First time mum - where should I get newborn clothes from and when do I get fitted for nursing bras?

[kookiegoddess]

Just wondering if any places are better/cheaper than others for newborn stuff. I'm planning to go very cheap as newborn stuff doesn't seem to get used for very long - so asda/sainsburys, and am aware that I should get front opening with poppers at top so baby won't wail at stuff going over its head. Any tips about shrinkage/washability/how many etc gratefully received. And I guess it's ok to wash stuff with Fairy non-bio?

also when do I book to get nursing bras fitted? My boobs really don't seem to have done anything dramatic so far (I'm 26 wks) so am expecting massive growth at the end. And where did you have your fitting done?

cheap baby clothes - supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's etc all very good. Primark is particularly good for baby clothes IMO

Fitting for a bra - go to a "proper" bra shop like John Lewis or Debenhams. Mothercare will be rubbish.

Good luck

Asda, Tesco, Primark - all do excellent, cheap baby clothes.

Don't worry too much about quality/washability - babies grow so incredibly fast nothing will be worn long enough for it to matter!

I wouldn't buy much newborn stuff. You don't know if you're baby will be small or (more likely) grow out of the 0-3 month stuff within a month or so.

I didn't get measured for a nursing bra until I was 37 weeks, and even then I had to go back after he was born as my breasts grew 3 cup sizes when my milk came in on about day 3 of my son's life. Maybe just buy one or two cheap nursing bras (Mothercare is good) and see how you go?

Congrats and Good luck! xx

Mothercare will fit nursing bras.

I wash things in fairy non bio for my baby and my toddler, so I think it's fine.

I just got packets of babygros and vests from Mothercare, Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco etc. The Mothercare ones I have are really nice.

I was told to wait as close to my due date as poss, and went to Mothercare for fitting and to buy bras. My bazoomas were massive though (went from B to G cup during pregnancy) and found that Mothercare only did very boring white, black and flesh tone bras in a G-cup. This really upset me - I like exciting bras! But Mothercare seemed to take a lot of care over the fitting and were reasonably priced. Marks and Spencers weren't an option for me at the time, because of the size, but they're probably worth a try? Where baby stuff is concerned, Asda stuff and Mothercare's basic range seem reasonably priced and I still use 'em now. I would buy 7 of everything and then see what you get given as presents before stocking up...(or not)

ok will hold on re: nursing bras then waddle down to debenhams.

what is the difference between a onesie and a sleepsuit??

Thanks all for kind good luck wishes!

Mothercare and M&S vests and babygros are really nice and softer than the supermarket ones, I think, but I bought supermarket ones for DS and was grateful if anyone spent the extra!

Sainsburys and Asda baby stuff is good as is always m/c wash and tumble dry safe for quick turn around.

As MrsM said, your boobs can go enormous when your milk comes in, my bf counsellor (I had lots of help after he was born as struggled at the start) suggested not wearing one for a couple of days but using an old big t-shirt instead - put it on, roll up from the bottom into a point at the front, then twist it up through the neckline and tie it in a knot. It saved the money on enormous bras for only three days usage and held the pads in place. Not particularly glamorous but it was support I needed!

You can also get fantastic buys of newborn clothes on ebay. Since little uns grow so quick people tend to sell in bundles pretty cheaply (I know we did) and then just give them a rewash when they arrive

If you're a G cup, try bravissimo and figleaves, check both as bravissimo has a good site and figleaves often cheaper. If you choose figleaves have a scan about for promotional codes, which usually get you free delivery. Good luck

Hi, I love Asda white newborn sleepsuits and vests. Burpy cloths much better than muslins too there too. And their sleeping bags are fab too.

To be honest I would wait until after the baby is born to get nursing bras as my boobs went from a 32DD pre-pregnancy to a 38F during and an astronomical 34K when my milk came in

I got fitted at Bravissimo as nowhere else does massive bras. And I got pregnant when baby was 4 months and they have stayed 34K, terribly worried about what they will do after new baby.

