How do you manage when you can’t find the baby essentials you need in stores? Do you have any tips or alternatives

mumoftwo0105 · 2024-08-05T09:43:37+00:00

I'm tired of trying to get baby products as a single parent of 2. Struggling with relying on supermarkets as baby products run out quickly as both my kids feed a lot. I'm having to rely on subscriptions which is very difficult as it takes long to receive orders up to 3-4 working days. Some items are difficult to find in stores, especially if they are popular or in high demand. I have to shop around to find what I need. So I end up ordering from uber eats or Deliveroo and still the baby foods I want can be sold out. So I order from amazon but they do not have everything I need. Fed up of limited stock in supermarkets and always struggling to get baby essentials when there is not enough of it. Having to carry my two babies with me to shop is difficult especially as a single mum. So I can't just go from supermarket to supermarket... Does anyone else have this struggle or am I the only one?

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 19:57

HardyRoseSquid · 05/08/2024 19:16

At 1 and 3 they don’t need formula at all and I would wean them off it. You’re paying a fortune for something they don’t need. They’ll take some time to adjust but they will get there and you’ll be so much better off as a result.

They also don’t need baby food in jars - they can eat what you eat (as long as you’re careful with salt). You can start trying to transition them now into eating proper meals.

This is a lot of stress for you, free yourself of it!

You're right i need to Change mu approach thanks alot!

OP posts:

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 19:54

Ariela · 05/08/2024 18:57

@mumoftwo0105 Just been in Waitrose - our branch had LOADS of the Kendamil 3.

Re the veg, if you do the home made spag bol as above, you can finely chop /use a food processor to finely chop all sorts of veg to hide in there. Mine today has carrots, left over mash potato which has thickened it nicely, onion, celery and a bit of left over broccoli plus tinned and fresh tomato, with a min amount of actual mince, for 4 of us!

Waitrose that's great ill try find one near me or look at their online shopping. I never ever thought of Waitrose thanks so much

OP posts:

HardyRoseSquid · 05/08/2024 19:16

At 1 and 3 they don’t need formula at all and I would wean them off it. You’re paying a fortune for something they don’t need. They’ll take some time to adjust but they will get there and you’ll be so much better off as a result.

They also don’t need baby food in jars - they can eat what you eat (as long as you’re careful with salt). You can start trying to transition them now into eating proper meals.

This is a lot of stress for you, free yourself of it!

Ariela · 05/08/2024 18:57

@mumoftwo0105 Just been in Waitrose - our branch had LOADS of the Kendamil 3.

Re the veg, if you do the home made spag bol as above, you can finely chop /use a food processor to finely chop all sorts of veg to hide in there. Mine today has carrots, left over mash potato which has thickened it nicely, onion, celery and a bit of left over broccoli plus tinned and fresh tomato, with a min amount of actual mince, for 4 of us!

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 18:17

crumblingschools · 05/08/2024 17:10

Does your little one eat at nursery?

Good Question. So sometimes he does and most times they say he does not like what they give him. Had parents evening and they said they can see he's a picky eater... so im just hoping he grows out of it one day sigh

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Caterina99 · 05/08/2024 18:05

Both of my kids wouldn’t drink regular cows milk at first.

I just weaned them slowly off formula and onto cows milk by mixing them together and gradually making it more and more milk. Took a couple of weeks. Also, apart from the before bed bottle, which they had til about 18m, they drink a lot less of cows milk in a cup than formula in a bottle. Which means they eat more real food.

So much cheaper and so much easier than formula!

Arrivapercy · 05/08/2024 17:46

Yeah he might cry, he's not getting what he wants but you are the parent, you are in charge and that means sometimes teaching him what he needs, which is learning to eat healthy solid food and not just milk.

Arrivapercy · 05/08/2024 17:45

I tried every brand and the only one is kendamil that goes with his stomach..

Formula is terrifically heavily regulated in the uk. The ingredients in most are near identical as there's a very specific required list of ingredients. There can be small flavouring differences but brand preferences are often largely psychological and marketing driven.

