Starting from scratch, List of things to get?

[sweetpea678]

having done this 3 times now and this one being 5 years younger I practially started from scatch

Things you will realy need

1. place for bub to sleep cot/bassinett/hammick
2. car seat
3. pram
4. nappy bag
5. bouncer ( i love it)
6. singlets (about 5-7)
7. jumpsuits (at least 7)
8. cloth nappies 1 pack to start for spew etc
9. disposbale nappies (1 box of huggies newborn, bub might only fit for a few weeks if that) or cloth ones your choice
10. wipes

have a baby shower around 30 weeks or so gives you time to buy things you were not given. And don't get to much clothes you will be given heaps when bub is born i am sure.

hope this helps

[Mother Goose]

The girls have it pretty well covered. I don't think I could have coped without my bouncer - it was a basic one but it meant I could rock DD whilst I was having a meal and didn't have to hold her 24/7. She loved it and it was often the only way to settle her. And it was great when she had a cold as it kept her upright and the mucous ran out the nose instead of into the back of the throat.

Just on the nail clippers - even though the baby ones have a guard to minimise the risk of cutting skin, you may not feel confident using them for some time - especially if your baby is a wriggler. I actually used an emery board and filed her nails until about 3 months ago (she is now 18 months). She still wiggles heaps when I do her nails and HATES it when I clip them.

Target also has a list on their website of suggested things to buy for a newborn... although I think it goes a bit overboard it also includes things for yourself for when your in hospital so worth having a look at.

HTH

MG

[Mel A]

You guy's are the greatest. Thank you, Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you!!!!

[belfie]

I agree - thanks for starting this thread Mel & thank you everyone!! I've been reading with great interest! (and thinking eeep shouldn't have all this stuff by now... but I'm nearly there, I'm nearly there!).

[cheekyfrog]

I'm starting from scratch too and I've been finding the whole thing really daunting! So glad that you started this thread, Mel!!

Amysarah, I'd love to have a look at your PowerPoint on what to get too, pretty please! I'll PM you my email address.

I have five weeks to go and things I know I still need/like to get are: baby bouncer/rocker, rocking chair, change mat for change table, baby swing/hammock, chest of drawers, snugglebed, cot mattress protector, nappybin, babybath, bottle steriliser, breast pump in case, bottles... Feels like I'm running out of time now. And I just know there are things I should have but don't know about!

Things I have already: bassinet that someone's lent me, a changetable that someone's given to me, a cot, reversible carseat, Maclaren vogue stroller (it's really light) suitable for newborns, waterproof mattress protector for my bed, clothes, bibs, linen (had a heap given to me), wipes, newborn nappies, wraps, some creams, mild babywash, and breastpads.

[emmalou]

AmySarah I'd love a copy of your powerpoint too, I'll try and pm my email,

and (if I'm not butting in) what type of rocking chairs do you girls have? I really want one but some just don't look comfy.

Sorry if I'm creeping in your post Mel, not sure of the protocol but it's a very handy question you've asked

[blueiris]

amysarah,have PM'd you.
I'm the same about starting to buy baby things,i'm just busting for a baby. I've been given a musical rocker & a swinging cradle by a couple of friends already. I've also been given some boys clothes & have been told by a friend i can have her baby blankets & cot sheet sets too.

I also grabbed a TommY Tippee microwave steamer from work discounted as we were no longer going to sell that item,i got it for about $10. So i'm off to a good start anyway. I really would like to get a rocking chair for the nursery though.

[satya]

Don't buy too much. Just go with the basics as you will be inundated with presents. If you get too organised and buy everything people will not know what to buy you and IMHO you end up getting given less.

Don't say no to second hand items from friends (except for a cot mattress, you don't want that secondhand).

Before bubs is born you will need a cradle or basinette or cot or both. We got given a cradle before our baby was born and only got our cot when we saw one for half price and this was after he was born.

I recommend a change table so that you don't need to sit on the floor but you can manage without one - ours has a bath included in it as well as drawers for clothes. We were also given this prior to his birth (second hand).

Rocker - absolute must have - we were given three - two new ones and one secondhand - all before bub was born. One went to one of the grandmas for when we visit the new ones we kept.

Nappy stacker. Again we were given two of these before bubs was born.

Nappies - if going disposable - just one big pack as people will give you these as well. I believe Aldi has the best and cheapest nappies.

Baby oil, lotions, etc - don't buy any as you will be given lots of them. If you don't get given them you wont need them for the first couple of weeks and then it will give you an excuse to go out shopping with bubs in the pram.

Wipes & nappy sacks - people don't tend to give you them so buy as many as you like.
For wipes I use the Pidgeon brand - far cheaper than all the other brands.

Sudocream or other nappy rash cream - in the first couple of weeks you are bound to need it.

Brauers anti colic relief. Better to have it in your house than have to go looking for it while bub is crying.

A couple of bottles (more if not breastfeeding) and some formula. Even if breastfeeding you may need to top baby up with formula. I didn't get bottles etc and wished I had as I felt rotten when I left hospital and had to go buy them as we were having issues. Safeway sterilizing solution to clean the bottles with.

A couple of dummies - even if not planning to use one - you just might need them.

Clothes - absolute basics as you will be given heaps of clothes. As long as you have enough clothes for the hospital visit that is all you will need to buy for 0000 stuff. I know it doesn't seem likely but trust me you get heaps of baby clothes. You don't need socks at first (and they wont stay on) and will get them as gifts anyway.
5 singlets
5 all in one suits - the type that have mittens on them
bibs (again I never bought any, we got given HEAPS)
1 hat
2 or 3 sleeping bags

A couple of sets of cot sheets and ones for the basinette if you have one.

1 x hooded towel (you'll get given more)

Lots of bunny rugs - we didn't get given any - they are very handy.

A few blankets - people tend to give you them so don't go overboard.

A nasal aspirator.

I already had a rocking chair but have never used it since bub was born. I tend to either feed him in bed or in front of the TV in the lounge.

Once bub has arrived you can reassess the situation and then buy whatever else you actually need.