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Pregnancy

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

PANIC HAS SET IN - HELP

71 replies

BearMama · 14/01/2008 14:25

I am 28 wks and beginning to panic at how I am going to cope. When I agreed to get pg DP was working and well. Now he is a depressive unable to work. I am disabled and cant work. How the hell are we going to afford the lightweight pram (for buses), the nappies, the cot, the clothes? OMG sorry for freaking out, it just hit me.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ConnorTraceptive · 15/01/2008 20:21

Toys r us are doing a half price stroller for £69.99 at the mo, that comes with footmuff, raincover and parasol - looks like a bargain and is suitable from birth.

I saw it online but am rubbish at links

NorthernLurker · 15/01/2008 20:32

That sounds a bit like the one my friend had for her third - as far as I know she always found it very good.

BearMama · 15/01/2008 22:01

Fantastic - I will check it out. Thank you!

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geekymummy · 16/01/2008 22:18

ConnorTraceptive - This one?

ConnorTraceptive · 17/01/2008 09:03

That's the one!

NorthernLurker · 17/01/2008 09:09

That looks very like the one my friends had! It was very good - with footmuff etc as well which is excellent.

Didylicious · 17/01/2008 09:34

Have you looked online for equipment - there is a well-known store (not highstreet) "Kiddicare" that sells lots of lightweight strollers and other stuff - they will deliver really quickly (usually overnight) and they offer HUGE savings on the highstreet store prices.

the "Rochingham" mattresses they sell are superior to any I have bought on the highstreet - and LOADS cheaper (their foam ones are awesome - thick, luxurious and durable!)

George at asda does really inexpensive babygrows and fleece blankets etc.

The baby doesn't need more than babygrows, vests and nappies in the early days - no need for "day" outfits. The baby's priority is comfort and not style!

Yes - I agree - don't forget to eBay stuff as you finish with it (unless it's of sentimental value or you will need it again)

That list on the back of the mothercare catalogue of what you need - most of it ISN'T necessary.

Always get your baby toys at the charity shops as and when they appear if you can - most are good as new - and baby doesn't care where they came from. You can give them a wipe over with some dettol spray if you're concerned the baby will put them in his/her mouth.

Toys are not necessary as such - but IF you get them that's the place to go!

A few plastic (not sharp) kitchen utensils, upturned pans with a wooden spoon, etc. can provide good play activities without the need to buy toys! Just be sensible (as I'm sure you are) about what is chokable, or has loose parts!

I hope you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. I'm sure right now it seems a "race" to get everything ready - but hopefully you'll get what you need in time - if not shortly after.

Didylicious · 17/01/2008 09:37

www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=1 0751&msg=

Sanwi · 17/01/2008 17:24

what a great thread - so much fantastic advice.

worth remembering you can stagger buying things - my dd is nearly 6 weeks and so far i've actually only used her pram once. sling is much handier (cheap one from tescos)

as for asda babygrows - big thumbs up from me too - they are cheap (£4 for 3 i think) and much nicer than the more expensive ones. and easier to do up (very important when fumbling about in the dark at 3 am!)

bedding-wise - a moses basket mattress fits perfectly in a normal pillow case. I almost puked when i saw how much fitted sheets for moses baskets cost in mothercare!

finally - forget all the baby lotions and potions and buy a big bottle of olive oil and some tescos head to toe baby wash. you'll save a fortune and avoid all sorts of skin irritations.

it's so true your baby won't care about much more than eating, sleeping and most importantly hugs and time with you. we're just all made to feel like we need to spend a fortune

fifisworld · 17/01/2008 17:32

Bearmama - Do you know what you are having yet?
I have loads of vests and sleepsuits that i bought for ds2, he's outgrown most of them and he's only 5 weeks old.
Theres probably 10-15 white sleepsuits, 5 blue ones and loads of plain white vests.

If you can hang on a couple of weeks you'd be more than welcome to have them, some of them havent been worn and i would just need to arrnge postage with you.

Sassafrass · 17/01/2008 18:32

I can heartily recommend the cheap cot from Ikea. It's about 30 quid and very good and sturdy. All Ikea's children's stuff have passed very rigorous testing as well so it's really safe. We used it for our dd up until she moved in to a bed and we were really happy with it.

ConnorTraceptive · 17/01/2008 19:34

That's a good point about staggering what you buy.