Try mixing kendamil with another milk. Start for example with 5oz that, 1 oz cows milk and then shift gradually until its just cows milk. Honestly you can probably have them both swapped in two weeks and you will save a fortune.

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 17:16

HiCandles · 05/08/2024 13:16

I know it takes some children ages to accept whole milk instead of formula, and obviously you know that over 1 they don't actually need it. Have you tried replacing the bottle with a snack? From 12 months by DS was only having 1 bedtime bottle and gradually ounce by ounce I replaced formula with whole milk.
To help in the short term, could you try changing the Kendamil to Aptamil or C&G which are more readily available, or whichever seems to be more available in your supermarket? The formulas might all taste similar enough that kiddo won't notice? Do it really slowly though, an ounce every few days, maybe even half an ounce at first so baby doesn't notice.

I tried every brand and the only one is kendamil that goes with his stomach.. but I defo will start weaning off onto fresh milk! I've tried replacing with a snack and he screams n cries sigh

OP posts:

crumblingschools · 05/08/2024 17:10

Does your little one eat at nursery?

Carebearsonmybed · 05/08/2024 17:08

UC will pay most of your childcare costs.

They need proper childcare- they will get lunches at nursery. It's not good for any of you to be juggling wfh with 2 toddlers.

Does your boss know this?

Arrivapercy · 05/08/2024 17:03

They won't like solid food much if you are letting them fill up on formula milk which is actually relatively sweet. Cut it back. Just give them a sippy cup morning and night (6oz max). It sounds like they are having way too much milk and overly soft (amd probably sweet) processed baby foods.

Toddlers appetites drop a lot at 2-3. Just keep offering normal food you are eating, if they are hungry they'll eat. Don't panic if they don't eat much at one particular meal.

Offer up simple meals, try separatimg components so they can see each thing (eg rice, chicken, carrots and peas) with a sauce they can dip things in in a pot on the side. Always offer at least two vegetables, one green, and remember you might need to offer it 15 times before it's eaten. Eat with them and let them see you eating and enjoying family meals like pasta bolognese, veggie curry or chicken risotto.

My children didn't like mixed stews and sauces so i introduced flavours via dry rubs, marinades etc on meat. Eg paprika and garlic powder on little cubes of pork, or lemon & herbs on chicken.

Satay chicken chunks made with peanut butter are good.

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 16:54

Bearbookagainandagain · 05/08/2024 15:14

Supermarkets don't run out of vegetables, meat, fish, rice, pasta, cow milk etc... My kids are the same age. None of them is on baby food anymore. And my 2 yo is massively picky.
It's a massive pain, I agree, but cooking is the way to go.

We've got a small steamer that helps a lot to cook about 4 portions of veg for them in 10-15 min without having to watch it, and it's super quick to wash. There are loads second hand on vinted or market place.

For picky eaters, we had a huge success with Solid Starts a few months ago for my 2.5 yo. It's a relief really!
I pay 1.69 a month, and they have a free trial if you want to try a few recipes. The recipes are really easy and based on batch cooking so you can freeze them (I have a silicone mould with cubes that the perfect size for a toddler, I think it's from NUK but got it on Amazon).
I eat those too tbh, they taste really nice.

Regarding your question for basic items though, we get a lot of stuff from Amazon. Depending on the brands, it's often cheaper or equivalent to supermarket price, and generally we get next day delivery. We buy bulk when things are on offer as well. We buy our nappies, back up pouches for the 1 year old, and formula that way.

I'll just keep trying because I do try to feed them cooked foods but they just don't really like much of it and end up playing with it. I'll just keep trying and ill have a look solid starts!

OP posts:

Perfect28 · 05/08/2024 16:46

You're working until 10pm but you don't have any childcare? I don't see how that can be possible?

Snacksgalore · 05/08/2024 16:46

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Caspianberg · 05/08/2024 16:43

If they sleep in really late until 9am ( mines always up by 6am), could you swap some working hours to the morning?
If you can work 6-9am then you already have three hrs work done before they wake up, and then can you finish 3hrs earlier?

