Cheap Baby Stuff

pickle

As I have a while before the baby is born I've been able to collect things as I go. I'm amazed at the quality and bargains available in the charity shops. I've bought a years supply of clothing for probably about £40 max. (and I've gone completely overboard!). A lot of it is high street store labels and in excellent condition (after a wash). Other things I've bought (or seen and haven't bought) are a baby bath, nappy stacker, cot bumper, bibs, cellular blanket, pram blankets, baby activity centre and baby carrier. Also I've got the occasional item from the supermarket if they're discounted eg. cot sheets for £1 from netto. I just wish I'd scoured the charity shops before buying some of the newborn items!!! But luckily only bought a few before I realised what a bargain the charity shops were.

finc

Personally I didn't bother with a cot bumper or nappy stacker for either of mine as they aren't necessary.

I bought a rattan basket with lid from Asda which cost about £7.50 for 3 which I store all my nappies, wipes, bath stuff and anything else that hasn't got a proper home in. They can also be used when you no longer need the nappies.

Cot bumpers aren't always recommended by midwives for the safety aspect if they come undone and only serve a decorative purpose really.

Don't go too mad on the blankets and sheets as well. Buy one of the baby sleeping bags (can be used from approx 7lb onwards) as these remove the need for blankets unless it's really cold and your baby can't kick them off or get tangled up in them. I just these were invented when I had my 1st!

Also check out the NCT website, they often hold sales for 2nd hand baby items that are generally in as good as new condition.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth

pickle

Thanks. I bought the cot bumper (but realised later it was completely unnecessary and possibly dangerous when I'd read the book the hospital gave me) and didn't bother with the nappy stacker. It took a little while to realise that there is a mountain of stuff which they try to flog you which you simply don't need. Thanks for the tip about the NCT website I'll check it out - still lots of stuff to get yet. The sleeping bag sounds good - could be easier when breastfeeding too!

Karnam

as with most things.... the bigs things are cheaper online

glasgowpramcentre.co.uk, kiddicare.com etc

Lillibet_2

Would def recommend sleeping bags, much easier for night time feeds however you are feeding. We do actually use our cot bumper (it came with the quilt or I wouldn't have bothered) but we have it tied to the outside of the cot to keep the draughts out;) Don't bother with a baby bath, get one of the big baby sponges which they can lay in in the regular bath, much easier to use (and store when not in use).

Keep boxes etc & re-sell on ebay once baby is done with things. I always check the 50p basket in charity shops & have bought brand new Gap & Next stuff which Spud wears all of 3 times before he outgrows, then I bundle sizes together and list using the brand names & it sells really well:D I'm almost breaking even on costs! (Well, I would be if I kept the money for myself but I'm putting it in Spuds bank:rolleyes:)

code-a-holic

I too have done well out of charity shops for getting all of babies clothes for the first year and more for pennies!
Ebay shops are very good for large items!

pickle

Thanks for all the responses! It's so good to get other people's advice who've done this before. It's all a bit new to me and I'm realising the more I learn, the more there is to learn!

Still looking on the internet for big items, haven't tried the glasgow site yet. I'm thinking I might carry the baby around in the car seat for 1st 3 months (or in baby carrier) and then buy a stroller for 3 months plus as they seem cheaper than the newborn prams and they look easier to manage. Is this practical? I think I wouldn't be too active as I anticipate I'll probably be trying to get the hang of it all for a few months and trying to do as little as possible.

How big are the sponges for the bath? I feel a bit stupid asking but I haven't seen anything like that - do they have them at mothercare or similar? I'm a complete novice at this baby business. I also got lots of Next, Osh Kosh etc from the charity shop. Why pay for new? I figure that you can just put any spare money away for when they're older when they'll be asking for it.

I've never used Ebay, so I find it a bit intimidating. Do you have to pay shipping costs? I should give it a go, everyone here is always saying how good it is!

Rubyru_3

I wouldn't recommend just using a car seat for 3 months.Midwifes etc warn you that prolonged periods in baby carriers can be linked with spinal damage and other back problems.You can but lightweights that are suitable from birth.it wont do your back much good either.

Check Mothercare as they offer a 12 month guarantee on some light weights,
Its worth having a good hunt about.

HTH

randy_4

Babies are supposed to lie flat and should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours. They are usually okay to go into a stroller from about 6 months, according to the guidelines. You could use a sling to carry baby, but not everyone gets on with these.

Another great place for free stuff is Freecycle. Just choose the one for your area: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclelondon/messages. I got a moses basket on there for nothing, just have to buy a new mattress.

The only thing I have bought for our baby is a few pre-loved cloth nappies, which I want to try out when the creature finally arrives.

We have been give so much stuff by family and colleagues - I have clothing to last the 1st year at least!

The only thing I am insisting on new is the pram and car seat.

I find that people keep on asking what they can buy for us so I have prepared a list of what we need and I am ticking things off there as we go along.

Happy saving!

asquiths_2

found a great site where i bought my baby car carrier from cost £25 haven't seen it anywhere else and everyone always comments on how trendy and nice it is.

https://www.kimsbabycentre.com

bylromarha

pickle wrote:

How big are the sponges for the bath? I feel a bit stupid asking but I haven't seen anything like that - do they have them at mothercare or similar? I'm a complete novice at this baby business. I also got lots of Next, Osh Kosh etc from the charity shop. Why pay for new? I figure that you can just put any spare money away for when they're older when they'll be asking for it.

I've never used Ebay, so I find it a bit intimidating. Do you have to pay shipping costs? I should give it a go, everyone here is always saying how good it is!

Sponges are about 40cm x 20cm with an indent of a baby torso + head. Get them in Mothercar for about £6. They aren't essential, but we found ours really useful as it stops that lovely soft skin slipping all over the bath!

You do have to pay P+P on ebay. It really is worth giving it a good look...although don't be fooled into thinking that everything on there is a bargain as some people really hike up their P +P costs so you end up paying more for the item from ebay than you would in the shop.