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.

a nappy stacker for me was essential. you hang it on the side of the cot and it freed up storage space elsewhere.

if you want to use a sling, try this site
www.mamatoto.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121
but it may be difficult if you're on crutches in the house.

Kiddicare is very good but it's best if you order a lot of things to save the delivery charge.

Have you any friends who are willing to lend you things?

Tescos and Primark are great for cheap babygros. They won't go through the drier but we don't have one so it wasn't an issue.

You don't need a snowsuit if you have a pram/carrycot - you just layer with blankets, much better as when you go into shops you just draw back a layer and they don't wake up from temperature change.

No toiletries - you'll get them free in bounty pack and don't need for a while.

Sign up to boots club, you get freebie vouchers and best thing was a changing bag including a travel changing mat with a pack of nappies.

From nappyaddict's list, from someone with only 12 weeks experience and a suddenly reduced cash situation...

changing mat - will probably come with a changing bag; Boots will give you one for free if you sign up to their parenting club
we chose to have one of those dreamshow things rather than a cot mobile as you have to remove those at 6 months anyway. - if you are using a carrycot as the main cot, you can just attach toys to the handlebar
sling - got a BabyBjorn on ebay for 1/3 of the price of most shops and we use it daily
baby gym - toys on this should attach to handle bar of cot quite easily
baby beanbag seat - haven't got this - dd is 12 weeks and we are going to look at seats, e.g bumbos, this week
insect net for cot/pram (for summer) - usually comes with pram, but defo useful
travel sleeping bags with zip off arms - again, ebay is fantastic for this - bought 6 growbags/sleeping bags for £15, but not needed until 8 weeks
swaddle blankets, lots and lots of cot sheets and blankets - yep, just lots of cotton sheets are great
cot bumper (to stop baby getting stuck between bars!!) not necessary in carrycot, obviously
dreamshow thingy - not sure what this is!
baby monitor with camera - got one without camera as cheaper, but up to you
respisense breathing monitor (but i am over cautious cos my brother died of SADs) - didn't get this
plug in night light so you don't have to stumble around in the dark - wish we got this!
vicks vaporiser (little babies often get very snuffly and bunged up) - or saline drops will do
tomy aromatherapy soother - found this great for calming ds down before bed. - I put lavender oil in the bath before bed at night.
prince lionheart slumber bear (white noise is a god send) - don't have this - will look up!
top and tail bowl - or two tupperware tubs
nappy stacker, cot tidy helps save space in drawers and wardrobes. - we're just untidy!
fisher price cot piano and various cot toys keep my ds amused in the morning when i want to get things done upstairs - baby gym on its own suffices, but this will change over the next month, I am sure
nice toy boxes you don't mind being on show in your living room, not necessary, if all you have is the gym
drawer tidy for keeping little socks and hats and gloves etc in - or margarine tub
net for washing machine for above items so the machine doesn't eat them - wish I'd thought of this beforehand!
UV sun shade for pushchair and car seat(if born in summer) - no car, not necessary
pram/car seat toys - gym toys as before
electric breast pump (if breastfeeding)- defo, but you can rent
v cushion (if breastfeeding) - yep!
tiny scratch mitts - or clippers to cut nails
elasticated bootees so socks don't fall off - Baby Gap ones are the only ones that work
snow suits (if born in winter) or use cardigans under a larger waterproof coat and two lots of trousers
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) - or don't mind how ugly it is and get one free from Boots
ear thermometer (i have the nurofen one that plays music) - defo
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) - yep!
cotton wool - lots
bath thermometer - just use my elbow to test
bar of baby soap - or chea baby bath gel - didn't need any ort of soap for first two weeks
baby shampoo - the baby bath gel works just as well

...and more muslins

HTH

The only other stuff I would buy pre-birth would be plain sleep-suits and bedding. I found a 'miracle blanket' was really worthwhile because I couldn't swaddle using a normal blanket (always came undone), and swaddling really helped DD to sleep, but its not something you have to buy before birth.

I think nappyaddict's list is a quite honest list of stuff you may have acculmulated by the time your baby is about a year old and you have the available money. I would agree with her that some form of low lighting is really good for nappy changes in the middle of the night. I think you can buy very low watt bulbs, although nightlights probably aren't expensive.

I also found white noise was a brilliant sleep aid. You can buy a CD of washing machines and tumble driers for about £10.

oh, and buy a bundle of clothes from ebay - our mixed bundle for newborn/0-3 months had 50 items for £7 plus postage - you may have to lurk a bit on ebay to pick up that kind of bargain, but it is worth it.