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 16:39

Izzymoon · 05/08/2024 15:13

Why can you not take them out from the morning until 1pm?
Why are your toddlers not in childcare? How are they being cared for?

Show quote history

They wake at 9am and I do take them to the garden plus its hard for me to take them to a park as my 2 year old runs off... so I take them out to like play centres when im with family members which was once a week but that's changed due their schedule.

One is nursery and the other starts in September....

OP posts:

Firsttimetrier · 05/08/2024 15:45

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 15:30

I actually have tried everything you can think OF which is why im at my wits end. I tried everything... they hate vegetables except boiled carrots. They eat this sometimes and sometimes they don't. I have spoke with health visitor and they have said to make one pot foods. ive tried but just don't really eat it.

Show quote history

My DS has just turned two and he’s fussy with vegetables and some meals, but its
important to keep exposing them to it. I think I read you may need to repeatedly serve things a minimum of 10 days for them to even try it. Even then, it might take more servings and exposure for them to enjoy it.

How much milk are they having? My son has 5oz before bed but then eats 4 full meals a day, plus a snack before nursery and 2 snacks during nursery.

The post below is extremely helpful and has lots of good suggestions.

One thing I recommend and found helpful myself is Jamie Oliver’s 7 veg sauce (recipe is on his website). We use it for pasta, on top of homemade pizza, over chicken and have it stored in the freezer so we can take a portion out the night before.

Keep serving them meals, eat together and definitely wean off the milk as this will get them eating more!

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 15:42

Bjorkdidit · 05/08/2024 15:36

Why can't you go out to the shops with DC in the morning or on your non working days?

Another advantage of going to the shops in the morning is that most restock overnight, so you've better chance of getting this product?

Or get it delivered and keep stocks in? If this milk is the main part of your DCs diet, you just keep ordering enough so you have X cans delivered every Y days and you always make sure you have 1-2 weeks supply in, in case of shortages.

Then you wouldn't have to take them to the shops, you could take them to the park instead - if your working hours are non negotiable as 1-10 pm each day, you need to build your life around this and do the things that other people do after work in the mornings instead.

Do you not have any childcare or support at all? If you're on a low income, especially if you're renting, have you done a UC calculation to see if you could get any help with the cost of childcare, or in general? You could then put DC in nursery for part of the day and pick them up when you get your (legally mandated) afternoon break.

Show quote history

I was doing this tbh, I was taking them to the park once in a while.. I would bring a sling and a buggy. I took Wednesdays off to focus on them and having a break and I do get UC. It's after all my bills comes out im not left with much and going out with my kids with sling n buggy gave me a bad lower back plus very active toddler. It just became too much for me.. But everyone has been offering great advice and I really appreciate it so ill now look at re doing my routine to make things easier

OP posts:

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 15:37

lovelyhat · 05/08/2024 15:29

OK. You can’t carry on working and looking after your toddlers simultaneously - no good for anyone. Please ask your health visitor for help finding childcare - you may be surprised what help you’re eligible for. Your working hours are going to make this difficult but if they were at least in nursery for the afternoons that would take a bit of the pressure off. Any chance of changing your hours to 9-5?

Things to tackle once that’s sorted:

maintenance from ex
double buggy, or sling + buggy so you can get out with both kids
get out in the fresh air first thing every day if you can possibly manage it. good for everyone’s mental AND physical health
start switching the kids on to ordinary milk if you still want them to have it as a drink
start getting them used to proper meals. Nursery would probably be helpful here as seeing other children eating can be a good nudge in the right direction!

You can do it, and just think how proud of yourself you’ll feel when you look back in a few years.

My 2 year old is in nursery which is good he's in 2 days a week but increases to 3 from September. My 1 year old will start in September so I'm hoping it will change from then... my health visitor has mentioned they are making sure im ok with coping with everything.. and to hang on as this will not last forever. I tried sling and buggy but got a bad back so going to try buggy board for sure!! Ill try these and thanks so much for you advice I really appreciate. I should have reached out sooner

OP posts:

Bjorkdidit · 05/08/2024 15:36

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 14:12

sorry mainly Kendamil Stage 3, ready made foods mainly spag bowl/fruit pouches/chicken and rice .. and they are 1 and 2 year old... but Yeah I mainly struggle to go out and replenish because of my working hours (1-10pm) 4/5 days a week.

