Question for new Mums...

lol prepare to be inundated. Everybody has their own preference for everything and they may not be right for you!

I didn't need maternity pads for very long, didn't even get through a pack (especially given I filched some from the hospital but I got the libra ones and they did the job.

In terms of breast pads, I would suggest you seriously consider getting some washable cloth ones rather than buying packs and packs of the disposable ones (although do get one pack to start off with). I think there are a few threads on here about which breast pads, both cloth and disposable, people like but personally I really like Stacey's minky ones linky.

Probably a good idea to get one big box of disposable nappies, whether you plan to do cloth or sposies - Huggies newborn worked well for us but again that's really dependent on the size of your baby's thighs!

Another tip, I also made sure I stocked up on the convenience foods to make it easy for DH to cook and filled the freezer with precooked meals.

I would say get a few things but don't rush into buying lots of products as you may find they don't suit you or your little one and then you are stuck using something stink.
I would definately buy a big box of Huggies newborn nappies, it will save you going out for a while.
Breastpads, you will need these when your milk comes in and for a while after. I just used Johnson and Johnson but lots of mums like the pigeon ones. get at least one box that are packed in separate plastic sleeves for the nappy bag.
Maternity pads- its different for everyone. Libra is good. If you tear during the birth you might want the fat type they are a bit softer down there.
I absolutely agree with weegee about having premade meals in the freezer they are a lifesaver.
Oh get some purelan for your nipples (get from pharmacy or babyfactory). If you are going to use wipes I recommend the Huggies extrasensitive ones but I found in the first few weeks it was easy to clean their bottoms with the Johnson&Johnson nappy liners. You cut them up and dip them in warm water - really great for those newborn poos.
Hope that is of some help. All the best for the birth and after!

I second the purelan, and those packs of instant rice were fabulous! We went through heaps!

Don't buy any bum creams for baby, you'll get enough samples in your Bounty pack and ReachMe pack (sign up for that if you haven't already) to keep you going for a while.

I was going to suggest the grocery vouchers too - that's exactly what I've started doing. I get some with each grocery trip.

I never freezed meals because of our tiny freezer but I WISH I had stocked up on convenience foods, like crackers, muesli bars etc. I got sooooo hungry after birth and had no energy to make stuff. My favourite friends were the ones who brought me food.
It helps to eat lots so you can make lots of milk (and use lots of breast pads hehe)
I used some stayfree pads and some other budget brand. I didn't find any difference between them really. Although I did use a giant ultra thin one once and it was so uncomfortable. The fat ugly ones are nice

I agree about not getting too much for baby in advance as you don't know exactly how big he or she will be - some are only in new born for a couple of weeks, some for a couple on months. Each time we have just bounght a few regular packs of huggies when they are on special. If you know what flavour you are having (if you are going with huggies) you could get some nappies in the next size up when they are cheep.

For us the best thing was the frozen meals and easy food - some days it totally saved us. The Uncle Ben's rice packets are the BEST thing as some days cooking rice or pasta was not going to happen ! OT - a good tip I was given was to cook dinner in the morning when you are not too stressed/tired and it is a great feeling to know that it is done come the 5 o'clock horrors!

I won't give you advice in terms of baby stuff but I stocked up on lots of washing powder, dishwashing liquid, rubbish bags, toothpaste, toilet paper (splash out and get the really soft stuff for afterwards) etc. all the stuff you cant do without when you run out of it, means you dont have to go to the shops just for that kind of stuff.

I baked some scones, cakes and date loaf and cut them into single serve pieces and put them in the freezer so I had stuff to snack on.

Write up a shopping list in advance so that someone can go and get you things like fruit and veges once bub arrives.

All the best for your pregnancy and the arrival of your baby!

i stocked up on newborn nappies for months and ill still use the same brand, i tried huggies and didnt like them and they were more $$, so treasures was for us.

i agree dont buy soaps and stuff coz they'e useless specially if the develop excima etc.

libra mat pads are the best but i quite liked they feel of the stayfree ones it was like one big pillow on your sore bits, even though they didnt hold much, but then again i didnt bleed much either.

i filled the freezer with baking for the visitors afterwards and didnt get any the best thing is make big casseroles and lassagne coz they reheat perfectly.

One thing to add to the list - ALWAYS say "yes please" when someone asks if they can do something for you. And if all they want to do is hold the baby, use that time for you - take a shower, shave your legs, do whatever you need to get done that doesn't involve running around like a mad thing. You'll feel better for it.

oo I like the idea of baking a loaf and then cutting it up to individual slices, good thinking!

I didn't use baby wipes for ages (cause I try and use chemical free or natural stuff) so I just bought a few packs of chucks cloths on special then cut them up to use wet on baby's bum. They last a few washes too.

I've been stocking up on new born nappies but thats about it so far.