Hey guys

Great suggestions.

Will definately have to get a sling sorted for around the house.

Ebay is amazing for clothes and I figured bundles are the way to go as you often get a selection of sizes.

I'm sure we will figure it out as we go along.

Quick question what do we think is better blankets (cotton ones) fleece blankets (I'm sure I have read somewhere these are unstuable befor a certain age) or growbags?

xxx

I'm probably repeating loads of things other people have said but this is what we found most useful:

bouncy chair - bought the cheapest in Mothercare, about £11, and it was a godsend.
plain white sleepsuits - cheaper than patterned ones, and you'll get through several a day to begin with
plain white vests/bodysuits - ditto
cotton wool - cheaper than wipes for cleaning bums, and kinder too, usually on offer in Boots, Mothercare etc
leggings with feet - never need socks then, which always fall off anyway!
cellular blankets, crib size, perfect for pram/carrycot
grobags - brilliant, especially if baby is a wriggler and kicks blankets off
change mat - no table, changed DD on the floor as was scared she would roll off a high surface!
muslins - can use them for loads of things, even emergency nappies!
breast pads if you're breastfeeding, disposables can be expensive but you can buy washable ones

You will find that you get lots of things as presents - we were overwhelmed by how generous people are when a new baby comes along. And you've made a good start by getting the travel system now - that eats a lot of budget.

Good luck with everything

cotton cellular blankets are the most use when they're tiny but take ages to dry - fleece is cheaper and dries fast but doesn't 'breathe' quite so well, so keep an eye on them so they don't overheat.

Grobags are only really any good for nights once they are sleeping regularish hours rather than dropping off all day in the basket as they are harder to get on and off than a blanket.

Different strokes for different folks I guess! We used cellular blankets in the beginning because they are more breathable, and then quickly moved to swaddling because really helped with sleep. As said before, miracle blanket was great and not expensive. I always felt that fleeces seemed too hot. Also, your baby will (I think I have worked out correctly) be about 3 months old in June, fleecy blankets may be too hot by then(ha, ha.) On the other hand, fleece is great for bundling up when out and about in March.

I actually like gro-bags during the day as it is part of the nap routine. I found that once they start to roll over blankets are a real pain as they never stay on. Gro-bags are more expensive because you have to buy a new one every 18 months or so, but presumably not too costly second hand. (We bought new for DS and reused for DD).

If I were you, I would start with cellular and see how you go...

ah, dd still doesn't have a 'nap routine', hence my preference for blankets for day

StarryNightSky - As dd is fast growing up, I am desperate to get rid of my baby stuff to a good home. Having had bad experiences with both ebay and freecycle, I'm not going down that route. So if you want any or all of the following, I will post second class to you....

clothes (not exactly sure what but pretty sure I have a good amount of neutral babygros and vests left

Microwave steriliser

Navy snowsuit (has small mend in it but i would quite happily use if we were going for no3!)

Let me know!

Gladders

SNS Please consider what you would like and come to me. Have so much baby stuff and would love it to go to someone on here.
mushy31894(at)fsmail(dot)net

Gladders

That is really sweet of you.

Can you email me? z.green @ btopenworld.com

That way we can sort something out.

Thanks Again

i've not read all everyone's replies - has anyone sugested freecyle to you? there's are loads of emails every day with people giving away baby stuff.

my DD2 is now 11 weeks and the essentials we've needed so far are;

• sleepsuits - i would say about 9 (though that may just be beacuse we had sickie babies to start with)

• nappies (obviously

• she's outgrown her moses basket so is now in a travel cot in our room - so sheets (or pillow cases) for moses basket mattress. couple of sheets for her travel cot (with muslin clothes tucked in where her head is to catch any sick..)

• i find scratch mitts essential (but you can use socks) as i hate cutting nails

• at the moment she is getting bathed in the kitchen basin/sink

• changing mat (i also find a travel one for out and about very useful)

• there's always offers for buy one get one free for wipes/baby bubble if you choose to use them.

• olive oil for their skin in the early days

• she loves her playmat/gym and has been using it for about 3 weeks now

• if formula feeding then 6 bottles/steriliser/brush and formula

• muslin clothes - can't have enough of them (can be used instead of bibs)

• you could also ask people to give vouchers for baby - if you feel that's not too cheeky....

I'll not tell you all the stuff we have sitting in the cupboard unused and unopened...
good luck

From birth umberella buggy, have learnt well from buying 4 prams last time.

