As a second time mummy I have found myself going back to some of the things I used and loved with Lucas four years ago when he was a newborn, but I've also come across some new gems which both me and Charlotte now wouldn't be without.
Here's what I've found to be my must haves...
1. The Morrck fleece blanket.
I don't think this was around 4 years ago when Lucas was a baby or if it was it wasn't something I'd heard of. Its such a clever idea and something we've used almost everyday since Charlotte was born. I love it so much that I actually have the next size up already on order.
Basically its a super cosy fleece blanket that fits in your baby's car seat. The clever part though is that it has holes in it which the car seat straps and buckle fit through so you can strap them into the carseat under the blanket. This means there's no need for bulky winter coats or sleepsuits in their car seat but they're still snug with the blanket round them, all tucked in and most importantly, safe. Charlotte looks so cute all cocooned up in this.
Its been great for quick trips out, especially for things like nursery drop offs and picks ups as its so fuss free. They also come in some really funky colours and patterns which is always fun, especially in this dreary winter weather.
This was given to us as a present when Charlotte was born and is what she came home from hospital in and hasn't left her car seat since (except for the odd wash).
I've recommended it to so many of my friends who are expecting babies.
2. Grobag sleeping bags.
We used these with Lucas from when he was 3 months old, right up until he was about 18 months and were the reason I was able to sleep soundly while he did.
They meant I didn't have the worry that he was going to kick the covers over himself or wriggle under them and get stuck and because they have the different tog rating you know they're going to be cosy and at the right temperature no matter what time of year it is.
I have noticed that the Grobag variety are a little bit more expensive than some of the other brands but the quality is amazing which makes up for it. So much so that even after Lucas wearing them night after night for months and them being through the wash a million times, they still look like new and so I've been able to dig them out of the vacuum pack bags and reuse them with Charlotte. I will admit however to buying some new ones for her too. I just couldn't resist the cute pink,floral design with having a little girl this time around.
3. Aden and Anais swaddle blankets
These award winning, 100% cotton muslin swaddle blankets became the must have, sell-out baby item last summer when Prince George was spotted in one of them as a newborn. But we actually had these already from when Lucas was a baby. At £44 for what seems to essentially be four extra large muslin squares they are expensive and when I told my husband how much I'd paid for them I thought his head was going to explode, but even he would now say we have really had our moneys worth from them as they've been so handy.
Funnily enough we have never actually used them to swaddle, but instead have found countless other uses for them. A sunshade to drape over the pram/ car seat in the nicer weather, a make-shift play mat to throw down when out and about visiting friends (your little one can still roll around happily but you don't have the fear of them being sick on your friends new carpet) and also draping them over swing chairs, bouncers, playmats to save them from the endless sick from a baby with reflux (throwing one of these in the wash is a lot easier than trying to strip the material off a swing chair every two minutes to wash it).
These also seem to get softer the more you wash them and Charlotte loves snuggling into them.
4. Mamas and Papas acqua two stage ergo bath.
This is the same bath we had for Lucas and makes bathing a tiny, slippery newborn a breeze. Its design provides two integral support positions. The first for newborn and the second for a sitting baby. These moulded positions mean baby is safe and supported and you have both your hands free to wash them and play. I love bath time. The smile and proud look on Charlotte's face as she does bigger and bigger splashes just melts my hearts and this bath has meant she can kick and splash til her hearts content while I can sit and watch her, rather than struggle to keep hold of her.
Again its a little bit more expensive than your basic baby bath but I do think you get what you pay for and this bath still looks brand new even second time around.
5. Sophie le giraffe teethers.
I'm not sure how I managed to miss all the buzz around this cult baby product when I was a first time mummy, but when Charlotte was born we were given these as a present and they are fab!
I don't know what it is about them that baby's love so much, but it certainly keeps Charlotte entertained and now at 5 months old as she's starting teething it really seems to help her gums and is something she can really grab hold of easily. We now don't go anywhere without having a Sophie in the changing bag, ready to whip out whenever we have an unhappy baby on our hands.
What are your baby must haves?
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