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NOW CLOSED Tell Amazon.co.uk your top 5 'must-have' products for when you have a baby - you could win a £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate

201 replies

KatieBMumsnet · 19/10/2012 17:11

You may have seen another thread recently on MN telling you about the new Amazon Family programme. Here's what Amazon.co.uk say about the service:
"We know that the amount of information available on what to buy when you have a baby can be overwhelming, and that making the right choice is not always easy," said Samantha Nash, Family Manager at Amazon.co.uk Ltd and mother of two young children. "We have launched Amazon Family to help our customers find the right products at the right price, along with hundreds of product reviews to help guide them in their decision. With special offers available to Family members across a wide range of products from nappies, children's shoes, toys and beauty products, it helps parents save precious time and money, with orders delivered direct to your door."

Amazon.co.uk would like to know which products you really need when you have a baby. What was your absolutely essential bit of kit? Was there anything you bought maybe when pregnant or at home with a newborn that you later found out you didn't really need or never used?

Please share your top 5 'must have' and top 5 'not so necessary' baby products with Amazon.co.uk. Your advice may be used to help them create a list of top tips on what you do and don't need when you have a baby. Your comments may also be used in an email MNHQ will be sending out soon.

Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate. Ts&Cs can be found here

If you've not already signed up to the free three month trial of Amazon Family there's still time. By signing up you can gain access to discounts on a wide range of family products, three months free subscription to Amazon Prime giving unlimited One-Day Delivery on millions of eligible items, £10 off your first order over £50 in the Baby Store, and up to £50 worth of exclusive offers every month. Find out more here.

Thanks and good luck.

MNHQ

OP posts:
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Indith · 19/10/2012 17:18

Boobs
Lansinoh
Nappies
sleepsuits
sling

Anything else can be picked up once you know what sort of baby you have (velcro type or putdownable, vomity or not and so on).

The not so good? I don't know really. Just depends. I didn't use a change bag we had because there was so much wasted space with the bottle holders but if you are ff then you need that. I used boxes and boxes of breast pads but a friend gave me hers as she didn't leak at all. So just stick to the bare minimum and order stuff online as and when you need it. Not to suck up to Amazon but next day delivery can be a very good thing!

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cipollina77 · 19/10/2012 17:22

must have

  1. nappies and wipes
  2. vests
  3. babygro
  4. nappy cream (from Weleda)
  5. pram/travel system


not so necessary
  1. bottles & co, breastfeeding CAN go smoothly straight away. Bottles are available everywhere so if you are committed to BF there is no use buying bottles beforehand.
  2. moses basket, you can have baby sleep in travel system or, as mine did, in my arms most of the time. Then I sloooooowly transferred to their cot.
  3. pacifiers, mine never wanted one. (GP never understood this and kept insisting I'd try over and over again)
  4. baby baths, I just laid baby in the big bath and added 2cm of water. Once they got a couple of months older they adored kicking the water and spraying it into their face
  5. huge changing facilities. You just need a plastified mattress. By the way I never used muslins either. In some countries they simply do not exist.


of course for baby nr 1 I bought all the above and more. Could have opened a shop with various types and forms of pacifiers, botttles etc etc..... Am now on my third and have bought only necessary list items!
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LeBoob · 19/10/2012 17:30

Aden and anais Bamboo muslins
Amby baby hammock
Bumgenius nappies
Lansinoh
Breast pads

Some of the most unused items have been-

Babasling
Huggies nappies grumble
Talc
Baby bath
Disposable nappy bin

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Pascha · 19/10/2012 17:32

My personal list would contain:

No 1 most used and helpful product ever: THERMAL MUG. I cannot emphasise enough what a difference it makes to be drinking tea still warm after more than an hour.

  1. Chocolate cake (vast quantities) to go with the tea
  2. Carseat
  3. Sleeping bags
  4. Sling


Most pointless stuff that was never used or was just crap (for me anyway):

  1. Snotsucker
  2. Babybath
  3. Snowsuit - What a waste of time trying to screw little arms and legs into all that. Much better to use a fleecy blanket.
  4. Moses basket. Never known a baby yet who willingly slept in one.
  5. Baby lotion/talc. Babies skin just doesn't need it, and it really irritates newborn sensitive skin.
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MikeLitorisBites · 19/10/2012 17:35

Must haves.

Nappies. Disposable best for those first tar like poops

Blankets. Cwtchy warm blankets for mum and baby to snuggle up with.

Vest and sleepsuits.

Nipple cream. Lanisoh, nothing came close for me.

Moses basket. Not so important for others but I liked to put mine down somewhere they were cosy.

Not so important.

Proper clothes. Just no need.

Shoes. See above

Nappy bin. Get some nappy bags much easier.

Specific changing bag. Just get a big enough handbag that actually looks nice.

Wet wipe warmer. Enough said.

