Must-Haves for Newborns?

Honestly, you've probably got all that I would deem necessary. We had to buy a breast pump straight after I gave birth due to feeding issues, but although one is very handy, its only really necessary when you need it.

What was more necessary for me was to have support and the numbers to call when I needed more than family (ie La Leche, the plunket line, etc)

Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you all the best! This forum is great for advice and if you haven't joined your due date forum yet, I recommend you do!

Defintaly a good car seat and a nice big comfy nappy bag that you can throw heaps into. Buy some bulk lots of clothes of TM cause at that age they grow so fast there is no point in buy new.

A baby carrier of so e sort, whether it be a wrap or soft structered carrier or sling.
Check out Slingbabies. For more info.

And a dozen old school flat cloth naps with the pink/red edge. They are endlessly useful my two are older and I'm still using them.

I was going to say that about a nappy bag too...I've not had one, just use my hand bag :-)

I use my school bag as a nappy bag! I second the flat nappies, i had 6 when DS came home from hospital and went and brought another 24 within a week. I am still using them now, mostly for burp cloths, but when he was new they were everywhere for everything. And i would second the carrier or sling or moby as well, i got a manduca when DS was 3 weeks old, and omg lifesaver!!

It sounds like people have got the bubz stuff sorted but don't forget yourself. I found breastpads invaluable as I was a leaker, took them to the hospital. And was still using them a 1.5 yrs later. Nursing tops/bras. Still wearing them nearly 3yrs later!! Just buy a few until you know how the BF is going. Cheap pack of plain cotton underwear for after the birth, I chose black.

I agree on the wraps, my most valuable one was an extra large muslin wrap. DD wouldn't sleep without one. Never bought a sling to begin with but found that one would have been invaluable at home so you are hands free, and when popping in and out of shops/supermarket etc, so much easier than getting the stroller out.

Oh and a baby gym, cheap on TM I'm sure. Kept me sane and bubz entertained. GL

Regarding knickers I took all my old AF pants and threw them out, good excuse to buy myself some nice new ones.

Second breast pads and lansioh nipple cream would be without either.

Thanks everyone! I have updated the shopping list :P
I have already outgrown the two nursing bra's I bought, when do you recommend going to get more - I will have to travel to the nearest big 'city' to get them and am going there in a couple of weeks but not sure if the boobies will just continue to expand!!

local st vinys 2nd hand shops are great, just went this morning to our local and got a merino bobux hat for 10c, really fab nic 100% cot sheets 3 for $3 each. Last time I was there got a hot milk bra for $2 and p.patch stretch grows for 50c each. Bibs usually 20c too. Good soak in napisan good as new.

I wouldnt bother with a sling/hammock that sort of thing are really expensive. cot up on basinette level/height made up low up the mattress works perfectly. I brick under the head end of the cot legs can help lift it if bubs prefers that better.

Plunket is cheaper than baby on the move to hire carseat.base.wheels, and they show you how to install properly.

breast pump was invaluable for me, I brought one on sale avent from farmers, but my sister hired one from hospital for the first 2-3weeks then brought one on trademe

You dont need fancy sterilizer machine if you end up bottle feeding. tablets called Milton in a blue box on the shelfs in the baby area of the supermarket to the trick 1 tablet in a 2litre icecream container does the trick.

Huggies are best for night as unless they poop they will go the whole night without need for changing, home brand frmo countdown are best for during day. IMO.

My list of essentials is pretty short -

1. a decent carseat. Personally I'd go for one that rearfaces for a long time, rather than going through all the different seats for different stages.

2. Somewhere for baby to sleep, although this can be your bed! A swaddle can be helpful for some babies, although we gave up swaddling pretty quickly last time with a christmas baby as she got too hot.

3. A stretchy wrap sling. Much much better than a pram for a newborn IMO and so much easier getting in and out of cars and around town too. And way cheaper!!

4. Some nappies and some clothes, including some woolly hats and jumpers.

Trademe can be a pretty good source of most baby things, cos they only get used for such a short while that there is heaps of good second hand stuff available.

Hehe, Bowie, I used to lie DD on her change mat on the bathroom floor for barebum time while I showered. And I may have used the toilet with DD in the wrap/manduca on occasion too. I have a partner who could hold the baby, but I'm not holding on all day till he gets home