Starting from scratch, List of things to get?

Hi
I'd like your presentation but can't figure out how to send a PM despite reading the FAQs. thank you. Julie

Hi Julie and November08mum! As I understand it, you cannot send or recieve PM's until you have reached 25 posts. Once you have reached 25 posts PM me and I will be happy to send it to you.

Hi Girls :) Loving the tips. Only thing is, how many of each size do you buy? I have no idea how long bub will be in a 000 and 00? I want to be prepared and not have to go out shopping for baby clothes until at least 4-5 months. I have enough 0000 for the hospital and first week or so. When my baby is 3 months it will be winter here in Melbourne so quite chilly.

I'm thinking of getting 6 singlets in 000 and 6 in 00 - is that too many? And for bodysuits or tops/pants how many of each size?

Thanks so much!

Regarding singlets I found the Bonds 00 was the same size as kmart brand 000 I ended up being given a heap of hand me down singlets too in asstd sizes.
tbh I found that having bubs in a big singlet was okit just came over is bum and didnt ride up. My DS wa 3610g (7lb15). I would buy the kmart or target brand (they seem thicker) - maybe3 or 4 0000 and 6 or 7 000 or if you buy bonds, 4 000 and more 00. You can always use the 00 if you run out. Another thing to consider is the 'cuteness' factor - going into summer, bub may just wear a singlet and nappy some days or no singlet at all under clothes. Bubs look pretty cute full stop so isn't a huge issue.
In my hospital they used a singlet as a beanie - tied the straps/sleeves together and rolled it a bit. The part which usually goes around bubs belly went around the head. Wa a cool thing to do and it saves on them having to have another piece of baby clothing.

Bodysuits - 3 or 4, depends how often you want bub to wear them and will they be used as an outfit? Pumpkin patch online outlet store had some cute ones 2 for $9. Good buy.

Other clothes is hard to say, you will be given a lot. My bubs didn't fit 0000 bonds wondersuits so maybe have a few 000. I did have a few 0000 outfits - about 4 plus wondersuits.
Best piece of advic e I can give is keep the outfits simple - for bubs comfort and eas of dressing/undressing. They sleep lots too and will be wrapped. I know I wouldnt want to sleep in jeans.

Happy shopping

My favourite things were:

- A Hug-a-bub carrier. Used it up until she was 18 mths (and wanted to walk everywhere) and it was MUCH more convenient when she was little than a pram for walking, shopping, etc. She would sleep in it and leave my hands free for ages!
- Aust Breastfeeding Assn subscription - came with a free book on bfing that was absolutely spot on, meant I could go along to meet-ups regularly and pick topics that I needed info on. (This is also a great gift from someone who doesn't know what to get you!).
- A rocker/bouncer that could rock itself (batteries) - it wasn't cheap but my sisters went in together and bought it for me and it gave me an uninterrupted shower every day!

Those were my top 3.

LOADS AND LOADS of breast pads.
I find the Medela Disposable ones the best!

We're not really into 'stuff' and didn't go too over board getting prepared and I'm so glad as we haven't ended up with anything we don't use and we've been able to buy things along the way that we realised we needed.

I had a couple of sample packs of breastpads and never used them- I don't leak. We bought all nappy creams, skin oils etc. as we needed them and have been able to get the right things for our needs. We were given loads of clothes and have been able to fill just fill in the gaps rather than doubling up too much (though we were lent a bunch of 0000 and 000 wondersuits & singlets which were useful to have loads of).

I advise keeping it simple. My essentials were a hug-a-bub carrier, rocker (ours isn't motorised but still very handy for shower/toilet), car seat and nappies. We didn't even use our pram or cot for the first couple of months.

Luey thanks so much for your advice, it was really helpful! :)

Not a problem, just re-read your post clucky rach. Although you want to be prepared and not need to go shopping you may want to:lol:. Baby stuff is so much fun to buy. There is always PP online if you can't get out of the house. My 0000 stuff lasted for a month or so but it all depends on how big your bub is.

I love my wool breast pads - $19 each from mothers direct but apparantly maz's cloth pads with minky are really really nice too. I didn't leak much if at all but it was nice having something soothing on my boob, plus it keeps them warm

I now have 25 posts, but still can't PM you...not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Ask one of the mods in the FAQ's section, I'm sure they will be able to help.

hi there,
can you please send a copy of the p/point presentation to me

Thanks,
Cindy

Hey just thought I would go through and see if I can remember what we had given to us and what we bought etc.

