littlepup
VIP Member
Something to eat, somewhere to sleep, something to wear.
So, if you want to bottle feed you’ll need bottles, formula and a steriliser, a few soft bibs perhaps. If breast feeding, nipple cream, maybe breast pads though I personally never leaked so just one box for now. Muslins are handy to wipe faces, catch spit, burping etc.
For sleeping you’ll need a bed and somewhere for daytime naps as they shouldn’t be unsupervised. Under sheets, maybe a breathable waterproof mattress cover, if you’re using 2nd had cots and baskets you’ll want to buy new mattresses. Check lullaby trusts safe sleep guideline but I believe sleeping bags are considered safer than blankets. Nothing else at all should be in the sleep area but some people like to use a white noise machine at sleep times. You might want a monitor and dummies too. If you fancy a baby nest, look at overnight rated ones as many can’t be used unsupervised as they are not breathable.
To wear, outfits aren’t really practical in the first month so baby grows/vests and vests to go underneath, long or short sleeve depending on the weather. Zip baby grows are a God send, the ones that go over the head and button at the crotch only are sent from hell imo. I like ones with inbuilt scratch mitts and feet but you’ll probably want some socks too. A hat for leaving hospital too but not to be worn indoors. You don’t need shoes.
Beyond that…
They only need water to bathe at first but you might want a baby bath and definitely get a water thermometer. Hooded towels are handy too.
Nappies, wipes or cotton wool, a changing mat. Horrific for the environment but small disposable inco pads are good changing mats in the early days of milk nappies and wees on the mat. I personally also got waterproof mat liners that are like a towel with waterproof backing to use on the bed in the night. Setting them up in a caddy/portable basket is a good way to organise if you don’t have a change table.
You may need a car seat to leave the hospital even if you don’t have a car so check that and obviously some kind of pram.
You can buy nappy cream, baby wash, gripe water, bouncer/swing chair etc if and when you need it. And some black and white sensory card/books when they get a bit bigger too.
For Mum I recommend a massive drinks bottle, healthy snacks, maternity pads/disposable inco pants, a note book and pen to keep track of feeding at first.
That’s my personal thoughts for the first months.
I'm more concerned about clothing for the child, during the night what should they sleep wearing? Is it fine to have the AC running all day and night to cool the house as it gets very very hot in summer? What should they wear coming home from the hospital?
Feeling really real
wouldn’t worry about it.