What are the essentials for a first-time mum?


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Created By:	JulieKidspotter
Views:	822 views
Comments:	26

Topic : What are the essentials for a first-time mum?

JulieKidspotter - `10` `2012-07-29 11:18:13`

The huge array of baby equipment - cots, bassinets, change tables, baby baths, monitors, strollers, slings and more - can be overwhelming for a new mum-to-be. You want to do the best for your child but you also don't want to spend your entire life savings on kitting out the nursery!

What would you consider to be the essentials and what could you not have done without?

Click here to read our article on Essential Baby Equipment

lilylie - 7:20 PM Sat-11-Aug-2012

The most essential thing a first time Mum can have is herself!!!
New Mums get endless advice and bossing around. You and your intuition are the best source for knowing what your baby needs. Only you will know if you must let baby cry or always go to them, whether breast, bottle or mixed will work for you.
You may go with a tight routine or demand feed and try baby led weaning.
You are the best teacher and toy for your baby to play with. You are the best thing for babies develpoment.
As Mums we need to trust ourselves most of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still - having access to a good electric breastpump MAY be helpful, if needed. I wish I got a good sling as I have seen many Playcentre Mums with baby sleeping on their chest while Mum's hands are free to do stuff and sort siblings.

IceKiwi - 10:19 PM Mon-6-Aug-2012

Essentials:
Cot-with sheets and blanket to go with it
Cloth nappies - handy for everything!
Dim side table lamp
Breast Pads (even if you don't/can't you have leakage to start)-Mum essential
Maternity Pads-Mum essential
Quality push chair
Woolen booties/cardies (winter babies of course)
Bassinet (for my prem babies this was perfect they stayed in this for about 4mths)
Tri Pillow-Mum essential

Support! Someone you can call for advice.

ekubo - 4:41 PM Mon-6-Aug-2012
bumpers are a suffocation hazard and absolutely not recommended!

Guest Member - 4:10 PM Mon-6-Aug-2012

For me essentials were:

For the room
*Cot with a bumper around it
*Night lamp
*Convection heater with a timer
*Change table (useful after a c-section) and storing wipes etc
*A Chair for the room
*Baby monitor
*Few fitted/flat sheets for bedding and a couple of duvets and woolen blankets - couple of mattress protectors

Changing etc:
*Cloth nappies for sticking under there head to catch spills and changing bums
*Reusable nappies (Saves ALOT of money)
*Couple of bottles and a bottle brush
*Sterilizer comes in handy if you have quiet a few bottles
*Manual breast pump (don't need a fancy electronic one as i have one and they arnt that great..)
*Bibs
*A few of each clothing items ie long sleeve onesie, singlets, short sleeved onsies , pants etc
*Hire a capsule then buy a carseat later
*Pram (3 wheelers are a good investment - if your thinking of having more than one child get one that has the option to add a toddler seat)
*Blanket for lying bubs on the ground
*Almond oil (good for cradle cap and using in the bath) A must !
*Few baby towels
*Portable highchair (Can use at home and at other peoples houses/cafes)
*Portacot if you travel alot or like to socialise a bit.
*We used baby sleeping bags at night for sleeping

And for me - a nappy bag is a waste of money - just use an ordinary bag that will fit your basics (ie; a nappy - wipes - change mat - there favourite toy)

SarahK - 7:40 AM Tue-31-Jul-2012
For me the best thing I every did was fill my chest freezer with meals before baby was born. It was a lifesaver after long tired nights of feeding to know that dinner was just one press of the reheat buttom away. I had about three weeks of meals stored and used them over about five weeks. It helped so much in those early days!

stacleaning - 11:55 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012
Oh I have to add BREAST PADS :D I know it isn't for baby but they are essential. I didn't kow about them until about the week or two before I was due my friend was telling me so I had to make sure I got to the supermarket to stock up They are a must have hehe

stacleaning - 11:54 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

Essentials and must have for new bubs.

Support from your husband/whanau for sure. Let others help you in the early days with meals, washing etc you will actually really appreciate it. Even if you are like me and do not like asking for help. heheh Lots of LOVE

I would say of-course a cot, we had our first daughters cot in our room then when we moved into our own place she got her own room. Daughter number two had a bassinet but I wouldn't say it is essential. If anything going straight to a cot is easier as you do not have to change then later on and get them used it something new. can never have enough blankies to wrap baby up in when they are little and you are out n about. MUSIC, was a big thing for us we would sing to our daughters and when they go to bed play them some peaceful music to fall asleep too :D Magic hehe I never bothered with a change table however a pram/stroller you can not go without, well i couldn't anyway :D Even finding the right baby bag. I bought one and then eventuallY i just used my big handbags for everything so I wasn't having to lug around so many bags then car seat etc Good luck and just get what you feel you will need, you will know. :D

lotzofboys - 11:17 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

The best thing I had was my husband's support, care and attention when it came to breastfeeding ... and we successfully breastfed till 11months :).

