Cheap Baby Stuff

happymummy24-7

my daughter is 4 weeks old and a word of advice THEY GROW TOO FAST,lol.
she has already ougrown 0-3 month clothes and i would really advise you to buy a car seat that attaches onto either the buggy or just the chassis because ive already discovered that i cant carry her any distance in the seat without serious pain in my arm and back-she was 8lb 2oz so shes just normal weight but its a mixture of weight and the seats not being designed with comfortable carrying for mum in mind!I have a mamas and papas travel system and its great coz the seat just clicks on and off it-keep your eye on the mamas and papas website for really good offers,they always sell past season colours at REALLY good prices.
I also have found she has outgrown first size nappies at 2weeks old as she can pee for miles,lol so dont stockpile tem just incase,i had to give away 2 packets of newborn huggies :-( hope your keeping well xxx laura

finc

I agree with happymummy, my travel system was invaluable. I had one with a carrycot as well so I didn't need a moses basket and my son slept in that every night for the first 3 months.

Carrying them around in a car seat is very hard work and can give you nasty bruises on the inside of your elbow if you're like me and bruise easily

If you have a good look around many travel systems aren't that expensive, I had a chicco one which was almost identical styling to the mamas and papas one but cost me £230 for the pram, car seat, carrcot and raincover. It was a cople of years ago but there are bargains to be had!

On the subject of nappies, neither of my 2 fit into newborn nappies as they were both huuuuge babies so agree don't stock up on them. You can always buy more later if you need them.

thriftyflower

You could get a pushchair which is suitable from birth, like the Mclaren Techno, a great buggy and it lies flat, I think Costco were selling it cheap recently. I got mine from Kiddicare, about £120, its really good quality, folds small, lightweight, easy to push and turn, and lies flat so baby can sleep and is really comfy, and also his back is supported. I love it!! Some of the mamas and papas ones go flat too.

Grogg

I bought my pram/travel system second hand for just £70. It is immaculate and was only used a few times as the wheels were too big to fit into the persons car.

Karnam

i have the travel system quinny/maxi cosi. i know its a car seat but i generally dont leave her in it for very long, after a few hours i take baby out and hold her for a bit as nromally she wants a cuddle/feed/nappy change after a few hours

across

i couldnt believe it today when i went in the kiddies section of IKEA and saw a cot for £28ish pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hope this of use to someone because they arent in them long anyway! they had lots of reasonably priced baby things there it's worth a look! changers as well! good luck!

Karnam

i have a DIKTAD changing unit and love it. its not neccessary but its nice

HappySad

Rubyru wrote:

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

What is a "light weight"?

HappySad

thriftyflower wrote:

You could get a pushchair which is suitable from birth, like the Mclaren Techno, a great buggy and it lies flat, I think Costco were selling it cheap recently. I got mine from Kiddicare, about £120, its really good quality, folds small, lightweight, easy to push and turn, and lies flat so baby can sleep and is really comfy, and also his back is supported. I love it!! Some of the mamas and papas ones go flat too.

I would second this advice. I have found mothers with travel systems say that they are OK for the first 6months then they are useless. The Mclaren will be very useful from birth to when they are walking. They are light and easy to get on buses, trains & fold down easily for the car.

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Don't buy any toys for your baby until you have a read of this. You can order it from your library (saving in not buying it)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0746001339/ref=pd_ir_imp/202-0712184-1172635

It give you loads & loads of ideas of what you can use around the house to safely entertain & educate your baby/toddler. It makes you look at your childs future toys in a different way. I now go into Early Learning Centre for inspiration for what I can make together with my son for him to play with. All free and when you are finished with just recycle it.

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Don't buy any massage oil for your baby (nasty chemicals in it and its expensive). Just use olive oil. My midwife recommed it and used it in her baby massage classes.

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Reduce your baby's exposure to nasty chemicals
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/factsheets/survey_childrens_brands.html

pickle

Thanks everyone! It sounds like I'll give the car seat as carrier a miss if I intend going out for a lengthy periods. I didn't realise it could cause damage if used for a long time. I'm not sure yet how much I'll be wanting to get out and about the 1st 3 months. I don't think I'd keep them in it for a long time. Might see how I feel later down the track. I might be desperate to get out and about!! I found a NCT event coming up where they're selling second hand goods (thanks to Finc's suggestion) so I'll look for some cheap stuff there. I might get some more ideas and be able to have a good look at the different products and see if I can have a look at a Mclaren system. I was looking today when I went out and some of the prams are Huge! I don't think I'd manage to lift them! So definitely the lighter the better.

I've bought standard terry nappies. Thought I might stick to 12 nappies and see how I like it before buying more. Got a bag of Duplo from the charity shop for 99p - bargain!