Baby Budget?

toby_puppy

have you tried http://www.freecycle.org/ I think it might be somewhere you could pick up baby equipment free of charge?

Triggles

The most important thing and biggest expense for us was the cot - we bought the cot and mattress new - although on sale. It is actually a cotbed - so once he's ready for the bed part, we don't have to buy a new bed yet. He's 2 now, and still not ready for the bed, as we tried it and he absolutely hated it. So we'll be trying it again after the holidays. But anyway - it was about £150 investment all together, but it will last us for a few more years - so well worth it.

We didn't get a moses basket, swing, or bouncy chair. We bought a travel system with a detachable carseat, and the carseat doubled as a little rocking seat when necessary, so that worked fine for us. He didn't spend much time in it anyway, he liked being on a blanket on the floor trying to roll over. :rotfl:

We bought 3 cot sheets - on sale - and that's all we've used. One on the cot and 2 spares, and it worked great.

Most of DS's clothing was from ebay - we lucked out and found someone that was selling a bunch of baby Gap clothing dirt cheap - we spent about £40 for over £250 worth of baby clothing of various sizes. You can find great deals on ebay if you look - but freecycle is great as well. I didn't buy a sling - tried a couple different ones that a friend had to see what I liked, and they all seemed uncomfortable.

We used cloth nappies, but used storebought wipes - bought on sale always as stores often put them as 2 for 1.

Something to think about - save Nectar points and Boots points now - and let them just keep building up - you can use them towards baby supplies when you have the baby. And make sure once pregnant you join any baby/family clubs such as Boots, Tesco. Boots has some great deals - some free stuff and very discounted coupons - nice nappy bag.

I agree with the poster that said - you can make it as expensive or as cheap as you want, really. For us, we went cheap on some things so that we could purchase some things that we wanted new - the cotbed, mattress, and travel system.

Pips_Mum

Hi!
I am 34 weeks pregnant and although baby was planned everything happened way quicker than we thought it would!!:rotfl: So it meant no time to plan a budget or pay off existing debts.
Ebay is a top place to look for baby things. I got a rocking chair, not an essential I know but hey ho, for £60 and the same one in Mamas and Papas was nearly £200:eek:
Also got a big box of maternity clothes, jeans tops skirts work trousers, for £25 and I have lived in all of them and not really bought other pieces.

I have been amazed by how many friends and family have given us bits and bobs. Partners boss has an 8 month old and has given us clothes, a bouncer, toys and a high chair. We have also "inherited" cot sheets, a travel cot, baby bath and a stair gate and countless outfits and baby grows.

Travel system we got from Tesco in a sale for a bargain £119 and we got the nursery furniture set , cot, wardrobe and changer from Ikea for about £275.

I think it can be as dear as you make it. If you want nothing but the finest from an expensive shop then its going to be expensive. If you are happy with hand me downs then it will be cheaper.

Good Luck!! x x

Pips_Mum

Me again!!
Just thought of something else we have done to spread the cost.
Since we found out I was pregnant we have bought a pack of nappies every week with the food shop. Started of with newborn and now buying the next sizes up. House is overun with Nappies but sure we will soon get through them!!

Becles

If you are not brand fussy, you can save loads on everyday shopping for baby.

There's always at least one brand of wipes in Tesco on BOGOF, and at least one type of nappy on money off or "x for £x" type offer. Go with your maths head on to work out the best deal!

Tesco own brand toiletries are just as good as brand names, but brand names are often on offer.

There's always at least one brand of baby food on a "x for £x" offer, or make your own which is cheaper still but not as convenient for out and about.

Watch out for offers on cups, bibs, bottles and other accessories and buy them when they are cheaper.

Ishtar

I've had a quick scan through the thread, but being distracted by my 4 year old, so apologies if it's already been mentioned, but NCT Nearly New Sales are fantastic! I got quite a bit from there when expecting the aforementioned monster. Mostly things cot bedding, a moses basket and other bits and pieces like newborn babygros.

I'd second freecycle/ebay as something to look at, and also, don't underestimate the generosity of friends and family - they'll all want to buy something and if you're not careful you'll have half a hundredweight of cuddly toys, none of which baby will be remotely interested in!

We had a Baby Bjorn sling, which I personally wouldn't recommend as it made my back and shoulders sore and I couldn't wear it for long. Also, I was concerned about the position DD was suspended in, with the support coming from between her legs.

As mentioned earlier, though, other slings are much more suitable - my sister used various types as her son grew up, which she's still using (he's now 2) and I think she's got a collection of at least a dozen (which I'm planning to purloin when this little one arrives - I'm 22 weeks pregnant at the moment).

In general, though, you don't need to spend a fortune - we had a budget of around £1200, including a travel system (our most expensive purchase, but which is still in great condition so can be used again) - and remember that baby magazines exist for the purpose of selling things on behalf of manufacturers! You won't need that special 'top and tail bowl' that they might list as essential....nor will you need 101 other 'useful' gadgets....Incidentally, we didn't spend that £1200 - we came in at just over £800....

HTH
D

Triggles

Oh god the top and tail bowl - so funny! And the nappy wipes warmer! Had DH in a fit laughing over that one!

Ishtar

Triggles wrote: »

And the nappy wipes warmer!

:rotfl: Surely not - I must've missed that one!

There was something that looked like a glorified bucket...'so that baby could bath in the foetal position, just like in the womb'....I ask you....

fernliebee

I saw in a magazine a mini 'treadmill' thing to put the wheels of the buggy on so the baby feels like it's moving!!!! It was really expensive too.

ginvzt

We have been to visit friends with baby this weekend in Italy and they have a fantastic contraption for bath time! Have a look here. It basically sits over the bath, so you it is quite a good height and it has a hose to let water out, so no heavy lifting required either. And all the useful toiletries can be stored next to you.

I am not sure where can you buy it in UK, but it is really great. (Yes, we did give a bath to the baby, so I saw it in use).

Edit: managed to put a picture!!!!