When I found out that I was pregnant with Amy, there were two questions spooking around in my head. “How on earth am I going to tell my parents?” and “What do you need for a baby?”. My pregnancy took me completely by surprise. I hadn’t planned on having a baby for another couple of years, so when my grandad passed away and I found out I was expecting a baby within a couple of days, I was completely overwhelmed.
What do you need for a baby and what’s a waste of money?
After the initial shock, however, I got really excited. I had always known that I wanted to be a mum, so things were just happening a little earlier than expected. Amy’s name was a given right from the start but everything else was a big mystery to me. What do you need for a baby and what’s a waste of money? Do you buy new or secondhand and how much of everything do you need?
I discovered the world of Twitter, mum forums and conflicting advice. Everyone told me something told something different when I asked for baby must-buys and don’t buys and in the end, I just bought a bunch of stuff that was in equal parts absolutely necessary and completely useless.
If you’re pregnant and don’t know what you need for a newborn, here are my top 5 baby buys and don’t buys. I hope they give you an idea:
What do you need for a baby – the must haves:
Car seat
Whether you drive or not, you will need a car seat for your baby at some point. We didn’t own a car when Amy was first born, but her car seat was an absolute must-buy for me. You’re bound to get a lift from friends and family or you might have to catch a taxi unexpectedly, so it’s always better to be prepared – especially when it concerns your baby’s safety.
Baby monitor
Some parents might argue that a baby monitor is not a must, but for us it really was. Amy’s bedroom was on the second floor of our house, so if we wanted to ensure that she got some uninterrupted sleep in the evening, we had to take her upstairs. With our video monitor, we could check on her whenever we wanted, check the temperature of her bedroom, play soothing lullabies or speak to her. Plus, it was a really reassuring gadget to have for nervous first-time parents.
Pram / baby carrier
You’ll have to transport your baby some kind or the other when you’re out and about and both choices have their pros and cons. If you go for a pram or baby carrier is pretty much a matter of choice, budget and preference. We had both and used them for different scenarios, but let me give you one bit of advice: If you travel a lot, babywearing is the way forward!
Changing mat
This might be an obvious one, but I don’t even want to imagine the state of our carpets, sofa and bed had we not used a changing mat when tackling Amy’s nappies. Baby’s poos can be ridiculously explosive and go everywhere. You really don’t want that mess anywhere other than on baby’s changing mat.
Crib/Moses Basket or Co-Sleeper
During their first months, your baby will probably spend more time in their crib, moses basket or co-sleeper than anywhere else. Sleeping is their number 1 activity, so make sure to get a model that is safe and complying with safety standards in your country. If you’re on a budget, buying a second-hand crib, moses basket or co-sleeper is completely fine. Always make sure to buy a new mattress, though, as cot death is linked to used mattresses.
What do you need for a baby – the don’t buys:
Changing table
We didn’t bother getting a changing table and simply got two changing mats. One that we kept upstairs in our bedroom and another one that we kept downstairs, behind the sofa. They cost about a fiver each and were completely sufficient. If you feel like you need a dedicated space for changing your baby, why not create a changing station on top of a dresser?
Nappy bin
I have no idea why people get these. What’s the point in having a nappy bin that stinks up your baby’s nursery when you can just take the dirty nappy out with the rest of the rubbish? Complete waste of money in my eyes, especially as you spend a small fortune on refills, if you use them regularly.
Wipe warmers
Another absolutely pointless invention are wipe warmers. In fact, I didn’t even know they existed until a friend told me about them. I’ve not once warmed up Amy’s wipes and she’s fine. I mean why would your get your baby used to something that you won’t have handy all the time anyway? It’s not like you’d carry around your plug-in baby warmer with you on a day out, right?
Baby shoes
They’re cute but let’s face it, babies really don’t need proper shoes until they actually start walking. When you’re outside and it’s cold, they’re usually snuggled up in their pram or in a warm snowsuit while being strapped in a baby carrier. If you feel your baby absolutely need baby shoes, buy a pair or two. Everything else is just excessive and a waste of your money.
Baby bouncer or swing
Some babies love them, some babies don’t. Amy belonged to the second group which is why I’m glad that we borrowed a swing instead of buying it. If you want to get a swing or baby bouncer wait until your baby is born so you can see if they actually like them. Even better, borrow one from friends or family with older babies, if you’re on a budget.
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It was a must for me, though all my babies were premature and I had read that prem babies are more at risk of cot death etc. If you are an easy go parent then maybe it wouldn’t be so much of a priority to have a baby monitor x
definitely! i have 2 noisy boys at home and without a monitor i wouldn’t hear my little girl wake from her nap
I think I would put it as a must for extra security or precaution maybe
I think having a baby monitor is a luxury but still a very valuable tool if you have one.
