? I think you may have hit reply on the wrong thread

 

[irish_cob]

Oh and according to the bumpf I got in my pack from my midwife, co-sleeping is apparently once again acceptable (so say the NHS), but only for breastfed babies as they naturally sleep closer to your boobs, not advised for bottlefed babies.

(I'm still not quite sure this is the right thread lol, perhaps it's me!)

 

[linz85]

I think its in relevance to the list provided about Moses Baskets and Cots, that mentions sleeping in the same bed x

 

[MrsGM]

i am totally bamboozled by all the things a baby will need!

My sister got some scratchmitts and little soft bootees yesterday so that's something sorted

 

[irish_cob]

You see - scratch mitts would never occur to me!

 

[broodybeauty]

Ive been advised lots and lots of muslin cloths as they are great for everything mopping up spillages.Also a good bit of advise i read somewhere is muslin cloths are good for when visitors are holding babes ,they can put the cloth over there shoulder so that perfume,washing powder doesnt irritate babies delicate skin.x

 

[MrsGM]

You see - scratch mitts would never occur to me!

about the only thing I do know! Not a clue about everything else, eek!

 

[Bambers]

I think nipple cream if you are breast feeding (mine are so sore already just with the change in hormone that I have already bought some) and maternity pads for in hospital because your post-pregnancy bleed will possibly be heavier than normal.

x x

 

[satine51]

Hi, I just wanted to say that you kind of learn as you go along! I was in the same position and frame of mind a few weeks ago but the more you read about stuff and look around, you kind of get to know!
I would really advise you to make a list, it helped me massively. It also doesn't make you feel so overwhelmed, even when you but one or two little things and it's off the list, you feel much better.

Good luck and happy shopping!!

 

[Mabelpye]

Hi , I'm sorry if this offends your advice, but a baby should never sleep in the same bed as you, my partner is a solicitor and is currently dealing with a case where a 2 month old baby was smothered whilst sleeping in parents bed.
A baby should always have its own cot.

Did you post on the right thread?

This was a post about being overwhelmed and wondering where to start with what babies need, not about a baby sleeping in bed with his or her parents? I think you may have hit reply on the wrong thread

It was in the list just after your post hun, regarding moses baskets.
I would also say an absolute minimum of 6 baby grows, so that you have 4 for changes during the day, and a couple spare for when the others are in the wash (This was the main point stressed to me by my mum lol) xxx

 

[sam.ana]

you would probably need some blankets or wrapping sheets as well! also some form of entertainment for the baby...like a bouncer/swing/playmat sorta thing!!