Things you found useful for new baby

xxINeedHelpxx

Hey everyone.

I was just wondering what you guys found really useful for your new baby besides for the obvious clothes and food

I love the boxes for the baby wipes :P they are so handy and I also use them for the roll of nappy bags makes things that little bit easier

I'm making my list of things I need for baby but i'm wondering what items you found useful that maybe are not essential but make life that little bit easier

Anything at all guys.

Thanks in advance.

happywithlife

A little wicker basket downstairs with nappy essentials and change of clothes in it. Saved me trotting up and down the stairs like a yoyo

john the one

Gripe water. Thank you gripe water

Chattastrophe!

This nappy disposal system. Something I'd never in a million years have bought myself, but we got it as a gift, and I love it! Otherwise you have the choice of either the room ending up smelling of pee (and worse), or else traipsing out to the bin with every nappy. It is SO worth the money.

Also, disposable change mats. I haven't bought these yet, but I saw someone using one the other day and have been looking out for them in the shops ever since. They seem so handy!

You cannot have enough muslin cloths. Seriously.

And something I would not buy if going again - a moses basket. Completely unnecessary, there's no reason they shouldn't go into a cot straight away ... and you can raise the level of the mattress so that the sides are only the height of a moses basket, anyways, so it's no tougher on your back, and they have so much more space for waving their arms around etc without hitting off the edge of the basket ... plus they can see much more from a cot!

xxINeedHelpxx

Thanks for all your reply's so far

Also I have seen the disposable mats in deals you should try there chattastrophe

Chattastrophe!

xxINeedHelpxx wrote: »

Thanks for all your reply's so far

Also I have seen the disposable mats in deals you should try there

Deadly thanks! I tried Dunnes and Boots today, with no luck!

xxINeedHelpxx

ya the only place I have ever seen them is deals they also have disposable bibs. hope you find them

Moonbeam

Our nappy disposal system was a bit of a waste of money,I used it for about a month and never again but if we were in an apt I don't think I could survive with out it,we never used gripe water, and only now have I finally got plastic boxes for the baby wipes!! Lidl have them atm for baby wipes and anti bacterial wipes.
Having a basket of clothes and changing stuff or a changing table downstairs makes life so much easier.
The bouncer was the one thing we could not have survived with out and we had not initially bought one as I did not see it as something we would really need.

Chattastrophe!

Are the boxes for baby wipes really that useful? Sorry if that's a stupid question! We just use them straight from the packet, what's the advantage of the boxes?

xxINeedHelpxx

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

Are the boxes for baby wipes really that useful? Sorry if that's a stupid question! We just use them straight from the packet, what's the advantage of the boxes?

What I find handy is just popping open the box with one hand sometimes they get stuck in the pack were as the box has the next one ready and sometimes the sticky bit on the pack falls off and the top wipe dries out but maybe i'm just a bit a dope lol I find them handy for the roll of nappy bags as well no fiddling and keeps them safe from baby so no suffocation

theLuggage

I would argue that the Moses basket is great - especially for somewhere for the baby to sleep downstairs. Pain going up and down, when they can just sleep in sitting room. Some people i know had that set up. We had it up by our bed and I loved the way the baby was so close you didn't have to get out of bed to comfort them! We put ours in pram downstairs to sleep. If this had existed I would've bought it:
http://www.toys.ie/Tiny-Love-3-in-1-Rocker-Napper-!126049-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=55cd1729-ce61-45e5-abf5-5befae02694e

Think it looks fab, and love the way you can pull up the sides to keep draughts out.

cyning

This bath: http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-acqua-two-stage-ergo-bath-pearl-white/4538472/type-i/

No holding a wriggly newborn baby and being afraid I was going to drop her! It's a big bath and went happily in it until 14 months I adore it!

Also Muslins: invaluable.

Lisha

Muslin cloths
Bepanthen cream
Elave bath products
Cotton wool squares. (Use instead of wipes. Had a pack by the sink, before Nappy changing just dampen two . If used wipes then used squares after)
Braun ear thermometer.
Baby nail scissors
Have calpol, nurofen, and also paralink suppositories in medicine press . High temps will usually peak at approx 1am.

xzanti

Lisha wrote: »

Have calpol, nurofen, and also paralink suppositories in medicine press . High temps will usually peak at approx 1am.

