Starting from scratch, List of things to get?

[Mel A]

OK, I have an empty room, a budget and no idea where to start. (Other than a cot and a change table ) Numbers would be good too, how many is too many, and how do you know untill after the fact.

I want to create a list of things that should be got before the baby is home, you know, set up stuff, including all the little things that are needed and we only work out when it's really needed.
Got a little freaked by this when my friend asked me to go out and get baby nail clippers? Who knew these even existed....

Also a list for about 6 months time, that way i can divide my needs to now and later (and the budget).

Snoochie boochies

[Hoody]

I never had to buy baby toiletries such as shampoos and lotions etc as i got given so much as pressies so i wouldnt bother!

I never used my baby bath either i always prefered the laundry sink so not a necessity.

Clothes- dont go too over board on them as you will no doubt get lots of pressies too and remember your bub may grow really fast. I always made sure i had plenty of singlets, socks, a hat or beanie depending on time of year. A couple of all in one jumpsuts and one or 2 nice outfits. I went through loads of wraps so i needed lots, one or 2 warmer ones and one or 2 muslin ones for if its hot. Really in my Nursery apart from the cot and change table there is nothing else!

Sorry if this doesnt help.

[Aimz]

Hey Mel - if you PM me your email address I have a MASSIVE powerpoint presentation of everything we will be buying - I researched it for months.

It includes pictures too!

[totallynew]

Hey Mel - if you PM me your email address I have a MASSIVE powerpoint presentation of everything we will be buying - I researched it for months.

It includes pictures too!

Hi Amysarah, would I also be able to have a copy of that powerpoint? I havent quite figured out how to PM yet though? LOL

[~Kim~]

mel, did you get the show bag with your booking in appointment? They used to come with a J&J booklet and in that it had a comprehensive list that you could just check off.
There's lots of threads in here about favourite items and wastes of money too.
All depends on your preference and your budget really.

[mellys bubby belly]

Hey Mel - if you PM me your email address I have a MASSIVE powerpoint presentation of everything we will be buying - I researched it for months.

It includes pictures too!

Would I be able to scab that too? I also dont know how to PM yet hee hee I'm still kinda a newbie here

[Sammiejane]

Amysarah - my god your orgainsed!!!

My top tips are
1) bouncer - dont worry about getting the one with all the bells and whistles, just one that you can pop you bubba in for a while, great in the kitchen so they can watch you and have a play - we got one with just a hoop over the top that toys hang off, but didnt really use that til she was 2.5-3mths old

2) TummyTub - the best baby bath in the world imo

3)body suits that popper under the nappy, singlets just ride up and are good only for underneth bodysiuits.

4) Some toys that are appropiate for older children - if ou have any friends with kids, they will be bored quickly and if your house is like mine and not toddler proof yet, you need somethings to entertain them with.

5) Rocking Chair - some people dont use theirs, but i use mine ever night for MJ night feeds, i dont leave her bedroom as she wakes up too much, i sit in the semi dark and feed and rock her and she settles soooo well

6)Grobag egg - measures room tempreture, fantastic in knowing whether to put another blanket on and also gives off an nice light

7) breathing sensor - we have a baby sense, loads of people have the angle care as it has a room thermomenter and audio monitor all in one, but our is just the alarm and we bought a cheap audio monitor. The angel care can sometimes pick up a ceiling fan, whereas the baby sense is more accurate... anyway, it has given us the ability to sleep without worry, the nights that she started to sleep through, i would just peek my head in the dor and see the light flash and know that she was just sleeping ... the first times that they sleep through can be a bit worring

hummm, there are more, but these are the ones that i am sooooo glad that i spent the money on and got

Congrats on the pg too

[Aimz]

Hi girls - the powerpoint presentation I have is saved at work and I won't be able to send it until Monday. I will PM those who have asked for a copy with my email address then you can email me and I will reply with my list.

Amysarah - my god your orgainsed!!!

When you are desperate for a baby but know you have to wait you will do anything to fill in the time!! It's my little way of being able to dream! You should see my cupboard of things I already have! I guess it makes the waiting game a little bit calmer - plus I get to shop!

[~clover~]

mel, did you get the show bag with your booking in appointment? They used to come with a J&J booklet and in that it had a comprehensive list that you could just check off.
There's lots of threads in here about favourite items and wastes of money too.
All depends on your preference and your budget really.

A friend of mine said they don't hand the bounty bags out anymore. Is that true???

I'm with Sammyjane - The t-shirt body suits are good. I put them over the singlet & under all his clothes as the singlets come up too easy.

Sleeping bags. From Big W or somewhere. They are like dressing gowns, but are sewn up at the bottom. I've got one that has holes in it for the pram & car seat strap. Its a really good idea as you don't have to unwrap them in the cold to put them in the car.

Wipes. I always forgot them.

A few cloth nappies - even if your not planning on using them. Spew rag, & nappy free time.

Dummies & bottles - even if you aren't planning on using them. You never know what will happen.

Bum cream - I find Sudocream the best, but there are heaps to choose from.

HTH.

[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.

[Daffodil Mumma]

Wow awesome topic
Thanks so much everyone for sharing your thoughts.....just what i needed