I am currently expecting my first baby and wondered if anyone could give me some advice as to what equipment I

Question

... am going to need. I'm starting to compile a list, but don't want to miss anything vital. Any useful website links with essentials would be helpful.

Thanks

Answer 1

I swear by my changing table. It saves you knees and back. Also a top and tail bowl, my son is 16 months old and I have only just stopped using it.
http://www.babyworld.co.uk/
http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/homepages/homepage_default.asp
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/

Answer 2

I have a 7 month old son and I would really advise you not to spend too much on really expensive things that baby will not use for very long!

Babies grow so quickly and in a matter of weeks things like Moses Baskets, Stage 1 car seats etc can be outgrown!!! I would look for things that are likely to last for a while if you want value for money.

Clothes - just stick to basics - a few sleepuits, cotton scratch mits, vests, socks/booties, cotton hats, a couple of cardigans, if its winter then a warm hat and snowsuit, or a sunhat if its summer and maybe one or two "nice" outfits. Beleive me, any more than that and you won't use half of the clothes and they'll be outgrown in no time - we have bags and bags of clothes our son has only worn once!!! A real waste!

As far as equipment - you need somewhere for baby to sleep (cot will last longer than moses basket) + bedding obviously, something to go out in (travel systems which combine car seat + buggy are often good value - prams are outgrown quickly and if you have a car you'll need a car seat), changing mat, nappies (reusables are better value for money), toiletries, some basic toys and tbh thats it for the first few months.

If you live in the UK then the National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sales are a great way to get good value items. Check the NCT Website.

We bought LOADS of stuff (and were given it by family and friends) and we have never used half of it, or only used it for a couple of months as babies just grow at such a rate - it seems like only yesterday I was pregnant and my son is sitting unassisted now! Yikes!

One thing I would advise you to get is plastic baby bath - I would have been way too scared to bathe a small baby in a full size bathtub! Plus you can use the baby bath in whichever room is warmest in your house (our bathroom is always cold so I bathe my son in the living room!)

Good luck!!!

Answer 3

We do all our baby shopping at Target, they have everything we needed and the quality is great.
~A bassinette or a playpen with a bassinette insert (for the first few months, or to have in your bedroom next to your bed, the playpen will work for a couple years for when you travel, etc) and a few sheets to fit it
~A crib (after the first few months, if you'll be using a bassinette, or a playpen serves the same purpose) and a few sheets to fit it
~A bouncer seat is a must!
~A walker or a stationary activity center is great for babies over 3 months... it will really keep him occupied!
~Burp cloths (a dozen or so should be fine if you do laundry at least every other day), cloth diapers work great for this purpose, esepcially the gauze weave ones
~About a dozen receiving blankets of varying sizes and thickness
~ Sleepers/Sleep N Play's/one piece outfits are GREAT, and your baby will probably spend the majority of his time in these for the first few months. I would plan on a dozen of these (babies spit up and poop and have leaky diapers a lot), maybe as few as 6 if you'll do laundry at least every other day. A half dozen or so pairs of baby socks (they won't really get dirty). 3 or 4 dress up outfits. A dozen onesies (these go under everything!). A lightweight jacket or snowsuit, and a heavy jacket or snowsuit.
~ Baby toiletries... baby wash, diaper rash cream, baby tylenol, gas relief drops, a nasal aspirator (snot sucker!), rectal thermometer, vaseline, gauze pads (especially if you're having a boy and plan on circumsicion)
~ Newborn sized diapers and wipes
~ A dozen bottles (plan on having as many as you'll use in one day... if you have any more, you won't have to do dishes as often which will lead to smelly yucky bottles), a bottle brush with a sponge on the end (I've found these clean the best!), and whatever formula you'll be using, if you're going to use formula. If you'll be breastfeeding, lots of nursing pads (you'll need some of these even if you are bottle feeding, because you will leak for a week or so regardless!) and probably some lanolin cream, 2 or 3 nursing bras
~ A diaper bag with changing pad
~ A travel system... stroller, car seat/baby carrier, car seat base that stays in the car (makes it so easy to get the baby in and out!)
~ A few things you don't *need* but would be nice... a baby swing, a ring style baby sling (mayawrap.com), a jumperoo for when the baby is a little older (a jumper that doesn't hang from the ceiling), a tummy time mat for the baby to lay on that has acitivities and toys on it

I highly suggest registering (I am a Target fan, like I said)... if you do register at Target, they give you a magazine with all the essentials and checklists. Registering gives friends and familiy who want to shower you with gifts a way to buy something you'll really use! Good luck!

Answer 4

A basic list:

Moses basket or cot.
Pram (from birth, obviously)
Changing mat
Steriliser and bottles.
Towel for just the baby.
Car seat.

Baby bouncers are useful for putting the baby down safely, but there's not much else you NEED, and in a push, you can always use the pram. (Make sure the pram can lie flat, though)

Edit: I should like to point out that I stated this was a BASIC list, as I have no idea what kind of budget they had. I assumed that the questioner would realise that she needed to buy baby clothes. I was in a very bad financial state when our daughter was born, and didn't want to put a huge list of non-necessities.

