baby essentials

[lucyp]

Hi again - part 2 of sisters article is what are some of the things you found beeficial to have with very young bub ? Again - I told her I would ask the "bubhubber's" :) All you input is very much appreciated! :)

Off the top of my head I could only think of

1. bath thermometer - very handy
2. decent temperature thermometer
3. cloth nappies - for use as actual nappies or "chuck cloths"
4. Multiple Dummies - if you choose to use them

[aardvark]

Lots of white face washers. Used instead of baby wipes for the nastiest messes, can get tossed in napisan or bleach to clean up.

Fine muslin baby wraps for warmer weather.

Avent breast pump with disposable bottle bags for breast milk storage, in case I wanted to escape for a while.

Waterproof protectors for the bassinet and pram mattresses.

Lingerie bags for washing tiny socks, bootees and mittens, so they don't get swallowed by the washing machine.

Baby sling for shopping and general settling.

[Harmony83]

We found the baby carrier was a much needed item!! (But I would like to try a sling for the next as the carrier was umm a pain in the back?!)

Change table - we were told we wouldn't need one by everyone and it was a waste of money, but there is no way I wouldv'e done nappy changes on the floor, mainly because of my back aches from bubs!

Cloth nappies definately - as you said for chuck rags or too use as nappies!

Breast pump - avent one with the disposable bags

Muslim wraps

Automatic Swing - it was the only thing he would sleep in for the first 6 weeks...

[Chickadee]

Dozen cloth nappies, used as covers on the change table, burp pads, and 2 years on for drying hair and cleaning up vomit (still).

Automatic swing.

Mattress protectors for cot. Minimum 2 sets of cot sheets and protectors.

Dummy.

Heavy curtains/blinds in baby's room to dim the room.

Baby monitor - our bub always slept with the bedroom door closed, and monitor still used now when I want to go work in the garden during nap time.

Window shade(s) for the car.

[JenNT]

Be prepared with a bottle of baby Panadol...... guaranteed you'll need it at 1am in the morning! Use from 4 weeks old.

Below is a couple of things i needed in the last couple of weeks since bringing bub home.

-Saline drops for blocked noses.
-Benadine for umbilical cord stump.

If you like to use powder but don't want the puff, use Amolin liquid talc, rub into the neck and creases to prevent moisture retention, smells divine!

HTH Cheers Jen

[JenNT]

Definately the automatic swing...i picked up a fisher price 'open top' one for $80 from toyworld, can be folded up and taken anywhere easily.

[razzle]

Muslim wraps

Only if your baby is Muslim of course! ROFLMAO :D :D

[Harmony83]

Oopss its Muslin huh... My bad!!! :D

[wattle]

Nail clippers - I found that adult sized ones worked better than the tiny baby ones. Mittens were useful too.

Lansinoh - miracle nipple protector cream

A really soft cushion to sit on (especially if you have those nasty stitches)

A freezer full of yummy meals

Friends who can bake

Robin Barker's 'Baby Love' book

[miss_moe]

I think internet forums have been indispensable!!!

and:
- cloth nappies, though not terry cloth the the softer version (name escapes me)...yesh I am having one of those days
- i had a portable change thingy that fits over the cot (at one end) - back and space saver.
- a baby book, I have BabyLove.
- sling
- baby seat
- a funky looking nappy bag ... cause you feel awfully daggy sometimes.
- supportive family.

:)

[Nickster]

Basically, what everyone else said, but also (there's just so many essentials!)

- baby monitor
- sling
- feeding pillow
- rocking chair (LOVE my rocking chair - it's saved my back on many an occasion)
- muslin wraps (not muslim wraps hehehe - we're a non-denominational household
- good breast pump (avent rocks!) because I started off with a ****e one, and quickly learnt my lesson!

I could really go on and on.... :)

[JanetF]

I found boobs indispensable ;) The best purchase I made (apart from sling) was a touchlamp for when you're learning to bf. It's a really low light so no one gets disturbed, you just flap your arm around until you come into contact with it, it doesn't make a clicky noise coming on or off, it's bright enough to read by :D

[draught]

My list that I swear are essentials are:

Robin Barker's "Baby Love"
Cotton sheets and blankets
Good pram (in case I haven't mentioned it enough in other threads - LOVE the mountain buggy)
Baby carrier/sling
Feeding pillow (love the zoo pillow)
A good masseuse
A lactation consultant
Pigeon breast pads
A backpack nappy bag
A padded floor mat
A baby rocker of some description (the baby bjorn is fantastic if you can afford it
Frozen meals (or someone else to cook for you!)
A cordless phone
The internet
A mother's group

Hmmmm... I am sure I will think of more but with babybrain that is all I can manage now!

[shanz]

Only one suggestion from me...
A BOTTLE OF "INFANTS FRIEND", available from most chemists.
It is a liquid that helps with everything, when my sister was a new mum she discovered it and basically helps with indigestion,constipation and lots and lots of other stuff. My sister would use it when bub was upset(in pain) and they couldn't figure it out and it was like a miracle in a bottle. Eased bub within minutes.