Here are our top 5 things that you can do without when you have a new baby: 1.
Change bag - admittedly, there are some beautiful ones out there.
They're so beautiful that they warrant price tags of over £100 in many cases.
And they're essential because they have the right number of pockets and zips etc.
But I never used one.
How did I manage? I had an old large handbag that I used and it worked perfectly well.
I'm sure most people will have a bag lying around that will do the job perfectly.
2.
Change tables - I never even looked in to one as I really didn't have the space to keep it.
So instead I bought a change mat and changed the baby on the floor.
I never had to worry about the baby rolling off, I never had to ensure that I always had one hand on the baby.
If I needed to I could leave the baby briefly and get something.
Admittedly change tables are better for your back but when you change babies on the floor, you don't bend.
You sit on the floor so you're not really doing your back any harm.
3.
Nappy bin - They really sell these and make you think you need one.
Just use your normal kitchen bin to get rid of nappies.
You would use it for everything else so why not nappies.
And you can buy disposable scented nappy bags to put the nappies in first.
4.
Scratch mitts - I bought these.
Of course they don't cost very much but still, why spend a penny on something you don't need.
They were far too big and kept slipping off.
Most baby bodysuits come with sleeves that have scratch mitts which work much better.
And ask any experienced mother - if they did need scratch mitts, they ended up using the baby's socks as these stayed on.
5.
Baby wipes - All you need is some cotton wool and water.
It's best for the baby's delicate skin as it doesn't contain anything harmful.
Baby wipes are handy but for much older babies, I would say after 6 months or even later.
Change bag - admittedly, there are some beautiful ones out there.
They're so beautiful that they warrant price tags of over £100 in many cases.
And they're essential because they have the right number of pockets and zips etc.
But I never used one.
How did I manage? I had an old large handbag that I used and it worked perfectly well.
I'm sure most people will have a bag lying around that will do the job perfectly.
2.
Change tables - I never even looked in to one as I really didn't have the space to keep it.
So instead I bought a change mat and changed the baby on the floor.
I never had to worry about the baby rolling off, I never had to ensure that I always had one hand on the baby.
If I needed to I could leave the baby briefly and get something.
Admittedly change tables are better for your back but when you change babies on the floor, you don't bend.
You sit on the floor so you're not really doing your back any harm.
3.
Nappy bin - They really sell these and make you think you need one.
Just use your normal kitchen bin to get rid of nappies.
You would use it for everything else so why not nappies.
And you can buy disposable scented nappy bags to put the nappies in first.
4.
Scratch mitts - I bought these.
Of course they don't cost very much but still, why spend a penny on something you don't need.
They were far too big and kept slipping off.
Most baby bodysuits come with sleeves that have scratch mitts which work much better.
And ask any experienced mother - if they did need scratch mitts, they ended up using the baby's socks as these stayed on.
5.
Baby wipes - All you need is some cotton wool and water.
It's best for the baby's delicate skin as it doesn't contain anything harmful.
Baby wipes are handy but for much older babies, I would say after 6 months or even later.