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

Original poster

20 weeks pg - should I be stocking up on baby things? And if so, what?

66 replies

oliv · 29/12/2004 20:00

Hello! I'm a new girl, first baby due in May. I've got lots of hand-me-down newborn clothes but nothing else. Now I'm over the halfway mark I'm thinking maybe I should start buying in the sales/ begging for essentials but I don't know what I really need and all the baby shops obviously tell me I need everything ever made. Any advice?

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Tommy · 29/12/2004 20:19

Congratulations! Have a read of your pregnancy book that your midwife gave you - I found that pretty comprehensive in telling you what you need - and they're not trying to sell you anything either!
I would say: vests and babygros (not cardigans - mine never wore them)
somewhere for them to sleep - cot or Moses basket
pram or flat lying pushchair and some blankets and sheets.
I definitely wouldn't worry about a baby bath and, under no circumstances buy a nappy holder or a wipes warming device!!!!!

Dior · 29/12/2004 20:23

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popsycal · 29/12/2004 20:23

you can never have enough bibs

Twiglett · 29/12/2004 20:24

something to wear

vests and babygros .. but buy 0 - 3 months size because they last longer and you can just fold up the sleeves for a few short weeks

  • if you have a small baby you can always run out and get more

Non-biological washing powder

nappies / cotton wool / wipes .. you DO NOT NEED a changing table . .just a mat

somewhere to sleep .. a moses basket (although you could borrow this) or a cot .. cotton sheets / cellular blankets

a car seat

a buggy or a baby sling

once you've found what you want check out www.kiddicare.comkiddicare by far the cheapest around ...

popsycal · 29/12/2004 20:24

oooh and breast pads and always ultra night towels for after the birth,.,,,

Kif · 29/12/2004 20:26

Five words:

Baby Gap Sale Now On

Everything is about half price. It's really good for stocking up

Twiglett · 29/12/2004 20:27

how about "What to expect the First Year" .. it is really IMHO the best book for a new mum

(I also quite like the baby whisperer, but shudder in horror at contented little baby)

FlashingRudolphNose · 29/12/2004 20:27

You'll need a changing table/chest of drawers if you're prone to back pain though.

nailpolish · 29/12/2004 20:28

congrats oliv!

i would like to add you can never have enough:-

baby vests
baby gros
breast pads (whether you breastfeed or not)
maternity pads (no-one told me i would bleed for so long and so heavily)
nappies

and i would recommend that you have a steriliser and bottles and and a breast pump milk whether you plan to bf or not, i planned to bf but had to do an emergency express milk bottle, and dh nearly burst open the door of boots for all these at 9 in the morning!

good luck, lots of it and let us know how you get on!

if i can think of anything else ill let you know xxx

Dior · 29/12/2004 20:29

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lockets · 29/12/2004 20:30

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
oliv · 29/12/2004 20:30

wow - that was quick, and really, really helpful - thank you! Do you think it's too early to start buying or should I get into the sales? glad you said that about the changing table, I was wondering. what about things like sterilisers and breast pumps - all still a mystery, don't think I've ever seen one ...

OP posts:
nailpolish · 29/12/2004 20:31

keep a couple of ready made milk cartons in the cupboard too in case of emergency. they last forever, and wont go to waste.

you dont need fancy things, babies live in vests and babygros for the first weeks, and wipes (which can be expensive i think) are not really necessary, cotton wool and water is fine.

did i say bibs? you need thousands of these!

Twiglett · 29/12/2004 20:31

don't think you need a shaped cushion if money is tight .. any cushion / pillow will do

FlashingRudolphNose · 29/12/2004 20:33

If at all possible, drop hints to friends and family to buy clothes in bigger sizes as presents - they're in newborn and 0-3 stuff for 5 milliseconds.

nailpolish · 29/12/2004 20:33

the microwave steriliser is a good buy, and includes bottles and usually newborn teats. are you planning to bottle feed?

the micro steriliser is by Avent. all the Avent bottles can be attached to the Avent breast pump, they are not really as expensive as you might expect. its a hand pump.

if i was you yes i would just buy now, in the sales. and also when you are massive you cant be bothered going to the shops!

Original poster
oliv · 29/12/2004 20:39

brilliant - will start compiling a list and take to the shops tomorrow. it's all starting to feel a bit more real now! was planning to breastfeed nailpolish - do I need milk cartons just in case?

OP posts:
colinsmommy · 29/12/2004 20:41

Totally agree with flashingrudolphnose. DS was 9 lbs when born, and didn't wear any of those cute newborn things more than twice. And he NEVER fit into newborn diapers.

KatieinSpain · 29/12/2004 21:41

I got both my boys a newborn outfit each - something new from me to them - but I knew (95%) that I was having boys.
Yes, hit those sales. My favourite clothes came from Gap (sale only!), M&S, Boots, and Tesco. The other place to get lovely clothes and products second-hand is NCT sales. I couldn't believe my eyes the first time I went to one - the quality and the prices were incredible.
I also used a bouncy seat a lot and DS2 loved the bouncy chair that you hang in the door way. Although they can't use these until they're 3 months plus, it comes round so quick.
Have fun shopping or even just making a wish list. I was amazed at the amount of stuff we received after DS1 - it was like the best Christmas ever!

stabilo · 29/12/2004 21:45

there's a really good list at the back of the mothercare book - you can order one online

pixiefish · 29/12/2004 21:48

have a look here as well

brusselbeansprouts · 29/12/2004 21:57

You are bound to get a fair amount of stuff as gifts, mostly clothes and toys (ie the cute stuff people love to buy!)
Agree that cotton wool and water is fine for changing.
One thing you must have (or must ensure is available) is a car seat for the ride home from the hospital (and beyond). It is illegal for a baby to be in a car without one.

janeybops · 29/12/2004 22:27

look at the lists and then ignore most of it. They are written by companies trying to sell you stuff mostly.

Definitely need for first couple of weeks;

breast pads
loads and loads of maternity pads
paper knickers or old ones for you
nursing bra? or bottle, formula, sterilser
breast pump? used mine twice!
babygrows and vests
moses basket or similar plus sheets and blankets (after that I use sleeping bags - marvellous things!)
car seat
some sort of pram - buy the lightest you can find! has to lay flat for newborn
bottle of baby bath liquid
baby bath - picked mine up for 50p from car boot - used it for 4 weeks only!
nappies size 1 if you are having a bigger baby
wet wipes
changing mat
nappy sacks

Once you are at home you can then see what else you need. That is what DH is for isn't it?

hunkermunker · 29/12/2004 22:38

Oliv, if planning to breastfeed, don't have formula in the house - there was a thread somewhere with stats on giving up if you have another option (or maybe I saw it on another site?). Will try to find it anyway.

Congrats hun - would second the 'don't buy a wipes warmer or nappy stacker' advice. Also, the baby bath boxes you can buy - we've just started using one for DS who is nearly nine months old. Before this, we put all the nappy stuff on a tray and slid it under the cot with the changing mat - much easier! If we'd left them out any longer, he'd eat the nappies though, hence the box (which has been taking up room since before he was born!!). Planning on putting lego in it when he's bigger

hunkermunker · 29/12/2004 22:41

Also, use cotton wool and plain water (warm) for nappy changes for the first six weeks at least (longer if you want) - it's much better for their skin. Mears (I think) is a big advocate of not using soapy stuff to wash babies with - I'm SURE there was a thread on this...hang on...

There you go:
Mears threads