First baby on the way, tips welcome!

ironman1

We'll have a look, don't want to turn this into some sort of money thing by the way, just want to know to get us set up for when the time comes! All I really care about is our baby being healthy and can't wait to see him/her

strawberrypud

netmums.co.uk has a nearly new section so you can probably find a lot of the baby stuff you need 2nd hand on there.

Don't buy loads of bottles in advance (if your gf is planning to bottlefeed) because the baby may not take to the particular type you buy and you then have to try different makes. Just buy a couple, if the baby is fine with them, then buy more...also don't bother with the small ones (upto 4oz) get the large ones (upto 9oz) because they soon take more milk than the small bottles allow so a waste of money right there!

Don't waste money on bottle warmers.... a jug and boiling water is just fine.

A baby can go straight into a cot, you don't need a moses basket or small crib first.

They can live in vests and sleepsuits for the first couple of months, they'll be cosy and comfy, they don't need proper outfits when they're that tiny IMO.

I love the bath seats you can get for baby to go into the big bath rather than a baby bath, that is more of a space saver than a money saver :rotfl:

Ikea does a great cheap range of baby equipment....changing table, cot etc

ironman1

It's not so much buying the furniture and clothes as we have some savings and family will help alot, they can't help themselves!

Sunshine12

Cant answer your question but just wanted to say congratulations! x

ironman1

Cheers, I know people get pregnant and have babies all the time but when it's you/your oh its amazing and feels unreal, can't think of much else

littleme96

Congratulations! I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant with our second!

From a purchasing point of view, beware of gimmicks - there are a lot of unnecessary baby products out there which will just sit and gather dust, so be selective about what you buy initially. You can always buy extras after the baby is here if you need them. Also remember to shop around - I agree that Kiddicare.com is excellent value for money, so always compare before buying and remember Quidco for cashback if ordering furniture from Mothercare etc.

If your OH wants to (and is able to) breastfeed, then this is the cheapest route by far. Formula is very expensive in comparison and breastfeeding is convienient and good for mother and baby. Saves money on formula, bottles, sterilisers etc, although she may want to express milk so that you can help feed the baby too. I don't personally use cloth nappies, but you can get some great ones now and they add up to quite a saving after the initial expense.

Stock up on baby bits whilst there are offers on - nappies, wipes etc all keep and if you have the space are a good thing to bulk buy (when Sainsbury's have their baby event on for example). They grow so quickly when they are little, so don't spend loads on clothes - supermarket stuff is fine for the basics and you'll probably get loads of clothes as presents when the baby is born.

I agree with batch cooking food like lasagne etc to freeze so that you can have a meal ready to just put in the oven in the early days!

And in the meanwhile, save as much as you can, investigate what you'll be entitled too (possible SMP depending on how long she's worked at the company or possibly Maternity Allowance if she doesn't qualify, child benefit and possibly tax credits depending on your income) and sign up to as many baby clubs as you can for free samples and vouchers!

Good luck!

ironman1

Such good advice, really appreciated. Don't know alot about these baby clubs but will have a look. Will be good if we can get as much in as possible rather than start worrying near the due date, that will be the target

Lalaladybird

ironman1 wrote: »

Cheers, I know people get pregnant and have babies all the time but when it's you/your oh its amazing and feels unreal, can't think of much else

That is so sweet....thought it was only women who felt like that!:T My OH was of the "can't you talk about anything else/stop moaning...pregnancy is not an illness" variety!

kar

Hi,

I’m 32 weeks pregnant with my first baby. We have similar worries to you with regards to money simply because my OH and I both earn approximately the same so we are in effect halving or income (and our mortgage costs are so large). In terms of maternity benefits if your other half is getting 6 months full pay then she is getting a very good deal which is great news for you. I’m a primary school teacher and our benefits are normally not that bad. I only get 1 month full pay, 2 weeks 90% pay and then 12 weeks 50% pay + SMP and then the final 21 weeks just SMP.

I noticed she’s in childcare so I don’t know whether this will apply to you or not but because of the timing of my baby (Due at the end of Oct) I am getting nearly a year off without going over onto the final Additional maternity leave (which you don’t get paid for). I am going back to work for the first month of this academic year L and then starting maternity leave in Oct. This will mean that my SMP runs out at the end of June. I plan to go back for the two weeks before the summer holiday so that I start getting paid and will be paid for the whole of the 6 weeks off rather than getting nothing. So from my point of view it’s a case of timing your leave carefully.

Other ways we have found to cut costs.
Our family, friends and colleagues have kindly donated lots of baby things from mosses baskets to clothes and so far the only thing we have bought ourselves is paint for the nursery. (I recommend telling the world your expecting a baby (as soon as you’ve reached the 12 week marker!) as everyone is so generous)
People have recommended NCT nearly new sales if you need to buy things/ or ebay.
We are also going to go for washable nappies as this saves money in the long term and it actually won’t cost us anything ! We had some donated from a friend at my work and found out that our council offers cashback of £50 for using washable nappies – buying on ebay we got everything we needed to top up the donation for £49. And yes my council said they would take an ebay receipt to prove purchase! Check whether your council offers this deal. Even if you find they don’t work for you if you’ve only spent the cashback money you’re not loosing out!
Sign up for all the freebies on the internet and use all the vouchers in your bounty pack. I got my first bounty pack at my booking visit with the midwife and there are vouchers for lots of free baby consumables.
I wish you all the best with your baby. I know I’m getting very excited now and can’t wait for the next 8 weeks to be up and it wont be long for you either – pregnancy speeds by!

kar

ironman1

I'm already trying to get used to staying in a bit more often, I go football alot and go out a bit too often so staying in today. Might aswell start now!

What sites are best for freebies and vouchers please?