Babymore Eva Sleigh Cot – This has been the cot Carla used for both her babies. It has a side that lowers, making life easier for any of those shorter people out there. Save you toppling head first into the cot!
It also comes with a very comfortable mattress and handy extra storage underneath. (Why is it that there is never enough storage!?)
It also becomes a toddler bed, so a sound investment for the many years of use.
The Grobag by the gro company (now owned by Tommee Tippee) - They do them in all sizes and togs. These have been Carla and Gina's go to sleeping bags for all of their children. Soft to touch, sturdy, high quality zips and most important comfortable. Really there are so many brands and types of sleeping bag, this happens to be the one we would recommend.
Serenity Nursing Glider with Footstool - This is so comfy! It rocks, it reclines, and it has a footstool, what more could you need? Oh and some useful pockets down the side of the cushioned arm protectors. It is vitally important that you find yourself a chair that you can be comfortable in at any time of the day or night, you will be spending a lot of time in it. Obviously it is up to you as to your aesthetics but this is the one Carla uses still to this day.
Water Wipes - Carla is an advocate for the water wipe. They don’t have a fragrance and tend to be moist (unless you leave the packet open by accident!). Remember if you are buying online to compare with the large supermarkets to make sure you are getting the right deal.
Chicco Next2Me cot – This is the one for your bedroom when you first bring your baby home. Carla personally loved this cot, it has a side that can be lowered on both or one side, really convenient for access. It folds down into a travel case, which means you have your fist travel cot without having to purchase another one. Bonus! Also the head or the foot of the cot can be raised or lowered, independently. Very handy if your baby has wind or reflux to raise the head by a few inches to try to make them more comfortable.
Chicco Next2Me Dream Evo – This is the latest of the Next2Me cots. Improved from the original with mesh windows for better air circulation and one hand opening system.
Next2Me Sheets - Chicco provide a range of sheets for the next to me cot. There are cheaper ones out there, but you may want the comfort of knowing these are specifically designed for the cot.
DK Organic Glovesheets – These are the ones Carla used for the next to me cot. Great fit and feel, with the bonus of being a little bit cheaper than the Chicco brand.
Yoofoss Waterproof Mattress Protector - 50X90cm quilted fitted crib mattress protector. This fits the mattress of the Babymore Eva Sleigh Cot mattress perfectly, great for making sure your mattress is protected from any mishaps (you can imagine what they may be!)
Clair de Lune Cot Fitted Sheets - They come in a variety of colours and fit the Babymore Eva Sleigh Cot mattress well. They have lasted incredibly well, 5 years of use and still going strong.
John Lewis Boori Changing Table. This has done the rounds in our family, 5 of the 6 grandchildren have had the pleasure of using it and still going strong with Carla's youngest! Changing tables are surprisingly expensive, we like to think it is because they have to endure. Not worth the risk of skimping on, particularly as you will be using it several times a day for the next few years. I would get some handy baskets for all your bits and bobs to put underneath. If you enjoy organisation a nappy caddy is always a joy.
Bobbin and Bumble Changing Mats - There is a lovely lady who creates wonderful baby and toddler accessories. They are beautiful, useful and such great quality. Carla is a loyal customer and raves about the changing mats, and travel changing mats. Her shop is well worth a visit, also great as baby shower gifts.
Tommee Tippee Twist and Click - We know these things seem really gimmicky, when you can just use a nappy bag and dispose of them in your regular bin, but, this bin is actually really useful. It is well designed, easy to use and does eliminate the odours, which nappy bags can't always do. They look pretty good and come in a variety colours, dependent on the nursery colour scheme. They hold a surprising amount of dirty nappies before you have to empty, which is a bonus.
Wisenet Video Nany Monitor SEW-3048 - This has been Carla's go-to monitor, it has great range, a very clear picture both in the day and night. Sound is perfect and there are some useful additional extras on the display. This isn't Wi-Fi connected, but the monitor has a good battery life when not plugged in.
Wisenet SEW 3049 Babyview Pan/Tilt - This is the latest version of the Wisenet monitor, it doesn’t have the handy legs to hang it around the objects but it can pan and tilt via the monitor. The monitor remains the same, excellent quality.
iBaby Baby Monitor - Admittedly this is the newer version than we used for our babies, but we found the ibaby monitors to be useful as you are connected via the Wi-Fi, so you can free yourself up from the handheld monitors. The connecting to the app can be a bit faffy but once you are in you have a plethora of display and notification options that you can use. This is an all bells and whistles monitor, so if you are into your gadgets this may be for you! They also have an impressive pan/tilt function so if your baby is a wriggler you can follow them around.
Little English Quality Muslin Squares cloth for Babies - These are ultrasoft and have great patterns, they are relatively small so great for packing in your baby bag as well.
Etta Loves
These muslins are a must have for yourself, or to give as a gift to expectant parents. They are soft and comforting for your little but even better their black and white patterns make for fantastic sensory items for your newborns.
aden + anais Musy Squares - These are amazing quality. They are large, soft and so useful. Obviously you can get them with different colours and patterns to suit your taste and nursery. They are incredibly versatile, use them to lie your babies on the floor, swaddle for sleeping, burping or just for some comfy cuddles. Such a great gift for parents as well. You can never have enough muslins for your baby. We highly recommend aden + anais products.
Clare de Lune cellular blankets - We would recommend cellular blankets in the nursery as they are breathable. Clare de lune are great quality and soft to touch.
White Company Cashmere Christening Blanket - Obviously doesn't have to be used for christening and is definitely a bit of luxury for you or your friend, but the White Company has such high quality, beautiful baby items, why not have something to cherish?
Groegg2 - Isn't it funny that until you have babies the temperature of the room seems insignificant!? This is a brilliant room thermometer and handy night-light. They are incredibly useful when you are trying to figure out what Tog to use, or just what to dress your baby in for bedtime. They change colour dependent on the temp as well, making it even easier to tell what temp range your room is in.
Philips Hue Go 2.0 - The Philip hue lighting allows you to control the light from your phone, allowing you to choose the warmth of colour and brightness. You can have multiple lights, which again you can control separately but they are brilliant if you want to manage feeding in dimmed, warm lighting. Carla has them all over her house, mainly because her husband loves a gadget, but you do have a lot of flexibility with their set up, and they a small and light so can go anywhere in your room. They don't always have to be plugged in, but will need to be to be charged. You will have to purchase the Philip hue central system. Maybe a great gift for a gadget lover! Buy Here
Philip Hue Bridge - This is the central bridge to control the Philip hue lights.