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namechangeforthis1 · 19/10/2012 17:42

1 three wheeler off road pram
2 sling
3 feeding cushion
4 hairdryer (for colic babies - stops them crying)
5 grobag

Don't need
1 baby shoes
2 expensive travel system pram
3 door bouncer
4 changing station
5 designer clothes

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Titsalinabumsquash · 19/10/2012 17:45

Nursing/maternity pillow (was a god send with DS2 and also used to get comfy in later pregnancy)

Nappies in the first 2 sizes and a good 2-3 packs (I personally found disposables a lot
easier in the early days)

Muslins or any sick cloths - nothing worse than getting out a shower, feeding and winding the baby feeling a little refreshed only to have them dribble milk or throw up down your shoulder Grin

Sports bottle to put warm water in to pour on sore/stitched areas when going for those first post birth wees, a sports cap makes directing the warm water so much easier than a jug Blush

Comfortable casual clothes for when visitors come, if you can be comfy and clean and presentable for when people come over it usually makes you feel a bit better than if you're in milky pjs.

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CMOTDibbler · 19/10/2012 17:45

Must haves:

  1. boobs
  2. sling
  3. Nice nappies - I loved my teeny tiny Sandys
  4. terry squares. Used as change mats, sick mopper, in moses basket to sick on etc etc, and 6 years later as small swimming towels (to stand on) and all sorts
  5. thermal cup - stops spills and you still have a hot drink much later
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Titsalinabumsquash · 19/10/2012 17:55

Not so necessary

  1. Designer or expensive "outfits" babies are happy in babygrows and vests, they are cheap and can be purchased in bulk. :)


  1. Changing station - much easier imo to have a basket of changing things downstairs and upstairs and change baby in a cheap mat.


  1. Baby toys - can be picked up when baby starts grasping and noticing things a bit more.


  1. Dummy "charms" the ones with the diamanté bits on them... Yeah, need I say more?! Wink
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Chopstheduck · 19/10/2012 17:59
  1. nappy bin
  2. decent travel system
  3. babygrows and vests
  4. muslin squares for the sick ups on shoulders
  5. nipple cream



Not so necessary

  1. changing mat (used lap)
  2. changing unit (ditto)
  3. baby bath (used sink)
  4. Sling (after carrying them for 9 months, didn't want to lug them around for a minute longer)
  5. dummies, despite my best efforts they jsut spat them out!
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TheLightPassenger · 19/10/2012 18:07

Top 5 -

wipe clean change mat
swing
bath chair
muslin squares
hooded baby bath towel

Less useful 5

bumbo
baby bathtub
baby bath products (just used water)
anyway up supposed non spill cups
talc

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cashmere · 19/10/2012 18:09

Must haves:-

  1. Muslins
  2. Comfy baby chair (sturdier than traditional bouncy chairs as was only thing DS would sleep in)
  3. Lansinoh
  4. Baby bath (big bath hurt my back)
  5. Natracare maternity pads- better than any others I tried and actually ordered on line.

6.(!) Natal hypnotherapy series
7.(!) Baby sleeping bag

Do without:-
  1. Bath support for big bath
  2. Mobile that attached to car seat!!
  3. Heatable/freezable fillet things to go in your bra- didn't need them.
  4. Widgey pillow, shape didn't work for me. My friends 'my breast friend' much better.
  5. Expensive room thermometer. Got loads free with baby sleeping bags.
  6. Moses basket- looked very sweet though!
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Kveta · 19/10/2012 18:10

great:

  1. sling
  2. nursing bra and a million muslins
  3. lansinoh
  4. sleepsuits and vests and nappies
  5. a camera to capture every single moment :o


not so great:
  1. moses basket
  2. little outfits with too many components to be vommed on
  3. bouncy chair (get a swing chair instead, they are brilliant)
  4. cuddly toys (cute wastes of space)
  5. baby bath support - jettisoned after 2 uses.
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Elainey1609 · 19/10/2012 18:12

1)nappies and wipes
2)sling and I know some people hate them but moses basket
3)terry squares, muslin, sick cloths
4)babygros/very cheep clothes
5)nipple cream
Must have above all else is thermal.cup or flask...so when I finally get to my tea its still warm

Not needed

  1. nappy bin
    2)pacifier
    3)expensive baby toys They are tooyoung
  2. baby shoes never wore them
    5)expensive desiger baby clothes
  3. baby deodrant....just why?
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Elainey1609 · 19/10/2012 18:14

1)nappies and wipes
2)sling and I know some people hate them but moses basket
3)terry squares, muslin, sick cloths
4)babygros/very cheep clothes
5)nipple cream
Must have above all else is thermal.cup or flask...so when I finally get to my tea its still warm

Not needed

  1. nappy bin
    2)pacifier
    3)expensive baby toys They are tooyoung
  2. baby shoes never wore them
    5)expensive desiger baby clothes
  3. baby deodrant....just why?
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moonstorm · 19/10/2012 18:15

Great:
1 nappies
2 vests and baby grows for clothes only
3 crib/ cot to sleep + bedding
4 baby sling (Moby)
5 car seat

Not so great:
1 steriliser
2 formula and associated bottles
3 moses basket
4 special baby towels
5 baby shoes

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MrsSchadenfreude · 19/10/2012 18:19

Earplugs.
Tinned Soup.
Chocolate.
Chocolate Cake.
Drinking chocolate.
Teabags.
Wine.
Gin.
Tonic water.
Lemons.

