Yaaaay...im pregnant!

threemuttleys

I used to post here a looong time ago (GettingHitched) could find the long in so have rejoined.

Anyway, after months of trying im finally pregnant...have no idea how far gone I am (been having irregular periods), soon as we have the scan, we will know how old blumpy is.

As everyone does when preg, ive been going around all the baby places (Mothercare etc) joining all the baby clubs. But what I really would like to know, or have an idea of, from the mums out there, what do you consider to be absolute essentials for when bubs arrives and what do you think is a waste of money? I fully intend to use Tesco/Asda for clothes and wipes, and after the first month with use washable nappies...apart from that being swamped with "you really need xyz, or your baby will hate you" ads

Thanks all xxx

whitewing

Very well done! My top tip (sitting here with a 2 week old) is to buy virtually no clothes until after baby arrives. We have been given loads, and have been lent even more.

You also should get a new car seat. Dont leave that too late. We wanted a mama and papas one from argos for approx £50 (baby carrier, rather than a 0-4 years) but they were out of stock for weeks and weeks so we had to get one online from elsewhere.

jillie1974

top n tail bowls are a waste of time. a plastic washing up bowl from asda/tesco is perfect for a newborn.

not to buy too many clothes, you will get lots. (and if someone asks get different ages)

pigpen

I used my top n tail bowl twice a day..

baby baths.. use a washing up bowl until they outgrow it. then plop them in the big bath.

I would get.

a new car seat (baby should not be in this for more than 45 minutes at a time)
a pushchair that fits in the backof the car and can be used from birth with raincover, footmuff etc

Winter baby.
1 snowsuit
10-12 long sleeve bodysuits
10-12 sleepsuits
5-10 cardies/jumpers
a few pairs of socks
Couple of hats/mitts/woolly boots or pull on slippers

Pack of muslin squares.. these are bibs, dribble cloths and general drool wiping items..
toiletries and box to keep them in
nappies..

if you are breastfeeding.. nursing bras
if bottlefeeding.. bottles, milk! and a steriliser if you intend sterilising.

Cotbed can wait until baby outgrows the crib/moses basket
sheets blankets and may be a grobag

2 towels
changing mat

Other stuff you might want

Sling
couple of soft toys/rattles etc
Bouncy chair

Bear in mind it won't want toys for the first few weeks and christm as will be a few weeks away so family can buy anything you would like him to have then.

threemuttleys

pigpen wrote: »

I used my top n tail bowl twice a day..

baby baths.. use a washing up bowl until they outgrow it. then plop them in the big bath.

I would get.

a new car seat (baby should not be in this for more than 45 minutes at a time)
a pushchair that fits in the backof the car and can be used from birth with raincover, footmuff etc

Winter baby.
1 snowsuit
10-12 long sleeve bodysuits
10-12 sleepsuits
5-10 cardies/jumpers
a few pairs of socks
Couple of hats/mitts/woolly boots or pull on slippers

Pack of muslin squares.. these are bibs, dribble cloths and general drool wiping items..
toiletries and box to keep them in
nappies..

if you are breastfeeding.. nursing bras
if bottlefeeding.. bottles, milk! and a steriliser if you intend sterilising.

Cotbed can wait until baby outgrows the crib/moses basket
sheets blankets and may be a grobag

2 towels
changing mat

Other stuff you might want

Sling
couple of soft toys/rattles etc
Bouncy chair

Bear in mind it won't want toys for the first few weeks and christm as will be a few weeks away so family can buy anything you would like him to have then.

Brilliant...thank you for this.

I need recommendations for a good pram/travel system. We have three dogs, so i intend to use a sling while s/he is teeny and probs a bit longer after that, but what I need is a really good offroader that isnt to bulky for the car (old Astra)

pigpen

I would go to a big independant pram shop and see what they have.. what is best for me is unlikely to be best for you. Your height makes a difference and what you want to use it for and suchlike.. go try out a few for ideas.. you don't have to make a decision for quite some time so you can try several , have a think and go try a few more.

Mothercare have a rubbish range of pushchairs.. and like to push their own. Independant dealers are definitely better on choice.

We are getting the britax baby plus SHR.. it has side impact etc and is compatible with a few different chassis.. but I really think travel systems are bad.. babies shouldn't be in car seats for more than 45 minutes so encouraging use of a car seat as a pram body is wrong..

My friend swears by graco.. each to their own.. it is a personal thing really.

sillybillyme

congratulations :j

i definatly agree with what others have said about not buying to many clothes as friends and family will sometimes buy them as gifts when baby is born and your baby will only be in each size for a short time so ask people for different sizes not just new born.
you can always ask people to buy highchair, bouncy chair, play gym etc for christmas presents as you baby wont need them as soon as he/she is born so that would save some money.

i hope your pregnancy goes well and enjoy it if you can!!! :T

xxxxx

durham_girl

Congratulations threemuttleys!!

I have a question....what is a top & tail bowl?! I have one (it came with the bath) but I have no idea how to use it!

delain

threemuttleys wrote: »

Brilliant...thank you for this.

I need recommendations for a good pram/travel system. We have three dogs, so i intend to use a sling while s/he is teeny and probs a bit longer after that, but what I need is a really good offroader that isnt to bulky for the car (old Astra)

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_531_10751_-1__16174_10001_

This is the one I intend to get

rachfriar78

threemuttleys wrote: »

Brilliant...thank you for this.

I need recommendations for a good pram/travel system. We have three dogs, so i intend to use a sling while s/he is teeny and probs a bit longer after that, but what I need is a really good offroader that isnt to bulky for the car (old Astra)

We went to an independent pram shop and they were so helpful. Explained what we needed the pram for, walk at least 30 miles a week and also take teh dog walking down the river and through fields. We were recommended a mutsy light rider as they have the suspension, are reversible, decent big inflatable tyres on all 4 wheels. Does suit all our needs but I jus didn't like the style of it. Really wanted something more traditional so he steered us towards babystyle fixed wheel, nice pram but again not for me so have ended up keeping the mamas and papas ultima.

It really is such a personal choice when it comes to what pram to get, what suits one doesnt always suit another person. Look in as many shops as you can.

pigpen wrote: »

I would go to a big independant pram shop and see what they have.. what is best for me is unlikely to be best for you. Your height makes a difference and what you want to use it for and suchlike.. go try out a few for ideas.. you don't have to make a decision for quite some time so you can try several , have a think and go try a few more.

Mothercare have a rubbish range of pushchairs.. and like to push their own. Independant dealers are definitely better on choice.

We are getting the britax baby plus SHR.. it has side impact etc and is compatible with a few different chassis.. but I really think travel systems are bad.. babies shouldn't be in car seats for more than 45 minutes so encouraging use of a car seat as a pram body is wrong..

My friend swears by graco.. each to their own.. it is a personal thing really.

Couldnt agree more with pigpen here, mothercare and graco are awful and I mean awful. My first pram was a mothercare own label made by graco and I had no end of trouble with it, was sent back a few times and the same fault kept coming back. Mothercare add pounds on to their prices too compare to an independent store, its all because of the name lol

Good luck in choosing one and many congrats, hope you have a safe and healthy pregnancy x

pigpen

durham_girl wrote: »

Congratulations threemuttleys!!

I have a question....what is a top & tail bowl?! I have one (it came with the bath) but I have no idea how to use it!

Water in one side.. wipe babies face.. bum etc.. and put either dirty bits of cotton wool/nappy in empty side or have clean bits of cotton wool in it ready to use...