Show quote history

Why can't you go out to the shops with DC in the morning or on your non working days?

Another advantage of going to the shops in the morning is that most restock overnight, so you've better chance of getting this product?

Or get it delivered and keep stocks in? If this milk is the main part of your DCs diet, you just keep ordering enough so you have X cans delivered every Y days and you always make sure you have 1-2 weeks supply in, in case of shortages.

Then you wouldn't have to take them to the shops, you could take them to the park instead - if your working hours are non negotiable as 1-10 pm each day, you need to build your life around this and do the things that other people do after work in the mornings instead.

Do you not have any childcare or support at all? If you're on a low income, especially if you're renting, have you done a UC calculation to see if you could get any help with the cost of childcare, or in general? You could then put DC in nursery for part of the day and pick them up when you get your (legally mandated) afternoon break.

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 15:33

Cantdoitallperfectly · 05/08/2024 15:31

Plan your week in advance and do an online shop. Some good advice from others about foods.

cook double and store for the next day or day after.

chicken and rice and peas
tomato pasta
pitta bread “pizza”
mince and mash with carrots (my kid’s favourite)
beef stew

little plates of food with chopped veg/fruits
cheese or hummus
crackers like Jacob’s or oatcakes
plain yogurt

eat together - lay a fleecy rug down on the floor so it’s a picnic and make it fun! And easy to wash and dry a blanket

offer the milk after the meal

Thanks so much ive taken note of this and will try this out! Really appreciate this :)

OP posts:

Cantdoitallperfectly · 05/08/2024 15:31

Plan your week in advance and do an online shop. Some good advice from others about foods.

cook double and store for the next day or day after.

chicken and rice and peas
tomato pasta
pitta bread “pizza”
mince and mash with carrots (my kid’s favourite)
beef stew

little plates of food with chopped veg/fruits
cheese or hummus
crackers like Jacob’s or oatcakes
plain yogurt

eat together - lay a fleecy rug down on the floor so it’s a picnic and make it fun! And easy to wash and dry a blanket

offer the milk after the meal

Original poster

mumoftwo0105 · 05/08/2024 15:30

Firsttimetrier · 05/08/2024 15:14

@mumoftwo0105 are you exposing them to food that’s prepared for their age? I.e whole pieces of cooked broccoli, pasta? Or are they mainly on jars of baby food which is mainly pureed?

If it’s the latter, you may need support from the health visitor because lack of exposure to solids can cause sensory issues, hence why they are rejecting things?

Check out Solid Starts as the woman who runs it had the same issue and kept her eldest on purées until 18 months. He’s only just starting eating more things at 6, with a lot of support from specialists.

I actually have tried everything you can think OF which is why im at my wits end. I tried everything... they hate vegetables except boiled carrots. They eat this sometimes and sometimes they don't. I have spoke with health visitor and they have said to make one pot foods. ive tried but just don't really eat it.

OP posts:

lovelyhat · 05/08/2024 15:29

OK. You can’t carry on working and looking after your toddlers simultaneously - no good for anyone. Please ask your health visitor for help finding childcare - you may be surprised what help you’re eligible for. Your working hours are going to make this difficult but if they were at least in nursery for the afternoons that would take a bit of the pressure off. Any chance of changing your hours to 9-5?

Things to tackle once that’s sorted:

maintenance from ex
double buggy, or sling + buggy so you can get out with both kids
get out in the fresh air first thing every day if you can possibly manage it. good for everyone’s mental AND physical health
start switching the kids on to ordinary milk if you still want them to have it as a drink
start getting them used to proper meals. Nursery would probably be helpful here as seeing other children eating can be a good nudge in the right direction!

You can do it, and just think how proud of yourself you’ll feel when you look back in a few years.