Good luck!

asda and tesco best for cheap vests and sleepsuits. imo sainburys sleepsuits didnt wash as well and material not as nice.

m & s sleepsuits and vests good too and the 7 pack of vests is good value.

i would get 2 x 7 pack vests as you will go through 1 or 2 a day and it is better to have enough than have to wash every day or 2 as that costs more.

sleepsuits usually one a night so 7 or 8 fine unless wearing in the day too then i would get 14.

OMG Sherbertdipdab!!
How do you walk with boobs that BIG!!!???
Id have to stick em in a wheel barrow!

goodness me sherbet feel for you honey at 34k. I'm currently DD/E so will start praying to the boob fairy to please be kind...

Remember seeing my friend at 4 days after birth and being totally horrified by the size of her boobs, they were larger than her large baby's head - but they seem to have gone back to normal now. Was a bit scary as I assumed they were going to stay that size!

My shoulders and neck hurt so much! Screaming for a massage.

I'm only 5ft 2ins, I'm 31 weeks pg and they are still bigger than my bump.

On the upside, DP is a VERY happy man!

Agree that you shouldn't get too many newborn sizes. Or at least don't unwrap them. DS1 was a 10lber and every single newborn thing went back!

Tesco sizes tend to be generous IME though so a NB from there might last longer.

My Top Tip is that an ordinary envelope neck body suit vest thing can be pulled on from the feet up. What is more important is that it can be pulled off from the neck downwards which is fab when they've pooed right up the back and you'd rather not pull it off over your precious newborn's head!!

We've bought almost all our baby clothes from the local boot sale where there are hundreds of desperate mothers eager to unload stuff for all size of baby, much of it new or unused. I'm already mentally planning our own stall there when he grows out of everything and we find we've bought wayyyy too much - and I haven't even given birth yet!
Also found a complete birth to potty set of bambino mio reusable nappies, covers etc for £40 there last weekend. (They cost hundreds new.) If we don't like anything or don't use it, at least we haven't spent a fortune...

Congrats, by the way!

You should not waste your money buying nursing bras until your milk comes in. Your boobs will inflate massively and it is impossible to predict what size they will be.

I've gone from a 32D to a 34J in pregnancy. God knows what I'll be when nursing - rather dread to think. My boobs are terrifying enough at 5 months pregnant.

I've got baby clothes from Ebay - I only want soft cotton sleepsuits for teenies, anyway, because I figure I'd find sleeping in jeans or dungarees pretty uncomfy myself! And I've got a couple of smocked Heskia rompers for a few quid each there, when they're seriously expensive new. Most small baby clothing is barely worn so I've had very few bobble-tastic mishaps. I just don't want to fork out a fortune on baby clothes when they grow so fast and, po-faced as it sounds, it's also fab environmentally to buy second-hand.

Oh, and I go to Bluewater and get fitted by Rigby & Peller there, for accurate sizing. So worth it because they really know their stuff, and you don't need many bras when your size changes so fast - I currently wash my single bra out overnight, as I'm a new size every couple of months right now. I don't think it's so vital if you aren't gargantuan, but with very big boobs/small ribcage I figure top-notch support is all that stands between me and severe backache - and with SPD already I can do without anything more!

kookie: onesie is a body suit.

sleepsuit has feet.

Bravado has a web site where it explains how to do it yourself.

I would get a few things, but wait until baby is born. Both mine were small, but long meaning that they couldn't wear sleepsuits for their age....

Kookie I have been buying stuff on ebay - some of it brand new and some second hand but all looks new. Its very cheap too (cute babygrows between £2 - £7 incl P&P)

NCT do a nursing bra fitting service and they usually have a local rep, so perhaps call your local NCT co-ordinator?

If you don't get a nursing bra until your milk comes in, how on earth will you find time to go and get measured and by bras with a baby only days old? I wasn't planning on leaving the house for weeks!

Z.x

I was fitted for nursing bras at bravissimo when 37 weeks and they were spot on when the milk came in.

Qally, my boobs grew quickly in the first three months, then nothing happened even after the milk came in, I remained the same cup size, mind you, it is a H so thank the good Lord for that

mine got bigger at 3 months. I don't know why