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Maternity - What to Buy (the bare essentials)

Sleeping - Cot, mattress, bedding - 2 fitted sheets, 2 flat sheets, 2 cell blankets
Breast Feeding - 2 Nursing bras, 1 Sleep Nursing bra, breast pads
Bottle Feeding - Set of 6 Bottles, Bottle brush, Steriliser, Powdered Milk
Nappies - Disposables, Reusable - Your council may provide a free starter pack
Clothing - 8 vests, 8 sleep suits, 2 cardigans, 1 all in one coat, muslin Squares
Out and About - Pram & or Buggy suitable from birth. Car seat. Baby Sling if breastfeeding choose one suitable for breastfeeding
Toiletries - Baby bath, olive oil, shampoo, cotton wool, nappy sacks
Weaning - Ice cube trays, storage containers and recipe book. Bibs & Spoons. Feeding Chair / High Chair

Baby Extras

In addition to baby bare essentials, these are items you will think about buying.

Toys:
Although tempting to buy lots of toys, never underestimate how many toys you will receive from friends and family.
Changing Bag:
Any decent sized bag or rucksack does the job.
Baby Bath:
You can use a large sink, or normal bath
Changing Station:
A changing mat on top of a sturdy chest of drawers, which is the right height works just as well.
Baby Chair:
Cushions work well to support the baby in a sitting position.
Moses Basket / Crib:
A cot is suitable from birth.
Baby Monitor:
Only essential if you are unable to hear your baby crying in their room, from other areas of the house.
Natural Sponge:
Cotton wool works well in the bath, although can get ‘stringy’.
Room / Bath Thermometer:
If you are unsure of a good temperature for the bedroom /bath this can bring peace of mind.
Top & Tail Bowl:
Any Tupperware pot works well
Bucket with a Lid:
You may already have a bucket & lid; this is helpful for soaking clothes / nappies / muslins.
Nappy Bin:
A hygienic way to store dirty nappies in the house. Alternatively put dirty nappies straight in the outside bin.
Bottle Warmer:
Not necessary, but can be useful to warm night time feeds in the bedroom if bottle feeding.
Breast Pump:
Only once milk is established. You can express by hand or hire pumps.
Feeding support pillows:
Useful during pregnancy, for support in bed and afterwards to help support the baby whilst feeding. Not essential as ordinary pillows work well too.

Don’t forget to make good use of free services:

Dental - during pregnancy and for one year after the birth.NHS prescription charges - during pregnancy and for one year after the birth.

Mothers on Income Support or Family Credit can receive travel expenses for antenatal appointments, free eye sight tests, glasses, liquid & dried milk, and vitamins for both mother and child (Please refer to the leaflets from Dept. for Work and Pensions, HC11 and WMV:G1 for further details).

Tax Credits are available through the pregnancy and after the birth. (Children’s Tax Credits: 0845 300 1036 & Working Families Tax Credits: 0845 609 5000).

Maternity – What to Expect - a guide to newborn feeding and sleeping patterns.

As a general guide a daily routine is based on the 12 hour period between 7am and 7pm. Feeding every 3 hours through the day establishes good breast feeding / feeding pattern, and can help to encourage sleeping through the night. As a general rule a crying baby is usually hungry or over tired.

7am
Baby awake - Nappy change as necessary - Feed (no longer than 1 hr)
8am
Top & Tail - Dress - Playtime
9am
Morning sleep (no longer than 1hr)
10am
Baby awake - Nappy change as necessary - Feed (no longer than 1hr)
11am
Sleep (no longer than 2 hrs)
1pm
Baby awake - Nappy change as necessary - Feed (no longer than 1 hr)
2pm
Afternoon play / walk - Baby may sleep for up to 1hr
4pm
Baby awake - Nappy change as necessary - Feed (no longer than 1 hr)
6-7pm
Bathtime
7pm
Feed - try to have a quiet, dimly lit and calm environment

Once your baby has fed, and brought up any wind, put him to bed. Try to allow your baby to settle himself to sleep. Some babies may struggle to settle themselves, try swaddling and / or tucking in firmly.

If possible all daytime sleeps should be in the baby’s darkened bedroom, although daily life does not always allow for this and the sleep may happen in the car or pram!

Night Time

You can either wake your baby for a feed at 11pm & 3am, or allow their natural rhythm to dictate the feeds. There should be 2 night feeds, generally taking place between 11pm-1am and 3am-4am. The feed can take upto 1hr. Try not to feed after 5am and before 7am. By week 4 the 2 night feeds should become one between 2am-4am. A hungry baby may continue with the 11pm feed upto 4months.

This routine works well in encouraging your baby to sleep through the night by about 12weeks. At around 12weeks the 2-4am feed is dropped and the baby wakes earlier, at around 6am. I always try to allow the baby time in their cot to play and chatter before going to them for the morning feed at 7am.