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Original poster

Pregnant and struggling to afford it

35 replies

cloconutu · 07/01/2023 12:55

I'm 19 and 23 weeks pregnant, me and my partner both work and have moved out. We're both apprentices so the pay isn't great. I've been able to afford most of the bigger items (cot, pram, car seat) as I knew I needed them but I'm really struggling to afford baby clothes. I've even been looking on vinted but I just do not have the money. I don't know what to do

OP posts:
Skinnermarink · 07/01/2023 12:56

I would think if your wages are that low you will need to look at what benefits you will be eligible for.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 07/01/2023 12:57

Look on Facebook marketplace for a big bundle of clothes. These normally sell for a really low price as babies are in them for such a short amount of time.

Also look for a baby bank in your area.

Notsa · 07/01/2023 12:59

Hi, congratulations on your pregnancy.

Have a look on your local FB groups, so many people are keen to offload baby things you be able to get a lot of clothes very cheap or even free. You don't actually need that much, vests and sleepsuits are fine for a newborn.

Make sure you claim all you are entitled to once the baby is born and keep an eye on charity shops and FB for the next sizes up as baby grows.

I was where you are twenty years ago. It all works out

2reefsin30knots · 07/01/2023 13:03

You've likely got 15 weeks to go and you only need a multi-pack of babygros to get you started for a newborn. Do you have people who will want to buy your baby a gift? If so, hint at clothes!

Leakingtoilet · 07/01/2023 13:04

Look on olio/Freecycle/Facebook for ones going free or place a wanted ad. I always give my kids clothes to charity shops but if I see a wanted ad I'm always happy to give them directly to the person asking.

Whyisitsososohard · 07/01/2023 13:07

There are various Facebook groups in my area which would help especially with the free clothes so maybe there's some where you are? Perhaps a local family or children's centre would be worth contacting? Both to see about donations of clothes and also about benefit entitlement

SLS500 · 07/01/2023 13:07

To begin with you'll mainly need baby grows and vests.

If you're struggling to afford clothes, will you be able to afford ongoing costs like, nappies, milk, bottles, steriliser, if you're unable to breastfeed?
Not trying to scare you, but there are more costs to consider. Find out what benefits you'll be entitled to.

toomuchlaundry · 07/01/2023 13:09

Do you get maternity pay as an apprentice?

Athenen0ctua · 07/01/2023 13:10

Look for cheap/free bundles, but multipacks of sleepsuits and vests are also very reasonable, they can live in those for the first 6 months to a year, no need for outfits.

SchrodingersKettle · 07/01/2023 13:10

You’ll get lots of gifts I expect! Say thank you, then exchange them for use things.

Hover all the local FB groups - people are always giving things away.

Post on Freecycle or Freegle asking if people have baby things to give away.

honestly I would buy a 2nd hand pram and cot, as they are so much cheaper. Take the ones you bought back if you can.

newborn babies need very little stuff!

wishuponastar1988 · 07/01/2023 13:11

You can pick lots of stuff up second hand/free. Honestly I spent an absolute fortune on clothes before my baby was born and she wore half of it. She's 5 months now and I buy big bundles of clothes off Vinted for a fraction of the price. After baby is born will you be claiming universal credit to top up your mat pay? If so you will be eligible for the sure start maternity grant which is £500 if this is your first baby and aslong as you are receiving UC. You can download the form and get your health visitor to sign it once any universal credit is in payment.

wishuponastar1988 · 07/01/2023 13:13

Also can you check the area you live in and see if there are any baby charities? In the area I'm in (Manchester) there are charities which provide baby bundles of stuff for free which has all been donated. We also have a local mums WhatsApp group where people give away so much baby stuff all the time. Could you put a post on a for sale or swap site on fb and ask if anyone is giving away or selling a bundle of clothes? My baby lived in sleepsuits for the first 3 months so you don't need loads!

Lineeyes222 · 07/01/2023 13:15

Hi OP, I have a load of baby clothes I've recently been given and was going to give a good amount to charity. I would be more than happy to send you these if you pay for postage. Please PM me if interested and want photos.

welshweasel · 07/01/2023 13:17

Put a post on your social media/local Facebook group, asking for baby clothes anyone wants to get rid of. I donated loads of mine to someone who was in a similar position - second hand baby stuff rarely fetches much money and most people just want rid of it to free up space!

