pregnant, need advice please :)

McKneff

i was amazed how many travel systems were for sale at car boot sales
for around £30/£40. The were practically brand new. The stall holders said they just couldnt sell them as
everybody wanted new.
OP, youre early in your pregnancy, hang on for a few months if you can and go to a few in the spring. Its amazing what baby things you can find for just a few pounds.
Have a look round now for any indoor car boot sales in your area.

kezlou

First of all congratulations!! :T

Okay i would ask on freecycle for baby equipment first, the site are a god send and people generally are desperate to off load baby stuff as soon as its too small.A friend of mine managed to get a black bag full of moses basket sheets and newborn clothes that practically never been used. Turns out the people had bought a moses basket but their baby had grown out it within four weeks of being born.
Hunt round ebay, charity shops and car boot sales you'll find plenty of bargains.

If your planning on buying new i would recommend only buying neutral colours that they can be used for both boys/girls.DONT buy suits i know they cute but trust me the baby will literally grow out of them straight away.

Other places to try is poundshop they sell bibs, baby wipes, cotton wool etc for dirt cheap. Boots is very good for breast pads, if your planning on breast feeding, they also have a baby club which if you sign up for (its free), you'll get lots of free stuff. Sainsburys do a pack as well for free.Wilkinsons is also good for changing mats etc

I wouldn't buy a bottle warmer they are a load of rubbish and take ages to actually warm the milk. I had a cold water steriliser and they were fantastic and far cheaper than the electric ones.
Boots own brand nappies are really good, never used reusable ones so can't offer advice regarding them. I used to use towels when i ran i ran out of nappies. Happened quite a number of times esp when they have bad tummies.

Just remember to rest and eat regularly and above all enjoy your pregnancy!

Indie_Kid

Congratulations!

Some of the things you are asking about are personal preferance and you may need to experiment as to what suits you and baby best.

RE: bottle warmers - just fill up a thermos flask with boiled water to use when out, and use a jug at home. I used to do a work placement at a nursery and jugs of boiled water were used.

For nappies, again this is personal preferance. But when out, would you really want to carry around a soiled nappy? When I did my child care course, we had to find out whether disposables were cheaper than reuseable and found that when you add up the extra washing, disposables are cheaper.

McKneff

Baby wipes are a reall rip off, make your own or use cheapo paper hankies.
Home bargains comes into its own for baby toiletries.

Mens Kleenex hankies are pretty strong and are far far cheaper than nappy liners in reusable nappies.

Madmel

sh1305 wrote: »

When I did my child care course, we had to find out whether disposables were cheaper than reuseable and found that when you add up the extra washing, disposables are cheaper.

That's a new one on me! Reusable nappies are cheaper than disposables. If you check up on sites like the Women's Environmental Network, there certainly used to be some comparisons.

Washable nappies don't have to be boil washed. They can wash at 30 degrees with sanitizer. I always line dried mine and saved a fortune compared with using disposables. One thing which is rarely taken into account is the "explosions" of newborn breast fed poo which used to bounce off my DDs disposables necessitating a full change of clothes several times each day. Once in cloth, the problem stopped immediately.

I agree with other posters about using Freecycle and not bothering with a high chair yet. We used Ikea baby stuff too, it was good for 2 children and would almost certainly last for another. I also recommend not bothering with a travel system. A good car seat is a must but a decent sling, preferably a ring one rather than the baby bjorn style, will last until the baby can go into an umbrella type buggy.

Have you got relatives who would like to buy something for the baby when it arrives? Perhaps this is a way of getting something special rather than having to buy it yourself. Congratulations and enjoy being pregnant!

dawn_rose

hiya hun im expecting too (my third) id say good car seat, baby sling and maclaren pushchair. im gonna be getting a wrap sling for this one as then i have a hand free for the school run with other kids. a bouncy chair is invaluable esp if you get a pukey baby sitting uprightish after a feed and they get to see the world. also good for settling them if unhappy coz they like the motion bounce it with your foot why you eat your tea ect. maternity coats i wouldnt bother just nip to primark and pick up a larger size coat for about 12 quid. i used both cloth and disposables on mine. disposables i use own brand pampers and like are money down the drain. aldi do 50 nappies for 5 quid asda often have offers on or buy in bulk in tesco and get your clubcard points. join boots parenting club and get a free bag (only time id buy the pampers lol). matresses for cot about 30 quid from kiddicare. good luck i wish you a fab pregnancy always hear for a chat.

fernliebee

Like others I have a maclaren and used it from birth, I think with the Techno XLR, you can actually get the matching car seat and use it as a travel system, and there are other umbrella fold buggies which do the same now I think. I would say go to a shop test out all the different types then buy on kiddicare.com or ebay.

louloulouisa

Wow thanks everyone

jackomdj - Hi Nicky, thanks for your reply. I have taken your advice and just asked for a maternity coat on freecycle (put a couple of bits to give on there too)
good idea about the travel system & highchair. I need a mattress, as I wasn't going to use a moses basket, but thanks I will try local retailers.

