What do I need to Buy for the Bump?

[StaryNightSky]

Hi Guys

Sorry I don't know where to put this.

I'm 18 weeks and trying to get everything sorted. I know alot of you will say its too soon. But we are really strapped for cash, so have to buy things every month or so.

So Far I have a lovely M and P 5 in 1 travel system thats, carry cot, pushchair, car seat, all of which attach to a common chassis. My thoughts were that Baby could sleep in the Carry Cot as a first bed with a proper mattress and that would free up buying a cot untill baby needs to move into one.

I plan to use reusable nappies - I preffer them.

What else to I need, for say the first 6 months?

I need to do most if not all of my shopping on ebay etc. I am great at getting a bargin besides I think that if I had to buy new I would have to buy really poor quality, by buying second hand I can buy things I would never be able to afford and as long as you are careful the quality is amazing. Sorry had to justify - FIL is disgusted that we are buying things second hand.

Please help oh wise and wonderful women.

lots of sleepsuits, etc. maybe wait until jan sales?

how are you feeding? im ay have an electric steam steriliser going for free....i bought a microwave one for this baby (im 15 weeks)

wipes-buy a pack each week then you wont notice.

sheets, blankets.

Muslin cloths are a must have

But as little as possible! Most of the stuff out there is not that necessary. And second hand is more than fine, its not like the baby will notice

Reusable nappies is Good Plan.
Obviously some clothes, and some bedding. Grobag type things are great once baby is 10lb IIRC.

If you are on a low income, find out if you are entitled to the Sure Start grant - up to £500 for baby stuff.

Don't buy too many outfits - just basic sleep suits, vests and some cardigans - you will get a lot from family and in the correct colours when the baby is born so can save money that way.

I've found the babygros and vests from supermarkets are fab and pretty cheap! IKEA do very cheap changing stations if you want one of those but I found using the bed or the dining table even easier and more space to put things

Ask for things for the baby for Xmas instead of for you and DH or vouchers for Mothercare or something then go shopping in the sales

Good idea using carrycot as a bed. We did that and had a cot for when they moved out. Said cot now looking for a new baby to sleep in....

Stock up on washable wipes.

BTW If FIL is disgusted you are buying 2nd hand, let him pay the bills!

Buy 0-3 month sleepsuits as well as newborn ones. If you have a baby over 7 pounds they will not fit into the newborn ones.

Hi Guys

I know that the baby won't give a toss as long as it is warm, well fed, and loved.

I'm really hoping to BF but I am just not certain that I won't end up either expressing or FF.

I am entitled to the sure start grant, if I am still here. I am hoping to out with my Mum and Dad befor the baby is due. I'm not in the best of health and i'm disabled. Just would be so much easier with parents and DH to help out!

I've been looking at bundles of clothes on ebay but I am waiting untill I have had the 20 week scan (or in my case the 24 week scan) still don't understand that one?

Were can I get Muslin Squares? Could I buy legnth of Muslin and cut them down and make them? The only thing I have seen about them is to get LOTS as people use them for everything.

You can get Muslin squares in Boots - about £8 for a packet...but no reason why you couldn't make your own!

FIL is lovely, he's makes me laugh so hard.

You have to imagine a liverpool accent saying "Here paul some one elses kids been sick in that" I didn't know where to put myself.

Just thought we wouldn't tell him. He's sweet just wants to best I think.

Where can I get washable wipes?

Thought it might be useful to let you know things I bought that I never really used:

front carrier
breast pump (didnt want to express)
top n tail bowl
snowsuit

I found DD's bouncy chair essential and still use it now (dd 9 months).

Nothing wrong with using ebay and buying second hand. Def think you will save money with the reusable nappies by the way - we use bambino mios and have def saved loads.

Also - money saving tip - stock up on wipes whenever you see bogof - you will use loads!

Nappy stockists sell the wipes.

phone your council to see if they will contibibute to cost of your reusable nappies - some do this now as they want to encourage people to use them.

Cool thanks NAB, are they like muslins or flannes?

God you lot are fast, I give the council a go I will probably collapse if they actaully will do that!

So What don't I need? I'm not one for wasting money, but there is so much stuf that you just look at and think I want it!

Oh wise and wonderfull people of MN

Asda sell packs of 3 muslin squares for 3 quid. Cheaper than Boots , Mothercare etc I think.

Keep an eye out for local NCT sales - loads and loads of clothes and muslins(!) and baby equipment second hand for sale.

