To be organised or not to be, is the question. The ‘must haves’ and the ‘don’t waste your time or money’ on it.
Most people, after their 20-week scan, start getting organised for the arrival of their unborn child. Me on the other hand, too excited about being pregnant, measuring my belly every week, altering my exercise regime every month, didn’t get anything sorted until week 1 maternity leave (36 weeks pregnant). That’s when I had a heart attack. Google gave me this never-ending list I almost had an anxiety attack sifting through. There is just so much crap out there.
As I stood in the empty nursery staring at the only thing in the room, the cot, I thought to myself, ‘well at least he has somewhere to sleep if he decides to come early’. I took a deep breath, shrugged my shoulders, made myself a coffee and started my research. I’m not going to lie, it was a head f###.
I went into over drive, I had no idea where to start, every shop I went into I was ‘googling’ my way through the products and reviews. “Eventually” I got through it all, smack bang during a beautiful, hot, sweaty, swollen ankles, sweaty palms, Aussie heatwave. And because of how much crap there is out there I decided to create a list to help out all you first time mum-to-be’s. If you can’t be bothered doing your own research this is for you. But first, make yourself a coffee and get comfortable.
Pram:
Redsbaby Jive or UPPAbaby
Are you having more than 1 child? Will they be close in age? Can a capsule attach on to it? Do you want a capsule? Is it lightweight (easy to fold up and take in and out of the boot)? These questions are important with your pram choice. I went with Redsbaby Jive (online only), easy to use, light-weight and looks good (lets be honest we want it to look aesthetically pleasing). I can also attach a second seat when bubs number 2 comes along. Pram clips are also a great little gadget, hang toys up or clip a muslin wrap for sun and wind protection.
Capsule:
Maxicosi
This is an interesting one. Most people recommend the capsule even though it’s only for the first 6 months. I personally don’t think it was a necessary purchase. The main benefit of a capsule is so you can take the whole capsule in and out of the car without waking up bubs. However, our little man goes back to sleep when taken in and out of the capsule, so we barely remove the capsule from the car. If you’re going to have more than 1 child then it might be worth it but you can always rent it from your local Redcross (Adelaide, Australia). It’s a personal preference. RAA members get free capsule/ car seat installation.
Carseat:
Britax compact
Can’t help you with this just yet, no surprise here but I haven’t got one yet. Friends of mine recommend: Britax. Britax ‘compact’ narrower car seat, good for small cars or multiple car seats in the back.
Cot:
Quirky Bubba
This is important to sort out before maternity leave (unless you bought a basinet), especially if you’re looking online (organise this 3-4 months before your due date). This cot allows for the different stages of growth. No rush for a cot if you’re going to have your baby in your room for a while, I found our little one to be a very noisy sleeper (most newborns are) so I moved him into the nursery after 1 week.
Bassinet:
(Second hand)
Our nursery was set up in the room directly across our bedroom so I was keen to set bubs up in there straight away. Therefore I didn’t think I needed a bassinet. I’m not going to lie, I also thought they looked ugly so I didn’t want to waste my money on it. Then I came across an awesome second hand ‘cradle’ size bassinet that looks like a cot on wheels. It is perfect for daytime sleeps which we set up downstairs. ‘Cradle’ size is in between a bassinet and a cot. Sheets are harder to find but they are out there. I would recommend the cradle size because there’s more room for your baby to grow and they can fit in it for longer. Have a think about if they will be in your room or not. This purchase may not be necessary. We had our baby in our room for 1 week, don’t over spend on this product it’s short lived for most people.
Clothes
Oh my, clothes. You do NOT need to buy much. It’s easy to stay on top of the washing and newborns are not dirty human beings. Therefore don’t buy much. I would recommend the following.
Purchase:
NEWBORN 0000: 4-5x daytime zippies, 1-2x bedtime swaddle zippies (TOG depends on what time of year), 5x singlets, 2x socks, 2x mitts
0-3 MONTHS 000: 4-5x daytime zippies, 5x singlets, 1x beanie/ hat, 2x socks, 2x bedtime swaddle zippies (TOG depends on what time of year)
3-6 MONTHS 00: this can wait
6-12 MONTHS 0: this can wait
I tried to buy gender neutral as much as possible to cater for future children. But I want 4 kids so I want to be cost effective. Don’t buy bibs, you get given a million. Bibs are good for when youre baby starts to drool, that way you don’t need to wash their clothes as often.
