MSE help needed for first baby

tiamai_d

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Have added a few comments in blue . I'd say borrow as much as you can and also get second hand things.
All the best.
x

You've made me search ebay for a feeding cushion as I had forgotten about them! Naughty!

karen1907

Thanks - Skintchick,rozeepozee, MrsTine, OrkneyStar, Tigsteroonie, tiamai_d, Glamazon
Gosh you were meant to help me not confuse me more!!! From the sounds of it car boots are a must. I need to sign up to some places so I get notifications of things. Does the Asda baby event get promoted? Or can I sign up? I am so green on this it is unbelievable.
Definitely get new car seat and mattress.

Glamazon

karen1907 wrote: »

Thanks - Skintchick,rozeepozee, MrsTine, OrkneyStar, Tigsteroonie, tiamai_d, Glamazon
Gosh you were meant to help me not confuse me more!!! From the sounds of it car boots are a must. I need to sign up to some places so I get notifications of things. Does the Asda baby event get promoted? Or can I sign up? I am so green on this it is unbelievable.
Definitely get new car seat and mattress.

Keep an eye on Pregnancy Thread - We'll let u know when the baby events are - Tesco's have them as well!

The ASDA one was in February and again in May so there should be one around Sept/Oct time. I signed up to ASDA, Tesco, Boots and loads more I can't remember!

OrkneyStar

tiamai_d wrote: »

You've made me search ebay for a feeding cushion as I had forgotten about them! Naughty!

Oh sorry.
I had a crappy blow up one that was ditched as soon as a friend leant me her Jo-Jo Maman one!

tiamai_d

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Oh sorry.
I had a crappy blow up one that was ditched as soon as a friend leant me her Jo-Jo Maman one!

So the blow up one is crap? Will need to wait till my pinecone money goes in then will look

workinmummy

I too have been buying a few items each month. And they really do start to add up.

If you're looking for a sterliser, check the Tommee Tippee website. They did have electronic and microwave sterlisers at great prices. Can't see any offers on the site now, but they may come around again. There was also a discount code knocking around which dropped the price even more.
Quite a few people from the pregnancy thread got the Tommee Tippee sterilisers and breast pumps at the Asa baby event. And i did see some in TK Maxx at the weekend, but can't for the life of my baby brain, remember how much. I also got bargain bottles from the MAM site, when they were selling 3 packs for BOGOF.

I searched my local area (10 mile radius -so no postage) on ebay and got a lovely immaculate moses basket with stand and matching bouncer for £25. (I got lucky, the lovely seller,even threw in a cot mobile and uplighter)

Have yet to visit any car-boots - due to them all being on a sunday morning and having other family commitments, but have been very jealous of others (Glam) bargains.

Matalan have cot / cotbed bedding in packs - 2 for £10, these are to be my next purchase. I think its two sheets or one celular blanket per pack.

Nappies i stocked up on Newborn disposable nappies, when sainsburys were selling them for £1 a pack.

As said before sign up for all the parent clubs, as use your vouchers. I'm off to boots this week to buy my newborn pampers nappies and get my free changing bag.

I need a cotbed mattress, my in-laws want to buy one. The local baby shop is selling them for around £120. But these can be found much, much cheaper on line. And even thought it is their money, i really don't want them to spend that much. But they are not internet savvy and would rather "see" the item. (To be truthful, i'd be ecstatic if they gave me the £120, i could get a mattress for £50/£60 online and use the rest towards, some draws,a blackout blind and paint for the nursery - may put this to OH;))

Also have been given a Graco Quattro travel system, that looks brand new. Do not be afraid to take things that are offered. If you don't want them in the end, give away, ebay or carboot them yourself. Also been given loads of neutral vest, baby grow and cardigan by my best mate. Donated by her brother and sister, who both have one year old girls. If i knew i was having a girl, i could have been all set for the first twelve months. Me and my bright idea of wanting a suprise! Oh well!

Sorry i've rambled, i keep a spreadsheet of the things i want/need and what i have bought. Am shocked to see my tally is at only £122.00, but that does not include for the nappies and toiletries i have bought, so probably more like £150.00. Wow. Yay me:T

OrkneyStar

tiamai_d wrote: »

So the blow up one is crap? Will need to wait till my pinecone money goes in then will look

Actually the blow up one (Boots) was not crappy per se but crappy compared to a lovely soft blue striped one! I had a c-section so needed plenty of cushioning for feeding for first few weeks! Actually the normal hospital pillow worked ok too!

got-it-spend-it

Some fab advice on here already. I totally agree that car boots are fab- I'm going to be picking up some clothes at our local one once we know the flavour. I have found that there is not much neutral stuff (or maybe the neutral stuff goes earlier as I never get there till 9:30-10am)! I think charity shops can also be good for clothes. Some of the newborn and 0-3 months stuff is brand new- I think people get given so much that they never use it all so just donate it. Near me it seems to be priced at 50p-£1 per item and you can get some good brands like Next or Ladybird.

I'm also trying to be money neutral by saving up cashback on Quidco and Topcashback, and also by eBaying any old junk I have lying about. This also has the added advantage of clearing much needed space!

aless02

Just saying thank you for the hints on here! I'm also a 1st timer (and skint!) so all this advice is very helpful

Fitzio

Hi Karen,

Lots of good advice on here already. Couple of points -

Be careful on stocking up on too many nappies/wipes before baby is born. Some babies don't agree with certain brands, so it can be false economy!

My friend's mother had her old cot up the loft, and is using that for when baby is at her house, but due to the age of it, she has to get a mattress made for it. I was surprised that somewhere will make a mattress for £30, but just thought it was worth mentioning in case it happens to you and you can't get it that cheap.

If you are buying new - shop around. We bought our travel system from different places - pushchair unit from Pram Centre, carrycot from Mothercare (May Bank Holiday discount weekend) and car seat from Tesco (clubcard vouchers making it half price).