[bobet]

Ladies,

As a first time Mum, I am so unsure (and confused) as to what I will need to buy etc.

Is there anywhere on EB that has reviews of cots, prams etc and a checklist to offer some advice on what I will need to have ready when we bring our child home?

thanks in advance.
b

[T_Baby]

I'm in the same boat, although I do have 10 nieces and nephews so I have some idea from their births!!
A checklist would be great if it's around, anyone know?!

[jcw21]

Hi ladies, huge congrats on your BFP,

My DD is now nearly a year old and I was in a similar position I had no idea what I would need, the below is a list of things that we found invaluable

Cot - doesn't have to be anything fancy
Wraps - for swaddling
Blankets - for cold nights
Change Table
Nursing Chair - if you are planning on breastfeeding make sure its very comfortable as you will sspend a lot of time in it!

Other than that you will probably just pick things up as and when you need them, in addition to stufff in the room you will also need

A good pram
Car Seat
Baby Carrier - I've got a Manduca its awesome
A Couple of basic Baby toys - you really don't need much
Bath Seat or Tray
Activity Mat/playmat


I would also suggest having on hand

Baby Panadol
Infants Friend
Good Thermometer

Thats all I can think of at the moment, hope that helps

One suggestion I would make is look and see if you have any local baby and kids markets, you can get so much stuff second hand in really good condition for a fraction of the price

[Sassy Girl]

You don't need most items that people say you need.

We bought everything possible when I was pregnant with our first. We hardly used any of it.

All your baby really needs are clothing, nappies, blankets (depending on weather), baby capsule and either a pram or sling.

I breastfed so didn't need any bottles (helped that I had a generous boss with no.1 and was within walking distance of work). When DS1 was six months old we discovered that cosleeping was the only way we , as a family, would get a good nights sleep. We used both a pram and a sling as we found the sling was handy to use at home but a pram was easier for us when we were out.

We bought the most expensive change table that we could (it had drawers and shelving plus room for a bath). We found it easier to change our babies on the floor, lounge, bed depending where we were at the time.

We bought a bath but it was rarely used. We ended up washing our babies in either the bathroom or kitchen sinks, the shower (while we were holding them) or the bath (also while we were holding them).

This post has been edited by Sassy Girl: 10/01/2013, 10:59 AM

[peebs]

From my experience I'd add to the list:

Breastfeeding pillow (if you plan on breastfeeding, but also handy for bottle feeds apparently)
Bassniet or Moses basket (before cot - can buy cot later)
Muslin cloths (great for general use and wrapping)
Cloth nappies (a packet of the flat type - use them for a whole bunch of stuff)
Lots of face washers (same thing - lots of face wipes, dribbles on neck, grubby hands once they're older etc)
One packet of nursing pads (can also get samples of these, buy more once you know if you need them or not)
A wrap, if your baby loves to be held (I love my Boba wraps and still use them even though DS is 14 months and very tall)

Collect all the samples you get given and try them before buying big bottles of stuff.

I'm sure there's more but I can't think of it right now. I loved DS's swing too, but I know others don't use them at all or their babies hated them. There's bound to be one or two things you buy and don't use and one or two things you wish you'd had.

This post has been edited by peebs: 10/01/2013, 11:10 AM

[Cranky Kitten]

Hard to do as a first timer I know, but you really don't *need* heaps of stuff the second baby is born. A lot of the extra bits can be left until after you're home when you discover you need it. There are comprehensive checklists available at most baby stores but be warned they *are* trying to get your money....

The basics I'd start with:

Car seat

Sleeping space (cot/bassinet/cradle etc) and bedding

nappies - if you're doing disposables in the early days, only get a box or two of newborn size. You can always get more if you need to, but they grow so quickly if you stock up with heaps you'll end up with leftovers when they grow out of the smaller size

Basic clothing - all in ones are great. Discard anything with fiddly buttons rather than studs or fastenings up the back rather than the front. They WILL drive you nuts. You will most likely get a number of outfits as gifts as well.

A handful of bunny rugs/muslins - people like to give these as gifts, so if you buy heaps yourself prepare to have way too many. They are useful though!

Some old fashioned cloth nappies - they have loads of uses, and make the best spew rags

Pram - what sort is definitely a matter of preference so test drive instore if you can.

Change table if you're going to use one. One with storage is really handy, gives you somewhere to keep all the creams and wipes and such.

ETA - baby carrier I'd leave until baby is here. Fit and preference is very personal to both wearer and wearee, but certainly start looking at the options available early on. Finding a local babywearing group and going to a couple of meets really helps as you can look/feel/try various options without having to buy straight away.

This post has been edited by Cranky Kitten: 10/01/2013, 11:06 AM

[peebs]

You don't need most items that people say you need.

I actually agree with this.

We bought most of our stuff after DS arrived, once we knew we needed it. Things like bassinet, breast pump, bottles, breastfeeding pillow and swing were bought as we realised we needed them.

The only thing we haven't used yet is his cot. We went from bassinet to co-sleeping. We bought the cot without questioning it because everyone had it on their 'Must Have' lists.

[CHROMI44]

I agree with all the items suggested above with the addition of a rocker or bouncer type thing.. ours was a life saver and I used it soooo much..

I think you can get away with buying the true basics to start with and I would also hold off until after you have a baby shower as most of the little bits and bobs people seem to buy you.. its so easy to go overboard (trust me I did hehe)... I would say cot, change table, thermometer, wraps, a few jumpsuit all in ones that have mittens, a small blanket, car seat, pram and rocker/bouncer...

goodluck, go with your instincts!!

[cassidysmummy]

Remember if you have a baby shower or even after the bubs is born that you will be given alot so maybe start with the bigger items and then once you have your baby shower or bubs is born then see what you need.

And i really should take my own advice insted of buying stuff every time i go to the shops LOL

[sleepyerin]

I agree with most of the people here who say you don't really need everything and certainly, you don't need it all straight away. That said, you aren't always up for shopping just after you've had a baby!

Choice reviews a range of baby products and safety tests them, if you are interested and they have a pretty good checklist of things that you need. That said, my pram failed their safety test, so I am just conscious to avoid using the pram in a way that creates that risk and haven't had any problems, so use your judgement.

The key things are:

a way to come home with your baby (car seat/capsule),
somewhere for the baby to sleep (bassinet, cot, other),
nappies,
clothes that are easy to get on and off and appropriate for the time of year your baby is born (for the early days when you are worried if you pull a singlet on too hard you'll hurt them - you won't they are super resilient)
somewhere to change your baby (we have a change table, because it saves your back, but you can easily change them on the floor or the bed)
wraps for sleeping (muslin or equivalent)
pram

I'd agree with buying a baby carrier or sling after they arrive, because you don't know what you want and what is comfortable for you until you have a baby in it. The same goes for things like breast pumps, breastfeeding pillows and the like. Plus these things are easy to get quickly once your baby is here, whereas prams and furniture (depending on what you like and how much you want to spend) can take a while to order in.

With DD I waited until after my baby afternoon tea to fill in any gaps and there weren't many! Don't be afraid to tell someone what to get you if they ask and be honest, if you are using a cot or bassinet it's not boring to ask for sheets or a mattress protector, it's sensible and people who ask for ideas are usually super grateful for some guidance!