Top money saving tips when having a baby needed

[carriemumsnet]

Hi

I have to speak to a journalist tomorrow about getting ready for a baby and how you can save money on what you buy - and what you shouldn't skimp on - eg get second hand cot, but always buy a new mattress etc Borrow pram and buy a lightweight buggy later etc etc?

If you've got any pearls of wisdom and/or experience can you post them here before 10am tomorrow (Friday)?

Thanks in advance

Join all the baby clubs from manufacturers, supermarkets - they will send you money off coupons

Breastfeed!

Start a clothing bank through your baby group. It's a great place to offload unwanted baby clothes, and they're available free to anyone who can use them.

Washable wipes definitely.

You really, really don't need much.
The very basics are a cot or moses basket, some babygrows, napppies, a car seat if you have a car, a buggy and that's it.

You can manage without almost everything else.

They grow out of clothes so unbelievably quickly that it really is worth accepting every single offer of hand me downs you get.

agree re pram either borrow and get a buggy from 3 motnhs which will last you a few years or buy a McLaren Triumph which is OK from birth and is a buggy.

Don't skimp on a PC and broadband because everything you need is here.

Reusable nappies - especially if you make them yourself (sewing machine needed for that, though)! NCT sales for clothes, prams, and cots.

Don't bother with a baby bath,cot bumpers,baby wipe warmers,bottle warmers,sterilisers and of course-nappy changing bag.

oooh yes, don't bother buying books by baby gurus and other such 'experts'. They'll only addle your brain.

Secondhand clothes - ebay is overflowing and charity shops are wonderful.

Co-sleep - cots are a waste of time/money.

Buy Tesco's own newborn nappies instead of pampers as they are identical in every way and half the price.

Get a blender so you can make your own baby food instead of buying jars etc.

Get a good pram which will last and is comfortable, something which lays flat like a M&P or something like that (you can use it as a moses basket too and it converts to a toddler pram later on.

Knit your own baby clothes (wilkinsons wool is only £1 a roll)

Get larger clothes for a younger baby as one wash and they're grown out of (they also shrink in the wash)

Baby grows can be used for longer if you cut the feet off and larger ones can be used before their time if you put socks on the feet.

Don't spend the earth on baby toys for a very young baby a crisp bag (unopened)will be hours of entertainment.

Look out for BOGOF offers on baby products/toiletries if you use them.

Get a Boots Advantage card -its amazing how the points/money adds up.

Don't fritter away money on gimmicky weaning crap that you won't need if you wean at 6 months straight onto finger food. E.g. weaning spoons, special blenders & fancy ice cube trays for freezing purees.

only buy or borrow 6 or so newborn vests/sleepsuits etc. You will be swamped with presents ime, and do not need to buy too much stuff before the birth. Say yes to every loan of clothing/equipment offered, sort through what you like and store/return the rest. babyclothes get grown out of so quickly so are usually like new. Set up or join a clothing bank as per PT's post.

Freecycle is a great place for acquiring baby equipment, such as stairgates, babygym etc.

spend any money you do have on things to make life a bit easier after the birth - so the odd takeaway, babysitter while you have your hair cut, whatever, really helps!

Lidl nappies are great and cheap

buy shop own brand bath and bouncy chair (good for peace of mind) don't worry with bottle warmers, buy the smallest ammount of bottles etc you think you can manage with that way you buy better quality ones which last longer.
an ability to trust your own insticnts.
new matresses for moses basket , cot, etc.

when weaning make your own purees cook without salt so baby has what family eats

Sorry, x-post with hilary - nothing wrong with buying a hand-held blender - just don't fall victim to the ones specially marketed at first time mothers, which cost half as much again!

Don't bother to buy one of those poncey changing tables. They look fab, but you can only use them for about four or five months before they become dangerous. Complete waste of money.

Tell everyone you meet you are expecting and ask if they have any equipment/ clothes to sell. Like as not they will give it to you just to dejunk their attic.
Breastfeed.
Dont buy special weaning food stuff.
Cloth nappies (get them 2nd hand if you can).
Biggest cost will probably be loss of earnings. Make sure you have good advice on maternity leave rules.

Don't economise on push-along trolleys, etc. They need to be properly weighted or your cruising baby will take a purler.

Yes agree with you corriedale, those blenders aimed at first time mothers are useless (I meant the tesco value ones) they don't even look like they hold much food! Crazy

Hand held blenders are wonderful (you can also freeze what you make in Ice cube holders and heat them up later as and when).

Don't buy any childcare books, especially any ones that make you feel guilty if you don't follow a certain routine: if you are on-line, get on Mumsnet - the fount of all wisdom . If not, go to the library.

I found the M&P bath/changing table unit (the one with draws under with the flipl lid covering the bath) a god send! I actually bought mine from a car boot sale for £2!

Its wonderful if you have a bad back or had a c-section etc, it cuts out all the bending. Wouldn't do without mine.

GO TO CAR BOOT SALES!!

Own brand nappies and wipes, or any products you use regularly that are on BOGOF.

Dont bother with babybath, babypowder, baby lotions etc.

Accept donations of clothes etc from friends and family. From age 0-6 months they will only wear some things a few times before outgrowing it.

If you are going to buy outfits, adn you plan on having more children - buy neutral colours and avoid pinks/blues so they can be re-used for siblings, irrespective of gender.

Buy a 2nd hand pram system but invest in a good stroller - it will last far longer and be more durable than a pram.

Dont buy special bowls, spoons, blenders, bottle/food warmers, storage pots for weaning. If you are going to puree foods - mash with a fork or sieve, and freeze in standard icecube trays.

You dont need a steriliser - just wash in hot soapy water, rinse and air dry bottles - or wash in a dishwasher if you have one.

Always buy the best breast pads, not the cheapest. They will work better, less likely to irritate, and less likely to show through clothing.

Start an account up with ebay

you don't need baby wash, baby bath, baby shampoo etc - plain water's much better for the first few months