No cot....DH spent two weeks restoring a family heirloom cot and DS neverslept a night in it...co-sleeping.

Breastfeeding......oh yes...gonna find a second hand sterelizer this time.

No bottles ....not expressing this time.

No baby bath....its the big bath or nothing.

No changing station...the floor.

Cheap changing mat.

No baby toiltries box........wicker baskets filled with nappies and wipes upstairs and down.

But I am going to treat this one too........

A sheepskin buggy/carseat thingy
A gro-bag
Maybe maybe...that Cath Kidston change bag.....bags and shoes ladies....its all about bags and shoes.

hmmm beeper - you're treating the baby to a changing bag yeah right - know exactly where you're coming from as I keep eyeing up nice changing bags - " I owe it to B not me really"

StarryNightSky - I don't think there's anything wrong with saving money on kids stuff! We are not that strapped for cash but do budget carefully and we've always bought cheaply / borrowed stuff if we can.

in my area there's also a thing called the toy library, run by the council, where you go and play with your baby and borrow toys for a week etc - great for when they're older. libraries also have free baby rhyme time activities too.

if you sign up to boots parenting club they give you loads of free toiletry samples for baby, money off vouchers and a free changing bag.

you get some free samples in hospital too, and don't forget that plain water is best for baby's skin so you don't need to buy shampoos / baby bath etc until they're older.

we used asda plain white sleepsuits / vests / muslins etc which have lasted well and are good quality (although probably made in some sweatshop in china!) and family / friends boughts us more expensive outfits once baby was born (it's amazing how generous people are)

mention around your neighbours that you are expecting - we borrowed a cot and high chair from our neighbours and will give it back when we've finished.

my mum bought loads of toys from charity shops / car boots etc (even brand new in packets!) - give them a quick wash in milton or similar and they're good as new. big tip: go to charity shops in well-off areas and you'll be amazed at the quality of things people get rid of.

lots of people sell second hand re-usable nappies which are a bargain and perfectly fine to use.

good luck, you don't need much to start with, somewhere for baby to sleep, a pram, some clothes/ blankets and muslins, nappies and a changing mat (we used the floor or the bed rather than a changing station, then put a peiceof wood across a chest of drawers and a unit to make a larger space once baby was older, put the mat on that and voila! a changing staion!) my tip is start with just the basics and then decide what else you and baby need as you grow (and what you don't need to buy because people give you stuff) - everyone is different and you'll have plenty of time to get things sorted once you work out your own routine & activities.

Can you get to Kiddicare in Peterborough? I went at the weekend to get stuff for my babe and I bought a bouncy chair that vibrates, bounces, has a arch over it and folds up for easy storage and travel and it was reduced to £19.97 (from £40) The website is good but I have found there to be many more bargains in store. I love the shop - I bought everything for both my dd and current bump - all bargains but if you can wait until they have a sale then it is unbelieveable. I bought a £300 pushchair for £80 cause it was their last one. FYI they are moving site soon so will prob have a sale soon too. Also got a car seat from birth to 3 years for £30.

Northernlurker.

Its a pity we won't qaulify for the 'fruit and veg money' that old Gordon Brown wants to give us.

If we had I would have bought the real leather change bag in the John Lewis catalogue for £160

Anyway, cots and all that malarky are non-essentials....its bags that count...cheap bags make me shudder.

I bought my winter boots in the sale so I am owed.

This post is a windup...well you never know

Hi
If you are entitled to the maternity grant then ask about the healthy start vouchers, sorry if you already know.

x

Haven't read whole thread so don't know what you've already been told. If using washable nappies anyway then you might as well use washable wipes. Will save you loads of money too. The cheap flannels from IKEA or something similar will do. I find that they work better than a wet wipe anyway.

haven't had a chance to read all of thread but would just say that we wasted £50 on a sling - i thought i would use it loads and actually have only ever used it about 10 times! Mostly because my back really couldn't handle the weight of the baby for months after the birth..
all the best to you

baby bath gel has lots of chemicals in so you really are better using the soap. i find it is cheaper anyway.

even baby gap socks didn't work with ds so we needed the leather shoo shoos to go on top.

Fo us the most important items were:

Baby bath seat - gets rid of all the stress of bathing a new born, babies love bath seats

Breastfeeding cushion

Lanisoh cream for sore nips!

Oh, and the odd glass of wine and a sense of humour!!

Ps where are you Stary? We have loads of stuff we could give to you - we are in west London