Buying for baby, what you really need . . . really

It’s hard to resist all that nice flash baby gear but the costs soon mount up for stuff you may only use for 6 to 8 months. Best Buys 4 Baby recommends you start with the basics then add when you find you have an actual need for something.

As mums this is what we reckon you really need to get a good start.

Safe sleep
• Bassinet or cot with firm fitting mattress
• 3 x sheet sets (only get bottom sheets if you intend to use sleeping bags)
• 3 x mattress protectors
• 3 x blankets, cotton throws or sleeping bags depending on the season
• 4 x flannelette or cotton wraps depending on the season
• Dim light for night feeds
• A monitor if you need one
• A mozzie net if you need one

Clothes
• 6 x long or short sleaved body suits (not all newborns will fit into 0000)
• 6 x singlets
• 2 x jackets or cardigans
• Socks and/or booties, depending on the season
• Cotton beanie, warmer beanie for outdoors if needed
• 1 or 2 good outfits (don’t go overboard, your baby will grow out of these very quickly)

Bums
• Change mat (and a table if you wish but a mat is portable and can go on any flat surface)
• Two packs of disposable nappies or 2 dozen cloth nappies
• 4 x pilchers and 3 x fasteners for cloth nappies
• Bottom wipes or cotton wool and water (an air tight wipe container will keep cotton wool moist)
• Nappy disposal system, nappy bags or nappy bucket (always have a lid for your nappy bucket)
• Bum cream

Bath
• Baby bath if you don’t have an alternative
• 6 x face washers
• 2 x towels (with hoods are great)
• Nail clippers or blunt end scissors
• Shampoo and other toiletries if you intend to use them
• Basic bath toys or plastic cups that bob around

Out 'n' about
• Good quality pram with rain and sun cover
• Sling, pouch or backpack if it suits your lifestyle
• Nappy bag with change mat
• Infant car restraint

Fun time
• Soft and chewy toys; black and white, things that dangle, rattle, have tags and/or mirrors are good.
• Play mat
• Rocker or bouncer
• Mobile (black and white is great if you can get one)
• Basic card books with one picture per page (babies love reading from infancy)

Dinner time
• 4 x feeding bras or singlets
• Breast pads
• Breast pump
or
• Formula
• Formula dispenser
and
• Breast milk or other bottles
• Bottle cleaning brushes
• Steriliser
• 6 x bibs to start (better to be safe than sorry with these)

Food you can throw (out rather than up)
Remember, babies don't usually start eating solids until 6 months old, so you can wait a while on these things.
• Professional guide on what your baby can eat and when
• High chair
• 2 x soft spout or sippy cups
• 4 x small plastic bowls
• 4 x soft plastic spoons
• 6 x large bibs
• Plastic cubes or little tubs for freezing freshly mushed food

Other
• 3 x dummy if you want to use them
• Basic baby medical kit with thermometer
• Baby paracetamol suitable for your babies age
• Safety gates and other safety gadgets to make your environment baby friendly

Enough to be getting on with?