1st time mum: What to stock up on before birth?

[perth1sttimemum]

Hi There,

Would really appreciate your help. I am 23wks pregnant and wanted to start buying and stocking up on things that we will need. Thought this would be most cost efficient if I buy a little here and a little there. But I haven't been around alot of newborns so don't know where to start.

What I've got so far:

• I've got about 200 newborn nappies - Do you recommend disposable or cloth? How many newborn nappies do yo you think I need if getting disposable?
• I've also got some baby wipes - one big box

People have also given me some clothes so I don't think I have to worry much about that but what else do you think is essential for when baby is born? (Apart from the big stuff of course)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[sunnymummy]

I found that I was given a LOAD of stuff from people when my DS was born. SO much that I didn't use it all before he grew out of the clothes!
Don't buy much 0000 or 000 sizes because baby will grow quickly and people tend to give those sizes as gifts.
You probably have enough nappies because again they aren't in them for long. I used one box of newborn disposables and then started on cloth It worked well for us.
I have a few terry flats that I used as 'spew towels' and they were brilliant.

It is useful to buy stuff for the house as much as for the baby... toilet paper, shampoo, washing powder, tea/coffee for visitors etc. just because you won't feel like shopping and it can be difficult to get out of th house.

Also if you have time I would cook up meals to freeze. You can take them out defrost and reheat instead of worrying about cooking too much. For the first few weeks (or months ) you and DH will be sleep deprived but you both need to eat well , esp if you are breastfeeding.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

[lovinmybub]

I'm with you, I like to stock up on nappies. You could be starting another great debate on here asking whether cloth or disposables are better! Personally I think you have to do what works best for YOU. I don't like people that are pushy or judgemental when it comes to nappies (or other parenting issues for that matter!). With ds1 I stocked up on cloth and was determined to use them but it didn't work out that way. This time around I'm not going to kid myself or stress about it, I'm stocking up on disposables!

My son was 8lbs 5oz and wasn't in the newborn size for long. I WISH I could remember how long because I've been wondering about how many of each size myself! I'd think if you have 200 that's probably enough before you'll need the 'infant' size, but someone with a newborn might be able to help out more. When they're on special I buy some of the first couple of sizes. I figure they're always going to end up in the bigger ones at some point, so it can't hurt to have them aswell.

Other than the basic clothes I'd say get some muslin wraps too, unless you live somewhere that stays cool and you'll be using the flanelette ones. My son was born during a stinking hot summer but the poor little bub LOVED to be wrapped, so we had a collection of muslin wraps for him.

You could buy some of the baby wash products. We got Johnson & Johnson for ds which gave him eczema so we changed to Gaia. J&J smell gorgeous but this time I will be staying clear to be safe, then again alot of people have no problems with the J&J! Some baby cotton buds are handy, I went through more than I thought I would.

[NonnyMouse]

200 newborn nappies is a bit of a risk. It assumes your bub will be small, and/or not grow very fast. DS was in newborn size for one week only, so we only used about 48 in total.

There's not much you treally need to stock up on, although wipes are a constant need. Lotions, potions and bath stuff lasts for ever as you don't use much )we didn't use any at all), for nappy cream by the time DS was 6 months old we were still only half way through the little sample tub that came in the bounty bag.

[lovinmybub]

It is useful to buy stuff for the house as much as for the baby... toilet paper, shampoo, washing powder, tea/coffee for visitors etc. just because you won't feel like shopping and it can be difficult to get out of th house.

What a great idea. I'm going to start stocking up on the toilet paper and laundry detergent now! I'm sure someone eats it around here!!

[perth1sttimemum]

Wow, thank you for such quick responses and all the good ideas.

Oh Gosh, I can't believe the bub can grow out of 'newborn' size in a week. See, that is why I am on here

I will start getting other sizes. Great idea about stocking up on other things for the house, I actually would never have thought of that!!

I was wandering what that wrap thing was called too! Thanks!!! I appreciate it SO much!

[lovinmybub]

I'm stocking up on food for my Mum too. Might seem odd but we don't have any family nearby, she's coming to stay to help for a week or two when the baby comes and she needs everything gluten free! I hate it when she's here helping and there's nothing for her to eat but 'corn thins', so I'm buying something every time I do the groceries to put in the 'gluten free' section of our pantry.

[MyCheekyMonkey]

I wouldn't worry too much about having so many newborn nappies, my DD was in newborn size for 13 weeks, so you really never know!

A handy item I couldn't live without is terry cloth nappies to use as spew cloths. I bought a 12 pack from target. I even lay one under DDs head in her cot so I don't have to constantly wash the sheets if she is sick.

Muslin wraps as mentioned are very useful for swaddling.

Cotton balls, I used them to clean DDs face in the bath, and to clean her bum after a dirty nappy as are much more gentle on the skin when you use them with a little warm water.

I found target plain white ribbed singlets so much better than bonds as they don't mishape as quickly and are a little bit longer so fit much better. I am a huge fan of bonds but ended up going out and buying more of these target ones!

Make sure you have more than one sheet set and mattress proctector in case your little one is a spewer.

Nappy sacks

can't think of anything else at the moment, I have a huge list of things that we were given and didn't use lol!

[chicken and eggs mum]

I wouldn't worry too much about having so many newborn nappies, my DD was in newborn size for 13 weeks, so you really never know!

A handy item I couldn't live without is terry cloth nappies to use as spew cloths. I bought a 12 pack from target. I even lay one under DDs head in her cot so I don't have to constantly wash the sheets if she is sick.

Muslin wraps as mentioned are very useful for swaddling.

Cotton balls, I used them to clean DDs face in the bath, and to clean her bum after a dirty nappy as are much more gentle on the skin when you use them with a little warm water.

I found target plain white ribbed singlets so much better than bonds as they don't mishape as quickly and are a little bit longer so fit much better. I am a huge fan of bonds but ended up going out and buying more of these target ones!

Make sure you have more than one sheet set and mattress proctector in case your little one is a spewer.

Nappy sacks

can't think of anything else at the moment, I have a huge list of things that we were given and didn't use lol!

If you have too many once bub comes just take them back and swap them for the next size!!! problem solved!!!!!

I would too stock up on household items as PP's have suggested!!! You dont want to be running out of TP or tissues, or shampoo!!!

Hmmm... other than that, I dont know!! I got given almost everything else i needed!!
And like someone else said, I am still using sample tubs!!!! LOL

[myhusbandswife]

Nappies is definatly a hard one because my DD was in newborn till about 3 months but she was tiny (2.6kg born) But I guess if you have to many you can always swap an unopened box for a bigger size.

Face washers - I find them great for everything. I always had one under bubs face when she was sleeping as a newborn for little spews and dribbles

Wipes

Dont forget yourself too.
Breastpads
Maternity Pads - I just bought the Libra goodnight pads because they are exactly the same as the Maternity ones

I also found the Kleenex flushable wipes were excellent post birth. Nice and soft, cold and cleaned better. But if not the softest toilet paper you can find for the hospital. I didnt have stiches but I was still soooooo sensitive down there.