Having a baby is a stressful and happy time - there is so much to think about let alone the pregnancy and birth but what happens once your baby has arrived? what will you need? which product is best? Do you really need it? So many questions so I have put together a selection of newborn essentials which I have found the most useful since having Betsy. Bearing in mind I have had three children before her the technology has changed and there are so many more advanced and useful products out there. I got most of my recommendations from other mums who were currently using or had previously used and recommended to me. The baby show is a great place to get ideas from and to even try out the products before you buy and have someone on hand to help you and even have demos which I found very useful. @thebabyshow
MAM Baby UK - Breast pump, bottles, dummies, steriliser, nipple shields
I would suggest using one brand for all of the above as the teats on most bottles vary and your baby will get use to one type - also the bottles fit nicely in their own brand of steriliser too so that helps a lot! Weather you are breast feeding or bottle feeding I did both and to start with used the nipple shields as Betsy was a bit lazy at latching so I found these helped me a lot to get her feeding. The pump is a 2 in 1 so can be used automatically as well as manually depending on preference. The automatic setting is great for night time expressing as it does all the work for you! When I went on to expressing I used the bottles and steriliser. The bottles are anti colic and fab in comparison to any other bottle I have used in the past and come in various sizes and you can even buy each part of the bottle separately so if you lose a bit you can just replace that part instead of buying a whole new bottle. The steriliser can be used as a bottle warmer as well so was and still is very handy in warming that bottle on the night feed quickly. I also use this now for defrosting Betsy's previously frozen food I have made for her so a great all round product with great uses and I have used from day 1 so well worth the money! @mambabyuk
Sleepyhead of Sweden - Sleep pod
Now this I would have to say was the best product I bought for Betsy! When babies are born they like to feel nice and cosy like they were inside your tummy for 9 months. So swaddling is good but my children use to hate me swaddling them so I put Betsy in the Sleepyhead for naps and she slept like a dream! I knew she was safe in there and couldn't roll out, I can move it around the house with me, I could take it on holiday and there are extra covers you can buy for it so you can personalise it to your taste. So easy to take off and wash too. Also it can be used a play mat as you can buy a toy arch - which attaches to the side and is a great feature. Now these are quite expensive but totally worth the money spent and I wish they were around when I had my boys! @sleepyheadofsweden
Angelcare - Bathseat
I find with bathing a baby you need to feel like your baby is safe and not going to fall or slip and with the Angelcare bath seat Betsy was secure to the bottom of the bath in her seat and it was easy to use and reach her and wash her in. Really secure and safe and suitable from newborn up to 6 months so worth the money used every day! she loves bath time! @angelcareuk
Cuddledry - Hands free bath towel
Now as we are on the bath time subject - this is one of the most useful products I have used. When your baby is in the bath and you need to get them out how do you do it one handed or lay them on the floor - its not easy especially when they are small as they get so cold quickly and you want to keep them warm. This towel acts like an apron and fastens around your neck so you have both hands free to then lift your baby out of the bath and onto your chest wrapping them up in the large soft cuddly towel. Its just perfect for bathtime and again is used every day in our house! @cuddledry
Childs Farm - Bath bubbles, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser
I found Childs farm at a baby show and had a sample to try - I was so surprised by the different products available and how kind and gentle on baby's skin they are. They do a whole range of bubbles, baby wash, shampoo, conditioner ,sun care and moisturisers. The smells are just divine and I use the bubbles in my bath too! The moisturiser I use on betsy's skin when its dry and it seems to clear it up nicely. These are the only products I use on Betsy (obviously a newborn doesn't need anything on their skin for the first week or so but I would def say have a try of these). @childsfarm
Rascal & Friends Nappies -
You will need hundreds of nappies! You need to make sure they are comfortable for your baby, hold in all leakages and explosions as believe me they happen! So i've put a few brands to the test and these Rascal & Friends came out on top. They are new to the UK but are the best nappy i've used. They do everything I want them to do and more! Definitely recommend. Its worth trying out a few brands to see for yourself but these win by a long way for me. @rascalandfriends
Izmi - Baby carrier
When I had my boys I didn't ever use a baby carrier as I couldn't work out how to do all the buckles up and how to get baby in one handed - I just couldn't do it. So when I went to the Baby Show and met the Izmi team they asked if I would like a demo - I was intrigued as some mums I see make it look so easy! I tried the wrap suitable from birth so baby feels close and it was so easy to put on and felt so natural having baby so close to me. I bought it there and then! As i'm into exercising I also bought the baby carrier so I could workout while carrying Betsy too. It seemed a bit more secure for jumping about with a baby and exercising - she loves it in there and I often put her in so I can get the dinner cooked or tidy up while she has a snooze. So useful and comforting at the same time.
