Baby Budget?

sooty&sweep

Hi

Think carefully about what type of pram / pushchair you want and how you are going to use it.

I walked alot from my house into our local shopping centre and so we had a medium size pram that converted into a pushchair. I found it very comfortable to push and the shopping basket underneath was a godsend. It was also really comfortale for my children so they both slept happily in it.
I put them to sleep in it during the day as it mean't they could be close to me where ever I was.
It wasn't the cheapest around but I used it for both my children.
I also had a small umbrella pushchair for the back of the car.
I suppose what I'm saying is be careful and don't rush and buy something because its cheap because if it doesn't suit your needs in the long run its no bargain.

We have a nursery agency near to us that sells secondhand baby gear. Its also a great way of disposing of baby gear when you've finished with it. The advantage is you can see before you buy.

Best Wishes

inkie

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....

That will be the tummy tub, where baby bathes vertically rather than horizontally. As a midwife, I find that the tummy tub seems to be more settling for babe, as they are immersed in the water more greatly than a traditional baby bath. SAme effect can be acheived with a large bucket.

keelykat

yes ive seen those tubs for babies, actually seemed a good idea to me? but i wouldnt pay loads for one.

keely.

fernliebee

I use the kitchen sink for my girly

She loves it and can splash as much as she likes as it's easy to wash the floor. Our sink is quite deep, when she was tiny she could lay in it and now she is a bit bigger she sit's up in there. Good for your back too as it's the ideal height! IMHO I think the tummy tub's sound good for when they are tiny, but from about 2 months my LO loved to splash around and play, and there doesn't seem to be much room for that in them. Just my first thought though as I haven't used one.
It's tricky when pre buying though as you don't know what is going to suit your baby. With online shopping, I just bought the bare essentials and bought as we needed stuff, pretty much anything is next day, and the 'big' purchases tended to be essentials so we already had!

Kerriebaby

Thanks for all the help and tips guys..

A few of the websites suggested a few other "bare essentials" the only prob I would have is my business.

Sarahsaver

most of what magazines tell you you need you do not.
your baby will need to be warm, clean, fed and most of all loved.
I got a new cot £70 from john lewis not including mattress, terry nappies but we also just got given more spares, and i bought a few clothes but been given lots. breastfeeding too so no need for steriliser (we got given one anyway!) or bottle warmers/carriers etc.
changing bag got one from amazon, buggy was a vgc secong hand mutsy for £60 they are £300 new
my dd's 'changing mat' is a remenant of waterproof tablecloth stuff 50p from dunelm, with a cloth/towel over the top
she has a bath but it was dd1's from a car boot sale 11yrs ago and now on child no 4
and we got a car seat new but we had long got rid of the old one.

Kerriebaby

I did buy a baby mag a few weeks ago, and was shocked at the cost of some of the items, and the "essentials" list. I even had a stroll in Mothercare, and fell in love with a Winnie the Pooh cot!

Im so sad!

skintchick

On slings, my friend Karen makes them and her site is here
http://www.slingeasy.co.uk/

jamstar.uk

you spend what you can afford you will probably receve lots from friends/family/workmates etc and if you have family who had kids youl find they have loads lying around

we personally spent a fortune on things but were in aposition to do so havent really noticed a real difference money wise each month you cut down on things like beer nights out will be a thing of the past now anyway lol

agree with other posters on the freecycle site weve offered a few things we no longer need to people most things hardly used and in brand new condition its nice to know your helping someone out and in most cases they wll offer it up when they dont need it either

Kerriebaby

Okay...from this thread so far...

I NEED

Reuseable Nappies
Baby Changing mat ( of sorts! )
Bouncing Chair
Baby Lotion etc
Towels
Small selection of clothes/bibs etc
Car seat
Pushchair/Pram ( is it wrong that I really like the old fashioned styles best?!)
Cot/Moses basket
Mattress
Bed clothes

plus maybe 3-4 months worth of wages in the bank ( just in case )

am I missing anything