Realistically, how much should/could I prepare?

[Pippaandpolly]

I am a super organised control-freak-mad-woman frenzy at the moment and need some advice on how much, realistically, it is sensible to prepare for the first few weeks after the birth. (I should add, I'm only 16 weeks, and I'm aware this is a bit nuts! Just really conscious that we're going to lose half our income when I go on maternity leave and trying to stock up now while we can afford things comfortably. Also trying to take advantage of special offers etc.)

So for instance, I have bought 3 packs of newborn size nappies, as I know we won't know which ones we'll like until we try them but we're going to have to start with something (and if they don't fit the unopened packs can always be freecycled) - assuming that they're perfect for our needs how long will 3 packs last? Should I buy a couple of packs in a size up too? Or is that overkill?

What can I sensibly buy over the next few months that I will use, that will save me doing the shopping when I'm 8 months pregnant/have a newborn? Wipes? Cotton wool? Baby powder? Would it be nuts to buy things such as a breast pump if I see a good one on sale, bearing in mind I don't know how feeding will go at this stage? Tell me what to buy so I stop bringing home bags and bags from Boots and then wondering if I'm going to use it all! And thank you, I appreciate the help :) None of my friends with babies live close by and I feel silly ringing them up for advice on this stuff at this stage in my pregnancy and their sleep deprived state! Hoping some people on here who've done this before will be able to help

Hi Pippaandpolly, I'm 18+4 with my first and have no clue what I need either, so far I have been stocking up on wipes and cotton wool and sterilising liquid (I am planning to BF and express) but as yet not bought any nappies as not sure of sizes? So I will be watching this thread with interest and hope that the wise out there will share their thoughts

Hi polskiprincess - good to know it's not just me being clueless!

Settles down to wait for wise people

I am 17 + 3 and I got the babiesrus and i am using the little list from the inside of that with a recommended list of stuff i need. I am buying little and often and slowly stockpiling. I need to save up for nappies though as I want to use bumgenius reusables.

Lola is it a catalogue you've got? Haven't got that one...sounds like something else I should obsessively read!

To be honest things like nappies, wipes etc while good to have are the kind of thing you can send the OH or visitors out to the supermarket or corner/village shop for. When you get a bit closer the time I would seriously consider batch cooking for the freezer. I didn't do it first time round and while I had my mum around for the first three weeks I regretted it after she had gone. I am 24 week at the mo with no2 and am going to start buying up mince and stewing beef from the reduced section and making big lots of bolognese and casseroles to keep us going during those first few weeks.

lol you can get it free from the website. i cant stop looking at baby catalogues...

Ninipops that is a very good idea - unfortunately we don't have a freezer though. Am very of everyone with freezers and dishwashers at the moment!

Thanks for the link Tunnocksteacake :) I have exactly that feeling that I simply must make sure I've got everything - I think in my head I will never pop to the shops again! Hope everything goes well for you with this pregnancy :)

I didn't buy anything until after 20 weeks - didn't feel at all comfortable doing so. But. Now 36 weeks with first and have pretty much everything we need. Just a few comments on what I've been told about what you have got:

Wipes/baby powder/lotions etc are not recommended for newborns anyway

Nappies - you will get lots of vouchers for free or reduced nappies, we have used these to buy some and then intend to try reusables after the first few weeks. I think we have been told about 7 nappies a day for a newborn, so each pack depending on size will last about 3 days.

I spent a lot of money in the sales buying up basic clothes that we will def use eg sleep suits and vests, mostly in 0-3 and 3-6 months.

The things that are the most hassle are the things you have to go to a shop for yourself. I have ordered almost everything on the internet, but the big things you just have to see. So, I would concentrate on choosing (not necessarily buying!) a pram, car seat, cot and mattress and any other furniture while you are still very mobile. Going to a shopping centre is my idea of hell at the moment.

I would also read with skepticism all the 'you need to buy' lists from the shops - don't forget they are all trying to sell you as much stuff as possible!

Thanks vj32 - haven't bought wipes, powder or lotion yet so good to know I don't need them. (I was allergic to everything when I was little so am guessing my baby might be the same anyway - doubt we'll use lotion unless absolutely necessary.) Basic clothes sounds sensible - am thinking I'm going to get most things in the same colour (white I expect) to make laundry easier.

Tunnocks I'd not thought about presents...and of course friends who've got babies have already started to say they'll give/lend us stuff they don't need anymore, which is a massive blessing.

I found that John Lewis do a really good list of stuff to get. They have it in all their shops in the baby section. It has essentials and nice stuff sections. I have just worked my way through that and feel much better prepared now. It didn't seem over kill/ sell sell sell to me so I went with it.

Also you can get loads of stuff from ebay at a really good price, and look for NCT nearly new sales in your area...there are some mega bargins to be had here!

I'm 30+5 now so i'm going to start batch cooking soon. I'm so excited to get this over with now! :)

NCT nearly new sales are brilliant, no need to spend a fortune on new baby clothes/blankets etc...Google NCT sales and you can search for upcoming ones in your area.

