New baby essentials for a chas-strapped and confused couple (CALLING ALL PARENTS!)

thorsoak

I would say that the thing you shouldn't stint on is a baby carseat - but make sure that it is one that is comfortable to carry! They will need one any time they go in a car/taxi - and from my experience with grandbabies, whilst they are tiny, they are often of more use these days than a pram!

caz1984_2

I think it's a lovely thing for you to do!
I am expecting my second baby and we live in a 2 bedroomed flat. This is what i have bought (all new), and the shops where i got it.

Toy's r us Graco Double buggy with car seat £230 (you can get a great single version with car seat for £200)
Mothercare Takeley Cot and Mattress £122.50 (using 10% off voucher)
Asda Cot bedding bundle, 2 sets £30 (this is 8 sheets, and 2 blankets, and the quality is just as good as Mothercare)
Asda Cellular baby blankets x 3 £18
Tesco Disney Baby Vibrating Bouncer £15 (sale, was £25)
Toy's r us Playmat £20
Tesco Disney Baby Changing Mat £9
Boots Changing Bag FREE
Ebay Babasling (it's a baby carrier) £16
Tesco baby bath and top and tail bowl £8
Tesco 2 pack hooded baby towels £5.68
Tesco 12 Muslin squares £10.88
Asda 10 plain bibs £3
Asda Johnston's Baby Bath Box £10 (Asda event)
Asda 2 baby sponges £2
Boots 2 baby flannels £2.50
Boots Baby Emery boards £1
Asda Baby Brush/comb set £3
Asda baby thermometer £7
Asda bath thermometer £4
Tesco 2 Summer Infant Nasal Aspirators £6 (these are BRILLIANT)
Tesco Baby nail scissors/clippers £2
Tesco Cotton wool pads x 300 £4
Tesco Sudocrem £3
Asda 2 pairs scratch mitts £4
Asda 9 first size vests £12
Asda 9 vests 0-3 months £12
Asda 9 first size sleepsuits £12
Asda 9 sleepsuits 0-3 months £12
Asda 4 baby hats £10
Asda Snowsuit 0-3 months £10
Asda 3 Sleeping bags 0-6 months £36 (these are equally brilliant!)
Asda baby jacket 0-3 months £8

That is basically everything they will need for the first 3 months. Everything else is just window dressing (I learnt that the hard way with my firstborn!) Moses baskets aren't necessary, they are quickly outgrown and the baby is just as comfy in a sleeping bag in a cot in the parent's room. The above cot is very compact and fits easily into our tiny bedroom!
I am breastfeeding this time but for my son i got a steriliser, bottles and accessories for £45. He used SMA gold first milk and used 6 cans in his first month which will cost £42. The baby will probably go through about 250 nappies in the first month so about £40 for that (asda again).

Sorry for the novel, but i hope this helps you.

Carol

Rachel021967

Please excuse me I have not read this thread but what I would include are:

Cot with a good mattress
3 in one pram, pushchair and baby car seat. 3 wheelers are easier to push over rough ground.
Bedding for cot and pram - I would have at least 3 sets, especially if they turn out to be a sicky baby. Also don't buy homemade blankets with large holes as babies fingers might get caught.

Steam steriliser and 6 bottles with newborn teats.

Baby vests
Babygrows
Cardigans/ jackets
If the baby is born early to mid spring they will need 2 coats or snowsuits.
Gloves
Hats
socks.
Nappies, wipes, cotton wool and nappy sacks .


I find with my elder two that they were too big for newborn clothes and nappies and my third daughter wasn't in them for very long. I wouldn't go overboard with the newborn clothes.

I would go shopping with the parents so they can get what they want and not get duplicates from kind people like yourself. Also if the parents are on a low income they might get a £500 grant from the government (used to 5 years ago). Also they might appreciate some of the money a little later to buy the next size car seat (not cheap), stair gates and winter clothes.

Marcheline

I'd recommend this car seat: it works from birth til around 4 they say. My daughter is nearly 3 and is getting a bit big for it now, but she is VERY tall for her age. http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/first-class-plus

I'd buy a cheap moses basket off a local market (as they're not in them for long) if you feel they must have one, but it's not TOTALLY necessary and a good quality cotbed from somewhere like Mothercare.

I've been through 3 prams with my daughter, the most expensive one lasted the least amount of time and the cheapest has been the longest lasting!

I found muslin wipes helpful and although I breastfed most of the time, I found the steriliser I'd been given helpful, so I'd recommend one of those too.

Glamazon

Just wanted to tell you some things I've bought and wish I hadn't

Baby Bath - used it for about 3 weeks, he now just goes in the big bath

Moses Basket - grew out of it by 8 weeks so is now in his big cot. I would probably go for a crib instead of a moses basket or use the carrycot part of the travel system. Babies can also sleep in a pram if need be - as long as they have a flat surface they can sleep anywhere. I remember being told by someone on the Parent Club to line a drawer with blankets and pop him in there!

Too many outfits, Jack was only 6lbs so the newborn stuff was to big. He ended up with 6 Tiny Baby outfits which he probably wore each one about twice

Hooded baby towels - can just use normal towels

Baby bath stuff - I have a ton of shampoo, baby lotion, baby oil etc which I've not even used yet. Just water with a tiny dash of baby bath.

Changing unit - it came free with the cot however I tend to just throw the changing mat on the floor downstairs and change him there.

If they join the Boots Baby Club you get a free changing bag - I use this. It's not the biggest bag but it fits everything you need.

Regarding feeding, whilst Breast is Best sometimes it's not possible. A tin of formula is around £7 and lasts between 5-7 days.

The ASDA baby event - stock up on nappies and wipes (although you can just use cotton wool and water instead of wipes, but IMO this is a bit of a faff. I got my Tommee Tippee Steriliser in the event and there were free bottles inside so I only had to buy an extra 3 bottles so that I had 6.

Definitely check out freecycle, ebay and car boots - I bought everything second hand except car seat, cot, moses basket. I got a Silver Cross 3D Jet Sport Pram on Freecycle :money:

There is loads of advice on this website - good luck with it all

bebebelle

Thanks Glamazon nothing like advice from those that have gone before you

I will take your advice and cut back !! when its my time !!! you were so lucky to get that pram.

My mum is so against getting anything second hand...........it drives me crazy.