list of things to buy for baby??

[nervousyoungmum]

I'm trying to get an idea of how much it costs to buy all the essentials for both baby and anything I might need for breastfeeding.

I am not bothered about any unessential items just real basics. I am on a tight budget but this is my first so don't have anything already.

Does anyone know of a good list on the internet, or if anyone it prepared to write one down it would be greatly appreciated.

also any unexpected costs that have taken any of you by surprise would be good to hear about, just so I can attempt to budget for any extras!

Cheers!

You can leave much of your shopping until the baby has actually arrived - this will help you spread the cost and allow you to max out any contributions from generous family and friends.

But it's a good idea to work out what you'll need - and look out for events like NCT sales where you can get good kit cheaply.

You rare likely to need:

Birth basics: nappies, maternity pads for you, outfits to bring the baby home in and cover the first couple of weeks, wipes, muslins

Sleep: cot or Moses basket, new mattress (if buying second hand), sheets and blankets, or sleeping bag

Transport: car seat, sling or pushchair/travel system suitable from birth

Feeding: breast pads and nipple cream, or bottles/sterilising system/formula

Useful: room thermometer (winter babies) bath thermometer, infant toiletries, childcare manual.

in addition to your lost, i would seriously look at what you are prepared to have second hand?

My cotbed was 'damaged' in the m&p sale shop (had a big scratch on the outside frame and is now and grandma and grandadas for dc2 when the dc sleep over!), pram was from sale shop (didn't know anyone selling / giving one away), also nif you are needing asteriliser, we use a cold water steriliser (eg a tub with a sterilising tablet in it!),

baby bath is rubbish, us eth sink instead with a small towel in it so baby no resting against cold ceramic,?

lost??? list??? oh fuck, obv on this list nedds to be either buy a dictionary or don't drink wine!!

Def don't need a baby bath. Tne sink is fine and then throw them in with dad.

I would get a pair of ba

Whoops

I would get a pair of baby mitts. One of mine was a terrible face scratcher for tbe 1st few days and we lived miles from shops. Friend bought a pair over and they were a lifesaver.

If you have a local free cycle you can ask for a cot and Moses basket.

Baby shops will publish lists. Ignore about 80% of the items on the list.

I would say essentials are;

nappies
wipes
nappy bags
changing mat (I put mine on the floor)
a pack (or two) of babygros or summer ones depedning on time of year
a pack of vests
somewhere for baby to sleep - cardboard box, moses basket, crib or cot
fitted sheets x2 or 3
mattress
sleeping bag (I prefer these to sheets and blankets)
pram, buggy or sling to carry baby about in
little fleece blanket or cosy toes for pram if it is cold weather
car seat if you have a car
muslin cloths
breast pads
maternity pads
nursing bras, at least two

A lot of these items can be got second hand if needed.

A changing mat to go on the floor with changing materials,
Some medical alcohol to clean the cord stump,
Bf bras & bf milk pads to go in it.
Vests, babygros, hat,all in one outside outfit (get a bigger size than newborn/3months.)
I co-slept & used a babysling.
A first stage car seat.
I used an ikea plastic storage box as a bath
Best wishes

I didn't need nipple cream or alcohol for stump (used warm water). The only baby toileteries I ever had were shampoo and baby bath.

Don't really need thermometers.

Honestly ask for baby stuff on free cycle- if it's no good pass it on.

i used this nhs list

seconding nct baby sales. the ones down here are in march and april and then sept and oct every year - amazing for bargains! i also bought things from surestart table tops sales and ebay. also i have seen loads of listings in the local paper for baby equipment. tkmaxx have some very reasonable things like changing matts (i got a pink ginghma print one for £3! and changing bags)

i bought my moses basket plus matress and bedding for £15 from ebay and sold it on for the same amount!

there are some specialist charity shops which only sell baby and kids stuff - we have a cancer research kids one which is brill - i go to newton abbot just to visit the shop its so good.

if you are not due tomorrow and have a bit of spare time do a bit of browsing and wandering and research before you shop, you might be able to save alot.

car boots also worth a look :-)

stock up on stuff while it's cheap, etc sainsburys have 1/3 off baby stuff, including nappies, so start stocking up on the stuff you will definately usem, ie nappies!

oh and have a think about who you know or family who has had a baby in the last couple of years and give them a ring - most families hae some baby junk gathering dust in the left - i am happility unloading all mine on my neice who has just had a baby. a friend with older kids turned up with truck loads of junk to push on to me when i was pregnant etc

Shopping on line for big items. Look at them locally and then google is your friend.

Oh God - this thread is giving me palpitations!

Definitely baby grows! My little girls went through about 7 in the first day! She shit for England! All up her back every time! And after that, the sick if you get a reflux baby!

Don't be scared of buying second hand. You'll find that most things are practically brand new as babies grow out of things incredibly fast (including baby equipment)!

Find out when the next 'nearly new NCT sale' is in your area (their website will give you no./details) And keep an eye out in your local paper.

If you're up for it, it is always worth considering re-usable nappies if you're on a tight budget. Look out for ex-display ones if you don't fancy buying second hand.

Washable breast pads will save you pennies too & there are some really good ones out there.

Cotton wool pads & plain water instead of wipes for changing time is cheaper too.

Also, you can get away with not using a pushchair/pram for the first few months & just using a sling.

Although pricey, I can highly recommend getting a Maxi-Cosi car seat as they are compatible with LOADS of pushchairs.

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

If you're my gran the conversation goes like this
Me ' I need a double buggy as there will only be 11 m between dds'
Gran ' humph, I never had a double buggy - our David used to sit on the handlebars of our susan's pram, never did him any harm. No double buggies in my day'

Me ' I was thinking of getting a lovely rocking crib'
Gran ' what do you need one of those for? Our David used to sleep in a drawer and our margaret's daughter slept in a box for 2 years'

Etc etc you get the picture. She does knit lovely cardies and blankets though bless her :)

Sigh

Just realised that wasn't really very helpful.

Second what the others said. I'm on my 5th pregnancy and the amount of cr@p you accumulate is amazing, I'm always keen to pass things on (since every child since dd2 has been definitely the last one)

Make sure you get dark underwear and jammies for the hospital, I had an embarrassing moment with one of mine when I stood up wearing grey pjs the morning after giving birth and basically leaked everywhere similarly, maternity pads rather than normal sanitary pads.

Obvious,y cute clothes are great and you won't be able to resist but I found mine lived in babygros for at least 3 months so get loads of those because they do indeed poo everywhere. Newborn stuff lasts 5 seconds un,ess you have tiny babies so limit newborn sizes to a few bits and get more 0-3.

Grobags are great after a few weeks when they start to kick covers off.

I agree with that- neither of mine fitted into newborn clothing- both went straight into 0-3 months.

not sure if Im allowed to say this but the netmums website has v. good local "nearly new" buying and selling boards.

i have acquired the following, all in vgc, in the last 2 weeks

pine changing table £15
M&P moses basket with stand £15 (seller threw in a changing mat and box of rattles for free)
Mothercare bouncy chair £10
Lindam bed guard (still in box) £10.