Answer 5

just get the basics
pram or buggy
nappies
crib
rocking seat or something sinliar
bottles if you are bottle feeding
sterelising unit
clothes and not just 0-3 month ones
car seat
so long as bubs has somewhere to sleep a dry bum and full tum you should be ok.
with the 1st most people go over the top with tons of fancy stuff and it ended up in the attic unused. as time goes by you will need more stuff like high chair etc but dont worry too much yet until you need it

Answer 6

The basics you need for the first few months are a moses basket, plenty of nappies, baby creams an nappy rash cream, vests an sleep suits, monitors, bottles, steriliser (i recommend the microwave 1), pram and a nice warm coat an hat. U dont need to buy all them tiny cute outfits as the baby grows so quick an only gets to wear it once! Its so much handier keeping him/her in a sleepsuit for the first 8-10 weeks.

Answer 7

Hello! My baby is 5 months old, and one thing I found that I need is a remote control mobile. My baby and I cosleep since my hubby has been in Iraq for the past 9 months, but I have been working on getting him to sleep on his own so hubby and I can have our bed back when we get home. However, my son, Keith, has a very hard time falling asleep and likes his mobile to fall asleep with, but I have to go in and crank it every few minutes, and when he's so close to falling asleep, me going in there just wakes him back up. So, even though they are a little more expensive, I definitely recommend one! I believe if you do a search on something like amazon.com for remote control mobiles, then you should see a few!
Good luck with the rest of your pregancy!

Answer 8

Had Peter last May and worte notes for friends who were expecting. Here are some excepts....

Clothing
· Do buy the next size up rather than going straight to maternity wear. You get to wear it next year in the same season, so you get twice as much wear as you would expect.
· When first buying the next size up try to get elasticated waists as they are also useful on the way back down.
· You pay more in the specialist shops, but they do last longest with most wear.
1. Dotty Ps Trousers – Lovely fabric, but only fitted for 4 weeks.
2. Blooming marv roll top trousers were a staple during winter and comfortable for the entirety.
3. Many of the wrap tops needed a cammie top beneath them to cover your chest.
4. Most clothes are bought in your normal size, but I would buy 1 size up so they can shrink in the tumble drier, even though the label says not to use them. This is also true with a swimming costume. If you intend to swim after the birth you need to allow for a larger bust size.
· Don’t buy too many nursing bra’s at 36 weeks. I kept growing until 8 weeks after birth. Start with 2 cheap white sleeping bras for comfort.

Nursery Preparation
o Buy New / Essentials
o Car seat
o Mattress
o Infacol – so you have it ready when baby is windy.
o Calpol – says from 2 months, but if you phone NHS direct they will advise smaller quantities based on your childs weight.
o A barrier cream, but a small sample is given to you in the bounty bags, so no real need to buy immediately.
o Have to hand a few breast pads, as lying on your side at night can cause leaks for just about anyone. (Avent seem to give a set as a freebee with all of their stuff, which will be enough for bottle feeders). Cheapest are not very soft, which isn’t good if nipples are sore. Avent were mid range Tommie Tippee, had the absorbent gel so were most absorbent if very leaky during the day. One pack is enough to start with and you may not finish that esp. if bottle-feeding.
o Consider getting/ buy second hand – NCT sales are open to all and are listed on the web sites. They run somewhere most weekends except in the holiday seasons. The “Good as new” sales are better than the tabletop ones as they are allow for more sellers and theme the goods, so you are more likely to find what you are looking for.
o Sterilisers and bottles (Just buy new teats and get the more expensive anti colic ones from the start if you can.). DR Browns were the ones I favoured having used those Avent and MAM.
o Breast pump – they last and have resale value. Can be useful to relieve pressure and are reassuring that the breast is being emptied if you get a blocked duct.
o Nursery furniture – don’t spend a fortune as it doesn’t last.
o Low watt light bulbs / dimmer switches for the bedroom.
o A cheap lightweight pushchair that works from birth. If you intend to travel with baby you don’t want to take an expensive one on a flight as they often get damaged.
o Stair gates – they last and have resale value.
o Bumbo seats - They are only a lump of plastic but useful for feeding.
o Slings.
o Inflatable water seat.
o Nappy sacks / wrapper. You’ll get some sacks as freebies but you will need something to keep dirty things separate for years. Only buy about 4 refills for the tubs as they tend to last just under a month and you may find you are weaning by then.
o Don’t bother.
o Baby walker – considered dangerous and can slow down walking and damage legs.
o Soft toys – you’ll get plenty.
o Newborn outfits (see baby clothing for what to buy).
o Baby lotions, shampoo, soap. Locally we are advised against due to the hardness of water. They also think that they may cause skin problems.

Hope some of those are original...

Answer 9

My top tip is to buy this sponge shaped a bit like a baby. It sits on the bottom of the bath and baby can lie there and be washed without all the worry of them slipping, and you have two hands free. Good luck

Answer 10

Here is some good advice.... I found the cheapest place to buy name brand diapers (Pampers Swaddlers are Best), and other baby supplies. Here is my advice.... To stock up on baby supplies, I use www.diapers.com on the internet. It is simply the BEST place to buy diapers, wipes, formula and even baby medicines. Cheaper than Walmart. If you use Referral Code: BRST3227 when you check out, you will SAVE $5.00 off !!! They have free shipping too. Bless you and your Baby !!!

Answer 11

Place for baby to sleep (bassinet or co-sleeper) & sheets
Changing table
Swing
Carrier
Car seat base for carrier
Stroller (preferably one that fits the carrier)
Tub for sink
Onsies
Bibs
Burp clothes
Blankets
Diapers (get size 1 in case Newborns are too small)
Bottles
Formula or Breast pump
Pacifiers (optional)
Steamer bags for sterilizing nipples and pacifiers (optional)
Rattles, soft balls, appropriate toys