The only things you need to buy new are car seat and cot mattress, everything else you'll be able to pick up secondhand/free. Make sure you check with your midwife, lots of areas have schemes where you can access support and often various baby bits too.

Orangesare · 07/01/2023 13:18

Check if there are any baby charities in your area.
You may also be eligible for the maternity grant but it is paid after the baby is born and when you get certain benefits.
Health Visitors are often more knowledgeable than midwives and you should have an appointment before the baby is born

Original poster
cloconutu · 07/01/2023 13:18

wishuponastar1988 · 07/01/2023 13:11

You can pick lots of stuff up second hand/free. Honestly I spent an absolute fortune on clothes before my baby was born and she wore half of it. She's 5 months now and I buy big bundles of clothes off Vinted for a fraction of the price. After baby is born will you be claiming universal credit to top up your mat pay? If so you will be eligible for the sure start maternity grant which is £500 if this is your first baby and aslong as you are receiving UC. You can download the form and get your health visitor to sign it once any universal credit is in payment.

I wasn't aware of the maternity grant, thank you!! Me and my partner currently earn just over the amount to be eligible for any benefits. Once I start maternity leave I do believe I will qualify. Thank you for letting me know about this

OP posts:
TheHauntedPencilCase · 07/01/2023 13:19

I agree with others, face book for kids stuff, we got most of our big ticket items second hand. Also free cycle if you're in a city, we were living in London and got so much stuff that we were then able to pass onto others. There's not too much wear and tear on a lot of young baby stuff.

wishuponastar1988 · 07/01/2023 13:20

@cloconutu no problem. It takes about 3 weeks to be paid and will go direct into your bank. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

MartaFlutterButterBye · 07/01/2023 13:20

If you start a bumps and baby group you will probably find other mums who will pass stuff on. The baby clothes fly round those place and don't forget charity shop. Wash at 90 degrees and all good.

Athenen0ctua · 07/01/2023 13:21

You can also put an average sized full term baby into 3mth size from the start with a few 1mth sleepsuits for photos. They will just be big for a month. On a very strict budget I would buy a pack of 7 3mth sleepsuits and a pack of 3 1mth sleepsuits, plus bodysuits for underneath.

PumpkinTruffles · 07/01/2023 13:28

If you visit your local council website there should be contact details for your local welfare support scheme, or contact your local CAB and they can refer you. They won't just do a benefit check, they'll look at the maternity grant and help you apply and will know what other assistance is available locally. I'm in Leeds and used to work for a charity that would work with the welfare support scheme there. I helped a lot of families in your position - there's so much help out there. Most areas have baby banks that will help with all the essentials too - they get huge donations of clothes etc.

tirednewmumm · 07/01/2023 13:48

Ageee with others to use Facebook I've got some really cheap lovely stuff for
My baby on there. Also post on any community pages asking if people are having a clear out! A lady near us did this offering to collect and got loads

gogohmm · 07/01/2023 13:51

You probably need far less than you think - a pack of 7 body suits, a couple of packs of 3 sleep suits plus a couple of cardigans really is all you need at first - supermarkets all sell them. People are likely to want to buy gifts too, direct them to buying asda vouchers for instance as you can then buy what you need rather than having too many of one size

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 07/01/2023 13:57

Don't fall into the trap of buying loads of outfits. Babies really only need vests and babygrows with the fold over sleeve mitts. They do not need socks, jeans, leggings, tights, dresses..... socks don't stay on their feet, everything else rides up or down.

Buy cheap because there will be vomit and poosplosions where the poos squirts up out of the back of the nappy all the way up to their necks or down to their toes. They also grow out of clothes every 3 months so nothing needs to last well.

MintJulia · 07/01/2023 14:02

Second hand is your friend for the next five years.

Babies grow so fast that perfect clothes can be had for a pound or two on Facebook market place or similar. Check out NCT sales as well.

My ds was a long skinny baby and many of the things I was given were for chubby babies so they never fit him and went into second hand bundles still with their labels on.

Also, my family and friends gave new born sets as gifts, so wait and see what you are given before wasting your money. Better to buy 3-6 months.

Other stuff like changing tables, special bags, baby wash etc are just not necessary. A towel on the floor is safer for changing - they can't roll off. Any bag will do for nappies etc. and I found baby skin reacted to everything, so all they need is warm water & cotton wool, even the smelly end.

Congratulations and good luck xx