New baby and the expense!

sandiep

Freecycle.

Best advice is simple, don't buy anything else until you actually need it (as in really need it, rather than think, that would be nice) Only address the problems that you have, rather than those you think you might have.

The baby industry is full of things that you use only a dozen times, and for the sake of a dozen times you can usually work around it.

If you've not got a pram yet, and you drive most places, then tbh you don't really need a pram, get a sling thing for when they're very small and by the time they start to grow out of that you can get a stroller.

sandiep

And get a cheap steamer and make your own baby food (freeze in ice cube trays), don't buy the premade stuff because that really, literally, is money down the drain.

(Steamers are better than saucepans because they switch themselves off even when you totally forget about them and so don't get a whole load of burnt mushed veggies)

tandraig

charity shops are great source of baby items - got loads of stuff for grandkids - even a new moses basket with bedding which obviously hadnt been used as still had shop tags on!! some sell strollers, baby gates etc too. toys - oh boy i got a box full of toys for the grandkids all from charity shops. clothes - again, many still with tags on. baby shawls and even some terry nappies! invaluable to have a few and some plastic pants for when you run out of disposables (and you will at some stage)
look out in wilkinsons as they seem to do lots of bogofs with things like baby wipes nappies etc. also pound shops can be a good source of baby items like bottles bibs vests etc - the quality isnt great but as they are outgrown fairly quickly and no one sees them - doesnt matter!
breast feeding is free - but do you qualify for the milk tokens? you can still use them for your own milk if you breastfeed.
I make the grandkids baby food from whatever i am making for family...blitz well with a blender or stick blender then freeze in one portion packs. healthier and much more nutritious than jars. also gets baby used to the food we actually eat as a family!
good luck hun - just remember that most of the items deemed essential today - AREN'T. a baby needs to be kept clean well fed warm and most of all - loved!

tandraig

arrgh forgot to mention dogs..............while i agree with keeping dogs out of bedroom closing the door is best - safer too - look for baby monitors in charity shops boot sales etc. downstairs - if you really feel you need to keep dogs away from the baby be very careful here as you could without meaning to make the dogs jealous....and that can lead to trouble. what i did when bringing my babies (all three of them but not all at once and had only the one dog a female staffordshire bull terrier) was bring the baby in and take its shoes off then i called dog (which my OH had shut in kitchen til i was ready) and allowed her to sniff baby all over while telling her what a good girl she was. when dog got to the licking stage i allowed her to lick the babies feet. she mothered the babies from then on - even to the stage where she was a little overprotective and wouldnt allow visitors near the baby! i always said she was my best babysitter as i could go upstairs and she would brave the no upstairs rule to come get me if baby cried.
I hope you dont think this is presumptive of me - but there was case recently where two dogs killed a baby and i couldnt help thinking that it may have been because the dogs werent allowed near it so couldnt bond with it.
hate to hear of things like this happening.

kj*daisy

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) nearly new sales. It's the time of year for them now - our branches is 4th Oc. Check the website - you can get fantastic bargains on equipment etc at those.

shirlgirl2004

sandiep wrote: »

Freecycle.

Best advice is simple, don't buy anything else until you actually need it (as in really need it, rather than think, that would be nice) Only address the problems that you have, rather than those you think you might have.

The baby industry is full of things that you use only a dozen times, and for the sake of a dozen times you can usually work around it.

If you've not got a pram yet, and you drive most places, then tbh you don't really need a pram, get a sling thing for when they're very small and by the time they start to grow out of that you can get a stroller.

Agree with all of that except they don't have to grow out of slings. just today I was carrying my 2 stone plus 2 1/2 year old in a sling. We have only put her in a pushchair about 6 times and really didn't need one. For cheap slings try the yahoo group ukbabywearingswap or https://www.thebabywearer.com (mainly american but also some UK) and if you want to try before you buy then https://www.slingmeet.co.uk is great.

tandraig

agree with shirlgirl - slings are brilliant!!! another moneysaving thought- My DD did this - think of items under ten or five pounds which you think are essential or would realy like! then if people ASK what you would like them to buy for baby - you can either - hand them a wish list or tell them something off it based on how much you think they can afford. there were loads of under fiver items! and it doesnt matter if its duplicated!

lisamummytoarchieplusbump

sign up to all the bay clubs for samples and money off vouchers

http://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Default.aspx?TabId=875&ssl=true

http://www.tesco.com/babyclub/

http://www.boots.com/en/Mother-Baby/Parenting-Club/

http://www.mamasandpapas.com/ request a cataloge it has a £5 voucher in it

http://www.cowandgate.co.uk/

http://www.hippbabyclub.co.uk/index.php?gclid=COCozvnO_pwCFVtm4wodylk9bw

http://www.bounty.com/

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/motherBabyClub.jsf

http://www.aptamil.co.uk/en/home.asp

http://www.pampers.co.uk/en_GB/home

http://www.huggiesclub.co.uk/bump-on-board/home

there are others but just done these ones to get you started.

but agree with the other posters try car boots and freecycle.

i bought a cot bed for my first child he stayed in that from birth till i bought him a toddler bed when he was about 18months -2 years as i was pregnant with my second, shes been in it from birth and in a few months will be converting it to a bed so best money i spent

hope it helps

Glamazon

carboots, ebay and freecycle

my LO was kitted out using all of the above - I've spent no more than £200 on stuff for him and tbh most of the stuff I do have, I don't NEED.

All I actually need is somewhere for him to sleep - I have a moses basket but we have done co-sleeping in the spare room, something to eat - steriliser and bottles (I can't BF but this is obviously cheaper) and clothes - most of the time he is in babygro and vest unless we are having visitors or going out.

Baby bath and changing unit do make life a bit easier but there are times I change him on the floor and I could just bath him in the big bath or sink.

When he comes along, you'll have your Child Benefit which will more than cover food and nappies.

ASDA baby event is on - stock up on nappies while they are on offer. I got almost 200 yesterday!

Good luck with it - my little man is 2 weeks old and I can't imagine life without him! It's amazing being a Mum!

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

I am planning no 2 in the near future and as with no 1 his/her stuff will be mostly preloved as I think so much money is wasted and if anyone I know gets precious about buying second hand I tell them it is more environmentally friendly ( recycling & no excess packaging )
I have had some great bargains and to date I have managed to get what would have cost £2967.50 new for £356.80 so I make that about 12% of the average retail price....bargain !! ( i'm really very sad keeping a list of all I have bought, the rrp and what I paid for it so I can see how much I saved)

Having already had one child ( now starting school ) I would say loads of the 'must have items' are rarely used

Things I have found cheaply and found useful for my 1st child

Sleeping bags rrp £20ish cost at bootsale £1ish
Moses basket with stand etc rrp £60ish at bootsale £10 ( will get new mattress )
Steriliser rrp £40 at bootsale £1
Fisher price aquarium bath centre rrp £37 bootsale £3
Bouncing chair rrp £60 bootsale £3
Play Ring rrp 340 bootsale £1
Supabath rrp 337 bootale £3

These items are in remarkably good condition as a newborn is not sore on items and most things now have detachable covers for washing
The bootsale prices are average prices you would pay at any bootsale ( & believe me I go to quite a few ) if you google local bootsales in your area you will be amazed at what you can pick up for a fraction of the price and it's so much fun

And as my last child outgrew his things I sold them on ebay mostly at a profit to purchase the things he would need for the next phase

Don't feel pressured to buy everything on the shelves in Mothercare etc as most of it is not essential and some of it isn't even useful also ask friends/family who have small children if there is anything you could borrow

Most of all don't get stressed as it isn't good for baby - Good Luck with your new arrival