Thrifty baby ideas

[outthere]

Hi all,

Now I'm on my third I'm starting to feel like I know what I need to spend a bit of money on and what can be saved... for example someone recently posted that you don't have to fork out for an expensive changing bag - a large handbag with a changing mat will do just as well.

Thought it might be a good idea to exchange some tips...

I've just realised my maternity mattress protectors will double up (unused ones obviously!) as perfect little changing mats once baby arrives. One to keep downstairs, in the car etc...

I've also decided to buy a load of maternity pads for after the birth but I haven't bought quite as many this time... I think that Sainsbury's value pads will do just fine for the days when the flow's not so heavy but I'll be thankful for that bit of extra padding...

Any other ideas?

Hmmm I have to say we shelled out for our pram (over £1k) but we got amazing use out of it and the carrycot has already been put away practically perfectly for next time!

Just a quick one on the nappies - We used re-usable but since my DS was a big baby (11lb 13oz) he skipped 2 sizes of them and we could only use them for 4 months as he grew out of them - I was gutted because they were much better for him than the disposable ones, if I ever had another one I would start buying nappies from the 20 week scan on any offer I could, size 2 and up - I just don't see myself faffing about washing them again and borking when I didn't have time the day before to wash a bucket of them!

But I would deffo go for the ebay bargains on things like walkers, bouncers etc - We picked up a walker (Which I had originally said we wouldn't get) for less than £4! It was one of the best things we bought, then there was the bath stand that my cousin sold me for £5 which we used until DS was about 9 months old - I think its just a case of having the essentials and then keeping your eye out for other things along the way, like a previous poster has said - You don't want to shell out money you don't have on things that wont be used for 6 months, plus you don't want it hanging around for ages!

Even things like wallpaper etc is cheaper on ebay - We got a big bedroom bundle from mamas + papas sale which had been used on display but included curtains, duvet, border, lightshade, bumper and some other bits and pieces and the lady threw in a pack of 2 pictures that matched in for free - came to £70 in total - Just about to replace it all and have found fab bundles of stuff that is like new on ebay for a fraction of that price!

We bought a ring sling when my ds was about 4 months old - didn't use it because I didn't have a bloody clue how ha ha would deffo use it next time for charity shop hunting!

I didn't buy a great deal second hand because I did lots of sale shopping. Most things were as cheap as second hand, especially as I wasn't paying postage.

I did get a playmat for £1.20 on eBay but next time I'll probably buy a new one as dd spent lots of time on it and I'd assume the same reasons for not having a second hand mattress apply to playmats.

We got a second hand travel system and got rid of it after 3 months because I hated it. In a way I'm glad we got it though as it made me realise what I wanted in a pushchair. I don't agree with many that travel systems are a waste of money. I like that mine is forward or parent facing, and I preferred to have the option of putting the car seat on the frame for short outings when she was asleep. I loved my sling but it was useless sometimes as dd wouldn't sleep in it and then I had to carry everything when I was using it. Many "expensive" pushchairs come with long or even lifetime guarantees meaning you don't need to worry about things going wrong. Also the idea that they're all heavy and bulky is very outdated, just go to the pushchair board for advice if you need it!

All the tips on here are great!

Can anyone link to or advise how to find local reselling groups, i.e. on Facebook please? Not having much luck.