I found terry toweling the best for spew rags as they seemed more absorbant and washed better (eg kept shape etc) I also put one under DS head in bassinet and cot as he was a chucker and it saved me changing the sheet.
Swing/rocker or both are heaven sent!!!!!
wondersuits
bonds all in one singlet suits as they dont ride up and get lumpy.
I love the swaddle me wraps rather than blankets.
if you plan on BF buy lansinoh
As long as you have clothes and nappies you can get things as you need them
Things we found essential were:
Long leg, long sleeve button up suits (not the bonds easysuits, they were so hard to put on and take off but look easy)
Socks
Spew rags
Dummies (If you plan on using one)
Baby Powder
Blankets
and i also had spare poppers of formula, and have used 2 of the 3.
Sterilizer
i used a nail clipper from the start. i couldnt bite his nails off and tried to use a file but it didnt work for us. i waited till his nails were a bit longer then clipped them..
we had stretchy type swaddling cloth and it ddint work cos ds would wriggle his arms out. the best ones were strong thick ones.
wondersuits are great.. and best and less have them as baby baby brand and they are great too. theya have fold over mitten ones till a yr i think while bonds/target ones dont do till after size 0 i think.
but ds has big feet and wasnt chubby so while the suits were good for a while, after a while it would be too small for his feet but ok for his body. the best i found wer ethe footless ones and i used socks. but footless ones are hard to find...
nappy rash cream.. yes.. you do get a freebie from the hospital in that Target bag..
i did get nasal saline drops as ds was mucousy and we had to put drops adn get an aspirator to suck his phelgm out.. you wouldnt need this staight away.
Swing!
Sling/carrier, hug-a-bub or similar
Wondersuits - these are ideal onesies as they have sewn on mittens. Don't bother getting many (if any) in 0000 as if they do fit, they won't for long - believe me. It doesn't matter if they are a little big either. You can now get them with fold over socks as well! So you can reveal bubba's feet if you wish.
Singletsuits - once you use them you will never use a normal singlet again!
Wipes
Nappies
I second the swaddleme wraps - stretchy fabric and super strength velcro
Couple of dummies with different shaped teats (my ds is very fussy, only takes one type)
Dummy chain
Lots of face washers for bath time and as spew/milk cloths
Terry toweling or flannel nappies. Come in very handy for spills/spews, to put underneath him on the change table, etc
Pram insert - depending on your pram, you might like to get an insert - nice and cushiony for bubs
That's all I can think of atm! There are a few other things that are invaluable to me, but might not be a necessity: capsule, mobile, snuggle bed...to name a few!
Apart from the obvious ones like clothes, nappies etc
A swing is a lifesaver!!!
A carrier just in case your baby is one that won't be put down (mine was for a couple of months there) I had a hug a bub but about to buy an ergo.
And a car seat you can take with you if bubs is asleep - really wish I had done that and will for the next baby. Nothing worse then bub goingto sleep 5 mins before you turn into the driveway and either sitting in the car or waking them!!!
I wish I hadn't bought half the things your "mean't to" Blue has NEVER slept in his $200 bassinett and the cot still hasn't been put back together from when we moved as we co sleep which also wasn't planned so there is another $500 not being utilised.
We bought a wizz bang baby bath and because he was such a big baby he outgrew it in 5 weeks....
Don't buy anything..... Have a list of what you want for when friends and family ask you what you need. Everyone means well but you will receive so many gifts that you will never use, if you are prepared then you will get what you what/need.
I am a minimalist but still bought things that I have not used. My baby is only 5 weeks old and I have already done a few trips to the Salvos to pass on things that I will never use.
Essentials:
Hooded towels - don't buy any, we received 20 as gifts
Wondersuits (6) - size 000, received 6 size 00 as gifts
Face washers - don't buy any, we received 40 as gifts
Cloth Nappies - perfect for everything. I use them on the change table mat so it's not so cold, and to catch wees (i have a boy), on pillow when feeding to catch leaks, on the bouncer, as a mattress protector - endless uses
Baby Hangers - I hang everything up in the wardrobe so I can see exactly what we have
Socks - Little socks with good elastic, no need to buy larger sizes received heaps as gifts
Thermometer - A good one, not the forehead one they are not very accurate - ask family to buy (they are around $70)
Baby swing - love it! Just be careful when "helpful" bigger cousins are around, they like to push the baby. Good for 1st baby, not so good with toddlers around
Plastic baby bath - no need for fancy bath, they don't play in them
Weather Bag (for the pram) - we walk alot and my baby sleeps beautifully in the pusher and i know that he is nice and warm in his bag
Large thin blankets - perfect for wrapping, i tried the swaddle wraps but my houdini baby can get his arms out and wake himself up. Don't buy blankets everyone buys you thick plush blankets - I wrap with thin blanket then cover with a thicker one
You can waste so much money on things that are nor necessary. I still have a cupboard full of things that need to go. Things like:
baby powder - not necessary
singlets - hate them, they ride up
mint green & lemon suits in size 1 & 2 - thanks MIL - not putting my big boy in lemon
Cotton balls - don't use them, use 1 of my 40 face washers instead
I could go on and on........
You will end up using the same things over and over again. Spend money on good quality items rather than cheap things that don't last the distance.
I would seroiusly recommend Brauer's Stomach calm and calm...that's for those refluxy/colicky babies that no one ever thinks they'll have but keep you up at night!!
Also, get a white noise CD...it can be a life saver... and make sure you have 100% blockout curtains to ensure baby naps during the day effectively!
Other than that....heaps of wondersuits, singlets and long sleeve singlets, BIBS!! (TONNES OF THEM!)...nappies, wipes (hypo allergenic ones for newborns), some baby bath stuff (Mustela is the best I reckon), wraps (to wrap baby), woollen blanket (not synthetic stuff), thermometer, room therm as well (room should be between 18-20 degrees in winter), oil heater in bedroom (if you don't want to keep your ducted heating on all night or have no other form of heating in the room), hat/beanie, jacket (to take bub out), pram/stroller, rocker/bouncer, a change table (otherwise your back will break changing their nappies...you can get a foamy/.plastic change mat like the ones in the hospitals and put it on your dining table), a hand sanitiser (especially now that its flu season), nappy bag (for going out), some bottles, some ready made formula just in case, and the ultimate...FESS LITTLE NOSES saline nose drops!! Babies can't eat when their noses are blocked and dry..(esp in winter). Its totally safe and one of the best things I can recommend!!
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