+1,000!!!!

Nothing is more terrifying than your baby's first sky high fever arm yourself well!!!

highly1111

If it is your first and you have the money i found this the best investment ever. It can be used from day 1 and is just amazing. My 9 month old is out of the baby stage as now sitting up and my 2 year old loves it as a beanbag. Can't recommend enough. A pure luxury though.

http://www.littledreamers.ie/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=157_290

pwurple

None of these are essential, but i find them handy.

Bouncy chair with vibrate function on it. Useful when baby is overtired and is finding it hard to go to sleep.

Baby bath support/insert. Freed up a hand when bathing the baby, used this a lot.

Highchair with full recline for naps. Bloom fresco Loft is the one we were given as a very nice pressie. It's splurge-ville expensive, but we used it every single day with our three year old, and now also used for newborn. Adjusts up and down, reclines all the way back.

Rosy Posy

Couldn't live without a sling- probably the single most indispensable piece of equipment for me. I use it at home for doing chores, for 'off-road' walks (beach and forest) and for doing the shopping. I can breastfeed in it while making the dinner or even out and about, it provides the perfect cover, and baby can sleep in it too. IMO a woven wrap is the most versatile but a mei tai is good too.

Sligo1

Rosy Posy wrote: »

Couldn't live without a sling- probably the single most indispensable piece of equipment for me. I use it at home for doing chores, for 'off-road' walks (beach and forest) and for doing the shopping. I can breastfeed in it while making the dinner or even out and about, it provides the perfect cover, and baby can sleep in it too. IMO a woven wrap is the most versatile but a mei tai is good too.

What sling did you get rosy?

Sligo1

theLuggage wrote: »

I would argue that the Moses basket is great - especially for somewhere for the baby to sleep downstairs. Pain going up and down, when they can just sleep in sitting room. Some people i know had that set up. We had it up by our bed and I loved the way the baby was so close you didn't have to get out of bed to comfort them! We put ours in pram downstairs to sleep. If this had existed I would've bought it:
http://www.toys.ie/Tiny-Love-3-in-1-Rocker-Napper-!126049-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=55cd1729-ce61-45e5-abf5-5befae02694e

Think it looks fab, and love the way you can pull up the sides to keep draughts out.

+1. Our house is 3 floors and id crack up if I had to bring baby to 3rd floor everytime I wanted to pop her down. Basinette or cot upstairs and a mobile Moses basket to bring round the house and put anywhere. So handy but no not necessary. We have our basket in the sitting room a lot of the time. She can lie and play in it or fall asleep in it. It's also great for somewhere quick to put her if phone rings, doorbell rings, or you have something you need to attend to. If she falls asleep in it downstairs and we want to pop her somewhere quiet away from her screeching brother we just carry the whole thing upstairs with her in it. Couldn't live without it.

addob

I have to say that the best things for us after a month or two was a monitor with video - stopped me from getting up once I kicked the noisy sleeper out of the room and i received as a gift the Magic Galaxy Mobile from M&P he was mesmerized by it from about 6 weeks and he still drags it out now at almost 2 years old. It helped my sanity and bought me 20 minutes of time to get something done.

I buy teh disposable changing pads from Mothercare - they are listed as maternity pads - excellent for travel as they are so big!!

dori_dormer

So far the things we have found invaluable are - the bouncer with the vibrate on it, Ifacol (x 1 million!), and the sling. All great for cranky baby!
Also we have a great little soother steriliser, fits 2 soothers in it, little bit of water and in the micro for 3 min. Brilliant thing when out visiting people and they arent paying attention and drop his soother, his spare and his second spare!

I really want the nappy/ wipe boxes! where did everyone get theirs??

Also love the red smyths bouncer looks great. Gonna get it for my sister for when she starts her family.
We have about 100 muslin cloths and never use them. Maybe when hes a bit older and teething/drooling ill use more?