McKneff - Thanks for your reply. yup 'JMW77' is right mc = miscarriage. and 'esio trot' was right about my immune system. Hope your immune system behaves.

milliebear00001 - Thanks for your reply. Well I did ponder if I needed a Travel system, I had one with my 2nd child, and it really helped when you don't want to disturb them when your doing the school run, and its feeding time and you're thinking 'stay asleep'! - but I know they're only in them for 6 months??? on the other hand I totally see your point. Good idea about the coat, I will see if anyone get back to me, if not, I'm off down to Asda to get a big tent (Thanks 'beckseven') Ikea - great idea, couldn't see the 'Ditto highchair' but saw one for 10.99! - thanks. As for the Steriliser, I had trouble BF last 2 times, (but will try) but thanks for your telling me what you found easier. and thanks for your thoughts on nappies.

esio trot - Thanks for your reply. New Look are a bargain, I was finding it hard to find trouser that fit (I'm 36" inside leg) I brought 2 pairs of jeans and inc delivery it costs £40 (much cheaper than any other trousers 36" inside leg) so thanks

Ruby Moon - Thanks for your reply. I am surprised what you said "the best start for baby is not to sterilise" I'm not sure on that one I'm afraid, but thanks for your kind words and taking the time to post. Boot sale is a great idea - thanks

beckseven - Thanks for your reply, and suggestions on coats, prams, mattresses and high chairs. Another vote for a steam microwave steriliser, thanks.

Lemoncurd - Thanks for your reply. kiddicare.com looks great thanks. That's a good point about the nursery & nappies - if they do reusable... I'd better look into it - Thanks

MrsTine - Thanks for your reply. Yet another vote for microwave steam steriliser, thanks. Oh and good idea about bouncy chair/swing, I had them with my 2nd, and found them really helpful.

cathy2702 - Ahh thanks, Sincerest congratulations on your pregnancy too. Thanks for telling me about the Jane Carrera C.

McKneff - Thanks for your reply. Good idea about waiting until the spring, although its an 'at risk' baby and they said they will def be inducing me early, I am at risk of having a prem baby. But maybe I can hold off till the January sales! Thanks also for your other post about paper hankies and Mens Kleenex hankies.

kezlou - Thanks for your reply. All great advice thanks

sh1305 - Thanks for your reply. Thermos flask - what a fab idea, thanks. Interesting to hear that your research showed reusables actually worked out more expensive than disposables

Madmel - Thanks for your reply. Women's Environmental Network still seem to be promoting reusable nappies. As for relatives buying for the baby, I have actually asked them not to until its born (as its an at risk baby) but my mum is giving us £100 for Christmas, which we are going to put by, plus apparently when your 25 weeks, you get £190? so we will have £290 to spend.

dawn rose - Thanks for your reply. Another vote for maclaren, thanks. you know I tried a wrap/sling for both my children, and really couldn't get on with them (well in terms of walking up the shops/ school run) but did use around the house occasionally when i needed to clean. Good idea about primark for the coat, will pop in there too. Need to join all the parenting clubs, saw that boots bag, what a bargain. Really lovely of you to say 'always hear for a chat' thanks and ditto.

fernliebee - Thanks for your reply. Yet another vote for maclaren, thanks.

Thanks everyone for your replies, your all lovely

Lou xxx

barnaby-bear

louloulouisa wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I am 18 weeks pregnant after a long battle to get pregnant. After 6 mc I found out my immune system was to blame (I never got colds)

Anyway because of this, my only option was to have private medical treatment:eek:, so now we need to tighten our belts

I have always been a money-saver and follow all the money saving tips on here. But was wondering if anyone can help, by recommending websites/ideas on the following: I need

• A winter waterproof maternity coat (been to a NCT Nearly New Sale today, no joy, plus been on ebay and still too expensive)

• A travel system that the pram will fit in a tiny boot (I have a citroen C1) I think the boot is about 100cm x 25 cm!

Also need a Highchair and cot mattress (got a cot)

Any advice on what's easiest - Steam steriliser or chemical steriliser?
and what's best disposable nappies or reusable? (have to return to work when baby is 8/9 months old)

many many thanks :T

Lou xxx

C1 was developed to share the basic chasis with 107 and aygo so may want to search on those cars.... http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1097297

gill_81uk

My local Quality Save/Home Bargains has been selling Tommy Tippee microwave steam and coldwater sterliser for £8.99. You get 2 bottles and a bottle brush with it as well. I've snapped one up ready for when my little one comes in May!