Whereabouts do you currently live?

Currently in Northamptonshire.

I don't get out often, (god I sound so borring) So I probably would miss the NCT sales but thanks for the idea.

Do you want mine? I have 25 and you can have them for £10.50 delivered. (Are around £1 each on some sites.) Haven't used them much really and DS2 about to potty train.....

Buy nappies through WWW.THENAPPYLADY.CO.UK and depending on where you live, she will take the £30 off for you and reclaim herself from the council. HTH.

They are generally on saturday mornings. If you were worried about being in a crowd in a wheelchair, give the organiser a ring (the number will be on the ads) and see if you can slip in before the herd. Take your dh and your chequebook!!

Hi StaryNightSky -
I'm 18 weeks too - snap! If you aren't yet lurking, come and say hello on the Due March 2008 board as we're all very nice!
We're not that keen to spend a fortune given it's our first and we don't really know what we do/don't want or need so we're planning to buy a lot of stuff second hand and not get things unless we think they'll be really useful. This is what I'm planning to do:

1. On wipes etc., I'm probably actually going to just have a bunch of damp cloths/flannels and use those while at home at least. Given that I'll probably use reusable nappies I will be able to just throw them in the wash with those anyway. I think that will probably save a lot of money on wipes - can just then use wipes when out and about.
2. Tesco is very very cheap for baby clothes, and the bigger shops also seem to do a lot of cheap stuff like baby baths etc. I think we'll probably shop there quite a bit.
3. We're planning to do lots in the January sales. So you could maybe put aside your monthly money and see if you can get some better deals or make your money go further then.
4. People will buy you clothes and toys when the baby is born (based on my friends' experiences) so just get yourself some plain babygros to be getting on with. Get them with feet so you don't have to spend additional money on socks that will just get lost anyway!
5. See if there is a local toy library or other group that you can borrow things like that from, or get together with a group of mums and pledge to share/swap toys and books, or shop in Oxfam or other charity shops for them. My friends' kids gets bored quite quickly with the majority of toys so they do this, and recycle the old ones through eBay or Oxfam or other friends
6. I reckon a chair to put the baby in might be a good bet - one of those on an angle that bounces slightly. Everyone seems to use them when they need to put the baby down while they make a cuppa etc.

Hope that helps! I'll be keeping my eye on this board to pick up all the tips from everyone else!

this is what we had:

changing mat
we chose to have one of those dreamshow things rather than a cot mobile as you have to remove those at 6 months anyway.
sling
baby gym
baby beanbag seat
insect net for cot/pram (for summer)
travel sleeping bags with zip off arms
swaddle blankets
lots and lots of cot sheets and blankets
cot bumper (to stop baby getting stuck between bars!!)
dreamshow thingy
baby monitor with camera
respisense breathing monitor (but i am over cautious cos my brother died of SADs)
plug in night light so you don't have to stumble around in the ark
vicks vaporiser (little babies often get very snuffly and bunged up)
tomy aromatherapy soother - found this great for calming ds down before bed.
prince lionheart slumber bear (white noise is a god send)
top and tail bowl
nappy stacker, cot tidy helps save space in drawers and wardrobes.
fisher price cot piano and various cot toys keep
my ds amused in the morning when i want to get things done upstairs
nice toy boxes you don't mind being on show in your living room
drawer tidy for keeping little socks and hats and gloves etc in
net for washing machine for above items so the machine doesn't eat them
UV sun shade for pushchair and car seat(if born in summer)
pram/car seat toys
electric breast pump (if breastfeeding)
v cushion (if breastfeeding)
tiny scratch mitts
elasticated bootees so socks don't fall off
snow suits (if born in winter)
large handbag (note NOT changing bag - they are ugly!!) for nappies, clothes, small toys etc (and don't forget the obligatory carrier bag for all the wet bibs and clothes you will collect)
ear thermometer (i have the nurofen one that plays music)
comb if your baby has masses of hair like mine (i just use an ordinary one for 15p as opposed to some stupidly priced baby one. wouldn't bother with a brush as babies hair is generally too fine)
cotton wool
bath thermometer
bar of baby soap
baby shampoo

Also my PILs have asked if we would like some baby stuff for Christmas presents. I'll probably say no as I want stuff for me (last chance to be selfish!) but that may be an option for you. I may change my mind if I find something expensive I'd like but don't really want to have to fork out for myself

Nappy - why do you have to remove cot mobiles after 6months?

Because some babies would use them to pull themselves up.