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TheProvincialLady · 19/10/2012 18:20

Must have:

Sling
Babygros
Vests
Nappies
Nursing bras

Not needed:

Moses basket/crib
Expensive tank like pushchair
Shoes for babies - hideous, pointless things
Changing table
Nappy bin (unless you like the smell of old poo and old ladies toilet freshener mixed together)

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smileyhappymummy · 19/10/2012 18:22

Top 5
Sling - fabric wrap one for us
Car seat
Swing
Feeding pillow
Kindle for reading during endless breast feeds!

Bottom 5
Expensive pushchair
Bouncy chair - baby refused to go In either of these
Baby books - the advice never seemed to help
Baby bath seat - why??
Toys for newborns - cuddles all that's required!

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ZombTEE · 19/10/2012 18:22

Needed:

A baby (can't believe no one has said this yet Grin)
Nappies
Wipes
onsies
spit/vomit rags
soft blanket

Didn't need in the end:

Snot sucker
top and tail bowl, although I use it now, but not for washing
breast pump
outfits beyond a onsie
mobile for over cot

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Bonsoir · 19/10/2012 18:24
  1. A subscription to The Economist (doesn't damage your baby when you drop it inadvertently while breastfeeding; keeps brain on track)
  2. A massive plastic water glass (ditto: not dangerous for baby while quenching insatiable breastfeeding thirst)
  3. A Baby Björn sling
  4. A Baby Björn bouncy chair
  5. Baby dressing gown and slippers (SO hard to find)
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CelineMcBean · 19/10/2012 18:27

I bought most of my first dc's baby stuff from Amazon and John Lewis. I've just had a look at what I ordered and what was most useful.

Essentials:

  1. A bucket with a lid. Sounds bonkers but you get sicked on, pooed and weed on by baby and then you have various bodily fluids of your own oozing out the washing machine is not always empty. Being able to bung dirty items in the bucket and clip on the lid contains the mess and the smell until you can deal with it properly.


  1. A Grobag night light. An absolute must for babies that wake in the night. You can set it low enough not to disturb the rest of the household but because it's a blue light you can still see enough to do a nappy change or find other equipment.


  1. Paper knickers oh the glamour! But post birth these are a necessity. If a pad leaks or c-section wound weeps they can just go in the bin.


  1. Disposable bed mats make great impromptu changing mats and can go under mum to protect beds and sofas from any leaks. Also very handy for when baby does an unexpected poonami. Can also be helpful if you run out of the other maternity essential muslins.


  1. Plain white baby grows Life is too short to faff around with cute little outfits that stay clean for barely an hour. Plain white baby grows are easy to put on and take off, comfortable for baby and can be bleached clean.


Other essentials if I were allowed more than 5: electric Medela breast pump, maternity pads, Lanisoh cream, cooling perineal gel (keep it in the fridge), lavender oil to go in the bath (helps soothe sore stitches), baby bouncer.

Waste of money:

Top and tail bowl An ordinary bowl will do.

Steraliser unnecessary if you have a dishwasher

Designer baby clothes they will get pooed on.
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hippoCritt · 19/10/2012 18:28

Needed

  1. nappies
  2. baby clothes including lots of vests when nappies leak
  3. easy to steer and fold pushchair
  4. kindle for long feeds and when in car waiting for baby to wake up
  5. more bibs than you thought you'd need

    Not needed
  6. a changing bag which looks great but is completely impractical
  7. prams sheets, just use cot sheets folded over and can be used of rlonger than the tiny ones
  8. baby bath changing table unless you have lots of space
  9. high chair, a booster style seat means they can sit with everyone else at the table.
  10. a stock pile of nappies not realising how fast babies grow!
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KnittingZombie · 19/10/2012 18:29
  1. Nappies and wipes
  2. Sleep suits and vests
  3. More muslins than you can believe (I had very sicky babies)
  4. Lansinoh nipple cream
  5. Connecta sling


Not so useful?

  1. Cutesy outfits in small sizes. Sleep suits are practical and comfy, and you don't have to mess about changing their clothes before they can tell between night and day.
  2. Cuddly toys. DS1 has only just started showing an interest at 3
  3. Shoes. They will not keep them on
  4. Socks. As above
  5. Baby bath. Take them in with you - it's much easier on the back!
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TeaTowelQueen · 19/10/2012 18:38

My top 5:

1 muslins - loads, you cannot have enough, ever, and they do so many things, swaddle, clear up sick/milk whatever and protect your clothes and hair a bit. Then you can boil wash them and they dry in minutes

2 sleeping bag - no faffing with blankets and they can fall asleep wherever then be put in cot with minimal disturbance

3 sudocreme - the best

4 baby monitor - to give you the confidence to put the baby to sleep away from you so you get time to relax

5 bath thermometer - I did not trust myself to get this right and still don't


Things I didn't need - moses basket, hated the flimsy thing and bought a rocking cot for beside the bed instead after two nights

And yes, next day delivery is your friend - Amazon and Next were my saviours seeing as I live in the middle of nowhere....

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