Pregnant friends ask me about this sort of stuff so I thought it may be for other people as well. This is only based on my experiences just ‘cos I haven’t written about it doesn’t mean its no good! Some of it may be obvious to you but it wasn’t to me!
Clothes
Come in sizes according to weight and don’t last very long at all in the beginning. You will need a slightly larger size if you use real nappies. Some babygros have integral gloves that fold back – very useful for babies that want to scratch their faces off. Things that fasten at the front are easier than things that go over heads. Car boot sales are great for baby clothes. All socks are sacrificial; they don’t stay on feet for long so I prefer things with feet for colder weather.
Nappies
I am a big fan of the my real nappy service. They come to your house to show you how the nappies work and you get everything you need, including a bin to put the dirty nappies in until collection day. Even if I was going to wash my own I would start with a nappy service until the baby is big enough to fit medium sized nappy wraps. You can hire the small sizes, I don’t think they are worth buying in a small size. We experimented with different wipes and in the end I have found cotton wool and water the best and cheapest option. I keep a small wide necked bottle for water in his changing bag. I like the smell of the Weleda nappy cream, Vaseline works just as well though and is much cheaper.
Toys
My child likes noisy things, mirrors and things he can hold with his tiny fingers. Brightly coloured board books are good too. Maisy Mouse is a big hit and available in children’s sections of libraries. He likes the Mam teething ring best as it is tough and nobbly. He has a cot mobile that keeps him in rapturous beams and a baby gym with things to hit. The Early Learning Centre gym is good value as all the toys can be taken off and used in his car seat. The music is terrible though, if you buy anything musical remember that you will have to listen to it too.
Feeding
I use an Avent Isis pump to express milk ‘cos everyone else seems to. I pump in the morning while feeding after the small has triggered off the let down reflex. There is a bewildering choice of teats. I have just worked out that the Avent ones are numbered with more holes for older babies. I have had no luck with teats so am trying a soft spout with a valve, supposedly designed to get babies from breast or bottle to cup. I boil stuff to sterilise it, it’s not a hassle and I don’t think the sterilising equipment is really necessary, though it may make life a bit easier. I have read that the sterilising solution can increase the risk of thrush.
Sleeping
I had a Moses basket for small but didn’t like it ‘cos I had to peer in to check his breathing. If a cot is sturdy enough you can take one side off and have it right by your bed. This makes night feeds much easier. Grobags are brilliant and my small sleeps much longer since we got one. You can buy fleece by the metre for blankets that need no sewing.
Bathing
I think a bath thermometer is vital, what’s warm to me is boiling for the small. We share the bath and he loves it. You also need a soft sponge and ducks! I don’t use soap or shampoo on him, he smells fine with just a rinse.
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