Preparedness tips for anyone with a baby and/or toddler

[bellinisurge]

My dd is now 11 so it's not something I am currently dealing with. There is SHTF prepping which I do and there is Brexit prepping which people lurking on this topic might be doing. People might move on to SHTF prepping or they won't. Personal choice.

So as not to discourage Brexit related lurkers, I'm going to add what I would do now:

Start using reusables and get baby (and you ) used to driving them. If you can make them yourself or can get a friend to, so much the better because you can customise them. We may have absolutely no problems whatsoever with supply of your favourite nappies to the supermarket post Brexit. Or we might. Even a little bit. Loads of info online.
I struggled to bf due to health problems so that wasn't an option for me. For anyone in the same position, I can think of no alternative to buying tins of powder and making sure your formula preparation is good enough to cope without any gadgets you might currently use.
Any others?

Stock up on calpol, baby ibuprofen and any other potions and lotions you use. It might be fine, it might not be, but it's one less thing to think about.

UHT alpro soya 1-3+ is the next best thing to breast/cows milk so ideal for 1+ babies (or 6m plus for use in cooking). It has quite a good date on it. Oatly Barista is next best - if you can find it anywhere! Also doesn’t need to be prepared like powdered formula mills, so no need to sterilise.

Cheeky wipes (or any microfiber wipes).

Next years coat, pair of wellies 2-3 sizes bigger than they are now, and a pack of vests in the next lot of sizes. These are all on my list for the new year sales: I did it last year to save money and it worked quite well.

I'm stashing nappies/wipes/tin of formula in the loft. Currently breastfeeding and was planning on doing so until baby is 12m at least, which takes us beyond Brexit. He might self wean early though (his sister did) so I need to be prepared.

Also pouches of food. I've not started stashing these yet but I've noticed they have a good long date on the ones I've been using.

Also the Ella's kitchen fruit pouches. Thinking fresh fruit will be in short supply so they may be useful for us all. Costco do them in bulk.

Have 2years with of clothes and shoes already (second hand).

Yes pouches are good and long life and can have other uses if you don’t need them (adding to yogurt, using as children’s sandwich spread etc). Plus I always have a few packets of prune purée in the medicine cupboard

I have a small baby and thankfully have hand me down clothes but where there are gaps I’ve bought a few sizes up in sales. Our local Mothercare is closing down, so I got some good deals.
Useful items include socks, vests, socks, sleepsuits, snow suits and grow bags.

We BF but I’m looking into follow on milk. All but one of my DC were fine with the same brand so I’m wondering if it is worth the gamble.

We use reusable nappies and wipes where possible but I’ve also stocked up on disposables as we use these when out and about and also sometimes for my disabled son. I’ve taken some time to learn how to make my own nappies and even bought some old fashioned terry cloth squares and nappy pins.

My stock of OTC meds and first aid for the kids should cover 18 months - 2 years.

Thermal long johns for babies and toddlers 3 for £3 in Mothercare!

Does anyone know where the routine infant vaccines are manufactured? Due in a few weeks so baby will be having jabs after Brexit day and I don't know if any of these will be affected. Not that there's much I can do if they're not but it's been worrying me.

I have no idea but would hope they would be prioritised. Recommend you have a word with your GP.

Feeding baby- if you can breastfeed, this will be the cheapest and in a way- easiest if you get the hang of it. No prepping up, no heating up and no sterilising bottles. If there is a bit of money to spare, hire a lactation consultant. Last time I check it cost around £30. Make use of breastfeeding support group.

However, what matters in the end is that the baby is fed- either by breast milk or formula.

Nappies- reusable and we use Cheeky wipes.

Clothing - second hand from eBay or Facebook Buy and sell groups

Stock up on sunscreen, vitamins, paracetamol. Get these from Lidl, Aldi. A generic brand has the same content as a branded one. The only difference are the pricing and packaging.

Learn First Aid - get the app from Red Cross but it would be much better if you can attend a first aid course. Watch videos from trusted source such as Red Cross or St John's Ambulance. Have a first aid kit.

Alternative to Full Fat Milk is something like Nido. I recommend to only get this if there is No Deal because it taste vile.

Gin/Wine Making kit- for the Mum.

Have a good support network because sometimes being a new mum can be isolating.

@rainylake if the jabs are due the day or so after Brexit day then the stock will already be there. It would be the 2-4 weeks after when stocks for things like that could (in theory) diminish. Having said that I wouldn’t be concerned about standard vaccinations and medications as they are already being stockpiled by CCGs in advance of a potential no-deal/blockades at ports etc. They are also making preparations for things to be sourced from outside the EU etc.

Anyone thinking of going to cloth nappies , aldi are currently stocking bambino mio nappies for £9 which are quick drying and easy to wash. Possibly a good place to start x

That's a great tip @EmUntitled

I'm looking on Facebook marketplace for clothes bundles. I've just bought a huge bundle of clothes in the next size up and stashed them away for when he needs them.