A candid parenting blogger, journalist, author, presenter, passionate campaigner for flexible working, and a mum of 3, Anna Whitehouse, aka Mother Pukka, keeps it real when it comes to parenthood. In this guest post she shares her practical advice and essential recommendations for new parents, helping them avoid the baby panic shopping.
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- Anna Whitehouse, AKA Mother Pukka, Shares Her No1 Baby Must-Have, Plus What’s She’s Doing Differently For Round Three
Anna Whitehouse, AKA Mother Pukka, Shares Her No1 Baby Must-Have, Plus What’s She’s Doing Differently For Round Three
Journalist, parenting blogger and mum of 3, Anna Whitehouse, shares her advice on baby shopping.
When I had my first baby, my grandfather joked that he slept in a drawer for the first six months of his life and needed very little other than milk and a nip of whiskey every so often. While there’s elements of ‘50s parenting that still hold their appeal, there’s also a reason things move on and new baby essentials land.
But the thing is you’re handed your newborn by a midwife and sent on your merry way with a quick ‘good luck,’ as they turn towards the next contracting woman. There’s no one size fits all list of what you need. There’s no instructions or roadmap. There’s no sanity in those first weeks when you’re recovering from labour while being expected to keep a mewling infant alive. It’s a baptism of parental fire.
With my first I kind of had a ‘suck-it-and-see’ approach, which left me scrabbling about trying to find things online while sleep deprived and with a baby-on-boob. In those hazy days, I remember buying the Little Farm Activity Playmat that initially my dog Douglas took command of. Once he’d been evicted, it became an invaluable child receptacle. And then there was the Elphee Nursing Pillow – which, as the name suggests, looks like an elephant – that my eldest still uses as a comforter. I just wish I’d done it all before splashdown, so I could have peacefully (and equally manically) fed my little girl while stuffing Wotsits and other maize-based snacks in my face. Instead I was panic shopping.
The key is to control what you can, which is what I’ll be doing this time round. First up on my baby registry list: a Snuzpod. I had no idea how useful having a small accessible crib at my bedside would be early doors last time, but it was a game-changer when hobbling about post c-section. Before I had my first, I’d assumed my baby would be in a cot early doors. But with this movable sleep pod, I didn’t have to schlep back-and-forth every time she had a thirst on.
Of course sometimes you don’t know what you need until you see it – and that’s why it helps having everything pulled together here, on LittleList. If you delve into the website there’s example baby registries compiled from the likes of blogger Alex Light (who made me want the newborn knitted leopard jumper in adult size, along with The Bear Puffer. Quite simply the ideal winter sleeping bag!) and presenter and activist Ashley James.
Also worth mentioning, that while most people have wedding lists, it’s also possible to create a list for your own baby shower too. It takes the hassle out of buying everything, and leaves your mates with a clear outline of useful stuff. No-one needs five Euan The Sleep Sheeps! Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than that moment when all the items arrive. It’s like Christmas, but perfume sets are exchanged for sanitizers, and nappy bags arrive instead of designer ones.
Right now as I head into my third trimester with my third baby, I am finally enjoying the nesting period. It’s always a tough call knowing when to buy baby items. I’ve said before, I struggle with the word ‘celebration’ or congratulations’ around pregnancy. As someone who has navigated miscarriage I know only too well how it can feel to plan too early.
But then there’s the peace of mind with LittleList knowing you can create a list of items without them landing until you are mentally ready. Just a little space to add little things day-by-day, that will be there to support you after that first cry lands. And while I admire my grandfather’s initial months on this Earth, I’d argue that the Snuzpod will make your life a hell of a lot easier than a simple drawer.
Anna's LittleList Picks
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