Baby Basics

First of all, magazines and baby shops may give you the impression that you need to build an extension for all the baby gadgets they want you to buy, but in reality there are only a few basics which are really necessary. Talk to other mums and ask their advice on what they found most useful/useless!

Borrow as much as you can from friends and relatives, who very often are delighted to be getting unused baby stuff from under their feet/out of their attic, and it’s great to be able to share things which are grown out of so quickly, such as a Moses baskets, changing tables and baby clothes. On a similar note, tell friends and family not to run out and all buy a whole load of newborn/3-6 months, no matter how cute, as you don’t want to end up with more clothes than can be worn when baby is still growing so fast!

It is always handy to have a decent baby book to hand; Miriam Stoppard’s “First Time Parent Book” includes step by step pictures guides to bathing and changing baby

Sleeping

Moses basket – Some mums swear by their Moses baskets and other mums feel they are a waste as baby grows out of them so quickly, try to borrow one if possible and just replace the mattress. Some travel systems come with carry costs and very often baby is just as happy sleeping in it.

Cot – Do you plan on having baby sleep in your room for a while? If so, you should consider a bedside cot, which is a normal cot that can also be turned into a 3 sided cot which can be moved to the side of your bed. A 3 sided cot eliminates having to get up out of bed in the night to pick up or feed baby, as you can just reach over to baby any time you need.

Fitted Sheets and mattress for either cot or Moses basket.

Sleeping bag and/or Cellular blankets

Baby monitor – not strictly necessary but can prevent new mums from checking in on a sleeping baby every five minutes!

Exploring the outside world

Travel System and Car Seat – Ensure that your car seat is fitted correctly, as an estimated 70% of car seats in Ireland are not. Ask the shop where you buy the baby seat to fit it for you if possible. You must also make sure that the car seat is fitted before delivery, as the hospital will not let you leave unless you have a properly fitted car seat.

Rain Cover for buggy/pram

All in one jacket/snowsuit - for winter time, as well as mittens which also help to stop baby from scratching themselves.

Hat and gloves – to stop baby from losing heat from its extremities in cold weather.

Sunglasses – don’t forget that even though it may be cold, the sun can still damage baby eyes! Sunglasses are not only for the beach!

Baby changing bag – pack this with spare bottles, baby food for older babies, nappies, baby wipes, cotton wool, sudocream, a spare change of babygro/vest and bibs, nappy bags for disposing of the evidence! A changing mat is also handy if you are caught out on the go!

Changing and bathing baby

Changing table/unit – a changing table will save you bending down to the floor all the time when changing baby and save your back muscles, you’d be surprised at how weak your back muscles can be after pregnancy! Some changing tables also come with a baby bath that is stored within, and saves buying one separately.

Changing mat – this can be an alternative to a changing unit, or you can use for it in conjunction with the unit for when you don’t want to change baby in it’s room or are out and about.

Baby bath – if you are not using/do not have a bath integrated into your changing table.

Baby towels

Baby lotion and shampoo

Feeding time - breast and bottle feeding

Regardless of if you are bottle or breast feeding; a nursing/feeding pillow can be invaluable, especially as baby gets bigger and heavier! It’s a u or v shaped pillow that supports baby comfortably while feeding which takes the pressure off your arms, especially if it is late at night and you are sleepy.

For breast feeding: nursing bras, breast pump, breast pads, nipple cream, and one bottle for pumped milk.

For bottle feeding: bottles (about 6), steriliser, formula, bottle brush.

Muslin cloths are also a life saver, for burping baby or any time baby is on your shoulder really, place it over your shoulder and it’s perfect for cleaning up spills and spit up, you can just wash them and they are dry in no time.