The Essentials!

by **grumpy** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:35 pm

How is this girls?
People can copy and paste to their own posting and add anything else, or any comments?

travel system buggy

cot

moses basket

blankets and sheets -
Plenty of cot sheet for changing when baby has let up.

steriliser & bottles -
Buy a steriliser and bottles even if you are intended to breastfeed

scratch mittens

baby gros -
Buy loads of 0-3 mth sleepsuits- they go through them like blazes. People tell you not to buy much 0-3 as they grow too fast but I needed tonnes of sleepsuits

vests

bibs -
try to get the plastic backed ones with velcro or snap fastening.

snow suit

Cardigans

Muslin squares, or a flannel type sheet (something absorbent anyway) that you can cut to size, to swaddle them in at feed time to prevent wet chests and you getting puked on, too much! These are also useful to put under baby's head in moses basket/cot/pram.

Stock up on nappies, sudo, cotton wool, wipes, powder -
I use the cotton wool for nappy changing as the wipes are expensive and no better than water, but are easier for nappy changing away from home.
From now til then keep an eye out for apecial offers on the newborn nappies. You'll often see Buy 1 Get 1 Free so I was picking up 2/3 of each of the first three stages. Meant I didn't have to buy them for the first couple of months at least. Same with the baby wipes, they're always needed.

Don't overdo stocking up on Johnson & Johnson - I've heard that their products are pretty drying on baby's skin, and I've found that to be true. I have an almost full bottle of their baby wash, and am using Nivea.

Towels for baby.

Baby bath -
This time I used a Tummy Tub rather than the conventional baby bath and it was a complete godsend! So easy to use, babs loved it and still gets excited when I mention the word bath!

Socks!

Changing mat

Buy yourself a kit-
In it, put Infacol, Gripe Water, a dummy, calpol, bonjella, saline Nose Drops, baby vaporub and things like that. You may never use any of it, but somehow if you do need it baby will need it at around 3am when the shops are long closed and you would drive around the world just to get a night sleep. I have used all those bits and pieces at different stages and they get forgotten among the piles of baby wipes etc that mums buy.

Baby monitors, loads of differnt types -
I use one that has the portable parent side, so when baby is having a sleep I can move around the house and have the unit clipped onto me

by **grumpy** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:41 pm

bellabella wrote:How many feeds does your baby get a day?
Ok i am really stupid but can you bottle and breastfeed?
God I am going to be a terrible mother.

I'm following gina ford routine (though not to the letter!) and he gets 7 a day, though one is a split feed, so he's not getting any more than if he was feeding 6 times a day. He also takes about 2-3oz of water in the afternoon.

You can breast and bottle feed, although you shouldn't try it till breastfeeding is better established. My son never took to breast feeding at all, and when he went to the hospital, they asked me to express and bottle feed, and he was delighted with that (I still think its cos he's a lazy man!). I could have tried to get him on the breast, but it was so hard having him scream and scream and push himself away, when I knew I could give him what he wanted so easily with the bottle.

Its difficult expressing and bottlefeeding though, which is why I've now gone from expressing 4-5 times a day to twice, which means he's getting only 1 feed of breastmilk a day now (I don't produce enough for one bottle at a go!)

You'll be a great mother, just never in your in-laws eyes :o0

by **bibikay** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:43 pm

Hi all,

re: the Gripe Water - apparently this is no longer available in Ireland (Republic), so if ye know anyone heading north, or over to UK then ask them to get a bottle for you.
I have a bottle of "contraband" Gripe Water here and it's great!

re: Bibs - personally I HATE the plastic backed ones - too stiff and inflexible. We only get the nice soft cotton "weaning" bibs in this house. Now that he has started on solids we will probably move to the plastic ones, but when he was small the cotton ones were nicer (peronal opinion obviously!)

Re: bottles - we have 6 bottles - DS has 5 feeds per day and each night we wash, sterilise and make up the bottles for next day. So, there is always an extra one lying around, but it means we only have to do one major washing/sterilising job per day.

I would also add Karvol and a plastic De-congestant (snot-sucker thing!!) to the kit that Luigi mentioned... invaluable if baby is all bunged up at night time.

HTH!

by **charlie crown** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:48 pm

All this info is great thanks so much everyone :thnk

Gerbera - I just looked up the tommy tub, it's an interesting design. Was it easy to manage with a newborn? and is it difficult to get your hands down into it to give babs a good wash down below?

by **luigi** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:56 pm

Sorry for not cutting and pasting but Im shocked that Gripe Water isnt available in the South! :eek

It seems to have far less additives in it than infacol and is more effective from what i've seen DS doesnt need it anymore but it was great. Boots Own Brand is apple flavor and available from 1 month old.