Just get a few vests and baby grows that are 0-3 months and wait until you need bigger sizes before buying more. Also don't bother with newborn sizes just go straight to 0-3 months, DS only got to wear his newborn ones for the five days we were in hospital, they were a very snug fit.

BearMama · 18/01/2008 18:07

Havent been on for a day or two - amazed at all the responses!
Fifisworld, thank you so much for your kind offer. I know its a girl and I dont have any newborn stuff, so that would be lovely. I'd be very happy to pay postage.
Sanwi, I agree that the lotions and potions seem redundant. Have lost count of the times I've been advised that all you need is water /olive oil/cotton wool. And the pillow case for the Moses basket mattress is a great idea.
That isnt the first time the Ikea cot has been mentioned so if I can persuade DP to drive me to Ikea (he hates it)I can take a look.
Didylicious, Kiddicare sounds brilliant - thanks for the link and the idea that no "day wear" is needed initially - brilliant tip.
Is the Toys R Us stroller lightweight enough to take on buses and carry up stairs? I looked at it online and it looks good - just want to know how it does in the field.
Feel a bit less neurotic now.

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ConnorTraceptive · 18/01/2008 18:43

The stroller is the same weight as my M&P one and I find it reasonable to carry around. I doubt you would get a much lighter stroller that was suitable from birth. The really lightweight ones tend to be from 6 months up.

ilovewashingnappies · 18/01/2008 18:56

We're skint and have found the following useful:

Breastfeeding is free

Ebay to sell and buy stuff.

Tell EVERYONE you're pregnant - people are very kind and may be wanting rid of naby stuff

Terry nappies rock. Cost us £30 for terries, £40 for wraps, £30 for other stuff and we hardly spend a penny (pun not intended!) on nappies.

But stuff gradually -you wont need big cot for a while

Don't worry - things will be hard but will change and people will help!

ilovewashingnappies · 18/01/2008 18:59

above typing is crap sorru - feeding dd

BearMama · 18/01/2008 19:04

Thanks Connor - just checked and its out of stock, but kiddicare has this one:

www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_857_10751_-1_18101_29849_ 10001_18101

Hate the logo but it seems like an ok deal???

ILWN - I am hoping to breastfeed and I've just had an email offering us a cot. Also picked up a Tummy Tub on Freecycle My friend used one and I saw how much her DD loved it.

Am going to post a thread asking opinions on it if not one already.

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SallyInYorkshire · 18/01/2008 19:11

Hi there,

just wanted to add my voice to the others saying don't panic - I am due in February - it is amazing once you start to get BIG how lovely people are, even virtual strangers, and happy to donate their old baby stuff - I'm not joking, I've even had offers of hand knitted baby cardigans from little old ladies in shops!!! (for some reason this is what little old ladies think all babies need! including my own granny of course lol)

my tip on the NCT sale is get there an hour early and bring a seat, food and drink and newspaper to sustain you in the queue. they have great bargains and they go really quickly so if you have arthritis you will definitely need a head start on the other bargain-hunters! also take your DH if you can, give him a list of stuff you need and tell him to grab anything that looks remotely suitable!

basically have no shame in asking anyone you see if they know anyone who might have baby stuff to give away - most people are so pleased to help if they can, for every 5 "no sorry's" you will get one "oh wow! I have so much stuff I can give you!"

good luck.

BearMama · 18/01/2008 19:41

Thanks Sally, must say I am amazed that complete strangers would offer me stuff and feel ashamed that I dont have anything to give in return except my thanks. Silly really as I would do the same if it were me in a position to offer...

OP posts:
fifisworld · 21/01/2008 14:27

Bearmama - Do you have a email address and i will sort postage out with you but need your address?

fifisworld · 21/01/2008 21:24

Bump for Bearmama

peatbogfaerie · 22/01/2008 10:58

Bearmama, I've got 2 sleeping bags that I don't need anymore -- for between 6-12mo I think, depending on size of baby. If you're happy to put an email address up, I'll send you a message.

fifisworld · 22/01/2008 12:57

Bump

fifisworld · 23/01/2008 09:33

Bump for Bearmama

wallydolly · 08/03/2008 11:40

hi bearmama, we are in edinburgh and have a 6-month-old boy - we have a bath which goes over the big bath whiich you'd be welcome to use - probably other stuff too ... let me know what you still need.

x