The Four Big Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Shopping

Woah. Baby prep overwhelm, right? As much as we know we offer a beautifully curated selection of baby items on LittleList, it can still be tough to decide where to begin as you try to visualise what your life with your baby will be like. After all, you’ve only just had your first scan, it’s a bit of a leap to suddenly get it all figured out. So, we thought we’d kick off your baby shopping journey with a few questions to ask yourself before you start adding muslins in every colour of the rainbow to your gift registry on LittleList. Better still? You can ask one of our super-qualified Baby Brains for guidance. They are here to help you work it all out and you can book a slot with them here.

Now, on with those big questions…

Where do you live?

The baby needs of city dwellers who live up several flights of stairs or get public transport a lot can be VERY different from those prancing around in the country. Think about your lifestyle now, because while a lot of it will be drastically different from how it is now, you’re not becoming an entirely different species so some things won’t change. You’ll probably still go to your favourite coffee shop, it’s just that now you’ll just have to ram a buggy through the door and try not to knock over the oat flat whites being clutched by the moody laptop brigade. Similarly, if you live somewhere that means you drive a lot, you’ll probably be on the road just as much - if not more - when you have a baby in tow, so this will affect your choice of travel system too. There’s a lot to get to grips with - practically a whole new language - but we’re here to make sure you only buy or ask for the things you actually need.

Take a look at our travel favourites:

Where will the baby sleep?

It’s advised that all babies sleep in their parents’ bedroom for the first six months, but this might end up being longer - either because you and/or your baby just love to be together, or because your living space necessitates it. Have a look at sidecar cots to maximise available space and snuggle opportunities, and think about where else in the house your baby might like to have a lie down from time to time - a moses basket in the living room, perhaps, or a bouncy chair for the kitchen? And how about a baby carrier for naps on the move? You probably won’t need all of these things, but playing around with the options (or asking friends with a similar lifestyle) could help guide you. And don’t forget, these big ticket items could be the sorts of things your friends and family have stashed away to pass on to you, so you can always use the “accept pre-loved” option on your LittleList if you would happily take a hand-me-down. 

How will you feed your baby?

You will be encouraged to breastfeed by health professionals, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you will - either because you don’t want to, or because there’s always a chance you will struggle with it (but if this is you, please seek out the relevant breastfeeding services in your area! Most problems can be overcome with the right support). It’s sensible to plan for every eventuality, and accept that you might need to go with the - pun incoming - flow. Even if you formula or combi feed, you won’t need to stock up on tons of paraphernalia for the early days, so we’d recommend getting the basics ahead of time (step in LittleList…) and remember that the things you could end up needing are easy to get hold of in a pinch anyway. Similarly, if you’re planning to breastfeed, you don’t need a whole wardrobe of dedicated peephole clothes - a couple of nursing bras and some stretchy tops will see you through until you’ve figured things out.

What’s your style aesthetic?  

Picking out clothes for your baby, along with nursery decor, has got to be one of the most fun (and vomit-inducingly cute) parts of pregnancy. Whether you’re a fan of cool neutrals, bold brights, traditional whites, sassy slogans or cutesy characters, you can lose HOURS to personal shopping for your baby. Clothes are also often the go-to gift from friends and family, so we’d really recommend popping the stuff you actually like on your list ASAP, so that any lovers of pared-back Scandi chic aren’t bombarded with Peppa Pig onesies. Don’t say we didn’t warn you….