Girls ask your chemist for baby medicine syringes to administer things like calpol after jabs if baby needs it, or if you are using Gripe water.

by **Gerbera** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 2:56 pm

Re the amount of bottles, I bought 8 Avent bottles as I'd been usuing them on my first born. I also had the Avent IQ Steam Steriliser, which is fantastic cause it runs on 24hour cycles. Anyway as I ended up breastfeeding I never used those bottles, I actually ended up buying 6 of the new Tommee Tippee COmbined Feeding bottles. These are designed not not cause confusion for a breastfed baby using bottles. Absolutely brilliant design and baby took to them straight away, switching from bottle to breast with no problem!
charlie crown, the Tummy Tub is great cause the stand is height adjustable, which meant I could sit on a chair or the coffee table with all the bits and pieces laid out at arms reach and still manage newborn in it. At the hospital they had one and when I said I had one at home they did his first bath in it to demonstrate how to use it. Because the baby is in water up to their shoulders there's no coldness on their skin, they sit imitating the position in the womb and are way more relaxed in it. Because of that they aren't as wriggly and really have nowhere to slip to IYKWIM. He's almost 7 months now and I can still get arms in to wash down below, while he has started to hold onto the sides and sing his way through bathtime!
Hope that helps!!

by **charlie crown** » Fri Mar 16, 2022 3:13 pm

Thanks Gerbera, sounds great!

by **speedy55** » Tue Apr 10, 2022 10:46 am

bump

by **irish bride** » Thu Apr 12, 2022 7:48 pm

stupid question but what is gripe water used for exactly?

by **Itisasecret** » Wed Apr 18, 2022 7:49 pm

The following was my list and in hindsight I used most things. I didn't end up breasfeeding so am glad I never bought a pump. Some of the things for the hospital such as rescue remedy I never used as I was so out of it to even think of it!!!!!

Remember about yourself, not only the baby. Stock up on Mammy knickers coz you will need them for the first few weeks. I got packs of them in Penneys and just threw them away -they are so cheap... cheaper than the disposable knickers in Mothercare!!!
The best investment I made was on moist toilet tissue. I got loads in Lidl and they were a saviour when it came to stitches!!! :o0

Another thing to look out for are nighties with buttons at the top for breast feeding and also for skin to skin contact when you are cuddling your little bundle. These are not easy to get so keep a lookout. I got some in Marks and also Penneys!!

Home
Cot
Blankets
Breast Pump
Car Seat
Pram
Moses Basket
Bouncer
Steriliser
Bottles
Monitor
Baby Bath
Nappies
Cotton Wool
Nappy Sacs
Wipes
Talc/ Oil
Muslin Squares
Changing Bag
Nail Clippers
Thermometer

Hosp Bag
Bath Towel
Hand Towel
3 Nightgowns
Slippers
Face Cloth
Nursing Bras
Shower Cap
Dressing Gown
Maternity San Towels
Big Knickers
Disposable Knickers
Breast Pads
Tissues
Hairbrush
Bobins
Toothbrush/ paste
Toilet Wipes
Lansinoh
Lip Balm
Make Up
Shower Gel/ Shampoo
Deodorant
Socks
Flip Flops
Snacks/ Water
Magazines
Bach Remedy
Fan
Mobile
Camera
** Leave coming home outfit ready!

Baby Hospital
6 Baby gros
4 Baby Vests
Vaseline
Hat
Mitts
Cardigan
Bibs
Snowsuit
Nappies/ wipes etc.

by **jenny.s** » Sun Apr 22, 2022 8:12 pm

For the hospital bring a labour bag with a night dress for you, maternity sanitary towel maternity disposable knickers, baby vest, baby gro, baby nappy, camera, mobile phone.
In suit case for hopital pack 4/5 pj's/night dresses, loads of knickers - disposable or not, sanitary towels, towels for you, dressing gown, socks phone charger, toiletries etc. for baby pack at least 10 vests and 10 baby gros, a bag of baby nappies, cotton wool, towel an baby bath, and muslin squares or velcro bibs are handy, oh and scratch mits. Also a little cardigan and a going home outfit for both of you.