Most deffo a must buy!! were on baby number 6 and our baby monitor reassures me as much with this one as it did with my first. Its also very handy for older children too, when they are playing upstairs you can keep an ear out on what they are up to 😀
a must have because its always good to have them
I think it really depends on the individual situation. We didn’t need it for our daughter, but we were living in a small house where sound carried easily. Our current house has more rooms and is better insulated, so I’d probably consider it a necessity if we have a second child. And when dealing with multiple children, I could definitely see the benefit of having a monitor.
I would say yes, they didn’t have them when mine were little though
For peace of mind and help parents relax more
a must have because it saves time going up and down the stairs every 5 minutes to check that the baby is ok
Its a must have, my bedrooms are up stairs in my house, a baby alarm would be so handy to keep eye on my baby without going up and down stairs every 2 mins, to check. Can never be to carefull..x
I think that depends how large your home is and how far you are from your child – what would be the point of a monitor if your child is only just a few doors down or up the stairs one flight and you can hear them anyway?
It is a must buy -I want to hear every sound
Is a luxury otherwise how have people managed the last few thousand years
a must have for peace of mind.
As you say above, I think it depends on your house. We have a 3 bedroom and our baby’s cot is less than 4 metres from our bed, although in a different room, so I can hear any little noise without a monitor.
I would class it as a must have, my daughter has always used one & it gave me peace of mind when I babysat
A must buy for sure
It’s a must-buy because it gives you such peace of mind.
a must have for peace of mind.
a must have for peace of mind.
It’s a must as I’m a very heavy sleeper!
It depends on what way you look at it. I personally would buy one for peace of mind but i wouldnt nesseccary say it was a must buy
ha ha i was nodding my head along to the nappy bin – we got talked into buying one once, but I couldn’t work out how to use it. complete waste of money. we also never bothered with bay shoes i agree waste of time and money x
it is a luxury item as you never want to be that far away from them even when they are asleep
We’ve never had one, but we’ve just moved and I think we might need to get one as her bedroom is further away now.
I think if you can afford to have one then you should most definately as they offer you a lot of peace of mind.
I managed without one for my first two but had one form my third and it made me feel much more comfortable leaving the baby in her room to sleep, etc.
A must buy, as you can’t always be in the same room as them. With a monitor you can check on them at all times.
definitely a must have! we had the angelcare monitors with the sensor if they stopped breathing and it really put my mind at ease although there were a few false alarms when she starting rolling about!
I think it depends on everyone’s own situation, I live in a flat with really thin walls so I’m not sure that I’m going to buy one or not.
I think a baby monitor is a must buy because it provides such peace of mind to know you can hear every sound, and could potentially be life saving
They are useful but for my 3 kids I used it only few times for second daughter and stopped… didn’t try again for 3rd baby and I did just fine…. but for some parents, it might be a compulsory thing specially if the baby room is very far from where they are .
We used ours a lot. You definitely wouldn’t waste your money.
For peace of mind and to help parents relax more.
We didn’t have one and generations before managed perfectly well without them. They are a luxury item.
I used to think it was a luxury item, particularly as our bedrooms are close to one another, but now I think it is a necessity, because if your baby’s breathing gets erratic your baby monitor can pick up on this, or if you are in a particularly deep sleep, the baby monitor can help wake you up.
I think it’s a must buy, it’s your ears in the room .x
must have to help keep mums calmer and more relaxed during the nicght
I haven’t used one but my little one was either in the same room or at least on the same level so I could always hear
A good idea to keep an eye on the baby. Peace of mind.
I think it really depends. When I had my first I had a large old style house. I know I certainly wouldn’t of heard her if she was upstairs and I was putting washing out on the line at the back of the garden for example. However my circumstances have now changed and I live in a small flat her bedroom is off the lounge so I heard everything and a baby monitor really isn’t necessary.
I think it’s a luxury item
My last pregnancy was twins so although I had purchased one I actually didn’t need it as the sound travelled beautifully hehe
In my house it is a must, my husband is completely deaf in one ear and so its the best way for him to be confident in listening out
certainly depends on size of home. if in bungalow/flat your on one level so it is a luxury. Yet if in a house on 2 levels I think it is a good thing to have. xx
must have for peace of mind
It’s not essential and can lead to an overprotective nature, running in for every sound. But if it gives peace of mind it can’t be a bad thing.
I think must have, less worry & stress!
It depends how far away they sleep
it is a must
I think it is essential, I can carry on doing my jobs with the confidentce that is baby is unhappy I can go see to her
A monitor has been a must for me as it took a long while for our little one to sleep through the night and, on more than one occasion, when I accidentally left the monitor off it wasn’t until little one was hysterical that I actually heard anything. And we’re in a little flat!
must have for peace of mind