Wednesday, October 22, 2008

What do you REALLY need?

(Anna is the baby in this photo, soon to be new mum, and my mum is holding her, soon to be grandma)
Pitter patter.  Do you hear the sound of little feet?  In case you missed it, my sister is pregnant.  Very exciting.  Babe is due at the end of March and we're counting down.
We've recently shared several interesting conversations.  The most recent was about what 'baby' items you realistically need as a new mum!  She believes that the commercial world out there is out to convince you that you need every little item.  We were talking about nappy bags.  She thinks it is silly when the nappy bag is childlike or covered in some kiddy character.  Who is the bag for?  She is far more keen to use a large bag she already has or wait to see if and what she needs in a bag.
This leads me to ask you mums out there, what do you really need?  What can't you live without?  I am very interested to know and I'll pass the info on to Anna...

8 comments:

triplejanda said...

Mmmmmmm...every mum is different so it all depends on what you find useful. I think get a stylish big bag but you do need to be able to find things in it...there are some pretty cool baby bags out there now..you really do need something if you want to get out and about with bubs and not be stuck at home. A baby bag with a fold out change mat is useful coz most people aren't that keen on you changing bubs on their carpet...doona...couch etc. It is funny...before you are a mum you don't think you need much but then relity hits........

Anonymous said...

A nappy bag as such, is handy - as they have been made with all the compartments to keep baby stuff at hand....there are some great funky mum styles out there. I bought one that suited dad's shoulder too!!

We used the 'big' bath rather than buying a baby bath, baby bjorn was handy at first but only lasted a few months till bubs was too heavy - some mums use the slings. Cot, change table (we used a chest of drawers with change mat on top) and a toy box....a baby bouncer seat is great for when you need to shower & it keeps them safe sitting watching you!! and a play mat they can lie under before they are at the rolling stage keeps them busy...those are my thoughts :)

Marg and Graham said...

Baby bag is good - a good pram (versatile) and OH the list goes on - not to mention what to call the new grandmother! XXX

Anna said...

Thanks for the post El, I look forward to the suggestions! Whoever anonymous was thinks along what I have been thinking!

Janet said...

your sister is right, you need a lot less stuff than what people say you need.

I never had a nappy bag as such, but if I had my time over I'd treat myself to a big crumpler that sat nicely over the handles of my stroller. I have a kind of nappy wallet that holds a couple of nappies and the wipes etc. Love my stroller (moutain buggy and we still use it occasionally)and have shared the bassinet bit we bought with it with with a few other mums.

Apart from the odd special outfit and hand knit, I wouldn't get so many different sorts of clothes (they went very quickly -especially if they were hard to get on and off), Grace wore the grow suits or leggings and t-shirts all the time when she was very little. It was comfortable and saved on thinking. And I would definitely use either disposables or fitted washable nappies. I did folded cloth nappies and I'll never get that time back.... Still a pack of cloth nappies is useful for all sorts of things, wiping, protecting your clothes from vomit etc...

We used the baby bath for ages, but Grace hated the bjorn. Grace slept in a bassinet at first but the cot could have been in our room to begin with.

The best thing we did was make plenty of space, physically and mentally. Because really you don't know what sort of baby you'll have and what sort of parents you'll be until it happens.

All the best
xx

admin said...

Hi....I left the anonymous comment, sorry it was annoymous I was having trouble with blogger!!! Sarah :)

p.s (I came across your blog through team Melmac (Grant is AJ & Milla's Uncle!!!....who are good friends of ours!)

Suse said...

Congratulations to Anna!

She will need a cot (don't bother with a bassinet), a good pram with storage basket underneath and the type that can also have a toddler seat attached later if babe no. 2 is only a year or two behind, lots of growsuits, a packet of cloth nappies no matter whether you're going disposable or what because as Janet said you need them for wipes, over the shoulder burp cloths, etc and I still use them as wipes around the house (my babies are now 14, 12 and 9 and I use the nappies every week). A change mat, rather than a change table, and then you can change babe on the floor/couch/bed/whatever room you're in and they don't take up room like a piece of furniture does. A sling is great too because lots of babies just want to be held and you need to be hands free sometimes.

Mostly, she will need lots of casseroles in her freezer and loving sisters to come around and hold the baby so she can get a shower before 3pm.

zoot said...

Regarding the bag (which is what most are commenting on) I ended up getting a bigger purse instead because I found myself struggling to carry a baby AND two bags at the same time!

I adored all of my carriers for my baby, the ones you wear? I've used all of mine.