For home have sterlizer - they dont have to be expensive Argos 30 euro, bottles 6 of them i highly recommend nuk, bottle brush, and buy your baby milk now too, i reccomend aptimil. Nappies, wipes, bibs, cotton wool, baby bath and an actual baby bath - unless you want to bath baby in sink which is ALOT easier on your back. A moses basket is handy for day time naps, and you'll need a cot obviously and a cot mobile and a monitor, A three in one travel system is a must - that will have your car seat. That should keep you going for awhile. Oh, One thing i really liked was a little slopy seat for the baby - rather than having them lie flat all the time - its nice to have them sitting up a little bit.

by **irish bride** » Mon Apr 23, 2022 9:22 am

everyone seems to have everything covered, though just wanted to say that you really do need to stock up th ehosue with baby wipes, vaseline/sudocreme, cotton wool, nappies, powder milk (always good to have as a back up in the house), and nappies until they are coming out your ears!! DD is 9 weeks old and we still change her on average 10 times a day - you will fly through nappies and baby wipes i can promise you! Oh and for yourself stock up on sanitary towels, you will need them for up to a few weeks after your baby is born.

by **Mrs Maternal** » Fri Apr 27, 2022 10:58 am

I was trying to figure out what i needed for my little one and did a search on google for a checklist and found this on www.todaysparent.com
It looks pretty comprehensive!!Just thought it may be of interest to some of you.

Clothing:

6-8 undershirts (buy side-tying or button or snap front for the first few days; once the cord falls off, you may want to have some “diaper shirts” that snap closed at the crotch)
3-5 nightgowns (for use until the cord falls off)
6-8 one-piece stretchy sleepers
1 or 2 hats
2 or 3 “outfits” for dressing up
4 or 5 pairs of socks or booties, to wear with nightgowns and outfits
1 or 2 pairs of scratch mittens, to keep baby from scratching his face
1 or 2 sweaters or jackets, more in winter
bunting bag or snowsuit for winter baby

Blankets:

1 or 2 large cotton blankets
6-8 receiving blankets (also good as burp cloths)

Feeding:

If you are breastfeeding, no equipment is needed! Some nursing mothers like to have these optional items:
breast pump
milk storage containers
nursing pillow
nursing bras (if buying prenatally, buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size)
breast pads (disposable or washable)
If you are formula feeding:
6 to 10 four ounce bottles with nipples
4 to 6 eight ounce bottles with nipples
sterilizer
bottle and nipple brush
formula (be sure to check expiry date and note the lot number in case of recalls)
Diapering:

If you are using cloth diapers:
2 to 4 dozen diapers
6 to 8 waterproof covers
1 diaper pail
Vaseline or other barrier cream
1 or 2 dozen wash cloths for cleaning baby’s bottom
If you are using disposable diapers:
buy 1 or 2 boxes of newborn size diapers – it is better not to buy too many in advance in case your baby is large or grows quickly
Bathtime:

1 plastic infant tub (or use a large dishpan in the sink, or take baby in the bath with you)
6 to 8 wash cloths, not used on baby’s bottom
baby soap or cleanser
baby shampoo
baby soft-bristled hair brush
Bedtime:

If you are using a crib:
approved crib and crib mattress
2 or 3 waterproof mattress covers
3 or 4 fitted cribsheets
3 or 4 light blankets that fit in the crib
If baby will sleep with you:
firm mattress (not a waterbed)
2 or 3 waterproof pads to place under baby
Other items:

bulb syringe for suctioning mucous
baby thermometer
eye dropper or medicine spoon
approved infant car seat
sling or baby carrier
stroller that reclines so newborn can lie flat
diaper bag
1 or 2 change pads
change table (or just use change pad on top of dresser or bed)
Other optional items:

pacifiers
baby swing
bouncy baby seat
mobiles
rattles and other baby toys

by **Ducky** » Wed May 16, 2022 10:15 pm

Get at least 10 packs of the green maternity pads from a chemist as even when the flow eases off a bit, whey are comfier to sit on that ordinary ones.

Also: my no 1 tip: Big bottle of witch hazel. Lash it on the pads every time you change one. So good for the sore bits and the piles!!!! Works best on those big green pads too. Witch hazel is my new best friend.

by **Mrs Bambi** » Tue Jul 24, 2022 11:01 pm

Hey girls one thing that hasn't been suggested is a seperate kettle, my neighbours bought one and oh the rows it saved when having to make emergency bottles !!! As it was always filled with cooled boiled water ...no rows over who made tea in that house I tell u :o0

Oh yeah and lavender oil and bath, brilliant for a few days after, helps the healing plus Arnica, bought it for my friend and it worked really well in helping her heal, no harm to babs either even if ur BF!

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