If you see things like, cot/pram/moses basket etc in the sale or on special offer- you could buy a couple of the big purchases, saves you needing loads of money for one BIG shop near the end of your pregnancy....but like someone else has said, it's probably wise to wait for your 20 wk scan and not put to much pressure on yourself so early on. You have LOADS of time yet for buying! I know it's exciting though...

TBH I have only bought one packet of Pampers newborn size nappies (this packet covers a mixed birth wait from around 6lbs-10lbs)- I am 38 wks so due in a couple of weeks! You don't need to buy loads of packets in different sizes...just wait until baby arrives.

In the meantime, why not scour the charity shops, Ebay, and NCT sales- it's fun getting a few cute babygrows, and wait a while before you do the big shop!

Good-luck!

Also, if you are planning on doing antenatal classes nearer your due date- the NCT or NHS course will give you lots of handy info on what you need to buy for when baby arrives....

My DD is 2.5 now but I remember this feeling. It's tempting to tell you not to waste your money on loads of stuff or to hold off etc but I know its all to exciting buying stuff. The problem comes when you have this voice in the back of your head saying "I don't really know what I'm buying and I'm prob wasting money". So I wont tell you to stop just tell you what helped me.

Newborn nappies - I used prob 10-12 a day and my DD was a champion poo-er! But dont stock up on loads as they just take up loads of room in your house. They go into size 2 nappies really quickly so just get 1 pack of them if you really must buy more. But you said it yourself its trial and error as to which ones you settle on. I used pampers newborn but then switched to Tesco's as they fit DD far better as she grew.

Don't buy lotions and potions as babies really dont need them, and then you have this baby and get petrified of using all this crap on their perfect skin that you made! I still have all my lotions/oil/talc etc from boots never used.

I did however use stuff from Green Baby or Burts Bees as once DD was here, I opted for nicer purer stuff but literally just body wash for hair/body.

Clothes - its easy to start buying tons of white stuff and go a bit mad, but then you get this baby and then you want it in pink/blue whatever as you get paranoid that people will call your girl a boy(or vice versa) so then you dont want the white stuff as much! You'll get loads of gifts but prob newborn/0-3 so if you must buy things buy vests in bigger sizes as you'll use them ongoing.

Equipment - Get an electric pump if you can afford it as it will save you time and energy when you do come to use it, bath supports are prob more use for longer time than an actual baby bath. Cot, Moses Basket, Car Seat and Pram all essential kit.

I ended up on crutches during pregnancy and couldnt trawl the shops, I spent all my time looking for deals online instead and it really paid off. If your desperate to buy stuff, use that list that was linked and then use the time to look online for each item etc your bank balance will be better for it and you'll have more use for the stuff you do buy.

My neighbour has just had her baby so have her wisdome here. Don't buy too many clothes as they will live in baby grow for first few weeks, get a blanket, hat and mittens, muslims and some sheets. We also got a sleeping bag as they are so useful. I did buy a teething necklace as have seen how amazing they are and they look very cute. I bought an electric breast pump on advice as it was on sale and I want to BF and bottle feed if poss. Have also bought maternity pads and breast pads as she took none with her and BF had to go shopping while she was in hosp. Don't get PJ, dressing gown etc till much bigger as she bought them early and hers did not fit her and make sure they are a dark colour. Will be looking for lots of second hand things and going to Sue Ryder sale which she got loads of bargins at - we did buy a cot on offer though and go and try prams out, theirs did not fit in either of their cars so had to change it. Most places will let you try to put it in your car to test befor buying. Hope this helps and like me you have fun buying the most mundane baby things xx

We were given LOADS of toys, clothes and books from friends/family so I would advise against spending money on those items, as you're likely to double up.

For us, the essentials at the moment (with a nine-day old) are simply:

• cotton wool pads
• newborn nappies
• muslin (or any type) of cloths
• changing mat
• baby wipes
• cellular blankets
• moses basket
• a place to lie baby when awake (a mat or bouncer?)
• some basic clothes

We have also expressed milk BUT this isn't essential.

Don't go overboard. Even with a 9-day old, I managed to pop to the shops today to restock supplies.

Plus whenever we run out of something, we add it to a list on the fridge. When a visitor says "let me know if you need anything" we read them the list!! It really helps us keep on top of things without constantly running to the shops.

I've got only basic clothes atm... next thing is sheets etc. also got cheeky wipes and bumgenius on my list.

I live in a country where baby showers are practically mandatory and it was a fantastic help to have a ton of stuff given to us all at once. I also had retained placenta after the birth which didnt get sorted out for a month, so I felt really ill, anaemic and exhausted for a couple of months, not at all able to "pop to the shops" I was really glad we had a lot of stuff in. HOWEVER, dont forget you can internet shop and get things delivered if you suddenly find yourself in a jam for something or need entertainment while breastfeeding

I would keep doing what you are doing, buy up all the bargains, and stuff on offer. A few tips:

-we found NO brand of nappies totally prevented leaks when DS was newborn, so we got cheap brands. We moved up to pampers when he was a few months older and the leaking stopped, there is a big difference in quality at that stage, and you change less frequently so its more important they dont get a sore bum from cheapo brands.

