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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

When should I start baby buying?

30 replies

OliviaL9530 · 04/07/2021 20:42

Hi all!

I'm 20+1 and had my anomaly scan today. Baby is well and everything is where it should be and developing just fine I'm just wondering when you all started buying baby bits?

Anytime I even think of buying anything I just feel like I'm tempting fate and automatically think of the worst xx

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Carrotgarrotte · 04/07/2021 20:48

I waited until 24 week viability. Congratulations!

Tilly18101 · 04/07/2021 20:50

I’m 22 weeks and have started getting organised! Wrote my list out, and my parents have got our pram so far.

However we want to do this as eco friendly as possible and have so far been so lucky to be lent quite a few of the big ticket items by friends such as the cot/mosses baskets/stands, toys etc!

I’m hoping to get as much as possible second hand. Apart from buying a going home outfit for baby from a small shop (she only opens every 6-8 weeks so had to get my order in!) I’ve not bought anything yet.

I don’t think it hurts to start buying when you feel ready too, maybe start with a list of essentials as then if you see any bits you like that might be on offer or something you could always pick them up as you go an tick them off.

Original poster

OliviaL9530 · 04/07/2021 20:56

@Carrotgarrotte

Yes that's what I was thinking! I have my 24 week midwifes appointment at the beginning of august so I'll hang on until then. Xx

OP posts:

BunnyRuddington · 04/07/2021 20:56

I think it's fine to start shopping now but write a list and try to keep to it or you could end up wasting lots of money on cute outfits that in reality they'll probably never wear.

Don't forget that you'll probably be given a lot as well. A DCousin was given 9 different playmates when she had her first

Original poster

OliviaL9530 · 04/07/2021 20:59

@Tilly18101

My husbands dad has offered to buy the travel system/pram but I've put him off until later, apart from that we haven't bought a thing.

I'm just worried about the immediate cost if we continue to wait but I have another 4 months so plenty of time haha xx

OP posts:

firstimemamma · 04/07/2021 21:00

I'd go for it now if I were you op.

At 20 weeks I remember assembling the cot! It was so much fun.

Chelyanne · 04/07/2021 21:03

You can do it whenever you are comfortable.

I bought some clothes after my dating scan and started buying up bargains after then too. We had lots in storage from our others so this tempting fate lark doesn't really fly when you have a house full anyway. Got bits each month to spread the cost and my mum's just ordered the cot-bed as it was last on my list, I'm 33+5wk now.

BunnyRuddington · 04/07/2021 21:04

Things like slings and a baby doll are useful so that you can have a good practice. You can practice putting nappies on one as well although it's likely to be more tricky on an actual little human

queenie273646 · 05/07/2021 10:34

I'm pregnant with my second and I'm 24 weeks and have everything in and the travel system ordered (6-8 week wait for this) I just couldn't resist as soon as i got to 20 weeks, I started buying clothes after my 16 week gender scan , it's been 6 years since I was last pregnant so it's like the excitement of buying for the first time again🙈

Iris2020 · 05/07/2021 10:59

It's such a tough balance between not getting ahead of ourselves and preparing adequately! I'm nearly 24 weeks now and know that we need to start preparing the nursery to avoid last-minute panic.
But it still feels so early...

We bought the travel system first and we have a monthly payment plan for it which helps. We also bought the cot recently but are waiting to decorate before putting it up. I've got a few clothes that I feel in love with but not much yet.

LakeShoreD · 05/07/2021 11:01

I’d watch out for sales/good deals on the things you want then buy immediately.

Sparrow91 · 05/07/2021 11:26

I started buying even before 12 weeks - but only on things that I knew I’d want and that were on a good offer (the stuff I was buying new at least).

I’ve found even though I’ve brought the majority of stuff second hand it’s helped to at least pace the purchases towards the very end of pregnancy and not mean I’m spending my entire salary in a day!