Materialistic things I found useful ...

1. Breastfeeding pillow (for the early weeks at home).

2. Old fashioned cloth nappies for spills, changes etc.

3. Change Table (2nd hand foldaway one from Trademe). It was fabulous for my back and as bubs got bigger it became a storage place ... lol. With Bubs number 3 on the way, it will be great again because it will prevent the toddler from being 'too' helpful.

4. Dummies (just in case) ... my wonderful midwife suggested I use them once bubs got to 4weeks as he was traumatising my nipples and just wanted to suckle for comfort. A very handy thing to have on hand even if you don't use it.

My one regret that we did not buy was a stroller with the option of a toddler seat. Our stroller we had was fabulous BUT just sold it and had to upgrade to a stroller with a doubles kit. We wish we had got it when the toddler was a baby but hindsight is a great thing.

Guest Member - 10:28 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012
Best clothing items we found to use first 3 months were kimono style bodysuits so easy on and off and merino baby gown for winter baby great for night time changes :)

ekubo - 9:47 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

I found all the fancy stuff useless or unused. The things that I used;

a simple change mat that I used on the floor

bassinette as I kept the boys in my room for 4-6 months

simple bouncinette, no fancy padding or toys

clip in capsule

a decent pram as we walked almost every day, mine had reversible handle which I really liked as baby could face me and later toddler could face out

with subsequent babies I couldn't have managed without my sling

loads of muslin face washers to clean bums instead of wipes.

a tripillow for bf

old fashioned cloth nappies that were (are still are) used for everything under the sun, covering change mat, instead of a change mat, covering play mat, over shoulder for winding, over couch to protect from spills, in my bed to sop up leaks or dribbles if I was feeding in there, over head end of bassinette or cot so I didn't have to change sheets 3 times a day, mopping up during toilet training, sunshade in the car or pram, wiping windows, and I was just using them the other week when ds3 had a tummy bug and kept throwing up in bed.

michj81 - 9:46 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

I wish i had picked up a microwave steraliser, bottle and dummie and breast pump while i was pregnant and maybe on special then running around at last min with a new born to get them. Always prepare for unexpected. Steriliser was great sterilising containers to store breast milk in to freeze,especailly when your milk first comes in and you need to relief express, it seems a shame to waste it. Im sure there is an old fashioned way of sterilising but figured when he went onto the bottle i would need one anyway. The old fashioned nappies are a must, can be used for spills, burping, wrapping and changing. Breast feeding pillow, i had a good one for my 2nd from farmers that i regreatfully gave away. You dont really need a bassinet, was just nice having him next to my bed over the cold winter nights, not having to get up and go far and sitting up in bed to feed but mine had grown out of his after 6 weeks so borrow if you can. One regreatful big purchase was the capsule, i wanted a really good one with base but cost allot then found you could hire the exact same one from baby on the move or plunket for a fraction of the price, plus then you could hire the clip wheels as they are heavy, Instead, Invest in a good quality carseat that goes from rear facing right upto when they are in a booster, the good ones are expensive but the only carseat you'll need from birth (or out of capsule till age 7+)

Sparky - 9:01 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

I was torn about a change table. Some friends used one and some didn't so I bought a cheap one from Trade Me and decided to upgrade it once babs was born and found it handy. With second child I didn't use it as often and sold it within the first 6 months.
A must was the bath holder (I have a bad back and so this helped rather than having to lean over awkwardly). Monitor even now is a must when child is 2 years old as his bedroom is further down the hallway and we close his door at night so handy to be able to hear he is ok especially seeing as he is in a bed.
I got far too many clothes and cot sheets. I think you tend to favour the same clothes so as long as you've got enough for a couple of changes of sleepsuits for the first 3 months (as tend to only put actual clothes on them for photographs) then that's all that matters. I bought cot blankets and quilts but children ended up in the sleeping bags as they kicked their covers off so they were a waste of money.
One thing I did do was buy cloth muslin wipes rather than the horrible baby wipes for wiping their bottoms. I use the baby wipes whilst out and about but detest them. The muslin wipes are fantastic and would recommend people make them out of muslin cloth from shop which makes them really cheap (make at least 50 which means you'll have a least a weeks worth of clothes before you have to put them in the washing machine). I tend to find with the baby wipes it smears the poo all over them and end up using half a packet when they've done a bad nappy. My children have sensitive skin so when their skin turned red (especially when teething) the cloth wipes were soothing (especially with a drop of tea tree oil in the water I wet them with) rather than rough from the baby wipes.
Capsule - one designed for babies that can be lifted out of the car. I found the ones which attach to a base the best as meant base was secure and then just put the baby capsule in and wrapped seat belt round it. I think it's a must to get a capsule if you want to go shopping, go to other people's houses, etc.

