Today is another post to help all the new mummies who don’t really know what is essential to have to welcome le bébé. I am not going to mention what is logical! I won’t be talking about a baby cot (le bébé needs to sleep, right?) or a pushchair (if you want to go out and not carry them all the time, you better invest in this key object).
So what does Frenchie Mummy means by essential items for a new mummy? When I got pregnant, I first experienced some excitement but also some fear. ‘What have we done Grumpy Boyfriend!? No more wine for me for the next 9 months! Why can’t I have any Camembert!?’
And then, my bump became impossible to hide. I could see Grumpy Boyfriend observing me more closely. What seemed at first a dream was then becoming a clear reality. Soon, he even dared to touch my tummy and was excited when the baby kicked ‘It’s a boy for sure!’
Don’t do like Grumpy Boyfriend and I. We bought and assembled the nursery a bit less than a month before my due date. Quelle erreur! I could barely help. And both Grumpy Boyfriend and I being rubbish at DIY, the whole thing took way too long!
When you expect your first child, it’s a new territory. You don’t know what to buy and you will get so many tips from everyone, you won’t know what to do about it.
Here is a list of 4 key items that I loved a lot. At first, I have to admit that I was not sure about any. But having tested them, they are essentials for any new mummy!
- Muslins
When I searched online and saw people getting mad over muslins, I actually thought that English mummies were a bit bonkers… Hello? Did they not hear about bibs? What was the point of buying a piece of fabric like those?
How little I knew at the time… I am telling you what, I can’t live the house without having at least two muslins with me. They are perfect for wiping any dribble, vomit… Anything really! They are also great comforters. Baba loves having one next to him to fall asleep. It has the house’s odour and it really relaxes him when he wakes up at night. I particularly love Aden & Anais for the quality and the lovely designs they offer. Don’t forget to check out their swaddles too! They are so beautiful…
- Baby changing bag
Back in December last year when I was close to giving birth, I visited a famous English shop to look at their baby changing bags. I was astonished at the prices (up to £250 for one! I decided that it was a rip-off and I would just recycle one of my old handbags to use as a baby changing bag.
It lasted 2 weeks. It was too messy as I could not find anything in such a big bag… Baby changing bags are created to make the life of mamans easier. I have one from Pink Lining and I can’t live without it. Designed with great space for bottles and nappies, the Yummy Mummy bags are amongst one of its more loved items. No wonder why! The designs are gorgeous and it offers so many great features:
Shocking pink water resistant internal lining
2 large elasticated pockets for nappies
Internal slip pockets for phones and mp3 players
2 thermo-insulated pockets for baby bottles
Key/dummy fob on elasticated ribbon
Pen loop
Detachable mirror fob
Double zips for ease of opening
3 handy external pockets, one with signature applique embroidery
Removable adjustable shoulder strap that is long enough to fit over any pram/buggy handle bars
Bag includes a signature padded changing mat and zip wet bag
- Baby sleeping bags
One of my friends advised me to buy a sleeping bag. At first, I was a bit suspicious. I thought I was going to put Baba in a blanket to sleep. However, we can’t take too seriously the SDIS (Sudden infant death syndrome).
The Gro Company is the leader in the market. Their Grobags are my best new friends too. Cosy and warm, Baba is fast to fall asleep in them. And I am sure that he is 100% safe as well. Furthermore, The Gro Company have been working with The Lullaby Trust since its very beginning. You don’t know about them? Formed in 1971, The Lullaby Trust is the leading UK charity dedicated to the research and prevention of SIDS. It provides specialist support for bereaved families, promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and raises awareness of sudden infant death, as well as supporting research to understand why five babies a week still die from SIDS.
And how can you resist, when the brand offers the most beautiful patterns? Exciting news as well, they have recently collaborated with the fantastic Orla Kiely for a new collection. You better rush and buy one! They are gorgeous!!!!
- A star baby wrap
You must have seen this essential baby item on my social media recently. Created by Tuppence and Crumble, those amazing all-in-one hooded Star Baby Wraps are merveilleux! Not only they are cute and practical, but they also keep le bébé warm while on adventures outside.
So here is my newborn essential shopping list. All those items truly made mon experience so easier! Both Baba and I love those products and can’t even imagine living without them. What do you think about those objets indispenssables? Did you also buy and love them? Which one would you add up and why?