We cant get enough mittens - scratches his face ALL the time, always try and get baby grows with the flip over hand covers!

highly1111

Sligo1 wrote: »

+1. Our house is 3 floors and id crack up if I had to bring baby to 3rd floor everytime I wanted to pop her down. Basinette or cot upstairs and a mobile Moses basket to bring round the house and put anywhere. So handy but no not necessary. We have our basket in the sitting room a lot of the time. She can lie and play in it or fall asleep in it. It's also great for somewhere quick to put her if phone rings, doorbell rings, or you have something you need to attend to. If she falls asleep in it downstairs and we want to pop her somewhere quiet away from her screeching brother we just carry the whole thing upstairs with her in it. Couldn't live without it.

Yep, exactly the same as the doomoo - and what I found brilliant about the doomoo too is that because it's a beanbag we used to throw it in the boot of the car when ever we were going anywhere - much easier to transport than a moses basket or a swing.

Sligo1

highly1111 wrote: »

Yep, exactly the same as the doomoo - and what I found brilliant about the doomoo too is that because it's a beanbag we used to throw it in the boot of the car when ever we were going anywhere - much easier to transport than a moses basket or a swing.

Looks cool but the only negative for me would be that I couldn't leave my 2 week old in this with her little brother running riot around her.... If I even leave the carseat down for a minute he goes over and starts rocking it (not gently)... Lol

lazygal

Cloth wipes. A million times better for poo than regular wipes.
Vests and babygros that didn't need to go over the head or hips - buttons at the front.
My boobs for soothing and feeding.
Nice breastfeeding clothes so I didn't feel crap and frumpy when feeding - I learned my lesson from first time around.

I'll go against the grain and say I didn't need to use loads of muslins, thermometers or medicines. Maybe I got lucky but my babies weren't particularly pukey or sick. I only used the fancy ear thermometer once. I preferred leaving baby flat on a playmat than in a bouncer. Never used soothers either. Second time I had so little stuff compared to first time and it made life easier.

highly1111

Sligo1 wrote: »

Looks cool but the only negative for me would be that I couldn't leave my 2 week old in this with her little brother running riot around her.... If I even leave the carseat down for a minute he goes over and starts rocking it (not gently)... Lol

You'd actually be really surprised - because it's so light - we had ours up on the kitchen table for about 3 months and it was only when she kinda looked like she was starting to try and move that we put it on the floor - it might have even been longer than 3 months - I can't remember.

our little guy was 15 months when our youngest was born - and we had the same concerns but the doomoo lived on the kitchen table or the island for ages.

they are one of those products that need to be seen really - because you may have concerns that the baby might fall out etc. - but once you see them in action, you'd be amazed - I only got one when pregnant on my eldest after my sister in law had one.

anyway, you'd swear I worked for them at this stage - but they are really amazing - but a pure luxury item - my sister chipped in and got it for me as a baby present when he was born - as we knew in advance we wanted it!

Xdancer

cyning wrote: »

This bath: http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-acqua-two-stage-ergo-bath-pearl-white/4538472/type-i/

No holding a wriggly newborn baby and being afraid I was going to drop her! It's a big bath and went happily in it until 14 months I adore it!

+1 on this bath. I had a similar one but a different brand and it was brilliant.

Rose35

lazygal wrote: »

Cloth wipes. A million times better for poo than regular wipes.
Vests and babygros that didn't need to go over the head or hips - buttons at the front.
My boobs for soothing and feeding.
Nice breastfeeding clothes so I didn't feel crap and frumpy when feeding - I learned my lesson from first time around.

I'll go against the grain and say I didn't need to use loads of muslins, thermometers or medicines. Maybe I got lucky but my babies weren't particularly pukey or sick. I only used the fancy ear thermometer once. I preferred leaving baby flat on a playmat than in a bouncer. Never used soothers either. Second time I had so little stuff compared to first time and it made life easier.

Where did you purchase the vests? I haven't come across any. Handy.

lazygal

I got packs of wrap over vests in Mothercare.