NikkiLang - 7:32 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

The best thing we ever purchased was our monitor. It’s basically a home security system and has camera that we can see our little one on day and night. It is great because if she makes a noise we can just push a button to see if she is ok and do not have to go in the room and disturb her. Especially at night not turning the light on or fumbling around with a torch. We would also recommend is Ecostore Nappy Balm. While our friend’s babies were getting nappy rash our little girl was rash free. It has also helped while she has been teething and her pee gets a little strong. I purchased too many stretch and grows to but found the romper suits you can get from Pumpkin patch great.We found the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles were great for mix feeding because they have a large breast shaped teat that they can suck like the breast. We had no breast/bottle confusion so that was great to.

NikkiLang - 7:27 AM Mon-30-Jul-2012

Guest Member - 7:52 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012

Baby can stay in a capsule that you can lift in and our of the car with baby still sleeping. They clip into a base that stays in the car to secure them, and you can also hire/buy a frame with wheels that the capsule clips onto when out and about. Used for approximately until 6 months old - depending on size of baby.
A carseat stays in the car and you have to strap the baby in each time. Under 1 year /12kg they are supposed to remain rear facing. We opted for a car seat that was suitable for newborn- approx age 4years.
Breastfeeding pillow was my one essential item, but be prepared. I intended to fully breastfeed but on day 4 at 5pm when midwife suggested bottle of formula as baby had lost too much weight we had to rush around getting supplies. Would suggest at least one bottle, a few satchets of formula and sterilising tablets as a backup.

thecoffeelady - 7:46 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
There are so many usefull things but also things that are totally unnecessary - I got loads of stretch and grows but found them so annoying when baby was little, all those domes, far easier to pull leggings on and off. I have never (not once) used our change table, ever since she was born I have just changed her on the floor.

angelnshan - 7:01 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
change pad! can be used on floor so no fear of baby rolling off! also has waterproof cover for the wee accidents ours was used daily for first few years :)

emmalee - 4:00 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012

Essential for me is a portacot. When they are litte I use as change table that they can't possibly roll off (much safer than a real one as the bassinet part is inset by a foot or so) in the lounge and everything that belongs to baby goes in there for the first 6 months or so. Then remove the bassinet part and use it as a safety play pen, ideal for when going to the toilet etc.. and that way you have 3 items in 1 change table, portacot and playpen + you keep the living area tidy!

Guest Member - 3:43 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
Can someone please tell me the difference between a car seat and a capsule??

Guest Member - 3:42 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
Can someone please tell me the difference between a car seat and a capsule??

Guest Member - 3:42 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
Can someone please tell me the difference between a car seat and a capsule??

Guest Member - 3:42 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012
Can someone please tell me the difference between a car seat and a capsule??

cherrytf - 1:06 PM Sun-29-Jul-2012

These are the things I used that I was glad I had and was able to use for both kids:

1. The book "What to Expect the First Year" -- best reference for anything baby-related that can be easily accessible for a new parent.

2. Breastfeeding pillow, bra, sleepwear, tops, and pads

3. Baby clothes: 4 rompers, 6 onesies, 3 mittens, 3 booties

4. Crib (which baby can use till 2 years old, rather than a bassinet), stroller/pram (that can be used till baby is a year old), sling, bath tub, car seat -- all these can be bought second hand in TradeMe or acquired for free from FreeCycle

5. Diaper bag, changing mat, nappies, wipes, spill cloths

oommii - 11:31 AM Sun-29-Jul-2012
Car seat (with a clip in base if the budget allows), bassinet/cot with bedding, a couple of changes of clothes, nappies & wipes, a few old fashioned nappies for spill cloths and then just buy the rest as required as chances are you will be given a lot of stuff from family/friends

looies1 - 11:25 AM Sun-29-Jul-2012

I would have a cot, foldable push chair that doesnt take up much room just make sure you can lie baby flat, carseat, Higher a capsule from plunket as you dont use it for long or borrow. Bottle if you want or need�to use formula (microwave steriliser) or a breastfeeding pillow (can be a tri pillow use a cloth nappy where babys head is so that soaks any spills), baby bag, changing table if you have a c- section otherwise just use the floor. Loads of frozen dinners. support from friends and family that know you need time to be with baby and to organise quick visits with baking and dinners, plenty of sleep.�

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