1st timer on a budget.. what will I REALLY need?

Facebook marketplace is amazing. But you could always buy as you go. Just buy things you really need xx

I’m sorry about your loss! We definitely used a bottle warmer to make sure it was evenly heated. You don’t really need the owlet sock unless you’re really worried about the baby breathing. I used a changing table so everything was in one spot and easy to reach and we definitely liked having a bin for the diapers because it hid the smell well. We used the play mats and a baby swing but we got a lot of hand-me downs from other family, our lucky duck sale (like a huge garage sale of used items), and second hand stores. The baby shower helped a ton! We also used a lot of spit rags and gowns for easy changing. The hospital will give you some items when you leave too

I brought some stuff from vinted, it’s really cheap most of the time and can even get brand new items for cheaper. I’ve also put items on vinted to sell to make some money to pay for stuff as well. So sorry for your loss xx

You will need a next to me / bassinet but can hold out for a cot until baby is about 6 months, I would recommend a sleep nest or Moses basket for your living room and I would recommend a play mat , but you don’t need anything too fancy. I found that I just hung his favourite toys from the top for him to bat. I personally never bothered with a proper changing station , I’ve always just changed him on a changing mat on his bedroom floor, I’m glad I didn’t now as he started rolling all around the place at 4 months anyway. I find nappy bins a bit of a gimmick and just take it down to the bin. I’ve never bothered with a bouncer and been fine without, but considering it for the next baby just for ease. I’d find the owlet sock anxiety provoking and stick to a good quality monitor, I just check in on him a lot! I do think there’s a lot of gimicky things out there, so I’d just get the essentials and work out what you want extra once baby is here

Somewhere for them to sleep, something for them to wear. That’s honestly all you need to start with, then go from there and see what you feel you need.

Sorry for your lost
My opinion so many things are wast of money
We got the next to me and play mat from a friend
Bath
Clothes
And that it
Nothing else
Once she was born I borrowed the pump to express milk then bought.
No need for nappy bins or changing station
Bottle coolers if you can planning to breast feed me you dont need

My advice is don’t overworked your self get the essential only.baby will only need mummy ..

All you need is enough clothes to change when they poop on everything, nappies and wipes, somewhere safe for the baby to sleep in, a rocking chair to put the baby in while you do your things, and enough healthy food for you.
Nothing else is more urgent and everything can be bought on the spot
They don’t neees much

I had my first baby in October 2022. We received lots of hand-me-downs, and when baby was here, made use of local baby markets to top up on sizes of clothes as she grew. E.g. went to a market a month to buy for 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 months etc which kept the cost down massively.

You generally won't need to buy muslin cloths as everyone seems to gift you them. Ditto bibs. Feeding wise, I had decided to BF so didn't buy anything ahead of time other than the Haakaa, so this may not suit you. Once here, I bought bottles as she needed top up feeds due to weight gain, and bought a microwave steriliser. I also purchased an electric pump then.

Next to me bed for sleeping for the first 6 months, along with cellular blankets. Sleeping bags were far too big for her for so long. If you can get your hands on some sort of sleep nest for the living room, that would be handy.

I had a baby shower and put a nappy bin on it, as well as some recovery bits for me after birth (cooling pads etc).

Some nappy bags come with changing mats, so as long as you have some sort of waterproof surface to change baby on, that's fine really.

I got my pram and travel system off FB marketplace, basically still new. I also bought a mamas and papas cot + drawers off there, again basically new. Both were better than half price.

Newborns don't really need much to stimulate them, a lot will come from you. You'll find so many good toys in kids charity shops too.

Go to marketplace for the angel bath seats if you have a bath, again much cheaper than new.

Buy everything else as you go as has been suggested! You got this mama. I'm sorry for your loss x

I’m so sorry for your loss, that must be really hard for you, particularly at a time like this.
What I found invaluable was the next to me bed, a Moses basket for the lounge, a sterilisation station, we used to put his bottles in a jug of hot water and test them which was much quicker and easier then the warmer. A rocker is definitely helpful, something to hold the baby on you, like a wrap around, so you can still get things done for the days when they won’t settle off you. We didn’t bother using a nappy bin, it was too fiddly for us and the baby was changed anywhere, we had a hamper in the lounge and bedroom with changing bits. The changing station was useful for when they’re a bit older to change them on as it saved my back! Plenty of muslins, and bodysuits as their poop always covers their clothes at the beginning. Also a baby bath and bath thermometer.
That’s all you pretty much need in the early days and you can get most of it on Facebook marketplace or vinted 🙂

Hello :)

My little Man is one and second on the way (13 weeks)

We got a nappy bin but found the inserts to much of a cost, so just put them in the wheelie bin as and when.

i had a bouncer and found it really handy for example, i would take baby into the bathroom so i could still see him but i could shower.

play mats… you can use a blanket and i had some books i used to set up around him to look at and some black and white picture cards. we had a playmat but he wasn’t bothered.

bottle cooler…. you can use a bowl and cold water or run under the tap

As someone said above, vinted is fab. i bought a brand new tommee tippee thermometer egg for like £3 instead of £20. i also things like milton steriliser bucket and a brand new portable bottle warmer/ hot water flask.

I’m happy for you to message me with any questions as it wasn’t that long since i’ve had baby one :)

You’re better to look at things now as Black Friday sales are approaching and you will get a good bargain. Asda do really nice baby clothes and Matalan for amazing prices. You can check on Facebook marketplace for bouncers, baby cot. As you will need them as soon as baby is here.

I have a small house so slept mine in the pram’s bassinet downstairs.
I got a ‘next to me’ but regretted that they’re not very cosey and he never slept on it always wanted to be closer as he knew I was there. They’re also a bit wonky lots of people complain about that.
I got a mamas and papas cot on eBay for £10 !
I breastfed and found a Hakkaa better than any pump so wasted money there. Don’t get an elvie they’re shocking!
Get a nice playmat you’ll use it a lot early for tummy time.