OS list of what you REALLY need for a first baby

ziggy2004

grrr baby just hit the delete button after i typeed a long post but any way I loved my Kari me sling in fact i still use it now. One size fits all with no adjusting straps. I got a sarseat in the sale at Mothercare for £15 and it doubles as a rocker it is birth to 13 kg so My DS still fits in (just gonna buy a new one next week). And someone to help you with breastfeeding (if that's the way you want to go) is fantastic I didn't know how to latch DS on properly and ended up with lots of lovebite type bruisses around my nipples once I had someone show me what to do I was fine.

Good luck in TCC

pickle

Although you probably won't want all on this list and some things I've not yet bought (I'm sure that I've bought far too much already )I thought I'd write it down so that you can see where things are available (if they still are) and a rough price guide:

Ethel Austin: bottle warmer (for when you're out) £1
bath thermometer £1
microwave steriliser £7 (includes bottles)
bottle brush £1

Asda: scratch mits 0.75p for two
baby bath £2.49

Tesco: baby bath - value brand about 50p
vaseline - can't remember about £2 I think
nipple shields - £4.50
milk formula for first stage - £7 approx.

Ikea:cot & mattress (and mattress pad) about £60 (left plastic on mattress as not pvc covered and then put mattress pad on top so as to be able to throw in the wash).

Health, home and beauty savers store - £3.49 for terry nappies (4 in pack)

Mothercare: MC Atlan Pram £70
Plastic pants for over terry nappies £3.50 for 4
Change Mat £4 (on special)

Toys r us: Chicco shuttle car seat £70

LIDL: Baby wipes 0.99p

Netto: Cot sheets £1 each (but probably not available now), cut up flannel sheet?

Charity Shops: All clothes and toys, baby carry sling, annabel Karmels baby food book, mobile, baby cotton blankets, pram blanket - probably no more than £30 at very most (but have bought a years supply of clothes!!!)

Boots: Maternity pads 0.99p
Nipper Grippers £3.50 for 3 in pack (instead of pins for terry nappies)

Things not yet bought: breast pump

Like others have said there are other ways to improvise, like the baby bath not being necessary. Best thing is to buy over a long period so you can compare prices and try and get as much as possible from the charity shops.

mummysaver

The advice to join the Boots parenting club is sensible - you get a really good sized changing bag with this! DD2 and DD3 use them for their dolls now, but they are pretty strong and contain a travel changing mat too. You will also be able to get the Avent set, which has a dummy, spoon and couple of containers in too. I think that it also contains a leaflet to get the free Bounty set from Boots as well.

You will also get sent vouchers for various freebies from Boots if you are a member.

Have a look at post two of the Boots thread, I think that Dave has listed everything you get, and the optimum time for joining and getting the offers.

Also forgot to mention National Childbirth Trust sales, contact your local one (google to find their number, or get it from the NCT head office), sales are held usually a couple of times a year, the stuff is generally really good quality. It's really just mum's getting rid of stuff that their children have outgrown or they don't need any more. You can find everything from clothes and buggies, to nappies and toys.

julybride

Can anyone help? (I've 10 weeks to go)

I've searched and searched, as i know there were posts about having an os baby, a debt free wanna be baby etc but can't find them an anyone point me in the right direction please. Iknow they had some really helpful ideas, and i wanted to add a few more and look through them again.

thriftlady_2

Is this the one ?
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=71893&highlight=nappies

It was tricky to locate, but I typed in 'nappies' in the search facility and had more luck than typing 'having a baby'

Money_Maker_Shaker

There is also quite a lot of helpful stuff about raising a baby on a budget over on the families, marriages & relationship board.

MMS

Bargain_Rzl

This is the "I'm having a Debt Free Wannabe Baby" thread...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=244061

redballoon_2

Is there a list on here somewhere for a complete list of things needed for a baby? (obviously o/s!)

If not what would be the things you would need to buy/borrow/etc?

Pink.

Hi redballon,

I've added your post into that thread. These others might help too:

Having a baby OS style???

will my baby be happy as an os baby?

OS nappies


Pink

Irisheyes648

In my experience soooooo much is a complete waste of money

YOU DON'T NEED

moses basket.....put baby straight in cot in own room, it gets them used to sleeping by themselves

baby bath, adult bath is just fine

top and tail bowl

changing bag, a large normal bag is fine

baby food warmer, microwave is just as good (shake well though) and for night feeds take a flask of warm water up with you and just add formula as needed

when going out measure dry formula into a pot and just take hot water with you, add formula to bottle and water when needed, the water will have cooled down to a drinkable temperature.

don't buy expensive electric sterilisers, the dishwasher does the same job as does a cold water steriliser

3 in 1 travel sytems are a complete waste of money as they are in them for such a short time, spend money on a good pushchair that reclines to completley flat for baby to sleep and that will be sufficient for a toddler too, our 2 year old boy still sleeps lovely in his as it lies flat, spend the rest on a good car seat that is suitable from birth up to a few years old...........we learnt the hard way

don't buy baby towel as nice as they are they soon get too small

spend money on loads of sleep suits, scratch mittens, body suits, loads and loads of muslins.......these are life saviours in my opinion better than bibs!! and baby bottles.

don't buy baby shampoo, soap etc, they don't need it and it only irritates their skin.

also my 2 year old hated his baby gym.........waste of money

HTH and good luck:A