Rose35

lazygal wrote: »

I got packs of wrap over vests in Mothercare.

Oh I don't know why i had a picture of something else in my head when I first read your post.:)

xxINeedHelpxx

Thanks for all your reply's guys some great ideas.
We all definitely need things to make life that little bit more easier with children especially new borns
This is my 3rd so it will be a hectic house in may

Dori dormer I bought my wipe boxes in my local chemist. I have seen some in a few different chemists. They are 1.49 in deals with a pack of sensitive wipes inside and I have seen them in some shops. Hope you find some

Sara2002

Lansinoh landline cream for your nipples if you intend to breastfeed. I couldnt have survived without this in the first few weeks.

Lisha

As it is your 3rd I've another suggestion.
I used to put baby in rocker inside travel cot in living room in case older child decided to help by taking baby out.
When showering I used put baby asleep in cot in spare bedroom so I could lock door while I was in shower. I did not want to lock baby into my room when I was showering in ensuite as I did not want to lock toddler away from me. I also think this helped baby to sleep in spare room when she was moved in there later on

Hello Lady!

theLuggage wrote: »

I would argue that the Moses basket is great - especially for somewhere for the baby to sleep downstairs. Pain going up and down, when they can just sleep in sitting room. Some people i know had that set up. We had it up by our bed and I loved the way the baby was so close you didn't have to get out of bed to comfort them! We put ours in pram downstairs to sleep. If this had existed I would've bought it:
http://www.toys.ie/Tiny-Love-3-in-1-Rocker-Napper-!126049-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=55cd1729-ce61-45e5-abf5-5befae02694e

Think it looks fab, and love the way you can pull up the sides to keep draughts out.

This +1000000!!!

We got the tiny love rockers instead of moses baskets downstairs. Much better value than a normal moses basket as you use it as a rocker as well. The fact it is slightly tilted when in the bassinet mode means that if your baby has any reflux/wind/griping pain this helps relieve it. It also vibrates which helps them to sleep. This was hands down the best thing we bought and a god send since our two have silent reflux. You can also buy them from amazon uk and occasionally can get them delivered for about €60.

You need a rocker/bouncer. If you get the tiny love rocker napper you get two in one.

a changing table downstairs - especially in early days when you change a lot of nappies going up and down stairs is a pain.

We also got on amazon a floating bath cushion - brilliant! Like a baby lilo, they love it and it means you have two hands to wash with!

Bibs! Can never have enough of them!

Nasal aspirator for cleaning their little noses - the one like a long tube you suck on is better than the bulb one.

top and tail bowl.

Mobile with lights and/or projector over the cot.

blackout blinds/curtains on the windows - your room and babies room. Helps if you try to sleep when they do and the blinds help you get some sleep during the day.

Sligo1

highly1111 wrote: »

You'd actually be really surprised - because it's so light - we had ours up on the kitchen table for about 3 months and it was only when she kinda looked like she was starting to try and move that we put it on the floor - it might have even been longer than 3 months - I can't remember.

our little guy was 15 months when our youngest was born - and we had the same concerns but the doomoo lived on the kitchen table or the island for ages.

they are one of those products that need to be seen really - because you may have concerns that the baby might fall out etc. - but once you see them in action, you'd be amazed - I only got one when pregnant on my eldest after my sister in law had one.

anyway, you'd swear I worked for them at this stage - but they are really amazing - but a pure luxury item - my sister chipped in and got it for me as a baby present when he was born - as we knew in advance we wanted it!

Was in Medicare this avo buying some nursing tops and they had these doomoos! They looked and felt so comfy! Was tempted to ask if they had them in adult size! Lol

xxINeedHelpxx

Just googled the floating bath cushion seems a great idea. I will definitely try one of these

Hello Lady!

xxINeedHelpxx wrote: »

Just googled the floating bath cushion seems a great idea. I will definitely try one of these

Really are brill. We git one called softeeze bath pillow on amazon for less than €20. They love it. We also use it to prop them up sometimes as the microbeads contour around them.

xxINeedHelpxx

Hello Lady! wrote: »

Really are brill. We git one called softeeze bath pillow on amazon for less than €20. They love it. We also use it to prop them up sometimes as the microbeads contour around them.

