When you are expecting your first baby and the questions start...What do you want me to buy you? What do you need? It is tough as a new mum to work out what is a gimmick and what are the practical essentials that you will actually need and use. You also don't want to sound like a Pregzilla demanding an expensive list of items from your loved ones. So I have put a handy list together that you can use as your guide!
The big ticket items that you may consider grabbing yourself or telling your closest family and friends to pitch in for you:
- Cot and mattress
- Change table
- Pram - I loved my Baby Jogger GT City Mini the pull trigger system to disassemble this pram is amazing!
- Highchair
- Car Seat - consider investing one that transitions from newborn to booster
- Rocking chair - not essential but a nice have for bedtime routine and breastfeeding. Highly recommend sitting and mimic breastfeeding in the one you like first. Make sure your arms fit comfortably on the arm rest before you invest in one ;)
Now for the practical items that can range in prices depending on who is buying for you:
Sleep
- Swaddle - I loved Love2Dream they have lots of sizes and TOG's available as baby grows and the seasons change. Options to swaddle with arms out too
- Muslin wrap
- Dummies - in saying that both my kids didn't take to them
- Waterproof mattress protector
- Cot sheet sets; cotton for summer and flannelette for winter
- Cot blanket/ quilt
- Baby monitor - I am of fan of the brand Uniden and recommend investing in one that includes 2 cameras, especially if you are planning on having your next bubs sooner rather than later
Feeding/Nursing
- Silicone snack pots, cutlery, flat plates with covers, bowls - Check out our friends at Feed Grow Play
- Freezer pods or trays for freezing homemade baby food
- Bibs
- Burp cloths
- Baby bottles; I was a fan of the brand Pigeon
- Bottle warmer - not essential but nice have if you prefer not to use a microwave or give bottles room temperature
- Bottle steriliser
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Manual/ digital breast pump
Bath Time
- Baby bath with stand or just a bath support to put inside your bath tub
- Hooded bath towels
- Face washer
- Baby shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath
- Nail clippers
- Baby ear buds
- Baby brush
- Bath toys
Changing
- 0000 - 0 clothes; zipper onesies is a must! and be mindful of the season in relation to size the baby will be
- Nappy rash cream
- Nappies, nappies, nappies and did I say nappies! Decide if you want to try cloth or disposable
- Wet ones!!!
First-Aid
- Baby Panadol and Neurofen
- Digital/ manual thermometer
- Infacol/ Gripe Water
- Band-aids
- Nursing pads
Travel
- The DUFFLE Nappy Bag + Oopsie Daisy Wet Bag - of course ;)
- Pram accessories; pram liner, cup holder, sun protection cover (can always opt to use muslin wrap with laundry pegs instead), pram blanket, pram toy
- Car accessories; sun visor for car window, mirror to see baby when they are reverse facing
- Baby Carrier - I am a fan of Baby Bjorn Carrier, would have loved to have tried Ergobaby Carrier and The Mumsie overalls!
Play
- Bouncer/swing
- Playmat
- Timber toys
- Educational toys
- Books
Experiences
- Pregnancy Massage - Check out our friends at Well4Life
- Intimo Bra Fit Styling Session - Book a complimentary style session with me ;)
- Newborn Photography Session
- Infant Massage - Check out our friends at Well4Life
Hope this helps! Don't stress if you don't get everything on the list I know it seems like a lot...You can always buy things when baby arrives depending on what you need right away or later on. For example, you can hold off on buying digital or manual breast feeding pumps until you have established breast feeding and know for sure if you will actually need it or not.
Don't forget,
Breathe. Swear. You Got This Mumma!
Founder of MUMMAS WEAR
Tash
xx