At the conception of your child you begin the most amazing journey that you will ever have. But where to start?! We hope our list helps create a starting point for new parents, and a reminder for those who have already started their family.

AT FIRST (0-3MONTHS)

Clothing

• 6-8 cotton singlets
• 2-3 woollen vests
• 6-8 stretch ’n’ grows (all-in-ones)
• 2-4 gowns
• 2-3 wool cardies (cotton in summer)
• 2 wool or cotton beanies (hats)
• 2-4 pairs of socks or booties (choose booties with elastic tops that don‘t fall off easily, Eve Wallace booties are fantastic)
• 4-8 bibs
• Chest of drawers/Storage
• 1 pair of scratch mittens
• Baby sleeping bag such as the Go Go Bag
NB: It

Feeding

• 2-3 maternity bras
• 6-12 washable breast pads
• 1 box of disposable breast pads
• Nipple cream
• Feeding pillow
• Burping pads
• Breast feeding tops/Mumcho

If expressing and/or bottle feeding:

• Breast pump (manual or electric)
• Bottles, newborn teats
• Steriliser, bottle brush

Bath/Change

• Baby bath -the Tummy Tub is great safe, secure and recommended by midwives all around the world.
• 2 Baby towels (hooded towels are great for keeping babies head warm)
• 6-12 flannels or gauze squares (for washing/cleaning baby, and for use when changing very new babies due to their sensitive skin - sew in a different coloured stitch for face and bottom so you can keep them separate)
• Change table and/or change pad
• Reusable nappies, biodegradable disposable nappies, flushable nappy liners, nappy bucket, tote bag, whitener
• Bottom barrier cream - the Bottyguard by Motherwell is great
• Baby soap and shampoo - look for those without nasty chemicals. The Made 4 Baby range is fantastic
• Nail clippers/scissors, brush and comb

Optional:

• Bath support (it can be hard at first to wash and support baby at the same time) - not needed if you are using a Tummy Tub

I could never work out how many blankets to use and when. A good guide is:

• Summer - two cotton, one woollen
• Winter - one cotton, two woollen.

You can quickly feel how warm baby is by touching between their shoulder blades or their chest, they should feel warm but not hot.

• Cot, bassinet or carry cot/Moses basket (new mattresses are best for preventing cot death, do not leave plastic wrappings on)
• 4 muslin wraps
• 2 mattress protectors
• 4 snuggle blankets/bunny rugs for use during the day
• 2-3 cot or bassinet sheet sets
• 1-2 cotton blankets
• 1-2 wool blankets
• Go-Go Bag - a baby sleeping bag
• Sleep-EZ (baby’s skull is still quite soft at birth and this will help prevent flattening of the head)Pillow case or cloth nappy to catch spills (so you don’t have to change the whole bed)
• Mobile

Optional:

• Baby monitor
• Lullaby toy/Sleep inducing music
• Port-a-cot
• Safe-T-Sleep

Entertainment

• Bouncinette
• Activity gym (these become useful again later for distracting babies who try to struggle away when you change them!)
• Stimulating toys (black and white objects are great for newborns as their eyesight is still developing)
• Music

Travel

• Newborn carseat (rear facing) - you can hire capsules from Infantesimal
• UV screens for car windows
• Pram/Buggy in newborn (flat) position
• Head support (for carseat and buggy use, newborn necks are very floppy)
• Front pack, or Sling (great for hands-free shopping etc, and baby is happy being so close to mum)
• Nappy bag with change pad

Optional:

• Buggy sheepskin
• Car seat clip (so that you can clip your car seat into your buggy and go)
• “Baby On Board” sign

Health

• Medical Kit, thermometer

Optional: 

• Remedies for colic, earache and teething may be useful to have around just in case

• A vaporiser, for clearing blocked noses when baby is sick

• A nasal aspirator for clearing mucous from the nose

Swimming

• Waterproof nappies (if you are going to take your baby to the pool, these will stop you worrying about any accidents that may take place!)

 

LATER (3-6 MONTHS)

• Jolly Jumper
• Back pack
• Convertible carseat
• Learning toys, books
• Buggy/stroller toys
• Highchair - adjustable wooden highchairs are great once baby reaches about 6 months old, and will last until your child is approximately 6-9 years of age
• Stroller- strollers are great for travel
• Safety gear (gates, catches, socket plugs etc.)
• Teethers

Optional:

• Little Beetle portable cloth highchair (an instant highchair away from home, great for when you‘re visiting friends without children)
• Playpen
• Toy Chest - great for hiding all those little toys

 

USEFUL ITEMS FOR MUM TO BE

Pregnancy/Birth:

• Thunderpants undies are really comfortable in the later stages of pregnancy
• Stretch mark cream/Toning cream
• Wheat Pack, Homeopathic Pre-Birth & Birthing aids
• Maternity/wireless Bras

 

Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions!