Having a baby presents an entirely new shopping list. An extensive, expensive shopping list. The spreadsheet we created for all our ‘must haves’ could have spanned our kitchen wall – how on earth did my grandmothers manage with little more than a pram and tin bath?
Looking around our house now, though, in practice some of those ‘must haves’ are more ‘little luxuries’. I seemed to have forgotten that we have a washing machine the day I ordered 20 muslin squares – ‘But they’re organic cotton!’ was my justification to my baffled husband…
There are a few hero items I really couldn’t do without, though – the Ranson baby essentials.
The lineup below is by no means exhaustive but it does contain things our family has found invaluable, and which may help shave a few items off your own to buy list.
MY SIX ESSENTIALS
SnuzPod 3-in-1 bedside crib
It’s a given that your baby will need somewhere to sleep. Having explored the options (moses basket, stand-alone crib, co-sleeping…) we settled on the SnuzPod. It’s roomier than most moses baskets so Teddy won’t outgrow it before we’re ready to move him into a bigger cot, it has a gentle rock that he can propel himself, and it means he’s close by for night feeds and gently pacifying without me having to get out of bed – a real help in those blurry early days. Sturdy straps ensure the crib is clipped securely to our own bed, meaning we can leave the (wipe clean!) canvas side permanently unzipped without running the risk of Teddy falling through the gap. Keep it zipped up and you can still see your little one through the large mesh window.
There’s the option to lift off the bassinet entirely from it’s base to move into another room in the daytime if you wish, so there’s no need to buy a moses basket for downstairs, for example. Although our stairs are so steep I daren’t try it (we have this moses basket for downstairs napping).
The large shelf under the bassinet is ideal for storing extra blankets, and there’s even a storage pocket you can buy to hang on the side for muslins, bibs and the like (though I’d say this definitely falls into the ‘little luxuries’ category – I could get by without it).
Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub
A baby bath was what I spent most time researching in my buying frenzy. Our kitchen butler sink is too deep and our bathroom basin too narrow to be of any bathing use, but the idea of sitting our newborn on a hard plastic bath tub support bothered me – perhaps unnecessarily.
Then I stumbled across the Skip Hop. The hammock-like sling provides comfortable head-to-toe support for young babies and can be adjusted when they’re learning to sit. Plus it’s large enough to see us through to the toddler years – simply remove the sling entirely.
Our little water baby has always loved bath time (unusual for newborns, I’m told) and I put it down to the clever design of this bath. The only time he wails is when we lift him out!
Ewan The Dream Sheep
I’d heard a lot about this furry character and how many mothers swear by it. It ranked high on my shopping hit list – and it hasn’t disappointed. Each of Ewan’s feet play a sound, including actual womb noises and a soothing heartbeat. Even in moments of pure rage (aka Red Ted), once Teddy has tuned into Ewan he swiftly falls into a deep sleep. Magic! There’s also a sweet lullaby that plays for 20 minutes (much longer than any of the music mobiles and toys we have), which we’ve used as part of our bedtime routine since day one. It really helps Ted (and Mr R and me!) drift off.
Joolz BeSafe iZi Modular i-Size Base
Oh the hours Mr R spent toying with whether or not to splash out on a base for our Joolz car seat. Should we leave it and learn how to do it the old-school way with seat belts? But what about those days when we’re in a rush/restling to get the dog in the car too/dodging the rain…?
In the end, we bought the base – and I’m SO glad of it. It couldn’t be easier. All we have to do is line up and click the seat into it, then check the indicator has turned from red to green. Zero faff. It’s an investment, but the base will also accommodate car seats designed for children up to four years old.
Baby carrier
I have two, but not through over-enthusiastic shopping. They both have their uses.
With a 10-month-old puppy and a husband at work Monday to Friday, I need a means of getting out for walks with a young baby in arms. And living in rural Hertfordshire with farmers fields and muddy country lanes as dog walking routes, our Joolz Geo pram (gorgeous as it is) just won’t cut it.
My first purchase was a FreeRider Range sling – there are so many on the market (visiting a local sling library is a good idea), and I confess I chose this brand purely because of the cool boho designs. Luckily, its credentials go far beyond aesthetics. The material is sturdy and eco-friendly and the instructions of how to fasten clear (no tying yourself up in knots). When Teddy was only a few days old and I was learning how to get myself ready without leaving him crying for attention, the sling was invaluable. He happily slept as I did my hair and make-up or pottered around doing housework (as you can see in the picture above). And yes, it worked a treat on those dog walks.
Now he’s heavier, I keep the sling for indoors and prefer the support of our sturdier Baby Bjorn carrier for outdoors. Again, there are many baby carriers to choose from and it’s really a matter of budget and preference. But this design is great for our needs and Ted sleeps soundly in it with his head in kissing distance (he was a little too short for it in the early weeks). The great thing about the Baby Bjorn is that we can turn Teddy round to face the world when he’s able to fully support the weight of his own head, though I'm sure I’ll still plump for the snuggly mummy-facing position…
Gro Egg Baby Thermometer and Night Light
Worried whether baby is too hot or too cold (or being coaxed by grandmothers to throw on another layer…)? Avoid the guessing game (or potential row) with this nifty gadget. Not only does it emit a soft glow at nighttime for babes unsure of the pitch dark, but it gives an at-a-glance indication of whether or not you need to crank the heating up: blue is too cold, red is too hot, orange is a little warm and yellow just right.
…AND THE HANDY TO HAVE
Nursing pillow
Cheap to pick up and useful for supporting baby as you breastfeed when everything still feels a little sore.
Nappy bin
I hadn’t realised the value of having a nappy bin in the nursery, only buying one because someone kindly gifted us some refills for a Tommee Tippee Sangenic bin. Thank goodness we did! Having one means we don’t have to trek down to the bins at the bottom of the garden to dispose of each individual nappy bag, instead keeping them hygienically contained for one collective bin emptying (admittedly, it’s quick to fill up). The Tommee Tippee design is clever – put the nappy in, then spin the dial to seal it in the bag – but the refills are expensive. Now we’ve run out, we’re using conventional nappy bags, which happily do the job for a fraction of the cost.
Baby rocker
When lying on his back or tummy time just isn’t doing it for Ted, out comes his Charlie Crane Levo rocker chair – and it looks so comfy (if only they had one in my size). Easier to move from room to room than a moses basket, it’s particularly useful for keeping him comfy in the bathroom while I shower.
PacaPod changing bag
Of course any bag will do for transporting baby changing essentials when out and about – it’s what’s inside that matters – but this brand is the Mary Poppins of changing bags. I have the Mirano, which looks chic and has so much room inside. But the real beauty of it is in the detachable feeder and changing pods: one for bottles (or snacks for Mama if your breastfeeding), the other for nappies etc – it even has a changing mat neatly folded into a pocket at the back. Mr R happily takes Ted off for changing without the need to lug the entire (distinctly feminine) bag with him.
MY SIX ESSENTIALS
SnuzPod 3-in-1 bedside crib
It’s a given that your baby will need somewhere to sleep. Having explored the options (moses basket, stand-alone crib, co-sleeping…) we settled on the SnuzPod. It’s roomier than most moses baskets so Teddy won’t outgrow it before we’re ready to move him into a bigger cot, it has a gentle rock that he can propel himself, and it means he’s close by for night feeds and gently pacifying without me having to get out of bed – a real help in those blurry early days. Sturdy straps ensure the crib is clipped securely to our own bed, meaning we can leave the (wipe clean!) canvas side permanently unzipped without running the risk of Teddy falling through the gap. Keep it zipped up and you can still see your little one through the large mesh window.
There’s the option to lift off the bassinet entirely from it’s base to move into another room in the daytime if you wish, so there’s no need to buy a moses basket for downstairs, for example. Although our stairs are so steep I daren’t try it (we have this moses basket for downstairs napping).
The large shelf under the bassinet is ideal for storing extra blankets, and there’s even a storage pocket you can buy to hang on the side for muslins, bibs and the like (though I’d say this definitely falls into the ‘little luxuries’ category – I could get by without it).
Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub
A baby bath was what I spent most time researching in my buying frenzy. Our kitchen butler sink is too deep and our bathroom basin too narrow to be of any bathing use, but the idea of sitting our newborn on a hard plastic bath tub support bothered me – perhaps unnecessarily.
Then I stumbled across the Skip Hop. The hammock-like sling provides comfortable head-to-toe support for young babies and can be adjusted when they’re learning to sit. Plus it’s large enough to see us through to the toddler years – simply remove the sling entirely.
Our little water baby has always loved bath time (unusual for newborns, I’m told) and I put it down to the clever design of this bath. The only time he wails is when we lift him out!
Ewan The Dream Sheep
I’d heard a lot about this furry character and how many mothers swear by it. It ranked high on my shopping hit list – and it hasn’t disappointed. Each of Ewan’s feet play a sound, including actual womb noises and a soothing heartbeat. Even in moments of pure rage (aka Red Ted), once Teddy has tuned into Ewan he swiftly falls into a deep sleep. Magic! There’s also a sweet lullaby that plays for 20 minutes (much longer than any of the music mobiles and toys we have), which we’ve used as part of our bedtime routine since day one. It really helps Ted (and Mr R and me!) drift off.
Joolz BeSafe iZi Modular i-Size Base
Oh the hours Mr R spent toying with whether or not to splash out on a base for our Joolz car seat. Should we leave it and learn how to do it the old-school way with seat belts? But what about those days when we’re in a rush/restling to get the dog in the car too/dodging the rain…?
In the end, we bought the base – and I’m SO glad of it. It couldn’t be easier. All we have to do is line up and click the seat into it, then check the indicator has turned from red to green. Zero faff. It’s an investment, but the base will also accommodate car seats designed for children up to four years old.
Baby carrier
I have two, but not through over-enthusiastic shopping. They both have their uses.
With a 10-month-old puppy and a husband at work Monday to Friday, I need a means of getting out for walks with a young baby in arms. And living in rural Hertfordshire with farmers fields and muddy country lanes as dog walking routes, our Joolz Geo pram (gorgeous as it is) just won’t cut it.
My first purchase was a FreeRider Range sling – there are so many on the market (visiting a local sling library is a good idea), and I confess I chose this brand purely because of the cool boho designs. Luckily, its credentials go far beyond aesthetics. The material is sturdy and eco-friendly and the instructions of how to fasten clear (no tying yourself up in knots). When Teddy was only a few days old and I was learning how to get myself ready without leaving him crying for attention, the sling was invaluable. He happily slept as I did my hair and make-up or pottered around doing housework (as you can see in the picture above). And yes, it worked a treat on those dog walks.
Now he’s heavier, I keep the sling for indoors and prefer the support of our sturdier Baby Bjorn carrier for outdoors. Again, there are many baby carriers to choose from and it’s really a matter of budget and preference. But this design is great for our needs and Ted sleeps soundly in it with his head in kissing distance (he was a little too short for it in the early weeks). The great thing about the Baby Bjorn is that we can turn Teddy round to face the world when he’s able to fully support the weight of his own head, though I'm sure I’ll still plump for the snuggly mummy-facing position…
Gro Egg Baby Thermometer and Night Light
Worried whether baby is too hot or too cold (or being coaxed by grandmothers to throw on another layer…)? Avoid the guessing game (or potential row) with this nifty gadget. Not only does it emit a soft glow at nighttime for babes unsure of the pitch dark, but it gives an at-a-glance indication of whether or not you need to crank the heating up: blue is too cold, red is too hot, orange is a little warm and yellow just right.
…AND THE HANDY TO HAVE
Nursing pillow
Cheap to pick up and useful for supporting baby as you breastfeed when everything still feels a little sore.
Nappy bin
I hadn’t realised the value of having a nappy bin in the nursery, only buying one because someone kindly gifted us some refills for a Tommee Tippee Sangenic bin. Thank goodness we did! Having one means we don’t have to trek down to the bins at the bottom of the garden to dispose of each individual nappy bag, instead keeping them hygienically contained for one collective bin emptying (admittedly, it’s quick to fill up). The Tommee Tippee design is clever – put the nappy in, then spin the dial to seal it in the bag – but the refills are expensive. Now we’ve run out, we’re using conventional nappy bags, which happily do the job for a fraction of the cost.
Baby rocker
When lying on his back or tummy time just isn’t doing it for Ted, out comes his Charlie Crane Levo rocker chair – and it looks so comfy (if only they had one in my size). Easier to move from room to room than a moses basket, it’s particularly useful for keeping him comfy in the bathroom while I shower.
PacaPod changing bag
Of course any bag will do for transporting baby changing essentials when out and about – it’s what’s inside that matters – but this brand is the Mary Poppins of changing bags. I have the Mirano, which looks chic and has so much room inside. But the real beauty of it is in the detachable feeder and changing pods: one for bottles (or snacks for Mama if your breastfeeding), the other for nappies etc – it even has a changing mat neatly folded into a pocket at the back. Mr R happily takes Ted off for changing without the need to lug the entire (distinctly feminine) bag with him.
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