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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Realistically, how much should/could I prepare?

44 replies

Pippaandpolly · 12/04/2011 15:53

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 Grin

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
onehellofaride · 12/04/2011 20:36

also be careful with breast pumps buying them too far in advance. I was just unlucky and I had three faulty ones which had to be returned. I think this applies to a couple of items as well I didn't want to have to take them back having bought them six months previously!

bilblio · 12/04/2011 20:57

We've said we're going to start stocking up on things that are on offer. This will be DC2 so we already have a lot of stuff and know what we used last time.

I'm allergic to lots of things and DD has sensitive skin so I'm going to assume the brands which were okay for her with be okay again.

My list is:
Cotton wool rolls or folds, not balls.
Tesco nappies, not to many though in case this child is a different shape and they don't fit (DD couldn't wear pampers as they gave her nappy rash and always leaked.)
Wet wipes - for later on, we'll be buying Simple.
No toiletries, even the mild expensive ones (Burt's Bees included though I loved the smell) made either me or DD itchy

For me:
breast pads (tommy tippee are great and often on offer)
maternity pads.

I've seen a few people mention breast pumps but I wouldn't bother. I breastfed for 9 months. The only time I expressed was when I was preparing for my Dad to have a major operation. I froze quiet a lot and in the end used none. If you do decide you need one they're easy enough to buy, or you might get given one.
Save the money, buy a freezer. :)

felicity10 · 12/04/2011 21:05

Second all the above handy lists! I used cotton wool and water for the first month, dh went and stocked up and put it this way, I still have enough for the next baby! I moved onto wipes and frankly cotton wool is not possible when you are out and about really. I now use the sainsbury own ones, they are the best imo. Watch out for their third off days.

Breast pumps - buy a good one, or, buy a basic one and then if you really need it, like I did because I was having to exclusively pump because madam was unable to latch no matter how many people helped, then you can hire hospital grade ones from the nct.

Nipple shields - believe me, I'd treat these as an insurance policy, you might not need them, but I found myself trawling shops for the right sized ones when I was trying to feed - not something you want to be doing in the first week!

Handy things - gripe water, infacol, dummy - all things worth a whirl when you don't know what else to do! Bottles and steriliser - even if you are bf-ing, worth having in your stash just in case. I'd also get a few ready made formula - just in case.

Vests and sleep suits- they wear these every day and soon grow out, you need a couple of packs of the newborn and 0-3 ones and if you see the bigger ones on special offer stock up, you're always going to use them.

Toiletries - I am still using DD's first bottle of shampoo - she is now 14 months! OK, doesn't have a lot of hair, but you only use a spot. Baby powder - never used, creams, nappy cream, yes, but last for ages and body cream we don't use as doctor gave me oilatum for her dry skin.

Nearer the time - big tins of biscuits - for all those visitors and you!

For now though don't trawl the shops, enjoy putting your feet up and conserve your energy, you've got lots to look forward to, good luck!

Pippaandpolly · 13/04/2011 10:22

Wow - thanks so much everyone for all these tips. I am going to read through them all with a notebook and pen! Does anyone have any tips for choosing car seats? I've been looking online at safety reviews etc (going to leave actually going into a shop until later as we don't have a Mothercare or anything equivalent anywhere close) and so many of them seem to be pretty much the same in terms of safety/practicality. Do you think most people just buy whichever one will fit their push chair? These big buys are stress-laden!

OP posts:
Cattleprod · 13/04/2011 10:59

Which? magazine has a lot of good reviews - they test thoroughly so it's worth getting a subscription for a few months while you choose your pushchair, car seat etc.

Also make sure you get your Bounty packs - there are loads of free samples in there. Check all the leaflets in there for vouchers, I found one for a free nappy bin worth £25!

MummyAbroad · 13/04/2011 15:50

I think most people chose the one that fits the pram - or comes with the pram. When I was doing my research I got very fixated on weight - Mothercare's own brand was the lightest but I ended up going with the one that fit the pram (and getting shoulder ache every time we had to lift it out!

