I think we’re quite prepared for the arrival of our little one. My little insta family have been an absolute dream at recommending the best bits and bobs for both the baby and me. Obviously as a first time mum, I am completely clueless and to be honest, I am (and always have been) a sellers dream. I remember when I was little and my brother used to set up a ‘shop’ for me to come and browse. I used to spend my hard earned spending money on ripped up pieces of paper for 5p (that Joe used to say were fabulous for writing numbers on), pieces of broken lego, and my own Celine Dion CD that I had coincidentally lost 2 days earlier. And nothing has really changed since then. If you say it’s essential, I’m going to want it.

SO, in a bid to avoid any unnecessary baby buys, I’ve asked fellow mums for their must haves. These are the bits that I have bought so far:

Sleepyhead Deluxe

This is one of those things that I had heard about long before becoming pregnant. They’re expensive (£120) but people rave about them. I know there are cheaper brands and some people have given it bad reviews but for every one bad review there are hundreds of positive ones. Luckily, Sean and I had some John Lewis vouchers left from the wedding so the majority of these baby bits we managed to get from there!

Ewan the Dream Sheep

I didn’t have a clue who Ewan was but mums on insta were going mad for him. If I’m honest I don’t particularly like the look of him. I’m all for traditional bears BUT he is apparently a miracle worker. My friend, Claire, has recently had a beautiful baby, Thomas, and she’s already raved about Ewan. He glows red which mimics the colours the baby sees in the womb and he makes the same sorts of sounds to help the baby to sleep.

Gro Egg Thermometer and Night Light

This was our final purchase from John Lewis and again, something that came highly recommended. The gro egg is a thermometer that glows a different colour according to the room temperature. I really don’t know what temperature is right for the baby so this will keep my mind at ease especially as we are going on a family holiday to Greece when the baby will be around 8 weeks old!

Ascher Children’s Dimmable Bedside Light

Okay, so it’s not the most attractive beside lamps but I love it. The lamp is dimmable and at its lowest, just produces a really soft yellow light. I thought this would be perfect for whilst I’m breast feeding and Sean is sleeping. Being the really considerate wife that I always am, the light wont wake him but will be enough for me to feed (God willing I am able). It also has a strap on the bottom that you can pull and hold so you can carry it from room to room if need be or hang somewhere. And for £15, I thought it was a bargain.

My First Playmat & Gym

This was our first buy for the baby and if I’m completely honest I’m getting the feeling I’m going to regret it. I like things that are very neutral and won’t spoil the decor of the house BUT I know I am naive to think that I’m going to be able to source old wooden toys that my baby is happy to play with. I’m really not that bad but, as cute as this is, I’m worrying that it won’t give the baby enough stimulation and I’ll end up buying the Fisher Price Rainforest Music and Lights Gym. I can’t decide whether or not to take this one back and get a voucher for Mamas and Papas (which I’m sure will come in handy over the next few months anyway). Any ideas or reviews on the Mamas and Papas Gym please let me know!

Ameda Lactaline Personal Dual Electic Breast Pump

Finally, my cousin (who is the breast feeding queen) was selling her breast pump. She had had three during her time breast feeding her babies and this, she said, was the best. I bought it second hand so it was only a fraction of the price from new! I am wanting to breast feed but I know that it isn’t always possible. In all honesty, I am really not about the preachy mum life and believe that whatever you think is best for your baby is up to you. Fed is best is my eyes- regardless of if that is breast or bottle. Speaking to other breast feeding mums, the first 6 weeks, they say, are the hardest. So I do want to persevere as much as I can. I wanted to express milk a little later on though. Not only will Sean be able to feed the baby, but it also then helps with night feeds which is fab! Does anybody know what the best bottles are for babies that are part bottle-part breast?

That seems to be all we’ve bought bar plain white baby grows, white blankets and a cot. I will post about the nursery once it’s finished but for now, the cot still hasn’t arrived and we’ve only just painted it today! (Farrow and Ball Cornforth White is the dream!). I am looking for a nice white chest of drawers and wardrobe if anybody has any ideas? I like the Ikea Hemnes drawers but they have recently changed the design on the single wardrobe to sliding doors and I can’t tell if I will like it from photos on the website. Our next buys are: an angel care bath support, some bottles and a tens machine.

Not forgetting the pram we have chosen (which deserves a separate blog post), is there anything else I have missed that you would recommend?

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

Lots of love,