Due in March 2017 - thread #4

[NameChange30]

New thread for the March 2017 club!

We have a stats spreadsheet - please add yourself if you're new or update your info if you have a new EDD or a scan date!

Previous threads:
Thread #1
Thread #2
Thread #3

Charly, don't panic yet. Basically baby needs something to wear, somewhere to sleep, something to poop in, car seat, and to be warm and safe. They really don't need much and most of what people try and sell you isn't essential (e.g top and tail bowl..... Alternatively you can just use Tupperware for as long as you can be bothered and then you just use baby wipes )

Thanks Hugh I remember looking at the mothercare lists for the nursery and wondered if they were a little long because they were perhaps encouraging people to buy a lot of stuff from mothercare! Hmmmm.

I was hoping there was some blog or website out there in the ether, maybe there isn't!

Thanks happy I just really feel I'm starting from scratch. I know exactly no one with a baby or kids and have no experience of caring for babies, apart from pulling faces at them.

So when it comes to the basics, I still have absolutely no idea what to get. I know you need a cot but then what's a Moses basket for? And why does the pram my SIL is giving us come with a mini cot thing? I'm baffled by everything.

I feel the same charlyb!!

I THINK...you get a travel system which goes from a flat pram, to a more upright pram/pushchair, and also comes with a car seat that can be transferred between frame/car. (Could be wrong.)

For sleeping, I think you need a crib (and you can get some with two mattress positions and a drop side so it lasts into toddler years) for when baby is in its own room. The Moses basket or bedside crib is for when baby is in your bedroom for the first few months and needs somewhere to sleep nearby. You could just use the crib if it fits in your bedroom though. (Again...I may be wrong!)

Alternatively, after a quick google....

Ok, so for the first 6 months, baby should theoretically always sleep in the same room as you. So a Moses basket can be moved from room to room. My daughter went into her cot at about. 4 months I think when she out grew her Moses basket. This time I am planning on getting a co sleeper cot because despite being so anti co sleeping, I ended up doing it out of desperation so planning on doing it as safely as possible instead of waiting to be desperate.

A pram system will probably be the biggest purchase and requires the most research and time. You need to see them and try them out in a shop and think about your local area and terrain etc. No point having a big off-roader if you live in central London and are going to be on and off buses/tube, even if the pattern is pretty. I didn't get a carry cot because they seemed a waste of money, but totally personal choice.

Car seats that fit onto the pram are useful but they shouldn't be in the car seat too much as although it's the best position for car safety, it's not best for them general. So something to consider. You also need to see what car seats fit your car, how long they last and what car seat you are going to want next. It's totally overwhelming at first but we found babies R us to be really friendly and helpful as well as being the most competitive on prices

Theres a thread in parenting i think that someone asked what things you need for a baby... very good thread so far!

Sorry it's in pregnancy.. here's a link www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2729988-Experienced-mummies-how-much-did-you-buy-and-how-much-did-you-need

Oh and john Lewis do 'nursery consultations' for free where they explain all the options.... However my step sister had one and ended up getting carried away and spending thousands at the end of the consultation

Thanks all that's helpful. Sorry for freaking out, I'm a hormonal mess at the moment. I feel like I've got a bit more of a list now which makes me feel better

There is a really good section on baby essentials in the book "Bump" by Kate Evans, it lists what you really need and has money-saving tips.

I second all the recommendations! You don't need to go mad as once the baby is here, you will work out what 'extras' you want.

If there is a sling library near you, you can try different types and borrow them, to save splashing out before you know what suits you and the baby.

I really recommend getting a load of cheap plain white vests and babygrows for the first 3 months. All the expensive patterned ones are lovely for when you want to show the baby off, but day to day they get covered in sick, spit up milk and poo. Supermarkets or the Mothercare basics range are good for bulk buys. If they're all the same colour you can do a wash every other day, bung them all in together and not worry about it. You can also soak together to get rid of the worst stains. It really is so much easier. If you get plain white muslins too, even better as they can go in the same wash! You will do more laundry than you can possibly imagine, so make it as easy as you can

One thing I think you can go through hundreds of in a day is bibs, especially if your baby is sicky. I'm planning to buy a pack a month until baby arrives!

I've signed up to every facebook selling site going around me and there's so much good condition baby stuff out there to be had cheap. The only things we are planning to buy new are car seats, cots (unless 2 matching ones come up), mattresses and the pram.

My massive tip when pram buying is write down how you are going to use it before you go into the shop. Do you go dog walking, do you use the bus, do you only have a small boot, do you have a bad back and need something lightweight, do you want something that can convert to 2 kids later on? It's amazing what they will try and sell you so it's important that you know your requirements beforehand.

Our was - dog walking, one handed fold (so you can hang onto the dog lead with the other hand), good suspension and air filled tyres. We ended up with a babyjogger summit which I love but won't suit everyone.

Woke up this morning- exactly 16 weeks and I just feel different. Belly feels fuller and when looking in the mirror it looks rounder as well, instead of being just flabby looking like before its now rounding out! Really excited by this.

Anyone else had a day when they suddenly felt pregnant?

Yes I'm 16+2 and my belly has been feeling noticeably bigger over the last few days! I'm starting to feel more comfortable with being open about it and might tell the rest of my colleagues very soon - it's starting to feel weird having told a few but not everyone.

I can't imagine using a pram, I don't even like to push the shopping trolley round the supermarket, I feel restricted by it.

Think I will be using a sling/carrier as much as possible. Been looking at the Doona car seat that converts to a pram, not that sure though. Will need to look into a bit more I think.

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3886764.htm

I'm the opposite Carolann, I moan to my husband when I'm not at work that I have to actually carry the shopping rather than hanging it on a pushchair!

Oh I have my OH with me when I do the food shop, he pushes the trolley lol, I've decided when beany is born I will be online shopping for a while, just while I get the hang of things

OH doesn't like me doing to shopping by myself, we have 2 cats and a dog so lots of heavy food he doesn't want me lifting.

I feel like prams are the biggest minefield, there's SO much choice! I know exactly what I want (lightweight, will fit in the boot of a Fiesta, one handed compact fold for use on public transport, lies flat suitable from birth without an additional carrycot, but travel system compatible). Just don't know how to find it!

I'm feel a bit crap today Tired and emotional, got really upset about yet another morning of WHAT THE FUCK TO WEAR (I have a tiny and dwindling number of outfits that aren't horribly uncomfortable and/or hideously unflattering) and sobbed on the way to work (I was driving thankfully) and now I'm feeling really upset about the fact that I didn't even get to hear the baby's heartbeat yesterday, and my next thing to look forward to - the 20 week scan - isn't for another month

Sorry for the whinge, I figure if anyone will understand it's you lot!