Also worth noting for prams and car seats etc - the things you’ll generally buy from new - there are some hefty waiting lists due to the shipping delays, so it’s worth thinking about ordering them ASAP. I know some brands have a 4+ month waiting time currently!

mayblossominapril · 05/07/2021 11:28

I bought almost all of the things between 20 and 30 weeks. You don’t want to leave it too late when you are too fat and tired to enjoy shopping

Lweji · 05/07/2021 11:31

Start saving, if that's an issue, but I wouldn't (didn't) buy anything significant before week 30 or so. In fact, in my case, it was more like week 37ish.

cocomelonz · 05/07/2021 13:05

I bought the pram when I was about 8 weeks 🙈 it was £500 off though so couldn't resist! 29 weeks now and have pretty much everything but I've worked in childcare for years so knew exactly what I wanted and lucky to be gifted lots of second hand things!

PrimeraVez · 05/07/2021 13:20

I had an initial burst of enthusiasm after our 20w scan and bought things like the pram. Then nothing for a few months and now I’m 32w and starting to be a bit more structured and buy in the ‘boring’ bits like nappies, breast pads etc.

Ughmaybenot · 05/07/2021 13:30

I bought a couple of little bits after 12 weeks, then the car seat and cot at 14 weeks or so because I got a discount code which meant it was an absolute bargain, then the travel system at 16 weeks, because I knew which one I wanted and it came up on eBay (again, a bargain!).
I’m 22 weeks now and don’t have that much more to buy really. No big expenses anyway. I didn’t want to leave it too late, and don’t feel superstitious about anything really.
Clothes I think I’ll buy a couple of second hand bundles nearer the time, and we’re planning on chucking a pack or two of nappies into the trolley when we go shopping from 28 weeks or so.

MyMabel · 05/07/2021 13:37

I brought our pram at 12 weeks. I’m not superstitious, I don’t care for the ‘pram in the house before baby is had luck’ or anything similar.
As soon as we had our first scan and there was solid proof there was a baby in me I start buying bits here and there.

I think if you got space to store it then go for it.

Also because tbh, I started having complications at 28weeks with talks of baby coming early. If I hadn’t started buying them we’d be stressed and rushed to buy everything a bit quick.

I don’t understand why people say to wait so long in that respect. Little and often is often financially and logically easier as long as you have space to keep it without it being a nuisance.

Toastedsesame · 05/07/2021 13:51

This is my second baby and I am 22 weeks, we started buying this week after we got the all ok from our anomaly scans.

We've made a spreadsheet with a list of what we need and I've divided it all up so its shared equally for the months left before baby arrives (i.e July is clothes, August is pram & car seat, September is cot and moses basket etc) I've also done a tally chart for clothes and we are keeping it simple with just sleepsuits and vests until baby is in 3-6 month clothes at least. Last time we bought fiddly outfits and I know they barely get worn. We're also getting most stuff on ebay / fb marketplace or in the sale.

shivawn · 05/07/2021 13:58

Started buying bits and pieces from around 24 weeks....some clothes, bath bath, baby bag, bouncer and loads of baby towels and blankets. I bought a chest of drawers and wallpaper for the nursery too.

I've picked out the big items, buggy, cat seat, crib and cot but I'll pick them up closer to the time because they'd just be in the way now while I'm still decorating the nursery.

ElderMillennial · 05/07/2021 14:09

Whoever you feel comfortable

ElderMillennial · 05/07/2021 14:09

Whenever

motogogo · 05/07/2021 14:14

I would suggest waiting until at least 32 weeks, not because if concern about the pregnancy but because you don't want to be staring at it all too early and too much time means you'll buy more! (If baby comes that early they will be in hospital for a while giving you time).

At this stage I would do the research for the big ticket items, get a list together and if family are wanting to buy things allocate them. I would however see what you can borrow/buy secondhand to save money

iverunoutofinspiration · 05/07/2021 15:35

I waited until 20 weeks and now have most things as I enter the final trimester. Figured I can spend the last few months organising, cleaning, packing bags and washing clothes!

sparklyblue81 · 05/07/2021 18:54

I’m 20 weeks and on baby number 4 so have a lot of stuff already but I would say definitely start researching which pushchair/ car seat/ cot/ baby monitor etc you would like even if you don’t buy them yet, it can take quite a while to research which one is right for you/ has the features you need etc. Clothes/ nappies etc are easy/ quick to buy later on.

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