Must-Haves for Newborns?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Product Reviews
Forum Description: Cot or bassinette? Which pram is best for you? How about nappies? Check out our Product Reviews board to find out what other Mums and Dads think and share your thoughts!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40143
Printed Date: 31 July 2025 at 12:41pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Must-Haves for Newborns?
Posted By: Mama_Tasj
Subject: Must-Haves for Newborns?
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 10:27am
Hi everyone, this is my first post 
I am due Oct 21st with our first baby, a wee girl... My partner and I moved back to NZ from Aussie & when baby arrives we will be staying in ONE room at my lovely parents house until we find our feet. Therefore, room is very limited, as are funds! So far we have purchased a cot, a buggy, some clothing, a few toys, a bath-support & cloth nappies. I am wondering if other Mum's out there can advise what things are REALLY essentially needed, particularly in the baby's first few months!? I plan on breastfeeding but you never know... I have no idea where to start so any advice would be appreciated. x Tasj |
Replies:
Posted By: ereynolds
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 10:36am
|
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! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 1:24pm
|
The two items I would absolutely swear by for a newborn (and totally worth the investment IMO) are a http://www.naturebaby.co.nz/natures-sway-baby-hammock-p-74.html - hammock and a http://www.thesleepstore.co.nz/shop/Swaddling+Wraps/Fitted+easy+wraps/Miracle+Blanket.html - miracle blanket . Otherwise it sounds like you have just about everything you need. Oh, except maybe a nappy bag and a car seat. HTH! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
|
Posted By: Nothing
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 1:47pm
|
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. ------------- 
|
Posted By: CrazyCass
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 3:12pm
|
My sister REALLY recommends a http://www.thesleepstore.co.nz/shop/Swaddling+Wraps/Fitted+easy+wraps/Small+Dream+Swaddle.html - Dream Swaddle She's still using hers with her 8mth old.
All the best for the coming months  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 4:31pm
|
A baby carrier of so e sort, whether it be a wrap or soft structered carrier or sling.
Check out Www.slingbabies.co.nz - 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 5:30pm
| I think what you've got is the most essential big items. I've not used a hammock. Wraps are an essential. Nappy bag you can get away with a large handbag (its what I use and its cheaper than a nappy bag) |
Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 8:23pm
|
I was going to say that about a nappy bag too...I've not had one, just use my hand bag :-)
|
Posted By: fairy1
Date Posted: 09 August 2011 at 9:26pm
Wraps  . I found if my son was wrapped he would sleep anywhere. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 10 August 2011 at 7:14am
| 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!! |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 10 August 2011 at 12:15pm
|
A nappy bag is great, I have a big handbag - found the nappy bag better as it has more useful compartments than a normal ladies handbag.
old fashioned flat nappies never have too many If you are planning on bf, how comfy is your couch / arm chair you'll be spending a lot of time in it and how easy is it to get up off with your hands full. Car seat / capsule - I hired one from Baby on the Move for the first 6 months. If you can get along to a slingbabies meeting I recommended it, as my daughter was born same time as you are due and I found it was often too hot to wear her. Dream swaddle was great for us, mean't I could keep her arms nice and snug and under the zipper to allow her feet to remain cool - really helpful in summer. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: millemama
Date Posted: 17 August 2011 at 2:21pm
|
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  ------------- http://daisypath.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 August 2011 at 12:08pm
| Ooh baby gym! I actually was given a rocker which i had deemed unnecessary and its brilliant, it lives in the bathroom and DS sits in it while i shower/pee/brush my teeth. Maybe not so much a problem if you dont live alone and have someone to hold the baby though. |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 18 August 2011 at 3:56pm
|
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. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: millemama
Date Posted: 18 August 2011 at 4:35pm
|
Actually now you mention it, a small cabbage in the fridge will be waiting for me when I get hm from hospital, only thing that worked with sore (.)(.). lol ------------- http://daisypath.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Mama_Tasj
Date Posted: 18 August 2011 at 5:19pm
|
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!! |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 19 August 2011 at 8:25am
| Oooh thats tricksy, i wouldnt personally (how far along are you now?) because you'll probably go up another cup or even two when your milk comes in and might go down again when it settles, you never know. But you'd hate to be travelling to another city with a little bubba for bras. Can you suss out the measurements and order online/over the phone maybe? |
Posted By: InthemiddleMummy
Date Posted: 19 August 2011 at 11:00am
|
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. |
Posted By: InthemiddleMummy
Date Posted: 19 August 2011 at 11:05am
|
Buy a 10 or 15watt lightbulb (might have to go to a specialized lighting shop for this wattage) for your bedside light, nice and dim for night feeds saves buying a nightlight.