Muslin wraps
These are great. Look for 100% cotton, you want these nice and soft. But once again depending if your baby likes to be swaddled or would prefer a swaddle zippy onsie, will depend on how many wraps you’ll need. They are multi-purposeful though, they can act as a shade cloth on your pram/ capsule, clean up milk vomit, swaddle, blanket, privacy cover when breast feeding in public etc. So I’d recommend starting with 3, wait to see how many you get as gifts then aim for 6-8 in total.
Wash-cloths
These are great, they are smaller than muslin wraps, they are little squares. Once again look for 100% cotton products. They are used for baths, vomit spills, food spills, face, hands etc. Start with 10-12 (eBay was great, very cheap).
Nappies/ change table requirements
Change table: Online (same company as where I got my cot from). I decided to get the ‘chest of drawers’ change table, love it, keeps everything looking neat and tidy. And it can be used as a normal chest of drawers when you don’t need the change table anymore. The top drawer is everything I need for changing a nappy. Second drawer is all the appropriate size clothing. Third drawer whatever you want. I have a double story house so I also have a box set up downstairs with all the nappy changing essentials, that way I can move it to wherever I need it. Change table cover isn’t necessary if your change table is plastic, it’s a lot easier to spray and wipe it down after poo and wee accidents then it is to remove a material cover, wash it and replace it. You don’t even need the disposable ones. I just keep a bottle of disinfectant spray and paper towels close by.
NAPPY CHANGING ESSENTIALS
Nappies: Huggies are my favourite. I go through an average of 12/day, jumbo boxes have 144 nappies, therefore 1 box is roughly 12 days. So load up on nappy boxes my friends, load up!! Look out for sales.
Wipes: Huggies fragrance free super soft are great and always on sale. Less chemicals the better, so fragrance free are a good option. GAIA bamboo wipes are good too. Once again you go through loads of wipes (they are multi purposeful). Stock up when there’s a sale.
Nappy rash cream: Sudacream. I bought 1 big one (stored in the nursery) then I used it to re-fill the small sample creams you get given leading up to childbirth. I had a small one for my nappy bag and downstairs nappy box.
Hand sanitiser: A big one for the nursery and downstairs nappy box then a smaller one for the nappy bag.
Scented nappy bags: Load up; keep these in your nappy bag, car, change table, downstairs nappy box.
Tissues: I keep these everywhere around the house.
Wash cloths: I keep a few in the change table, nappy bag, car, anywhere you will feed (ie. lounge room coffee table).
Nappy bin: Not necessary! I was happy with using a bin in the nursery with a scented bin liner and lid, you could also put the bin in the nearest bathroom instead. During the day it was easy to put the nappies straight in the outside bin it’s more for night-time.
Nappy bag
Nappy changing essentials (see above) as well as:
Change of clothes 1x
Dummies 2x
Muslin wrap 1x
Bibs 2x
Wash cloth 2x
Blanket 1x
Changing mat 1x
Nipple balm x1
Hand moisturiser x1
Play mat (optional)
Toys (optional)
Milk bottle (optional)
Bathing Bath: Optional. Other options are laundry trough, kitchen sink, bathroom sink or main bath. Make sure your bath set-up is ergonomically safe for your own health. You may already have a bad back and if you don’t you can definitely create one.
Towels: 2x soft towels 100% cotton. You can either buy baby hooded towels (which they will grow out of) or if your bath towels at home are nice and soft just use those.
Bath thermometer: Online or kmart are the cheapest but certainly worth getting.
Soaps/ bath products: Not hugely necessary until they’re older. Some nurses recommend no soap and if they don’t have hair you won’t need shampoo. Baby powder is an optional purchase. It came in handy for me when dealing with nappy rash (it’s a good alternative than nappy rash cream because it helps keep their bottom dry), remember less chemicals the better. Moisturiser isn’t necessary either but massaging your baby with moisturiser can be another way to bond so up to you. Most importantly look for products with the least amount of chemicals and tear-free. GAIA and Aveeno are good brands.
Laundry powder: 1x pack, look for organic again and less chemicals. Aware and Ecostore are good brands. You can get from your local supermarket. Make sure you put your baby’s clothes through a quick wash cycle before use.
Feeding:
I am a breast feeder and I am very happy with the below products:
Breast pump: Medela double electric swing
Bottles: Medela 6pck 150mls
Teats: Medela 3pck (newborn size)
Other (any brand): Freezer milk storage bags (start with a small pack to see if you’ll express/ if bubs takes the bottle, if successful bulk on eBay). Bottle brush, rubber bottle drying rack, permanent marker (to write the date and mls on the storage bags).
