Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TheDetective · 16/04/2012 16:40

Re: Mothercare, they are in financial 'difficulties' at the moment. They are closing a lot of the stores, mostly the ELC ones I believe. However, I'd be very wary about using the baby plan at the minute. If they went in to administration - not only would you not get what you had paid for, but you wouldn't get your money back either.

I'm only buying things from there that I can't get elsewhere. Or if they are bargains. Most things I can get elsewhere tbh. I'm definitely not getting the pushchair from there, because of the same reasons given above - if they go bust, where do you go back to if you have a problem? I would hope the manufacturer would take responsibility, but you just don't know. And it would be a lot of hassle.

I'm going to get most things from either babies r us, kiddicare.com, eBay, NCT nearly new sales, etc. There is something specific I want from mamas and papas though (cries at the cost!!) so that will set me back a little lot.

Clothes wise, I love next for very little ones, H&M are good once they get past the newborn sizing - most of their stuff starts from 2months for some reason. Also might get a few bits from tesco/asda, but I'm not as convinced on their stuff - its not my 'style'.

We are just buying as we go along.

DesperateHousewife21 · 16/04/2012 16:42

I've got an NCT sale in my town on sun. Mainly to get summer things for ds but will see what newborn things they have too. It's annoying it's on before my scan and don't want to buy too much just in case. Also it'll have to be neutral colours.

WaitingForMe · 16/04/2012 16:56

I've picked a cot and changing unit and will buy it if it comes on sale or at 30 weeks if not. Buggy at the Baby Show in May going by anticipated discounts.

We got some free nappies via a voucher from my MW and will be focusing on deals etc. Assuming the scan goes ok on Sat I'll start taking advantage of things soon.

I plan to keep it simple though. Some lists of stuff seem bewildering!

WestWinger · 16/04/2012 16:57

I have a Maxi-Cosi Mila stroller going free if anyone wants it. Has been used and has signs of wear and tear but is otherwise in good condition. Let me know if you are interested and I can show you some photos. Would just ask for the postage to be covered.

TheDetective · 16/04/2012 17:34

Here is my list, if anyone is struggling. I think you have to tailor it to suit yourself. A lot of things on my list, others may not need, or may have different needs. But here it goes, if it helps!

Pushchair and car seat We both drive a lot so we have picked a pushchair that you can just fix the car seat on to. We aren't buying the lay down pram bit for it, or any other crazy accessories, we just don't need them when we consider our lifestyle. We just need the pram, the car seat, and the car seat cosy toes (and only because its a winter baby!). We also want the car seat base for one of our cars (the 3 door) to make things easier getting baby in and out. Will buy car seat new, and base. Will consider eBay for the pram. Already got cosy toes off eBay for half the price than in a shop. Total cost will be much less than if we bought the whole system thing.

Moses Basket and stand - we are using this for downstairs during the day, and as we only have walking room around out bed, will move it upstairs when we go to bed. It will only get a few weeks of use, so not planning on an expensive one - may get second hand, but new mattress.

Cot bed and new mattress Cot will be from eBay. Not paying for a new one. Otherwise will be expensive!

Bedding This includes lots of sheets and blankets. Babies go through lots with puke! This will be one of my bigger expenses. Have my heart set on all matching bedding, and room decor. Oh dear!

Baby monitor just getting a basic one - eBay again most likely.

Bath support Not bothering with a baby bath, no room for one. This is a cheaper option too. Just stick it in the big bath :)

Steriliser and bottles Already bought - half price in Asda. Letting the baby take the lead on feeding, so will have bottles incase, and a breast pump incase too - breast pump will be borrowed.

Bedroom furniture Wardrobe and tall shelving unit, both from Ikea - will last a long time! Its only a small box room, so need storage that works well.

The other things we will be getting are more specific, and because its my second baby, I remember what was a god send the first time round! Definitely getting a bouncing/vibrating chair. And a swing, may get one that combines the two. Not sure yet. The swing saved my life with DS. Using eBay for these things.

Will also get some soft toys, curtains, etc for the bedroom. We are getting a few small toys and a playmat, but these are for christmas - not that I feel the baby needs presents, it will be 4-8 weeks old! But, DS does.... sigh! Some of these will be from eBay too.

