[Thylacine]

Hi, I'm expecting my first baby in May. I think we're Ok for most of the bigger items (cot, change table, pram etc) but I'm worried I might forget some of the smaller essentials like baby wipes or breast pads. Can anyone help me out with a list of smaller items I might need?

TIA

[Cinda Billy]

Nipple cream, maternity pads, camera, sudo cream, mittens........... just to name a few. I cant thnk, I have baby brain

[Peppery]

Terry toweling nappies - these were one of the most useful purchases that I still reach for 4 years later. Can be used as burp cloths, clean up spills, etc.

Cloth wipes - sometimes baby wipes just don't cut it.

Baby nail clippers - I was amazed at how long DD's fingernails were. You can bite them off but I preferred to trim them.

Maternity pads - I only purchased one packet. Gosh that was wishful thinking.

[Mamabear2010]

Nappy sacks (plastic bags to put dirty nappies in), change mat for when you are out & about, spew cloths (terry towelling nappies are great), nappies, socks & hats for the winter months, face washers, wraps (flannelette and cotton blanket type wraps), baby bath (if you want one), bath products (I used qv wash), towels, nappy bag, breast pump, bottles (I fully breastfed but I had a selection of bottles for expressing).

A lot of items are personal preference. For example, most mums will use wraps to keep their baby warm while sleeping. I preferred gro bag sleeping bags- in fact my 2.5yo ds still sleeps in gro bags!

Plus some of the baby shops have checklists, such as this one:
http://www.bubs.com.au/Handy%20Hints/Where...0Start-259.aspx

Eta: I thought of a couple more things:
- condoms filled with water and put in the freezer were great for helping down below post delivery
- nappies filled with water and put in the freezer were great for engorged breasts
- grandma undies (eg bonds cottontails) are great post birth. I had a vaginal birth, but I've had ppl tell me they are good post c-section because the elastic doesn't dig into the cut.
- with maternity pads, I too only bought a pack or two. I needed many, many more. In the beginning, I used two pads at once, spread across my grandma undies. Oh so sexy!

This post has been edited by Mamabear2010: 10/02/2013, 02:30 PM

[Ehill]

Don't got too crazy on creams and lotions for bubs.....I hardly used any of them.

I always had:

Big pumps of sorbelene and that was what I used for nappy changing (i never used wipes on a newborn) and washing bubs.
Tissues for bum wiping with the sorbelene
Box of newborn nappies, dont go too crazy, if you have a big bub they wont fit for long
Sudo cream
Breastpads
Maternity pads (quite a few)
Panadol
Benefibre or something similar
Small pack of babywipes for out and about
Nappy bags

Hope that helps. Remember the shops will still be there once bubs is born! There is a fine line between being organised and brain overload.

[cuddlebud]

Some large muslin swaddles, I love the Aden and Anais ones. A couple of small knit beanies for bubs, a baby nail file.

We originally thought we'd bath bubs in the laundry sink and ended up going to get a bath and stand - the rubber hose with shower end thing that you get from bunnings for a couple of bucks was handy too. Hooded baby towels. More than one change mat cover, the cold air made her pee!

Dd was unexpectedly a happy chucker - like massive chucks so bibs, burp cloths and cloth nappies too.

[WaitForIt]

A Keep Cup for hot drinks during those long bf sessions.

A good pair of walking shoes. Not exactly small but my shoes were at the end of their life and shoe shopping isn't so great with a baby.

[SWMonkey]

In terms of baby clothing, we definitely preferred the onesies that had domes down the front and down each leg. Some have domes diagonally across (so just down one leg) but you still have to get the other leg out anyway so best to stick with the ones down each leg. These outfits were easier to get our bub in and out of and you will have to change your bub constantly due to leaking poo, and regular spit ups. I found body suits (over the head) a little too fiddly to begin with and our son hated his clothes being changed so it was a little stressful trying to get it over his head and feed his little arms through while he cried

[daturah]

Breast pads, sanitary pads and nappies. Those are the most highly consumed items in the early days. Anything else can be bought easily enough after bub comes, the shops won't go anywhere

[Spring Chickadee]

A good breastfeeding pillow- You will spend HOURS using it and it's alot cheaper than chiro appointments to fix it

A membership to the Australian Breastfeeding association- if you live near an office take the breastfeeding class. that $75 meant i was able to have great attachment from day one and have never had red,cracked or bleeding nipples.

If you plan to be able to pop out at some stage without bub (or have a sleep) buy a pump. I have a Medela Swing which works a treat. in the early days if you have low supply or your milk is taking a while to come in you can use this to speed things up.

Book wise- Wonder weeks and Parenting by heart are both great.

A hug-a-bub and/or Ergo- firstly skin to skin will help with BFing and bonding, but your arms can get tired and sometimes your bub doesnt want to be put down and you are hungry/want to get things done. I found the hug a bub so comfy and distributed the weight evenly. the Ergo I'm just starting to use (at 3 months) and it's a good carrier also.

Super absorbant bibs so the spew doesnt just run off it- I use the Cotton On bibs which are ready wide for side spews and have a toweling backing.

Water bottles...everywhere! the moment your breasts letdown you will feel thirsty. have 1L waterbottles in all your breatfeeding spots. If you dont drink enough your supply will dimish.

A bassinet or side sleeper- that way you can pat your bub without getting out of bed or breastfeed in bed and simply lift them back once finished. makes nights way easier, bub isnt stired by lights going on and moving them into another room so they go back to sleep faster. I browse my iphone to stay awake.

A bouncer- I have a $30 brightstars one that my little fella Loves! he spends hours playing with his toys and bouncing away.