I think the best choice will depend on how you use it. If it will be stationary in the car the whole time, (and you can afford it) then go for a large convertible one that grows with them up to 4 years of age. Ones that recline so they can sleep are a big plus on long journeys. If you plan on lifting it out a lot (and putting onto a pram) then ones that have bases are more convenient (but more £££ to buy the base)

Thornykate · 13/04/2011 16:24

FWIW my eldest was too big for newborn clothes from birth so a lot of money was wasted on newborn gear. He wasn't giant at 9lb 2 either.

I think using just water & cotton wool is a personal choice, the first poos can be very sticky & can take quite a lot of wiping with just water which can cause soreness in itself. Horses for courses & all that :)

Pootletrinket · 13/04/2011 17:01

Pippaandpolly, if you can, buy a freezer - we bought a chest one for our shed and it's now full in anticipation of our -overdue baby-- special arrival

BikeRunSki · 13/04/2011 17:14

Calm down. Save some money now, then spend it once baby is here and you really know what you need. A friend on mine bought loads of Huggies when they were on offer in Saino's then realised that she prefered Pampers.

The shops will be open after the baby is here. The internet will still work. Grannies love shopping for babies.

Really, get a freezer and fill it. Get a milkman.

Don't spend a fortune on Bf accessories, like I did, then to discover, after 8 days pumping and not a drop of milk, that this just might not work for us.

If you know in advance that you are going to have a CS, get a couple of pairs of soft, high waisted yoga pants and some big knickers to go over the scar.

What Buttonmoon78 said is pretty comprehensive.

davidtennantsmistress · 13/04/2011 18:23

ok have had a quick scan,

i'm 21+ now with DC 2, with DS I had literally EVERYTHING brought before he was born - blankets, toietries, 200 odd nappies plus reusables a cot fully set up all matching in his nursery (even though he was in a cradle for 4 months in our room!) sterilizers, bottles (even thou he was BF), boob pads, more blankets, more sheets, it was silly in the end. enough clothes to fill 3 bin bags until he was 6 months old - honestly it was silly.

DC no 2 - we've picked a cot/pushchair & am paying monthly for that in the shop. we've got probably about 4 out fits (incl a 'coming home one' 2 NB & 2 0-3) and prob 2 packs of sleep suits/vests in 0-3 and NB again.

apart form that the cradle is re used so will get a pack of 4 sheets, MIL has knitted me a shawl & 2 blankets which will suffice - might get another one or 2. MIL has also knitted some cardi's - summer baby so fab for those. apart from that I think all I will add is a boob pump, bottles (this time however will be for DP to use so i'm not the only one to feed dc) the container things to catch leakages. cream & pads for my boobs and that's about it I think.

DP is trying for high chairs, baby baths, & all mannor of other things - but I don't think we need those - DC can have a new washing up bowl like DS has. :o

felicity10 · 14/04/2011 22:54

Last post made me laugh remembering - I spent one of my last days of maternity driving to a big john lewis to buy a waterproof sheet - WHICH I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO HAVE BEFORE THE BABY CAME.... needless to say, she slept on it at 7 months when she eventually slept in her bedroom!!!

23balloons · 14/04/2011 22:57

muslim cloths
bibs
sanitary towels

would be my top 3

23balloons · 14/04/2011 22:58

oh & sudocreme - brilliant for all sort of things especially nappy rash

Cattleprod · 15/04/2011 09:05

All the bounty packs seem to have a sample of sudocrem - I've not needed to buy any!

MummyAbroad · 15/04/2011 21:38

23balloons what other things can you use sudocrem for? (apart from nappy rash?)

BikeRunSki · 16/04/2011 12:48

It is brilliant on eczema, grazes and sunburn (mine, I have never managed to burn my son). And ordinary burns, in fact anything to do with irritated skin.

MummyAbroad · 16/04/2011 13:04

good to know! thanks!

BikeRunSki · 17/04/2011 10:31

It says on the pot what it can treat, and t does them all brilliantly. Gets rid of zits too, and smells lovely.

I bought a big pot when DS was a few weeks old. Still 2/3 full and he is 2.5.

MummyAbroad · 17/04/2011 21:36

my DS is nearly three and I still have some left over from a big pot - I know what I can do with it now Smile

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