Also need maternity clothes - not necessarily maternity specific, maybe just bigger sizes! Bigger nighties, underwear, bras etc. Will need some nappies, cotton wool and muslin cloths. Don't stock up on formula or too many nappies - you won't know if your baby takes to that brand of milk, or how many newborn size nappies you will go through. They may go in to the next size before you finish the ones you have! I will be getting 4 lots of newborn sized nappies to have ready, and one tub of formula.

We are buying a birth pool, and will need some protective coverings for carpets etc.

Our total budget is £1500, but that is if everything was new. As it won't be, i'll be keeping an eye on our total savings. It makes me feel smug to get a bargain lol! I'm hoping to do it for well under £1000.

Hope that helps some people :)

GTbaby · 16/04/2012 17:40

Shelley u have made me lol lots. About poops, I had similar experience a few days ago. N the fact that u have a mouth. Grin

Chunky can u give us all ur list of the baby clubs u have joined. I start making a list last night to Remind me of what to join later. But don't want to join just yet.

I won't be buying anything for a while as MIL is superstitious. But have started to do my research. Next and boots seem to be quite good value for baby clothes. However my sister works at debenhams so will prob buy as much as I can from there. however as we will not know the sex before hand and debs has only a small range of natural colours I don't just want lots of the same things so will buy from boots n next as well.

In terms of pram/pushchair will go to babies or us and John Lewis to try them out then look for cheaper vendors online. Grin. It should all work out nicely.

SiL last night offered all her baby stuff. Crib, steriliser, basket. So well chuffed about that!

ShellyBobbs · 16/04/2012 17:45

GTbaby I aim to please Grin

daisychain76 · 16/04/2012 18:18

I think my list is similar to yours thedetective but instead of a moses basket and stand I'm getting a travel cot, so the baby can go in it downstairs for longer and we can also take it on holidays. Also, I found my 2 went into grobag sleeping bags to stop them kicking off the sheets and waking up after about 6 weeks so won't be getting too much bedding. I remember vibrating/rocking chairs being a great thing too. Also, going to look around for vtech toys cos they seem to last forever. Oh, and a tub of sudacrem is essential!

TheDetective · 16/04/2012 18:35

See me and DP keep coming to the same conclusion about growbags, I know everyone raves about them, but when I'm at work, I have a way of settling babies in the cots using the blankets, so am hoping the tried and tested will work on my own one! We just aren't sold on them!

I got metanium instead of sudacrem. We had an incident. It will not be repeated this time around!!!!

Its funny, you just get what works for you! Every baby is different. I just hope I don't get a screamer. Heres looking at you DS

NervousAt20 · 16/04/2012 18:41

Oh I'm counting on getting a screamer! I was a handful child and partner was the child from HELL! The stories I hear make me dread having to cope with his double lol

applepieinthesky · 16/04/2012 18:41

I've already stocked up on sudacrem because it was on offer a few weeks back.

I'm not planning on buying a lot either. Moses basket, cotbed, pushchair, car seat, baby carrier/sling, bedding, bottles & steriliser, clothes. That's about it.

Don't need bedroom furniture as already have two chest of drawers in baby's room and big built in wardrobe. Not getting new curtains because the curtains in there are brand new and a neutral colour, walls are cream so may leave them and just get some colourful wall stickers.

Am I missing anything essential? That doesn't seem like a huge list.

applepieinthesky · 16/04/2012 18:46

My mum and dad will probably buy one of the bigger items and tonnes of clothes. I may also get given some other things as I have a huge family with lots of little ones and a lot of my cousins have completed their families now.

Passmethecrisps · 16/04/2012 18:50

GTbaby Amen for School holidays. I was back today after a fortnight off. weeks 8 and 9 have been the worst and I am so glad I wasn't at work. I am not actually sure if I could have been. Got through today after a desperately unsettled night and FC my nausea might ease from this point on . . .

applepieinthesky No scan for me either. I have my history appointment tomorrow so that should get things going.

ditsygem feeling the maternity jeans envy. I am feeling like a stuffed sausage but don't want to go down that path yet (blubber not baby yet). I am certain my colleagues guessed the first day I went to work and turned down coffee. . .

hahahahahaha ShellyBobbs every one of your posts made me lol.

That list is really helpful thedetective . This being the first I can honestly say I haven't a clue.

I have my history appointment tomorrow morning. Looking forward to that. It will be nice to meet a midwife and make it seem a bit more real.

