To ask if anyone bought baby things before getting pregnant

[furrybadger]

Just that really, currently ttc but money will be tight when go on maternity of and when the time comes, currently saving money for that time and talking to friends the other day saying might start to stock up on things like nappies, wipes, little bits etc just to spread the cost, friends said iabu to do this as I’m not even pregnant yet.

Did anyone else buy baby things before getting pregnant ? Is it weird ? Aibu ?

No,just save the money.

After having a MC then struggling to conceive again,I would have been storing things for several years.

I thought this was going to be about being tempted to buy a really cute sleepsuit or something, not stockpiling! It’s a bit odd tbh.

I mean money has been tight at times when I’ve been on maternity pay, but never so bad that I was worried about paying for nappies or wipes. Lidl’s nappies are something like £2.50 a pack, and five packs of wipes for £3 - I could get a months worth of nappies/wipes/nappy bags for under a tenner.

In terms of bigger items, I agree with a PP that so much stuff would be obsolete or a newer version which was no more expensive would be released between now and when you actually need to use the stuff.

I bought my travel system before I knew I was pregnant with my second. Only because we were actively ttc and this system was being discontinued resulting in it being on clearance. Got it for about half price, luckily kept it in a family members storage facility so it wasn't taking up room.

I’m 15 weeks and haven’t bought anything yet apart from maternity clothes. I have started looking around at things but definitely don’t think I’ll start buying anything until after the 20 week scan, possibly much later. Perhaps I’m overly anxious though, it’s a very personal thing.

I really wouldn't, sorry. It feels jinxy. I used to work somewhere that sold adorable baby clothes and I had 50% off so I know it's tempting! But it just felt like I'd be cursing myself. Used to splurge when other people had babies instead!!

I'm the complete opposite. We didn't buy anything while I was pregnant, we were waiting for about 36-37 weeks and I ended up having an emergency c section at 35 weeks and my poor husband is now running around trying to get everything sorted and bought before we go home! So I think there are 2 extremes. I was one extreme and wouldn't advise leaving it so late and you are the other extreme buying way, way too early! At least wait for your positive pregnancy test first!

No, I know it’s not the same but I nearly bought girls stuff in both pregnancies before knowing gender (both boys). I can definitely understand the temptation when looking at the sweet little clothes

I don’t believe in tempting fate at all (and am guilty of buying one cute little baby vest before I was pregnant!) but wouldn’t stockpile like this. You don’t know how long it might take to get pregnant, and you might end up needing that money, so it’s better it’s in a savings account rather than already spent. Plus you'll have to store what you buy. It’s definitely really sensible to be thinking about the finances now, but I’d just save rather than start buying.

I wouldnt for anything that needs a warranty as it is valid from date of purchase. So if sat there being unused for ages could be fakse ecconomy if theres an issue with it.

Also your tastes or needs or wants for products could vastly change in the time it takes to concieve. Could take years and years. You never know.

Toiletries and nappies etc I am having a baby this week and only bought one pack of each even though seen so many offers. But just seems silly to buy until I know babies size/skin and shape. Or if they have sensitive skin etc.

Also with clothes how will you know what size they will be in and what season to buy for. Clothes for a summer or winter baby are very differant. Also you would have no idea of sizes before any scans let alone before pregnant.

I would save the money in a separate account. We tried for 8 yrs and had private IUI and IVF to finally conceive and again another 5 urs for our second. You never know how it will pan out but either way it will be a lovely nest egg for your future child. I had a pair of socks I brought when I thought I was pregnant some yrs before and I had to throw them away it was too hard to keep them.

I wish you every success though!

I felt bad enough buying the cot a week before my 12 week scan because it was a rare case of what I'd picked out actually being in a black Friday offer! I wouldn't but mainly as PP said you'll miss some of the fun of buying stuff as you go along when you are PG.

I'd save the money too.

Not superstitious, but money takes up less space in the house and can be used for other things if it turns out you don't have a baby after all.

I did. Nothing major, just little outfits etc. when we started TTCing.

10 years later, still no baby. I must empty that drawer.

If (and I hope only if) you ever come home after a bad scan- mc or poorly baby, you’ll regret it. I know it’s exciting but don’t do it. After a healthy 20 week scan it’s time to shop. Before that it’s time to save!

I wouldn't, I had secondary infertility and it took me ten years to have my second.

Nappies don't have a shelf life, as such, but wipes and toiletries do. Clothes get musty etc.

I think you could end up regretting it, as said, your taste may change and you'll want to shop once you are 12+ weeks.

Put it in something like a Credit Unit savings account, were you can't get to it easily. So you aren't tempted to spend it on other things.

I bought a wedding dress before DP proposed He saw it, he said I was insane, he married me anyway

Back to your question OP... I think instead of buying items you should open a separate savings account for future baby items.

Several mcs and I would have been devastated if I had bought anything. A cousin did and it took her 6 or 7 years to get pregnant. The stuff was old by the time she needed it.

Save your money in the bank.

I started buying little bits like vests, babygrows if I saw a really gd bargain and couldn't leave it! It was more of a I'll buy it and if I don't need it I can use it as a gift for someone else's baby.

Wipes, nappies aren't that expensive unless you buy expensive brands like pampers. I've always liked Aldi for the nappies, wipes and nappy bags and they are as cheap as you will get them. I've heard nappies go out of date not sure if that's true.

I don't see the harm as long as you don't go over board. I wouldn't buy big items. Bargain buys that you could gift or re sell on eBay if things don't work out or take longer than planned.

I agree you would be best to start saving the money now rather than buying things. Open a separate account for this and don't touch it until it's needed.

I did. Got sterilised after #4 and bitterly regretted it.
Got a bedside cot, clothes, carrycot ,toys, bottles, etc etc over the next few years
Had 5 ivf cycles then reversal before baby 5 we did use everything in the end !

My colleague and his wife did.

They got divorced before they could conceive.

Little weird and I wouldn't do it.

Nobody is guaranteed a pregnancy let alone a healthy child. Nor is a relationship guaranteed so that could end before a pregnancy occurs.

Most people buy after the 12/20 week scan but some wait until they actually have the baby for lots of things.

Having savings is a far better idea.

I bought a few girls 0-3 baby clothes.... then I feel pregnant with a boy. Just shoved them in a drawer somewhere... but three years later I had a baby girl and I found these clothes and she wore them!

My mum bought me a full Winnie the Pooh nursery set pre 12 weeks on my first pregnancy. I have been pregnant 3 times and have one child. I couldn’t bring myself to use it for DS, I wanted to choose something just for him, so it all got ebayed. I’m speaking from experience- babies are sometimes quite hard to get!

I think it's a bit silly. Put it in a bank account.

I've been trying for dc 2 for over a year, including a miscarriage. It could take you years, include miscarriages or just never happen. Hopefully not obviously! Having baby stuff around at the moment would make me really upset. And it all takes up storage space!