To stock up to save money on maternity leave?

[autumnmumma]

I’ve got nearly everything we need for DC as a newborn/tiny baby. I’m wondering if it makes sense to start stocking up on things that will be useful and are on the pricier side. Obviously not seasonal dependent outfits, but thinking items such as teething toys, weaning things (those bibs with sleeves), generally anything for the stage once they’re a bit bigger and I’ll be on SMP/unpaid leave so less household income for that time

We are saving too but I know how quickly the costs can mount up so wondering if easier to do it while still on full pay? Is it a good idea or would you suggest something else?

No. You will waste masses of money as you don't know what they will actually need. And if you want to save cash, get virtually all of it second hand!

I'd probably wait and see what gifts you get- people who've recently had babies and toddlers will likely choose stuff they found useful so you might not need too much additional kit in the end.

Clothes, yes, particularly if you see good value bundles second hand. But I wouldn’t buy loads of other stuff that they might not use. Or just save whilst you’re getting full pay, as you could make interest on your savings. And as others say you will likely get hand me downs and gifts.

I would just save actual money. Otherwise you risk buying things you could get cheaper, for free, or not need at all.

I'd concentrate on just saving more money - that way you've full choice of what to spend the money on (bearing in mind you might receive gifts, second-hand items might be options etc). If it turns out need things you've mentioned, then you've got some cash set aside.

You buy it now or after baby is born what difference does it make?

Just don't spend your money on other frivolities in the mean time.

This book, ideally an updated version, might be helpful in terms of what you should buy new, and what is ok to be 2nd hand etc. Basics and what you really need.

Don't do it , very good chance of ending up with piles of things you will never use.
Wait until baby here and see what gifts you are given , i have had 3 babies and i was given so many lovely things , family and friends are so happy to welcome a new baby.
Places like home bargains etc have good brand baby products such as tommee tippie teethers /toys /bibs at very low prices.
Save as much as you can and buy as and when you need things.

While I was still on full pay I stock piled the non perishable items from the weekly shop rather than baby items ready for the unpaid bit of maternity leave. Things like laundry liquid, shower gel, nappies in a range of sizes, wipes, kitchen roll. It was a bit of a nightmare to store but it's made a surprising difference to the cost of shopping when things have been tighter financially

I don’t really get this - why was it better to do this than save the cash? Even if you bought stuff on deals, how did you know how much you needed?

OP I would just save cash for maximum flexibility.

There's too much "stuff" available to do that as you won't know what you need so I'd just save the money and get it as you need it.

Eg - weaning cups. There's loads available but this time around we didn't end up needing any as DS far prefers a little beaker to a lidded cup.

DS1 hated everything including life itself - the bouncy chair, rocker, pram, jumperoo - all sold on barely used. Complete waste of money for us and I learned my lesson for ds2.

Kids vary. Ours didn’t spit and weren’t massively messy at eating (for babies!) so we didn’t use muslins or any hardcore bibs. Some friends had a different experience. So save cash now and buy why you actually need. I wouldn’t buy clothes either as they grow in phases, seasons change (eg you could buy a winter outfit and they won’t be that size at the right time, regardless of what age it says on the label), you get given stuff, etc.

Unless you're expecting massive inflation on baby related items, I really wouldn't bother. Save actual money as that's more flexible. As PPs have said, you won't know what you need until you need it.

Just save safe save for now. Wait to see what you get gifted and what you really need nearer the time to

Do t stock up but do save up

I'm another voice saying save money rather than items.

What you could do if you want to nest a little more is buy things from charity shops/second hand if they are things you want and like and are a good price. I'd suggest keeping a list on your phone of what you already have and only buying things you already wanted before you saw them in the shop.

I sort of shop like this constantly so I buy stuff on offer/reduced even if I don't need it that week
You need an idea of how much stuff normally is. I thought everyone shopped like this but people have been before, so apologies if you already do!

For example coffee. Say it's usually £4. I see it half price, I buy it for £2. Add to cupboard. Basically I never buy it at £4 ever because I always have a stock from when it was on offer
It does take a bit of storage but I do this with all cupboard food items, toilet rolls, toiletries (shower gel, toothpaste etc)

Superdrug had a shampoo and conditioner plus styling products I like down to between 20p and £2 and when I got to the till it was 3 for 2. Total price should have been around £240 for what I bought and I paid £27

I'd only buy things you know you'll definitely need eg baby wipes, nappies, cotton wool (although I actually didn't use much of that and had loads!) vaseline, sudocrem. That sorta stuff.
I stockpiled lots of stuff including blankets, grows etc and a lot went to waste! I didn't regret getting the muslin squares though - if/when baby spits up in the cot, it's handy to have a big muslin square (not loose, tucked in tightly) in their crib so you can just whip that away instead of having to change sheets.
Saving the majority of the money would be the best option, and if you feel the need to stockpile something, do it with baby wipes 😂

Look for good deals on wipes and bulk buy you will need these until your child is in nappies at least and are very expensive

Agree to save money vs buy stuff as you won’t be sure what you need

However, I agree with @Alltheusefulitems : stocking up on expensive household items/ toiletries/ cleaning products on sale is always a good money saver