I started expressing as soon as I got home. It’s up to you when you start but at least you help your milk production if you start early. Also by adding a bottle feed once a day you get them use to the bottle early, some babies don’t take to the bottle too well later, this will help your partners get involved with feeds and babysitters. You have the most milk production over night, I usually express twice. We have the routine of giving the bottle (expressed milk) at night, at that time I will express from both breasts until they’re empty. The second time is around 5am. I am lucky enough to have a sleeper, he sleeps from the bottle to 4:30am and only has a small feed so my breasts are still pretty full after that feed. This is when I’ll express out anything leftover. The old saying ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ applies to breast-feeding and milk production. Whenever you give the bottle you need to express to save your breasts and then because our little man is a sleeper I make the effort to express in the morning also.
The benefits of expressing twice is I have a freezer full of milk, which makes baby sitting and socialising a lot easier. Your milk can be stored in the freezer for 3-6 months depending on your freezer (I just use the 3 month rule to be safe). It doesn’t take long to defrost your frozen milk. I let it soak in the kitchen sink filled with hot water (not from the kettle just from the tap) for roughly 5-10 minutes. After expressing, it’s very easy to clean, use the same hot water you used to defrost your milk bag, add some detergent, give your utensils a quick wash, a good rinse and leave to dry on your rubber drying rack.
Bedding
1x mattress protector for cot and bassinet
1x sheet for cot and bassinet
I made the mistake of getting 2x mattress protectors and sheets for both cot and bassinet (unnecessary). Instead I put a small towel where their head lies. This catches all the little milk vomits and helps me avoid washing the bed sheets.
Dummy
Unfortunately this is very child dependent. Luckily they’re not too expensive. It’s all trial and error. You don’t need this straight away. We were forcing it with our little boy around 4-5 weeks and then it wasn’t until 8 weeks that he took it and kept it in his mouth. It’s great for settling them between feeds and putting them to bed.
Monitor:
Oricom video monitor or Vtech video monitor
There are many good brands out there. The video display is great to check up on them without actually going into their room. It displays the room temperature and can play lullabies. You can also add more cameras to it when future kids arrive. I didn’t bother with the breathing sensor mat, that’s a personal preference though. Definitely worth purchasing.
FOR MUM
SRC recovery shorts
Everyone is different but I needed these from day 1 to day 14 post-birth. The first 10 days were crucial for me, I could barely stand up and walk without them. However they are expensive, a cheaper alternative is the tube-grip waist belts, most hospitals/ physios/ chemists can provide this for you.
Breast-feeding bras: Bonds maternity crop (so comfy, love them even if I wasn’t breast feeding). Start with just buying 1 or 2 and see how you go breast-feeding before you stock up. They also come in singlet form.
Breast-feeding pads: Disposable pads are cheap and great however it’s more cost-effective to get the material washable ones. I have both, just in case I haven’t washed my re-usable breast pads in time.
Sore nipples: Hydrogel pads/ nipple balm. The hydrogel pads are a must!!! Even if you don’t continue to breast-feed, most people attempt it for the first 4 weeks and if you’re struggling you’re nipples will get a beating. The hydrogel pads were a lifesaver, you store in the fridge so they’re nice and cool, soothing your cracked nipple. It also helps treat and recover your damaged nipples.
Maternity pads: 3x packs straight up then buy as you go. I needed maternity pads for the first 3 weeks then I was on liners for the next 3 weeks. Everyone has a different experience with post birth bleeding so buy as you need.
Physiotherapy: “Physiotherapy for women” (Adelaide, Australia) are amazing at what they do! I recommend seeing a women’s physio straight away and get some professional advice with assessing your pelvic floor and abdominal separation.
Meal prep: I did a few meals for the freezer but it’s unnecessary if you have a baby that sleeps. I now focus on prepping my breakfast and lunch the night before, just in case he has a bad day and I don’t get time to make food for myself. Another option is to get a baby carrier and that way you have your arms free to prep food and eat. If you’re a breast feeder you cannot afford to skip meals, your body needs the extra calories (300-500 extra calories) so the best idea I did was make snacks to always have on hand (ie. lactation cookies or lactation protein balls).
Are you still awake?!
If so, I hope that helped!
PM if you need.
Goodluck.