blue nappy bags in a box 100 for $1.99 at supermarket, fling a small wipes and couple of nappys in that and into a large handbag. no need for a nappy bag, ugly things IMO anyway. UMMMMMM basic wraps (mus or wincyette) or squares of fabric overlocked are fab for wrapping bubs, or use a basinette flat sheet if you have any. Good luck fire any questions back in the due oct thread if you have any. chow for now |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 19 August 2011 at 6:50pm
|
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 ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Bambino
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 6:54pm
| I second some of the above... in addition to what you have I would suggest some large muslin wraps for swaddling and other things. Plus, a breast pump and bottles because even if you have no trouble with feeding you will find it handy. Not too many clothes. They grow so quickly! Good luck with your little libra. |
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 28 August 2011 at 7:47am
|
I'd suggest not getting some of the things that others have found essential until after baby is here. For example, my babe HATED being worn in any kind of sling or carrier, but now he is bigger loves being forward facing in one of the old school elite carriers. I also never needed breast pads but when I got home ordered a feeding pillow which I loved initially and now use behind DS when he is sitting (he still falls lots).
My essentials would be: car seat somewhere to sleep lots of clothes but basic ones like stretch n grows not 'outfits' that are hard to get on and off Swaddles Cloth nappies or spill cloths Blankets (I had tons but sent mum out to get more) Either a pram / wrap / carrier - getting out of the house for walks is great Other things I found handy but not essential: Change table baby bath Baby gym (to start off with he was more happy just to lie on a blanket on the floor) Bouncer / Rocker ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Puddleduck
Date Posted: 30 August 2011 at 8:12pm
|
I found having a feeding pillow awesome - I got mine on special from farmers, but the regular retail was only $30.
For me having a moby carrier was essential because DS just wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me in the early days and he took a lot of rocking to get to sleep. But popped in the moby he was asleep in minutes and I could get stuff done. oh and I had one box of hydrogel breast pads (you can get them from breastmates on line) and some lanolin for the nips. I used the lanolin after every feed for weeks and the hydrogel pads I used occasionally over the first 4 months. They were heaven fresh out of the fridge on sore cracked nipples. I sounds like you have got most of the basics covered and there are lots of good suggestions on here already, good luck  ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
|
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 31 August 2011 at 9:33am
|
Oooh yes, the lanolin cream for your nipples, absolute essential for me! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Peppy
Date Posted: 28 November 2011 at 6:14am
|
What a great thread - keep it going! Am a first time mum to be and great to have lots of opinions on various baby items - not that I'll rush out and buy everything but it's interesting to read ------------- TTC Jan 09 Unexplained IVF - BFN 3 frosties TER - BFP! http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 28 November 2011 at 7:12am
| Nipple cream is another thing I would wait and see if u actually need it- Ive bought it in both pregancies and ended up never using it and giving it away! Still bf my nearly 2 yrs old and have never needed it! |
Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 28 November 2011 at 2:43pm
|
Yeah it's funny what one person regards as essential others rate as unnecessary. I wonder if it changes from baby to baby too.
I think I would start with the absolute bear necessities and keep some money aside for when you figure out what you might need, it would be a great excuse for a trip out of the house too. For me, we loved, our carrier, carseat, old style flat nappies, nappies and clothes, especially AIO's or stretch and grows, breastpads, Muslin wraps. Nursing pillow was a waste of time, nipple cream got used once, at about 4months. Change table was nice, bouncer was handy, play gym was also handy. -------------  
|
Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 29 November 2011 at 9:08am
|
Our absolute can't live withouts were:
Lots of old school flat nappies (used for spill clothes, floor play mats, changing mat, makeshift bib etc) Good bibs - I love the Mum2Mum range with the plastic backs that don't soak through to the clothes underneath. Cloth breast pads AIO's - DD lived in those for the first few months A good wrap Pram or carrier but if I did it again I'd be tempted to hire one or the other to start with and then go out and look for what suits your needs when you have baby. Both times we bought what we 'thought' we needed and both times we ended up going and buying a different pram/carrier which was kind of annoying! Getting to a Slingbabies meeting to try out different carriers would be a great idea if you can to see what's out there as there are so many options, either before or after having baby (or both would be best!) Everything else in my eyes was a 'nice to have' but not necessity. DH was there to pop out and grab things as we needed them (ie. bigger nappies, nipple cream) ETA: Of course a car seat as well ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|