-Its not unusual to have to change clothes up to 6 times in a day in the first few weeks because of leaky poo/sick. So buy lots of cheap multipack all in one suits. Let your friends buy the nice "outfits" that look cute, just make sure you have the basics. Scratch mits are a must too, get a few different brands as they are all different sizes, some are useless and fall straight off. 3 or 4 pairs is good as you end up losing them all the time too! keep reciepts in case your baby is born big and stuff doesnt fit!

-get some calpol in case of high temperature, and a couple of bottles of sterile saline solution to squirt up their nose if they get a cold (boots)

• cotton wool in a roll or strips (not balls or round make up pads - too small). You cant use wipes for the first few weeks as skin is too sensitive.

-but a thermos flask mug for your cup of tea. Its very hard to drink a cup of tea before it goes cold when you are running around after a newborn!

-buy your favorite healthy snack foods and drinks to have on hand if you plan to breastfeed. Mini bags of dried nuts and fruit are great and easy to eat one handed. If you breastfeed you need to eat constantly!

• start pram research/shopping now. Its really complicated and we ended up spending more time on this than choosing our car!

-I would say that a breast pump is essential as you may need it if you experience engorgement. I found the manual ones pretty hard work, but was glad that I had one for emergencies. If you really want to express to bottles then get a good electric one.

-microwave steriliser is very handy even if you dont use bottles, dummies, breastpump, first toothbrush, teethers etc all can go in it. Got tons of use out of mine over the first year.

Pippaandpolly if the reason for wanting to buy stuff now is to help with the money side of things, why not come up with a list of the big things you need, like the pram, cot and car seat. Then set a budget for how much you want to spend on these things, and work towards saving for them for the next few months. Rather than filling your house up with nappies!

I'm only 9 weeks, but this is what we're probabably planning to do.

Also, agree with vj32 about the vouchers. I've got loads of vouchers for nappies etc already! Just keeping an eye on the expiry dates, as most of them expire before I'm due!

By saving up now, and waiting till nearer the time to buy stuff, you will also have lots of options if people ask you what you would like for presents! I'm not being too expectant, but know it's likely that the in-laws etc will want to buy stuff, and not sure what budgets they're thinking of, but if someone offers to buy us a pushchair, I'll be gutted if we've already bought one, as they're bloody expensive!

I'm on #4 so a bit old hand yet I still feel a bit panicky!

My essentials would probably be:

• pram (got one with carrycot so don't need to worry about cot yet)
• car seat
• sheets (cot ones can be folded double for carrycot/moses basket)
• blankets
• buy loads of sleepsuits and vests somewhere cheap like a supermarket in newborn and 0-3, 3-6
• I'm buying nappies each week with my normal shop at the mo as you forget how quickly a newborn goes through them
• muslin cloths are utterly indispensible
• cotton wool for changes in the house and wipes for out and about
• one bottle and a carton of milk (nearer the time) in case I have a meltdown on day 3 as baby is starving and my milk has not come in yet

I think that's about it. Everything else can wait and by the time I've found time to buy it after the birth I probably won't need it anymore!

If you want to do NCT antenatal classes (and I'd recommend them for the friends you'll make if nothing else) then contact them NOW to register your interest as they can book up very quickly in some areas.

The only things you really should buy new are toiletries, cot mattress and car seat. Look out for secondhand bargains for everything else - there are some amazing deals on nearly new stuff.

I'd recommend getting a steriliser even if you are planning to breastfeed. Supermarkets often have Tommee Tippee microwave ones on offer half price (around £20). It will be useful for sterilising dummies, breast pump components, beakers etc.

Make sure you don't forget the stuff for you, too. Lavender oil is great in the bath while you're healing, mixed with a little milk. Enough maternity towels for at least a week, then thick sanitary towels, and a selection of thinner ones. Lanisoh cream for your nipples is very expensive (£7ish) but is sometimes half price at sainsburys.

I'd seriously consider buying yourself a freezer too - it will make your life so much easier!!

Nappies are good to bulk buy in bigger sizes especially if you are considering being on maternity leave more than a couple of months! buy them while you havethe money and even if they are size 2 they will fit your baby before you go back to work and if you hang on until the right time you can get some really good deals on them (which will save paying over the odds buying one pack from the corner shop when you need them!) anything you get now will save you buying it at the last minute and even if you leave it until the last minute you will still probably buy things you don't need, at least this way its all done. I had the same problem as you in terms of losing the most part of one wage so I was glad I bought everything while we could. Buy things while they are on offer and if you buy baby wipes just make sure they are unfragranced. Good luck with everything!