Does it take long to dry ? The first one I seen was plastic

How Strange

We found the following really useful:

A Moses basket - we borrowed one but both babies hated the cot for the first few months. Baby no. 1 was in the Moses basket most of the time up to 4 months, baby no.2 only slept on me for 12 weeks and then started sleeping in the basket. I put her in her cot around 4.5 months

A cosleeper cot especially if you're breastfeeding. The baby is beside you but not in bed with you which I found helped me sleep better on the rare occasion I got the opportunity. Ours folded up like a travel cot so it was excellent for when we stayed somewhere else overnight.

A microwave steriliser especially if you're breastfeeding and won't be using bottles regularly. Mothercare do one for around €10.

A microwave soother steriliser. It sterilises soothers in 1 min. We got ours in Smyths.

A travel blackout blind. Brilliant for when you stay somewhere else and the room isn't dark.

A changing table - we used it for 5/6 months both times and it saved our backs

A swing chair - it helped soothe overtired babies

A tummy tub bath - our daughter loved it

A baby carrier/wrap - the wrap was gorgeous for the newborn stage and the baby carrier (ergo) was essential on no.2 as I had a toddler to mind too.

Ikea muslin cloths - fantastic and absolutely essential for pukey babies. We used to have them all over the place and I always had one over the Moses basket/cot sheet to catch any spit up.

If breastfeeding invest in some boob (that's the co name!) fast food bras and breastfeeding tops. They're expensive but fantastic quality AND feminine. I only got these second time around and I probably saved a lot of money on bras as I only bought 6 in total in 1 year (2 x large, medium, small). The tops are so comfie and make breastfeeding in public effortless.

Hello Lady!

xxINeedHelpxx wrote: »

Does it take long to dry ? The first one I seen was plastic

Takes a while yeah, overnight I would say hanging in the bathroom or a few hours in the hotpress. Its made from nylon type material so not recommended to put on the rads but in the hot press it drys in a few hours. We give the girls a bath at night hang the pillow in the hotpress and its dry by morning or else we just leave it in the bathroom and its dry by the next evening.

xxINeedHelpxx

Thanks hello lady I will be giving this a try

iguana

I think it depends on the individual baby. With us, bibs were the only essential product as he was a big time spewer until he started solids. I used to put a bib between his vest and top as well as the more standard bib over his top. The upper bib had to be changed a lot.

In terms of what he loved to do, his mobile and his baby gym were massive hits. He would literally spend ages playing with them from about 6 weeks old, so much so that instead of enjoying a bit of downtime while he played, I spent the time googling whether or not it was harmful to allow a baby to play with toys for so long.:rolleyes:

Each was a Christmas present from a nana and not something that had been on my radar to get him but he loved them so much. In fact even at 17 months he still loves watching his mobile which is now hanging from the curtain rail in his playroom. But another child might enjoy neither, they are all different.

nikpmup

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

Sligo1

nikpmup wrote: »

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

Awe nikpmup... He's so cute!!!

xxINeedHelpxx

nikpmup wrote: »

I never bought a doomoo, but we had a small beanbag that we used to let baba snooze in or to buy us a few minutes. However as of this morning, this is what's happening:

Think I'll be buying a doomoo as he can now escape onto the floor!!

awh he is very cute. I will keep that in mind if I buy one

nikpmup

Cute as a fox, the little fart has worked out how to wriggle into the floor. He lifts his bum and shimmys downwards, and slides down in seconds. Everything's getting covered in Clevamamma foam tonight! In that pic, the TV cabinet (glass, pointy cabinet!) is about 8 inches from his head!

Toots

A sleep positioner was one of the best things we bought. Our little guy was very colicy and had a bit of reflux. This kept him at a slight incline so his food didn't come back up and made digestion easier. http://www.toys.ie/Clevamama-ClevaSleep-Positioner-!104345-prd.aspx

Also we found the bandana bibs great for when he moved onto bottles and was kinda dribbly during feedings, and when he started teething quite early and was covered in drool. Before we got these I was having to change tops and vests constantly because the drool would be too much for regular bibs. http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/

Rosy Posy

Sligo1 wrote: »

What sling did you get rosy?

