What do you really need to buy before baby arrives?

Shopping for baby/buy before baby arrives

While researching online is great, it’s crucial to touch and feel the big products before you buy. It’s a good idea to visit the physical baby shops to figure out what you want. Then you can ring around and get the best value deal. There are usually bundle prices offered by these stores where you can bag a bargain.

But … be warned. When they’re selling these (sometimes quite large) bundles, it’s easy for them to convince you that you need the whole lot, from the start when in fact, you really might not. For example, you don’t need a high chair for the first few months at all. You might not even need all the things in the bundles ever. If you’re tight for space, consider buying just what you need, as you need it.

The bare essentials

What I found we really needed in the beginning is:

• Buggy/stroller
• Car seat
• Bath
• Somewhere for baby to sleep and 3-4 correctly sized sheets at least
• Changing mat + changing products
• Clothes: Baby grows, vests, socks, jacket, socks. The more you have the less frequently you might have to wash but be careful as babies grow really fast!
• Muslin cloths (15 is not too many)
• Cellular blankets
• Steriliser – I recommend a UV one over the older, steam-based alternatives
• Feeding equipment
• Basic medical supplies (see below)

Medicine / Medical Supplies

Every baby has different medical needs. This is what I have found we have really needed.

The single most important thing in my opinion is a thermometer that can reliably measure a baby’s temperature. The point-at-forehead ones are worse than useless for babies. The best ones are the Braun in-ear ones. They are more expensive but worth it. A variance of even a tenth of a degree can be a big deal. I have the Braun Thermoscan 7.

Other than that:

• Calpol for infants
• Nurofen for infants
• At three weeks old, Max suffered with painful trapped wind that was really tricky to help him with. Infacol saved my sanity! Many parents I know found the same
• Gripe water can’t be used for the first few months but it was a life saver when he was old enough

Cold and flue medicines

When baby is congested, these items were very handy to have in the cupboard.

• Calpol vapour plug-in (it has an annoying blue light is the only negative for me)
• Saline nasal drops or spray
• Vapour rub
• Klarvol

Transport:

Baby carriers

Boba Wrap

We loved the Boba wrap for just walking around. Though a little more hassle than a buckle-fasten baby carrier, it feels so much cosier and closer for Mom and baby to use a wrap. It would remind you both of when the baby was back in the womb. The wrap I got was too warm for the kind of summer we had sometimes, so I would choose the material weight accordingly.

Baby carrier

Having a baby carrier that is fast to put on and that is ergonomically designed is incredibly convenient. It’s great for when you just want to nip into the shop, walking around the house when baby won’t settle alone, getting to the car with your hands free.

I had the earlier version of the Infantino 4-Way Baby Carrier and found it fantastic. In the early days, baby sits at the front of the adult’s chest facing inwards. Then facing outwards and later, baby can move to the adult’s back. The reason I really liked this one was because it has handy little zipped pockets for phones, keys, soothers, etc.

Buggy/stroller and car seat travel system

We got the Uppababy Vista 2 and the Cybex Cloud Z with isize base and totally love it. It came as a travel system meaning that with the help of little, click-on adaptors, the car seat can go on to the wheels. This might not sound game-changing but it’s very convenient.

Buggy/stroller: Uppa Baby Vista 2

The lie-flat carrycot of the Uppa Baby Vista 2 is what I actually used for his bed every night and during the day we could wheel it around the home (great when you need to move from room to room and don’t want to leave him out of sight/hearing distance). It’s made especially with lots of airflow built in so it’s safe. Max didn’t initially like his co-sleeper because it was too big a space for him when he was so little.

Baby car seat: Cybex Cloud Z

The Cybex Cloud Z with isize base is amazing because it rotates in the base (back-saver) and it has a lie-flat, reclining function. Babies aren’t meant to be in a seated position for more than an hour and if it’s popped into the buggy frame I always fully reclined it.

This was also handy for bringing into peoples’ houses or restaurants as he could go asleep for a short period, secured in a lie-flat position on the floor or on a bench.

Sleeping

Baby nests are a cosy supportive space for babies to rest, play and to nap during the day. Top of my list of game-changing equipment for thriving Moms is the Purflo Baby Nest. It can be moved from sofa, to bed, to cot, etc. so easily as it’s so light and soft. It was designed with safety in mind. I put a muslin cloth down between baby and the mesh – partly to protect baby’s delicate face and partly to protect the lovely, clean mesh.

That said, the cover comes off and goes in the washing machine. I used to bring this when visiting friends and family for more than a short while as it’s safer than leaving baby on an ordinary bed or sofa and (as mentioned above) it’s not safe to leave baby in a car seat for too long – even if it’s reclined.