When to start buying stuff??

[Samraves]

Hi there,

I am now 21 weeks and just found out that I am having a girl and all is ok so far. This is my first baby and I am clueless...

I had a look at prams yesterday and freaked out because I don't have anything for a baby, and have no idea where to start. Also the slightly supersticious part of me feel like I should wait till much later in the pregnancy before I start buying things...

When is a good time to start buying things and what should I start looking at first? And are there any good freebies I should try and get?

All advice welcome!

Thanks x

I'd say you need to start doing research and picking things you like right about now .

Picking our buggy took a couple of months of research for me. (Probably the most complicated of baby buys). The rest was easier; but I found I wanted a cot that was no longer made, so I had to search around and wait for one to be listed on eBay within reasonable distance. I also did quite a bit of research on nappies, as I wanted to go the reusable route (we're in cloth full-time, 15 months on).

It was really worth spending the time reading the info, reviews, etc. as it probably saved me a lot of frustration and money once we actually started using the things. And you can find out what you need and what you don't - a lot of baby things are actually a waste of money and space!

I was a bit supersticious as well, so made a point of not actually buying anything until about 30 weeks (no particular reason). But having those 10 weeks or so gave us just enough time to search out the best prices on the items we wanted, wait for them to come on sale (you can contact websites to see if sales are expected and when, most are nice enough and will give you the info).

Also, we bought most (I'd say 95%) of baby things online, as you tend to get the best price (even factoring in the shipping costs).

I'd wait until later, personally, to avoid the excited stage of buying things (which you will regret / never use / wish you had bought something different). My mother insists on buying stuff straight away and it irritates me no end.

As for a pram, I really wish I'd waited until she was born. It's totally different looking at a pram with a baby then with starry pregnancy eyes.

The only thing you NEED is a car seat (unless of course you won't be driving the baby back from the hopital. Choose your car seat first, and fit the pram around it - i.e. don't get a car seat just because it fits on to a pram. Maxi cosi car seats are very well regarded, as are britax. I had a mamas and papas one (went with the pram) and hated it. Awful from the moment we brought her home.

I'd also leave it fairly late to buy babygros etc - and don't take them out of the packet. That way, you'll have some ready for the birth in newborn sizes, but can take them back if you have a big baby. I had the opposite problem and had a little one and my mother went out to buy some on the day she was born. That left me with loads of white stuff and by the time she was big enough to wear it, I wanted her in pink etc not newborn bright white. Remember - the shops will still be open!! Newborns wear a lot more babygros tha you'd think - no matter how much you want to dress them up in nice little outfits.

Oh, agree with elk4baby about starting to research now - just hold off actually buying for a while.

Lots of things are a waste - as a FFer, I thought I'd need a bottle warmer, but never really used it. Buy the essentials and wait until the baby arrives to see if you need / would find useful anything else.

I started getting little bits from around the time you are now, I was done by around 33 wks I think. Still a few tiny little bits to get I think. (Nearly 38 wks)

I have most things bought at 28 weeks. Since the 20 week scan I have been steadily buying things. I know this is probably quite early compared to some people, but the bigger I get the less inclined I am to schlep round the shops in the height of summer so I am pleased to have done most of the shopping. In my view, if something were to go wrong at this relatively late stage, it would be so unbearably horrible that having bought some baby stuff would be the last of my worries! Its not spread all over the house though, its all in the baby's room with the door shut until she arrives safely. So far as the comment above about leaving things in packets goes - personally, I have washed all of the baby clothes, I don't want to use things straight from the packet (and therefore the possibly dirty factory where they were made!) so have unpacked everything from packets for that purpose and would advise you do the same. I would advise you to make a start now, because that way you have plenty of time to do research and make sure you choose stuff you are really happy with, instead of buying it all at the end in a rush and not making such informed choices. For what its worth the first thing I bought was a baby bjorn carrier, because everyone seems to think they are fab, and I knew I wanted one. The other advantage of starting earlier and buying over the next couple of months is that you can spread the cost out instead of getting one massive credit card bill for all of it just as you are starting maternity leave!

addie81 - I did this too first time round. And I have stock piles of stuff that I never used, and stuff I would really like to have had that I didn't buy as I resented spending more, having wasted so much money when pregnant!!

Everyone is right, If I could turn back time I would start buying later...

I bought SO much stuff that was white and cream, and loads of cuddly toys and stuff with a sort of jungle theme, not to mention a jungle playmat and bouncy chair...

Then I found out I was having a girl and suddenly I didn't want any of it, I want a nice pretty girly room, not a jungle theme room, and I want pink clothes :p

I think if you are going to find out the sex, then thats when you should start shopping xx

Thanks guys,

Well I know it is a girl, so I can buy girly stuff

I think that I am going to start looking about seriously and deciding what to get especially with regards to car seat and pram...

And then maybe in a month or so just start getting bits together.

What does everyone else think of the baby bjorn carrier? I like the idea but really struggle with my back, so not sure if it would work for me...

Well, you think you're having a girl . Someone in the hospital when I had DD1 was told twice they were having a girl, then out popped a boy . Oops

I like baby bjorn... but why not wait until you have the baby then go into a shop armed with a baby to give it a proper test drive. I promise, they won't suddenly go out of stock!!

I'm just over 19 weeks and Ihve a couple of unisex babygrows and stuff that is on the 'take to hospital' list. All the major stuff (prms, carseats) I am leaving until later but doing my research now.

I'm having a cot from a friend so will just pick that up later.

I waited till she was born for most of it. I just had a few sleepsuits, a moses basket, a few disposable nappies and some cotton wool Bought a carseat when she was about 3 weeks and we could go out and fit her in one. Had a home birth so didn't need to worry about hospital bags or getting home. Bought her nappies after the first difficult few weeks, when we could try a few different brands to see what fit and how adjustable they were. Ended up with a few different brands, most second hand.

We had a wrap given to us and never needed a pram or pushchair. Bought a few more wraps though. ;)

Got a cot at about 5 months. Wouldn't have wanted it taking up space until then.

We'll be decorating the baby's room this summer now she can tell us everything she would like in it (she's 4 )