Baby items

Somewhere for them to sleep (aka a Moses basket or next to me). Onesies, vests, socks, nappies, towels, blankets, travel system, pram suits

Things we saw as being stuff we needed: - Nappies - Wipes/cotton pads etc - changing mat - bath - towels - Next to me cot - blankets - vests in newborn and 0-1 - sleepsuits in newborn and 0-1 - hats - cardigans - socks (most of the sleepsuits have feet but some we have don't) - sleeping bags (you could use blankets but we've opted for the bags and swaddle suits) - pram suits for walks in the pram (not for the car) - travel system - pram and car seat - baby care kit (nail clippers, thermometer etc) - bath thermometer and room thermometer - night light for late night feeds - tummy time pillow We also bought some bottles, a manual pump and milk collector and a steriliser as I'm hoping to express so my husband can bottle feed also.

The essentials will be different depending on what your plans are. I split it into sleep, feeding, hygeine, medical, travel. Sleep: cot/next to me/moses basket, mattress protector, sheets, sleepsuits, vests, blankets/swaddles/sleep sacks. Feeding: muslin squares, steriliser (still handy regardless), bottles/formula/dummies/hakaa/pump as required. Hygeine: clothes, nappies, wipes/cotton pads, baby bath/bath seat, shampoo etc. sudocrem/metanium.nappy sacks if doing disposable nappies. Medical: vit d drops if breastfeeding, care set or buy individually nail clippers/files, thermometer, baby brush. Travel: car seat, pram/fully reclining stroller/baby carrier, blankets/clothes/hats etc as required based on what you're using. Some things are optional but so handy that they're on my essentials list, like a red light for night feeds, pink noise machine, baby carrier for in the house etc. But some people might choose to just put baby in a moses basket or whatever. Some breastfeeding mums are...

Only comfy using a breastfeeding cover so would have that on their list. Don't forget about you postpartum either, you'll need sanitary products, big knickers, breast pads, transitional clothes ready. I highly recommend lots of vests if you're wanting to breastfeed without buying breastfeeding tops so you can do "one up one down". If breastfeeding maternity bras normally fall into the category of not strictly essential but so handy they're almost essential. Get shopping! 😊