YellowWellies · 16/04/2012 18:53

Hahahahaha ShellyBobbs I too am getting occasional bursts of pride at my toilet output after days of absence Grin

Fruitsalad after informing me of the good news about Stilton I may want to marry you - thank you!!!!

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 16/04/2012 18:56

I know yellowWellies, it's amazing isn't it. Liking your work on house price thread btw!

Brockle · 16/04/2012 19:09

Being number 3 we have most things. Borrowing a Moby sling to see if I like it. Just need a new stroller and monitor. When did baby monitors get so bloody expensive! Amazon seems really good. Breast gel pads were half the price of mothercare and lansinoh (praise be for lansinoh) is cheaper too. Stroller was fifty quid cheaper too. Made a baby wish list on amazon with a few cheap and not so cheap things we need in case anyone wants to buy us anything.

Eaten my body weight in peanut butter on toast today, will prob hate it tomorrow.

Yay for the poos shellybob! Still rabbits here!

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 16/04/2012 19:11

We have a moby, it was a lifesaver with dd, who was a screamer. Got used more than the moses basket/cot/bouncer put together!

Stuntnun · 16/04/2012 19:22

My FIL has asked whether we want to go on holiday with them at the end of October which will be week 39 for me. DH is dead keen but I'm not so sure. On one hand both DS1 and DS2 were born at 40+1 and Perthshire has hospitals. On the other hand if I have to have another EMCS it would probably be a while before I could travel which could get expensive.

Very sore boobs and loads of nausea today which I take to mean I'm still preggers!

OP posts:
horseylady · 16/04/2012 19:25

I don't know how I'm going to get through tomorrow? How have I been so ok and now im needed going to be useless!!! I've manages to read through the poem now without crying but why can I just not turn my hormones off for a day??? Why???

jenbird · 16/04/2012 19:27

Had a scan this afternoon and all was fine. Whoop whoop. Measured 8 + 4. Really happy as was convinced something was wrong after the weekend.

On the buying front this is baby number 4 but actually we have nothing as we gave it all away as we weren't planning on more. Oops.

We won't buy anything though. Still have some baby clothes left and a baby born so not going to bother with a pram as can go in stroller for 4 months. Baby will sleep with us so not bothering with cot either tho may get a moses basket to start with.

applepieinthesky · 16/04/2012 19:32

That's brilliant jenbird

stuntnun I'm going to Center Parcs when I'm 32 weeks and I thought that was late Grin

I have had a new craving in the last few days. Cold tinned meatballs Blush I'm getting through tins and tins of the stuff.

DonnaDoon · 16/04/2012 19:36

Excellent news Jen.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 16/04/2012 19:42

Sounds hard horseylady - I hope it goes ok for you. Try not to worry too much about crying, I'm sure no one will mind!

Chunkychicken · 16/04/2012 19:46

Babyclubs I joined;

Bounty
Cow & Gate
Aptamil
Emma's Diary
Pampers
Boots Parent & Baby club (I will join this one again anew as it were, because DD turns 2 soon & we get kicked out!!! Shock )
Mothercare
Sainsbury
Asda
Tesco

I think that's it... Confused

Not sure if we'll need to buy anything. Everything from DD is boxed up in the attic, including her newborn neutral clothes & some left-over nappies!! Not sure if the nappies will be any good by then but didn't want to chuck them.

Having said that, we might need a double buggy, but will be leaving that for a while to decide, as we're moving house and will need to see how it changes our 'lifestyle' iyswim. Might buy a car seat cosy toes though.

Of course, if Grub is actually twins (as DH thinks) or a boy, might actually have to buy A LOT!! Early stuff was quite neutral & I deliberately bought unisex things if I thought it would last, but clothes, blankets etc are all, well, pink...

Oh, might buy some new bottles although DD barely used them, might be safest, if this one refuses to do the cheap thing!!! Grin

Nobody expects you to be unemotional at a funeral horseylady so don't worry about being upset! It's totally understandable. Wishing you the best.

Chunkychicken · 16/04/2012 19:49

Great news Jenbird.

Not sure if I fancy peanut butter now Confused. I had to avoid it with DD due to really bad asthma etc in family, but now they've changed the 'rules' I could eat it. Do I fancy it?!!! Hmm