Baby essentials...

Every baby shop, parenting website, book or person has a list of things that they find essential(please find a few linked below for future reference). But after already having one, and seeing what seems like the endless list I thought I would write my own. Please note that some items I class as unnecessary may indeed be necessary to you.

My must haves:
The big ticket items:

• Cot/crib
• Carseat(either convertible that is suitable from birth or a capsule)
• Pushchair/buggy/pram
• Baby Monitor

Clothing:

• Onesies/bodysuits and lots of them
• pants(no jeans or big bulky ones though)
• SOCKS as in at least ten pairs them little suckers go missing in no time
• All-in-ones/sleepers what ever those footed one piece garments are called.
• a few shirts, long and short sleeved.
• A couple of woolen cardies/jumpers and some nice cotton jerseys too. 
• A nice outfit or two just in case you want to dress your baby up super nice. But nothing impractical, 

I am a firm believer in dressing my babies in only natural fibers so we had no polar fleece or polyester clothes until my son was about one and a half. 

Other stuff:

• A baby carrier/front pack if you think you would be into babywearing. 
• Waterproof playmat and changemat
• generic cloths that can be used as burp cloths. I just used muslin baby wraps and old fashioned flat nappies.
• Bibs and lots of them in different styles/shapes etc. 
• a nappy/diaper bag or a bag that can function as one(no need to buy one specifically designed to be one when a simple backpack will work just as well). 
• Nappies/diapers its your choice whether you go cloth or disposable(I personally am doing disposable for approximately the first week then starting bubs in cloth). 
• a play mat with the toys hanging from above, those are brilliant.
• wipes
• face cloths
• bedding
• a few select toys as in 4-5 max.
• baby manicure set
• bum cream and as natural as you are willing to go.
• baby wash(in case they get really dirty, but just water and a wash cloth works fine for the first few months). 

For mum(please note most of this list is catered to breastfeeding simply because that is what we did, if you plan on formula feeding then ignore most of it).

• 3-4 comfortable nursing bras
• nursing pads either reusable or disposable.
• a pump, I have a manual one but it is personal preference.
• A few bottles(like 2-3 in different styles)
• Nursing singlets(these are prefect for sleeping in)

I have probably missed stuff off the list and it may seem like a lot which it is but in reality baby just needs somewhere warm and safe to sleep, someone to look after them, clean clothes and nappies and food. Everything else is non essential so only buy what you need. Oh and don't do a big shop until after your baby shower if you are having one.

Here's some links to some lists put out by shops/websites here in new Zealand:

The Warehouse

Baby On the Move

Baby Factory

Baby City

Oh Baby

Huggies

Kidspot

KiwiFamilies

LittleTreasures Magazine

Prefold Tutorial: Angel Wing Fold

 This is one of the most common folds and is simple, easy and versatile. It is also great for boys and girls.

Step one: Lay prefold out in front of you.

Fold in one side at the front










Fold in other side at the front, this forms almost a pyramid shape and creates the "wings" at the top of the nappy.











Fold front of nappy up to decrease rise. How much depends on your baby and the size of the prefold.










Fold down the back if you want, this is great at providing extra protection if your baby is still in the explosive liquid poop stages.






 
 Bring folded bit up between legs.










Bring wings around the waist and fasten around the baby. Here I have used a Boingo.

Check out my Facebook, Youtube and Instagram for regular updates and more.

Prefold Tutorial: Double Wing Fold

Please note that I made this fold up one day after being frustrated with either the back wings being too short or my prefold being too long. I used to use the newspaper fold for my son, but found it quite bulky between the legs so adapted it and came up with this. The fold may have already been created by someone else, but either way I thought I would share it. Check out the video tutorial too, link at the bottom of the post, or on the right just above my profile.

Step one:  Lay Prefold out in front of you

 Fold approximately 1/4-1/3 of the bottom up, this will be front of the nappy.

 Flip the prefold over so that the folded bit is underneath.

 Fold into three like the pad fold. As you can see the first fold has created wings type things at the bottom, these will be at the front of the nappy.

 Unfold the top of the pad to form wings, it should look like the picture above.

Place the baby onto the nappy and fold the front bit up, it will look like this.

  Fold the wing bit up to extend the wings and reduce the bulk between the legs.

Fold front wings around your childs waist while bringing the back wings round and to the front. Fasten with a Snappi, Boingo or pin. And of course cover with a waterproof cover of your choice my favourites are Thristies Duo Wraps or Gen-y Universal covers.





The two pictures below are of the same fold for two different size prefolds on my 9.2kg 1yr old son

Infant prefold, currently right length but not quite wide enough for newspaper fold. In this photo the snappi only just fits, boingos would have been better.

Crawler size prefold, currently right width for the newspaper fold, but too long and therefore adds bulk between the legs. Either a snappi or a Boingo can be used with this size prefold and fold.

Check out my Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and more. My Youtube channel is currently under construction so subscribe for updates on new videos as they are posted in the coming weeks.

Another tough decision: Diaper/Nappy Bag... Need a top of the line one, or something simple?

That dreaded diaper bag, do I need a fancy one, a cheaper alternative or none at all? I have been given one, which I will find helpful, but i don't know if the style is right for me.

I have seen quite a few online that I like the look of but so far have resisted buying one. Sure I want to be a trendy mum and have a stylish nappy bag, but do I really need to spend $100 on one when I can get one similar or the same size for less than half that, that also does the same job. What about you mums what style/price/absolute must haves did you decide on.

In other news, I have officially gone past my due date, am now sitting at 40 weeks and 3 days and totally over the waiting. Have been off work for 4 weeks now and had honestly thought that I would have a baby by now. This time last week there was what we assumed as the start of labour but it went no where and since then nothing. Here's hoping the walking that I will be doing when I go out this afternoon will kick start this baby into arriving. It unfortunately is banned from arriving this Wednesday or Friday as I wish for my child to have it';s own birthday and not share it with another family member.

Feel free to also check out my YouTube and Instagram channel and latest pregnancy vlog.