Tips

When you discover that you are going to have a baby, the initial excitement is often followed by the realisation that you have no idea what supplies and "equipment" you will need. Many parents-to-be hit the shops and buy everything; usually at great expense and much of the items bought will never get used.

Obviously, a lot of the specifics depend on your personal choices and preferences. However, based on my own experiences, from work and having my own family, I have put together a list of items I would recommend considering...

The Hospital Bag

In readiness for your baby's arrival, there are some key items worth having packed. I would also recommend packing your bag at least 4 weeks before your due date. Even if you don't need it that early, it is one less thing to worry about!

• Your pregnancy notes

• Tens machine (won't necessarily take you "all the way", but I found mine very useful in the early stages)

• Nightwear x2. Make sure at least one has a button-up front, for easy breastfeeding

• Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap, towels, deodorant, shampoo, maternity sanitary towels, hair brush

• Clean, comfortable clothes to come home in - including your Bridget Jones pants!

• Plenty of snacks and water for yourself and your birthing partner, in case of a long wait

• Change for the car park

• Phone charger

• Camera (with full charge and empty memory card)

• New born baby grow and vest x2

• Outfit for baby to come home in

• New born nappies x6

• Cotton wool pads (much easier to use than the balls, and wipes are not recommended for newborns)

• Bottles, if not breast feeding

• Formula milk

• Infant carrier car seat and blanket

• Newborn dummies

Nursery

• Cotbed - better value than having to upgrade a traditional cot in just a year or so

• Cotbed sheets x4

• Cot mobile

• Moses basket or crib

• Moses basket or crib sheets x4

• Black-out blinds

• Dimmer light switch

• Changing mats x2 for up- and downstairs (we used one that rested on top of the cot, saving the need for a specific changing unit which tend to be overpriced and quickly grown out of)

• Blankets x2

• Room thermometer (recommend the Grobag Egg)

• A rubbish bin (really no need for a purpose-made nappy bin)

Toiletries

• New born nappies

• Nappy sacks

• Sudocrem

• Cotton wool pads

• Baby shampoo

• Baby bubble bath

• Wipes (for when a little older)

• Calpol

• Infacol or similar for aiding winding

• Teething gel

• Teething powders

Bathing

• Bath support (recommend the Mothercare Ergonomic bath support). This means you can bath your baby in the main tub, and is much easier than having a standalone baby bath.

• Baby nail scissors

• Baby hair brush

• Top and tail pot

• Baby towel x2

• Flannel or sponge x2

Feeding

• Booster chair - such as the Chicco Pocket Snack Booster. This can be placed on top of a regular dining chair, or even on the floor, saving the need for a standalone highchair

• Steriliser - any type is good, however if you go for a steam steriliser, get some Milton tablets as well for teething rings and dummies, as they don't always cope so well with the hot steam

• Feeding pillow for breastfeeding

• Breast pump (these can be hired)

• Milk storage bags

• Bottles - any type of bottles are fine. I have found most families like to use Avent, Dr Browns or Tommee Tippee. Get 6 large bottles (8-9 oz), 2 -4 some bottles (4 oz).

• Formula milk - Aptamil is generally recommended as being most like breast-milk, but Cow & Gate and SMA do the job just fine. I'd recommend sticking with whatever brand you choose.

• Beaker for water. My advice would be to get a beaker that doesn't have a teat like a bottle, get ones with spouts. This helps with the weaning process.

• Bottle brushes

• Small tubs for freezing food for weaning

Play

• Bumbo chair (available with tray). Your baby will really enjoy being able to sit upright, fully supported, and take everything in!

• Standalone bounce - recommended: Fisher price Jumperoo. Whilst they are bulky, if you have space the it's more convenient then a door bouncer, plus has the benefit of music and toys for baby to interact with.

• Baby beanbag or bouncer chair. Most people have a bouncer chair though ours got hardly any use compared to the brilliantly useful baby beanbag we got from Mothercare.

• Activity gym

Out and about

• Infant carrier (with click-in base for the car if possibly - much easier than strapping it in every time). Be wary of how much time your little ones spend scrunched up in an infant carrier however, you really need a flat-based pram if your will be out for more than a couple of hours.

• Pram

• Buggy buddy - these can be used to hook bags on your buggy handle, or to lock you buggy up when "parked"

• Baby sling/carrier. I liked the baby jersey wrap carrier, especially when on my own and don't have spare hands to fasten lots of straps.

• Changing bag. I recommend a big one! Always keep it well topped up with wipes, nappies, nappy sacks, spare clothes, tissues, muslins, etc...

• Hand sterilizing gel

• Formula pot - these are available with compartments so you can measure out the required amount of powder for each bottle.

Other bits

• Teething rings x2

• Dribble bibs - at least 2 per day needed

• Muslins - at least 3 per day needed

• Vests - at least 2 per day

• Baby grows - at least 2 per day

• Swaddle blanket - at least 2 needed

• Grobag - stops baby kicking off their blanket

• Notepad and pen for recording baby’s daily routine (feeds, sleeps, nappy changes, etc.)