31 weeks and panicking

[GlitterSparkles17]

So im 31 weeks pregnant and I have bought barely anything!! I had a miscarriage last year so I didn't want to buy things too early and jinx myself.

I have bought so far:
A pram (no car seat yet)
Approx 10 newborn/up to 3 months baby outfits/sleep suits/vests
Bibs (10?)
2 pairs of scratch mittens
A blanket
A moses basket (with no sheets or stand)
4 pairs of socks
A cot (no sheets or mattress)
2 packs of nappies
2 packs of wipes
baby bath products

I don't even have a clue how im planning on feeding the baby I cant make my mind up between breast and bottle as I keep hearing horror stories about breast feeding. So I guess I need bottles and milk just in case.

I haven't got my hospital bag packed, I don't even own a hospital bag!

I just feel like there's so much to buy and I've now left it too late so its going to be a huge chunk of money I have to spend at once, why didn't I spread the cost out and start buying earlier!?

I just feel so unprepared if anything was to happen early.

You're much more prepared than I was at this stage. Don't worry. A car seat is prob your next essential item.

For the hospital any bag will do. Don't panic, you'll be fine.

So you need some bedding for the moses basket (4 bottom sheets and a couple of cellular blankets)and a car seat. 10 baby grows is plenty to wear. If you decide to bottle feed you need some bottles and and steriliser. And some formula, a tin and a few ready made bottles might be useful.

A hospital bag is just a bag. You will need some maternity pads (3 packs at least) and some big black knickers.

You could go to asda and get the lot!

Google nearly new sales near you. I sold off so much stuff cheaply when I did one. Pair of moses basket bottom sheets were £1, vests 20p, bouncer went for £15. Car seat needs to be new but doesn't have to break the bank.

Just find a bag - you don't need a special hospital bag.

You will need maternity pads. Get some more baby wipes and you're done. People will buy clothes and they grow very fast so don't worry about getting more. They're not in the cot for 6 months so you've got time!

Chill OP. You are doing alright! I'm 36 weeks and you are doing better than me!
Car seat needs to be top of the list.
I'm using a hand luggage suitcase for hospital but it's not yet packed. I will get round to it! Don't panic.

Thank you all!

So the main thing I need to concentrate on then is getting the car seat.

Next making sure moses basket has sheets and a stand, bottles, teats, milk, a steriliser, buying an over night bag and stuff to go in it!

I feel slightly less stressed and am going to be dragging DH to Asda this weekend :D

If you want to be super organised get two bags (or better still use two you already have)for hospital, one for labour and one for ward. Leave the ward one in your car along with the car seat. Hospital bag has snacks, big knickers, towel soap, t shirt/nightie to labour in, zip lock bag containing nappy and baby grow (preferably with built in scratch mits), anything you think you might need for labour. We took a massive bloody suitcase and it was a pita!

You've got most of what you need. Car seat is essential for obvious reasons, but you still have plenty of time to sort that. You can shove a pack or two of moses basket sheets into the food shop when you're next in the supermarket. A bag for life will work as a 'hospital bag' - doesn't have to be costly or fancy as long as it's packed with the stuff you and baby will need while you're in hospital.

Things on your list that I wouldn't have used:

• Baby bath products. I washed mine in water only for 12 months.
• Socks. Mine wore vests + baby grows for about 6 months. Didn't need socks. (I had bought some, he just didn't end up wearing them).
• Cot. Obviously needed one eventually but just pointing out that you're ahead of the game in some respects, which is definitely not panic-worthy!
• Bottles/steriliser. I got the lot, including perfect prep machine. Ended up breastfeeding and didn't use any of it. Shops are still open when you have your baby. Get a few of those ready-made cartons of formula just in case and a bottle if it makes you feel more prepared. You can sterilise a bottle just using boiling water if needed till you get chance to buy a proper steriliser.

I would add more nappies and wipes to the list but mine went through about 10+ nappies per day so a pack of Aldi newborn only lasted a couple of days. Wipes you can never have too many of. I would also add sudocrem because mine got a sore bum quite early on and I was glad to have some in.

Honestly, you will be fine.

Im 31 wks with my second and haven't done anything either although i've got lots from last time. Just use any bag/rucksack for hospital bag, plus a couple of carrier bags for dirty clothes/grows. Aim to pack it this week, there is a useful list on mumsnet. Get car seat and moses basket bedding sorted first. My dd slept in moses basket for months before needing a cot. You could get a sling instead of a pram if you dont want to spend too much all in one go. If you want to try breastfeeding dont buy bottles or formula as its too tempting to give up in first few days. So no point buying it unless you plan to ff from the start. If you have a partner/parent around remember they can always pick up extra wipes, mat pads, formula ect if needed so dont panic. Babies don't need much at first. Good luck!

Thanks again ladies, I've made a list today at work (whilst im meant to be working!) So now I can see it all in black and white its made me less anxious!

I do like the idea of a sling, id much prefer to use this than kart a pram everywhere.