Baby wraps too! Like waffle wraps, muslin wraps.... they come in handy if you're breastfeeding & also for wrapping bubs up to cuddle etc..... I've made sure i've bought a few of these, its my first too!
the girls above have covered most of the main stuff.....
I loved my rocker, bub would sleep in it in the first few weeks sometimes. I used mine heaps but a friend hardly used theirs. I only paid $39 from Babyco and it was so worth it. It is a plain one -camel and beige colour with no toys but I didn't like the toys on most of them. It is personal preference though.
I only had about 4 0000 outfits plus 000 wondersuits which fit but were a bit big.
I am still using my babybath now with a bath pillow so he doesn't get concussion but our big bath is too big for me to safely bath him.
I used my carrier for shopping in the early days, so nice and snuggly.
Playmat is good
I only bought a baby monitor as an afterthought. I only use it when I am in parts of hte house or outside where I can't hear bub. Good when I garden or hang clothes on the line but I wish I had paid the extra money and got the one with the thermometer in it. I still need to buy a thermometer for DS's room.
Woolen breast pads were awesome for me - so soft and comfy. Works out cheaper than disposable. I didn't/don't leak much but still wear them just for added protection - just in case. So soft on tender nipples. I have heard the maz minkee BP are good too
For me a feeding pillow was awesome - my brest friend. It helped me get attachment right and gave my wrists a break as I have dodgy wrists. I only wish I had had it sooner - I got it at 5 weeks but wish I had had it sooner. You need to be able to feed without it anywhere though. Unless you want to cart it with you everywhere.
Deep Freeze was awesome for us - I had to go away to have bub and I cooked up lots of meals. To be able to pull a meal out and not have to cook was awesome.
Anything that will make your life easier - If you see something and love it just buy it because if you love it lots you will probably use it. Even if it is just to justify you buying it.
Happy shopping and remember once you have the essentials - cot, car seat, pram/carrier, cot sheets and blankets you can always buy things after bub is born. The shops won't shut but in my case I live 2 hours from the nearest target so I had to be over prepared.
To paraphrase from another thread: baby clothes (baby wraps aren't always necessary, many babies including 3 of my 4 didn't like being wrapped), somewhere for bub to sleep (and if you co-sleep, then you don't even need this), carseat (if you have a car), a way to transport bub when you're out (pram or sling), nappies, arms and boobs.
Don't overdo the clothes. Mostly people will give you 0000 & 000 clothes. Just get enough to have at hossy. Before you've given birth you will have more than you need and then you'll get more when you get home afterwards.
IMHO you def don't need a rocking chair. I know some swear by them but I already had one and haven't used it once.
Get lots of flannel bunny rugs that are large enough to line your basinette, cot or rocker in case you have a chucky baby. This way you only have to replace the bunny rug several times a day instead of having to constantly wash the cot or basinette fitted sheet. I got mine at Safeway I think - 3 for $10.
Try not to buy too much as you will be given heaps of stuff.
Must haves are:
cot and or basinette
change table or change mat
bath (mine is in the change table) - to save your back
facewashers
bibs
hat
all in one suits which have the mitten cuffs on them
singlets or even better short sleeved all in one suits without legs - singlets can get caught in the nappy and then cause a wet back
nappy stacker
set of drawers
something to put nappies, wipes bags, lotions, facewashers, nappy rash cream etc in that you can put next to your change table. I've got a 3 tier open shelving thingy that's on wheels. I just keep a few nappies and all the other stuff there so I don't have to walk away from bubs.
After the car restraint, there are really only two must haves in my book. A sling (preferably not a baby bjorn style, something like a ring sling, or HAB or Ergo are fantastic) - this makes getting out and about much easier than using a pram, especially in crowded places. It is also great for settling babies with colic or reflux, or any baby really. You can get things done while you soothe them and baby wearing has lots of benefits for baby. Not to mention how useful it is for baby 2. And terry flat nappies - these are fantastic for all sorts of things. In the early days they are the best cloths for spit ups, leaked milk etc. Later on they clean up all sorts of other accidents.
TBH there are very few MUST haves. Some things are nice to haves, but different people find different things work best.
For me, a change table (on wheels with two shelves below) has been invaluable, as I've been able to change nappies at the right height and store all the baby bath/change stuff on it. And in the early days we wheeled it into the bathroom so everything was at arm's reach. But others find they never use a change table.
We found a borrowed bouncer every bit as good as a rocker.
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