I have an Oscha woven wrap in a linen/cotton blend which is brilliant. I also have a woven ring sling which I found useful but my osteo said totally fecked my back because of carrying on one side; a stretchy wrap which I used for too long on my first and ruined for future use; and a mei tai in a heavyweight cotton. All three of the latter were handmade by friends. I love the Oscha, it keeps its shape really well and its so versitile.

Sligo1

Rosy Posy wrote: »

I have an Oscha woven wrap in a linen/cotton blend which is brilliant. I also have a woven ring sling which I found useful but my osteo said totally fecked my back because of carrying on one side; a stretchy wrap which I used for too long on my first and ruined for future use; and a mei tai in a heavyweight cotton. All three of the latter were handmade by friends. I love the Oscha, it keeps its shape really well and its so versitile.

Thanks... Currently trying to get to a sling meet as I'm really interested in getting one. It's good to hear what others have and would recommend. I think I like the look of the ring slings but will get more info on the different types and what would suit me best.

Rosy Posy

Sligo1 wrote: »

Thanks... Currently trying to get to a sling meet as I'm really interested in getting one. It's good to hear what others have and would recommend. I think I like the look of the ring slings but will get more info on the different types and what would suit me best.

It depends on how much baby wearing you plan on doing (or how much your baby may insist on being worn). Ring sling is awesome for popping in and out of the car around town but if your wearing baby constantly for most of the day it's going to take it's toll on your back and shoulders. The woven wrap is a lot more comfortable and also great for discrete breastfeeding (I have actually managed to breastfeed my baby while doing the supermarket shopping with no one being any the wiser!), although there is a bit of a learning curve initially to tying it securely so a sling meet would be ideal to get someone to demonstrate. What I love about the Oscha is the width and firmness of the fabric- it keeps it's shape and doesn't roll up like the stretch cotton, which as well as being insecure can dig into your shoulders and cause back pain. It's also really soft and beautiful to look at. I've tried so many slings and I'm so happy with this one. I still use the mei tai around the house, it's good for popping baby in and out doing housework and once they can support their heads you can swing them round to the back without taking them out (say for carrying a big basket of laundry or putting stuff into the oven).

Sligo1

Rosy Posy wrote: »

It depends on how much baby wearing you plan on doing (or how much your baby may insist on being worn). Ring sling is awesome for popping in and out of the car around town but if your wearing baby constantly for most of the day it's going to take it's toll on your back and shoulders. The woven wrap is a lot more comfortable and also great for discrete breastfeeding (I have actually managed to breastfeed my baby while doing the supermarket shopping with no one being any the wiser!), although there is a bit of a learning curve initially to tying it securely so a sling meet would be ideal to get someone to demonstrate. What I love about the Oscha is the width and firmness of the fabric- it keeps it's shape and doesn't roll up like the stretch cotton, which as well as being insecure can dig into your shoulders and cause back pain. It's also really soft and beautiful to look at. I've tried so many slings and I'm so happy with this one. I still use the mei tai around the house, it's good for popping baby in and out doing housework and once they can support their heads you can swing them round to the back without taking them out (say for carrying a big basket of laundry or putting stuff into the oven).

Thanks for your reply Rosy... Seems like I have a lot of research to do . I think I'd more need one for the house...just so I can look after my 17 month old aswell and still get a few jobs done around the house (if that's possible)! And then maybe for a few jaunts around town when I don't want to have to take the double buggy. My LO is 3 weeks nearly and she loves being on me so I think she would like the sling. Definitely going to try and go to a sling meet. There's a woman based in castleknock in Dublin so I'm going to try and get appointment with her. Thanks again.

ted1

A good TV with an surround sound system, Apple TV, high speed broadband and an O'Briens loyalty card.

Oh I nearly forgot a good couch. Your social life changes so you do need to up the level of domestic comfort .