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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Buying stuff for baby when pregnant

38 replies

Queazy · 07/04/2013 09:52

Hello

I've found myself a bit addicted to online shopping and to ebay/gumtree/preloved in the last couple of weeks. I'm 20 weeks pregnant and not sure when to start buying stuff like cots and prams.

I also bought some lovely secondhand baby clothes from ebay but a friend said she'd never do this for a new baby. Am I being ultra-cheap in buying secondhand?

Thanks all
xx

OP posts:

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sjupes · 07/04/2013 15:59

Oh and with all 3 i've bought from 12/13 weeks :) this one we've had everything but the pram and clothes since 16 weeks, had to find out the sex to buy the rest :)

ananikifo · 07/04/2013 17:14

I've been on eBay but it's a bit disappointing to see three used next sleep suits, rrp £13, going for £8 plus £3 shipping. I know most things are cheaper than that but it's a reminder not to rule out buying new, especially when sales come up.

MiaowTheCat · 07/04/2013 18:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DizzyDizzy · 07/04/2013 19:00

if you have a facebook account, look on there. we have a great page called "market drayton baby and child mart" - it's a group where mums/dads post items they're selling, giving away for free, or need in the market drayton area. i'm sure there's one for your area. it's a bit like ebay, but you won't have to pay for the shipping, because it's people that live down the road etc. xx

polkadotsrock · 08/04/2013 09:36

Talking of second hand mattresses etc is it ok for dc2- currently 11 weeks pg- to use ds' cot mattress?

JollyPurpleGiant · 08/04/2013 09:44

No, polka, SIDS advice is to buy a new mattress for each child.

We need to get a cot mattress, a Moses basket mattress and a pram mattress for DC2 as they will be sleeping in all three :)

Wincher · 08/04/2013 09:59

I'm not planning to buy a new cot mattress for DC2 (currently 18 weeks pregnant). DS has only just come out of the cot, and we are storing the mattress safely in our bedroom. He was never sick on it or anything like that and we will wash the cover first anyway. It is in very good condition. I will buy a new pram mattress as that has been stored in the loft so could have got mouldy/dusty, and a new moses basket mattress as it's been lent out to other people in the meantime (not that DS ever slept in the moses basket anyway...).

Blissx · 08/04/2013 10:02

DizzyDizzy is spot on. The only things you must buy new out of safety reasons are new mattresses and car seats. The rest can be second hand/pre-loved. Save the money where you can. You might need it for more important things such as childcare or paying bills later on etc! OP-ignore your friend if you want to!

JollyPurpleGiant · 08/04/2013 10:03

What kind of mattress should I use?
It is very important that your baby?s mattress is kept clean and dry. Ideally you should buy a new mattress for each new baby. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have, as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean and dry it thoroughly. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is flat and firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn?t sag.

From FSID: fsid.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=426

polkadotsrock · 08/04/2013 10:09

Thank you. Ds is still in his cot but will see how we feel nearer the time and check mattress condition etc.

ShabbyChit · 08/04/2013 10:58

you should also check out this website which is basically gumtree/ebay but just for baby stuff!
They have a massive following on Facebook too here

My advice would be same as what everyone else has said - accept/buy anything second hand (especially clothes as they are worn for such a short period of time so generally in great condition) but definitely get new car seat and mattress. (aside from sids, dust mites, cleanliness/hygiene etc the weight of a previous child on a mattress may have moulded/compressed the interior meaning it wont support new baby's back as well as a new one might.)
Good tip is to flip any mattress (adult ones too!) end to end and flip sides regularly when cleaning them to ensure they get used evenly all over!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 08/04/2013 12:32

My perspective is the more frugal I am when it comes to baby stuff, the more money I will have in the bank to give me the longest mat leave possible and the most time with baby - way more important for me than top of the range, brand new kit

That is so how I looked on it too. By the time the DC were 6 months other Mothers were admitting that they'd wished they'd spent less on PFB for things that really didn't matter and were having to go back to work. I got nearly a year off both times. For me that was so much more important.

Don't agree that you need to buy new if you want more children at all either. If you are thinking of having more, its probably best to buy the first sizes in a neutral colour but most secondhand clothes will last at least a couple of babies, they are only in them for such a short while. We've had stuff passed onto us, done both of my dc and happily passed on again. The only things that didn't really survive were the victims of poonami and they are always better in something secondhand rather than something you've spent a fortune on

ShabbyChit · 08/04/2013 12:58

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