@izmi_baby
Baby Bjorn - Bouncer Chair
I find it nice to have somewhere safe to let baby sit whilst you go for a wee or answer the door or to just eat your dinner - so I use the Baby Bjorn bouncer. This chair is safe and sturdy - it bounces when baby moves and is good for soothing them to sleep. I know she's safe and cant get out and its comfortable for her too! @babybjorn
Stokke - High chair
The stokke Tripp Trapp high chair is a chair for life. It grows with your baby. Probably one of the best investments you will buy. From birth all the way up to adult this chair really does serve its purpose. You can choose from lots of different colours and even have the chair engraved. So of course we chose pink and had Betsy's name on the back. I absolutely love it! It comes with a newborn set suitable from birth to 6 months So baby can learn to be at the table with you from a young age. Once outgrown the newborn set the next is a baby set when baby can sit up and there are lots of lovely colours and additions you can add like a tray mat and cushions too. Its so sturdy (well it has to be for an adult to be able to use it). Definitely one of the best products designed to last. @stokkebaby
Stokke -Trailz Stroller
Stokke not only do highchairs but a lovely range of bedroom furniture and strollers too. We went into the store in Westfield and Had our stroller tailored to our uses and preferences. They have off road ones, ones for city life and commuting as well as a whole range of colours too. It comes with a carry cot suitable from birth and a stroller seat which can be rear or forwards facing so again grows with your baby. So easy to use with clip on and off seats as well as a one button push recline and extendable hood. The other thing about this stroller is that you can buy a winter kit for it which consists of a cover for the stroller as well as mittens that attach to the stroller handlebar and fur inserts. This was perfect for us as we had a winter baby - myself and Betsy were always so snug. I know a stroller is personal preference but its worth looking at Stokke as they are amazing strollers with such convenience of use and everyone always comments on it when we are out and about! @stokkebaby
Mima Zigi stroller
If you are off on your travels I would high recommend this stroller. Not only does it look smart but it folds down so small you are allowed to take it up to the plane doors when travelling. It comes with a travel bag to keep safe and is so easy to fold down using just one hand! We went to Disney Florida so needed a stroller to take that can fold away quickly and that could also take our bags as well as shade Betsy. It does all of these things. It has storage underneath an extendable sunshade and takes bags on the back too without falling over. So easy to push with 360 wheels sturdy and fits nicely on your lap. @mima_kids bought from @cheeky_rascals
Babymoove - Nutribaby steamer and blender in one
This product is fantastic and when it comes to weaning your baby you need a steamer and a blender to make the purees. This comes with both! You can steam meat vegetables and even eggs as well as pasta. Once cooked you just transfer over to the blender with some of the cooking water and blend. It has three settings depending on what level of weaning your baby is at and how smooth you want the puree to be. I will be using this a lot and I cannot wait to try out more and more recipes. @babymoov_uk
So that's it - my top 12 baby essentials - believe me there will be more but these are just a few that I have found to be so useful I just had to share.
I hope i've helped a little bit and please feel free to ask me any questions
Katy x
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