#newmom Baby Essentials List

Like most Moms-to-be I read a few (hundred) lists online on blogs and Mom-sites of the 'essentials' we needed to get before 'new baby' arrived. Buggy, baby bath, car seat - that sort of stuff. 50% of the stuff you do actually need and the other 50% is optional or can wait a few months. Like a baby bath. For the first month (unless you have a big baby!) a washing up bowl will do.

But there are some things that you need that are not often listed on these sites, probably because they are boring, or aren't sponsored by a manufacturer (a little bit cycnical? Maybe). The sort of stuff you'll want to buy in bulk or have a stock of in some cases. So here's my new mom/baby essentials list to compliment all the kit and caboodle lists out there.

1. Liquid hand soap - no joke but you will be washing your hands more often than before. Get something antibacterial that is kind to your hands, and smells nice. I like Carex and often buy it when it is on offer. 
2. Hand cream - all that hand washing will dry your hands, however kind the hand soap is! Treat yourself to a tube of intensive hand cream like Crabtree and Evelyn Hand Therapy in La Source. A little goes a very long way. Or Lansinoh Nipple Cream works wonders on really dry cracked skin.
3. A lidded dirty bucket - actually you want a clean bucket to put 'dirty' baby clothes in after a poo incident. This was a tip from my Mom and I ignored it at first but you know what I'm glad I saw sense. You do not want to carry sodden poo soaked onesies round the house, or dump them in the regular laundry pail with the 'unsoiled' laundry. You'll also want a dedicated bucket to soak them in for a prewash too. You can pick up a small lidded bucket up from Amazon for just a couple of £.
4. Non-bio laundry detergent - buy in bulk as the last thing you want to do after coming home from hospital is run to the shops for detergent. You'll probably do a load of laundry every other day at best and to avoid reactions you should use a non-bio detergent on babyg's clothes. Fairy do good non-bio detergent and I've now switched the whole family laundry over to this.
5. Dishwasher tablets - again, you do not want to have to go out and pick these up in the first week and if you want mugs to serve tea and coffee for all the family and friends coming to coo over your little one make sure you are stocked up. You will not have the time, energy, or in fact care to stand over the sink handwashing cup as and saucers. If you don't have a dishwasher then insist guests wash up their mug (and a few pots and pans if going spare) before they leave, just to help out.
6. Pet food - if you have pets that is. You'll be busy feeding baby, then yourself, and the pets will be last in the food chain. Get a stash of their favourite food in and some treats - new babies can really unsettle a pet so if you can show them love through a bowl of tuna/kibble it'll avoid any protest parcels...
7. Carpet and upholstery cleaner - for said protest parcels from pets, baby sick, Poozooka splashes...... Vanish do a good spray on version that you just rub/brush in.
8. Family size chocolate bars - Cadburys, Galaxy, you know the ones. I really didn't understand why I was given them at my baby shower, until Mr New Mom went back to work after paternity leave. When you don't have time to eat grabbing a few squares of chocolate will carry you through. No it's not healthy but you can make up for it with extra vegetables at dinner. But the big thing is there will be times you will be so exasperated and eating a whole family bar of Dairy Milk will be required. Hormones can be a really b*tch but chocolate is the next best thing to a hug.
9. Posh body wash - again I was given this at my baby shower and on the rare occasion I get the opportunity to have a nice long shower this is my treat. Again a little goes a long way and come on, when are you really going to make it to the spa next? It'll be at least 6 weeks before you'll be swimming pool ready and in reality I'm betting on 12 weeks before I personally feel body confident and ready to lie on my front post c-section for a massage. So a little luxury shower gel like something from Elemis or Clarins is relaxation in a bottle. Trust me.
10. Super comfy PJs - whether you plan to or not there will be pyjama days. I am convinced Kate Middleton (why do we still call her that agpfter the wedding?) has them. You want to feel comfortable and honestly, there is nothing better than snuggling up with 'new baby' in your PJs, you know, once they have stopped crying, pooping, puking. It's how you stay friends when things are tough.

So there you have it. My Top 10 essentials to compliment all the baby gear you will want to stock up on.