Definitely agree with the gro bags and the muslin squares..oh and a proper changing bag! Not seen those star wraps before but it looks super cute!xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Author
They are cute and so easy! Thanks for your lovely comment, I hope you are ok xx
Like you, I had no idea about how handy muslins would be. I scoffed and said I’d probably only need a pack or two. Wrong! I got loads of the things and there doesn’t seem to be enough! I love the Pink Lining changing bags, sadly they were beyond my budget when I was expecting. #fortheloveofBLOG
We used grobags too, they’re brilliant aren’t they? #JustAnotherLinky
I absolutely love baby sleep bags, they look so cosy and feel so safe to use!
#justanotherlinky
Yes Yes Yes to all these tips but especially the muslins – we also love Aden + Anais and Josh has a muslin on him at all times it’s his comfort blanket! xx #justanotherlinky
Completely agree! They make life so much easier x #KCACOLS
I agree with all these points! Especially the Gro bag. I always felt like I’d quite like one ☺️ I had a Cath kidston chnaging bag- as a handbag fan I needed a bag I liked to replace my lovely normal ones. It was great coz it had two smaller pockets so I had one for my stuff- phone, purse etc then the other little one for dummies and other small baby stuff then the big pocket for everything else. Can’t wait to use it again when I eventually have another baby! #KCACOLS
We used gro bags and the aiden and anais blankets when my son was little! Both are definitely must haves in my opinion #kcacols
My son was considered a “happy spitter.” In the early days, he threw up A LOT. And, often. It was crazy how much milk could come out of that tiny body…
Anyway, those little baby blankets were a MUST HAVE!!! They soak up waaay better than those burp cloths. I mean, I will never buy a burp cloth again! Thanks for sharing <3 #KCACOLS
great list and spot on! Muslins were a must for us and we also couldn’t leave the house without them! although my boy has become a bit dependent on them now and loves to snuggle one to get to sleep 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday!
Loved reading this
My neice has a 10 day old baby and can’t do without her Muslin cloths
Shell love reading this too
Muslins were a life saver for me. No matter how many bibs I had all I wanted to use were my muslins. And I definitely agree with your 4 items here #KCACOL
I no longer have “babies” but had to read this and so glad I did, I love your posts they are so funny! #KCACOLS
Author
merci! I hope to see you again soon x
We love the Aden and Anais muslins and grobags! #KCACOLS
My daughter loves using muslin cloths
Muslins and plenty of bibs are a must!!! I don’t know how many times my washing machine was on just filled with these #FamilyFun
I have several friends expecting, so it is great to get some ideas on what to buy them for their little ones and we’ve recently had the arrival of our nephew and I can’t agree with you more about the Muslins, thanks for a fab post.
Ahh I hadn’t seen the star wraps but I totally agree with everything else on your list and would add in a sling or carrier suitable for newborns as we all know they hate being put down and if you need to go to the loo/make a sandwich/wash up they are a total life saver!! #FamilyFun
I had a Pink Lining bag when my two were younger and I loved it, would definitely recommend to any new mum x #KCACOLS
Great list! I definitely agree with many of these essentials. My fave essential of all though are muslins, I just cant live without them! Love the cute pictures of baba 🙂 Emily #BrilliantBlogPosts
Author
Merci you are so nice to say that. And I know you are a lady with great taste so if you like the items, I am def a winner ??
Yep muslins are amazing. We got through so so many with our second. I couldn’t be without them! And Grobags I think are my favourite thing ever when it comes to babies. They are such a good idea for safe and warm sleep not mention reducing mums stress levels too. I had never seen
A star baby wrap before but I must say they great such a good idea for the winter months. Thank you for joining us at #familyfun
Author
thanks fpr your nice comments and the RTs x
Fab post! Very useful for new parents, and I definitely agree with you on the muslins. We still have a huge pile of them now and my youngest is 2! x #KCACOLS
These are all great! I haven’t been using my changing bag recently but think I need to resurrect it. I totally agree about the Grobags and muslins 🙂 I haven’t seen the star wrap before, but it looks fab! Very adorable!!
It’s so difficult to navigate all the baby kit out there, so this post is very useful for new mamas xx
Author
I was hoping so. When I was pregnant, it ws very difficult to decide what to buy. Thanks for reading x
We didn’t sort the nursery out until he was 3 months old!! they are lovely items to have for baby I love the star blankets but never got one! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Ooh some fab competitions there! Grobags are so good – they take all the worry out of bedtime for us. No danger of smothering herself in one of them! Thanks for sharing #fortheloveofBLOG
Yes the changing bag is a necessity. It’s important to find a good one.
#kcacols
My daughter is 21 months old and I still LOVE muslin cloths. There is always one near me. Great for those snotty noses, yucky yogurt faces and wiping the odd small spillage. I didn’t have a growbag on my first but with being pregnant with #2, they are something I am eager to try #mmbc
Author
Oh yes, check it out! They are fab! Thanks for reading x