1.Cot and change table
2.Cot Mattress
3. Cot Sheets
4. Blankets and Wraps
5. Quilt set
6.Toy box?
7. Feeding chair?
8. small table for lamp etc and to put things on if feeding in room i.e spew rag, glass of water for you etc
9. Lamp
10. Decorative things
11.Basinette if you plan on using one
12. Pack of cloth disposable nappies - for every spew etc HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE!!
13.Pram
14.Car seat (consider buying 2 my mum asked if we were getting 2 and at the time I said no what a waste of money we can just swap between the cars but then one weekend we forgot to get the seat out of Phil's car and I was meant to be going to the airport to drop pil off to go home to nz and I had no seat..mum when to the shops and got us another one the same as what we already had. I realised then that we definitely needed 2!
15. Thermometer
16. Nail Clippers (sounds like you won't forget these!)
17. Baby panadol or nurofen (I think you can't use these before 1month and you're not likely to need but good to have there instead of making a mad dash to the chemist)
18. Bonjela (as above)
19. Nappy rash cream
20. Wipes (look in big w, toys r us etc for the boxes that have 6packs of 80 or 480wipes that's what I always buy and will last you a while)
21. Little muslin squares (size of a facecloth they are fantastic to use in the bath when babies are so young that even a face cloth seems to rough)
22. Facecloths (fantastic to put over your bubs tummy in the baby bath to keep them feel secure, happy and warm)
23. Baby bath
24. Baby towels (good to have 2 for each bath. when Noah was little and we used the dining table or kitchen bench I would lay the 2 towels on top of each other use the top one to dry Noah with and then would get rid of that one and lay him on the underneath one that's still dry to dress him - easier than running to his room especially when it was winter)
25. Baby cotton tips to clean ears
26. Lotions (most likely will get heaps as baby shower gifts so wait until after that)
27.Breast pump (I thought this could wait but we had an early case of breast refusal that lasted a little while and so one afternoon we had a mad dash to the shops to get a breast pump and only big w was still open so had to buy the tommee tipee which I like but was playing on buying a different one)
28.bottles if you plan on bottle feeding
29. Nappies, if disposable I think buy 2 boxes (Noah was born 9pound 4.5 and he was still in newborn nappies for quite a few boxes, you don't want to have to run out for nappies with a newborn and if you don't get 2 the 2nd box before you need a new size you could take the box back and swap it for the bigger size)
30. Baby carrier if you want one
31. Lamb's wool pram insert if you want one
32. CD player for bubs room if you plan on using some soothing music in there
33.Baby monitor
34.Singlets..We probably had about 10-15newborn ones
35. Jumpsuits (I think he only had 3, was always dresses in cute outfits lol)
36. Cute outfits!! (very fun to buy)
37. Socks (Bonds Stay put I think they're called are by far the best and the only ones I found that actually stay on!)
38. Nappy Disposal if you want
39. Nappy sacks (little bags to put dirty nappies in)
40. Nappy Bag
41. buckets for soaking
42. Napisan
43. Amolin or another washing liquid suitable for bubs clothes and things
44. Foods for the freezer and cupboards that are quick easy and hopefully healthy
45.toys!
46. A highchair (don't need until 6+ months)
47. A swing or rocker
48. Breast Pads
49. Maternity Pads
50. Dummies (If you're not sure I recommend having at least one jic...this comes from the memory of calling my mum at 10.30 and begging her to try somewhere thats opened that sells dummies lol)

My goodness just realised how long my list is!!! OMG well I hope it helps and I hope not to overwhelming a lot of the things are cheap items and you can layby and get when on sale and slowly build up your supplies!

Hi amysarah85,

Could you please send me a copy of that powerpoint as well?

Thanks!

Hi Maisarah,

I've emailed it to you. You can now edit your post and remove your email address.

My tip would be consider the weather, my bubs is due just before summer so we havent gone all out buying lots of clothes because it would be too hot to wear them anyway. Looking at your ticker, although im not completely sure i'd say your due jan-feb (summer) so you prob won't need alot of heavy blankets either, although a couple would still be good.
Also consider things like are you having a baby shower? I had a suprise one on sunday and got loads more stuff.
GL with your list

Thanks Amy ;)

Hi Amy,

Could you please send me a copy of the p/point presentation to me

Thanks,
Cindy

Hi Cindy, I have sent it to you. You can edit your post and remove your email address now.

Even though i think i have everything i need, wouldnt mind a copy too Amy just in case :)

I've sent it Kirra.

Wow that was quick. lol. Thanks Amy.

Hi everyone,

I'm expecting our little baby in 2 months and am just trying to finish off buying all the things we'll need. Am just wondering how necessary is it really to have a nasal aspirator and medicine dropper? Also, if anyone has advice of items they felt were really important or really unimportant.. it would help a lot!

Thanks guys :)

Hey Maisarah,
I would buy them now, it's not absolutely necessary but you will prob need them at some point, when bubs has a cold (can't breathe through the nose especially when trying to feed) etc. Easier to have them on hand rather than having to remember to pick one up.

Thanks Alyssa's Mum! :)

OK I understand about the nasal aspirator, but what about the medicine dropper? Is it possible to just use a spoon to give the baby medicine if needed?

It is possible but kind of unsafe, most medicines like panadol for example might say give 3ml, and it would be too hard to measure that on a spoon. Most medicines such as panadol come with a dropper anyway. I find the medicine syringe to be better and best value as you get a more accurate amount without having to suck up a little more or squeeze out a lil etc etc. Panadol can't be given to a n/b until they are 4wks anyway.

Ok hope this helps - these are the items that we could not live without

Cot - Emma went into her cot straight away but I used until about a month ago the head huggers (big w) to keep her in place

Change table - definitely a good thing if you have back issues.

Bouncer- she slept in it during the day at first, then we added the toy attachments later and she still plays in it now.

Baby Bjorn - this is a personal choice she loves to be carried and I need free hands most of the time so this really has worked for us. I didnt buy a big pram so this suited me and is really good for quick shopping.

Best wraps I found are the dymples muslin squares, cool for summer and they are pretty big so that even at 5 months they can be wrapped up easily if you need too. Plus they cover the front of prams easily to block out the sun :D

And something for later baby gyms are awesome keeps them entertained for ages until they can roll then they cant wait to get off the mat ;)

Your baby is going to be born in the middle of summer, so i pretty much guarantee you wont be dressing it in much to begin with. Even now Emma sleeps during the day in just a nappy and singlet and its not even summer.

But the only advice I will give you is dont buy too many clothes, you will be given soooo many and they grow so fast its not worth it.

Hope this helps and good luck with everything