I remember being able to find loads of articles on the essentials e.g. how many of each type of clothing, nappy changing stuff, feeding/sterilizing stuff etc. Although as per my post above I would get two changing matts and two sets of changing stuff for upstairs and downstairs. However, I can let you know which products we bought, and how we rate them (in our opinion of course!).
Things we bought:
The good
>Baby Bouncer chair (something simple with a mobile)
>Baby gym (any kind)
>Baby bath seat/chair
>Kari-Me baby sling (once you get the hang of tying it these are brilliant, you can get your baby to sleep wherever you are and you have both your hands free to play darts and drink beer
only joking, I mean dust or do the shopping).
>Gro-bag swaddle (this was one of the best things we bought - keeps them wrapped tight which they like)
>Whoozit baby toys (our babies preferred toy - although he prefers cardboard now, which is so much cheaper!!)
>Thermos flask (as described in my post above)
>BT Baby Monitor 150 - (not the fanciest or most expensive but we have had no problems with this and still using it 10 months on)
>comfy chair for the nursery (there are some expensive, very nice chairs on the market, however we used an IKEA Poang chair - just as good and a fraction of the price - if we'd had the money we would have bought the mama's & papa's feeding chair.... sooo comfortable!)
When they are a few months older:
>Gro-bag (any brand would do)
>Stokke Tripp-Trapp high chair (expensive but well worth it, and this can be adapted and used as they grow into toddlers and beyond).
>Baba sling (once they are bigger babies, sitting up, then this sling is useful as they can sit on your hip or on your back - the Kari-Me can be used for this age and much older too, but we've found this one easier when they are bigger).
>Galt baby nest (we were given this, but its been one of the most useful things we have, they can use it when they are learning to sit up and until they are mobile enough to push themselves out if it
.... much better than the Bumbo (see below).
The bad
>Baby bath (hardly used it but felt pressured to buy one as bathing your baby in washing up bowl seemed a bit mean) - they're not too expensive so I'd probably still get one...
>Towels with hoods - (never used them, they're the wrong shape and a normal towel is much better).
>Bumbo baby seat - some people probably love this but it didn't work out for our boy... a waste of money
>Door bouncer - our boy didn't like it, but i'd say its a fairly limited... they can't play with anything else.... its drafty with the door open too!)
>Teddies and cuddly toys - (these are of no use to a new born baby, I wouldn't buy any as others will give them as gifts and before you know it you have a small sea-side arcade shop instead of a nursery.
Prams and car seats are another article altogether. Everyone will have different kit and different experiences... and I’m of the opinion that what works for one family might not for the next if you get what I mean?? These items are the most expensive that you'll buy so my advice would be to do lots of research and consider practicalities such as how much does it weigh (with and without baby)?, does it fit in my car/boot? how much stuff can I carry in the tray? How much are the accessories etc.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know, but if you have any questions on any of the above I’d be happy to answer them.
D
