Prams, cots and baby gear!

Squidgy

Best tip:

When someone asks you want you want or need for the baby, tell them!! Don't be embarassed if it's something big, ask them for a donation towards it. They obviously want to get you something so make sure it's something you need.

I hardly brought anything clotheswise for my kids as we got so many pressies for them. People are so generous when it comes to new babies.

Squidge x

emmaBZ

i got a cot from ikea £ 25 i think and mattress was £12 BARGAIN lovely plain wooden cot would suit any room/nursery setting....as for sheets to fit moses basket i couldnt believe the price so i bought a few double sheets for about £4 and cut them in to quarters...... worked a treat i think pillow cases also fit moses basket matress as well....

joannasmum

I'd second everything thats been said especially about the pillow case for moses baskets. Other than that beg, steal or borrow things that are only going to be used for a short time ie moses basket, bounce chair, baby bath and a pram/travel system (ensuring that you trust the source if its got a first stage car seat) you will want to put the babe in a lightweight buggy by the time its 1 I can guarantee it!

Tescos do lovely white babygrows and you will get loads of stuff bought for you when the baby is born. Also and this is abit cheeky if you dont think your going to get your use out of a present take it back. I did that with a good few things bought for dd (I couldnt bring myself to put my newborn in denim). Also if anybody wants to buy you a largish present you could do alot worse than a set of washable nappies have a look at this www.kittykins.co.uk for some ideas. If you want to PM me about washable nappies I'm about obsesive about them.

HTH

persontypething

Cruiksl wrote:

From someone who has wasted sooo much money on baby stuff - here's my advice...

Pram/Pushchair etc - I bought a top of the range M&P 3 in 1 pram - while it's excellent - it's not worth the money buying new. I also bought a McLaren Techno XT buggy which is suitable from birth. Could have bought that at the beginning and saved on the M&P system. Saved £50 on it too by buying at Costco.

QUOTE]


May I just ask your opinion, as you seem to know a lot! I was wondering whether I could get away with just a sling/ baby carrier and something like the Maclaren XT, as we don't drive, and I wanted something that would be easy to use on public transport. I think it's possible I may be able to pick up some sort of older pram that the babe could sleep in if needs be, but space is at a bit of a premium too.

My friends are like nooooooooooo- you've got to get a proper pram with carrycot type thing- they're virtually accusing me of child abuse already! I've heard pple say that the Maclarens don't lie quite flat and aren't supportive enough for a small baby. I know I like to overanalyse everything before deciding, but I just don't know whose opinion to trust on this one.

busymumof3

Hi persontypething

Hope you don't mind me butting in with my tuppence-worth on the pram question

I'm a non-driver who relies on foot power and public transport occasionally. For first baby I bought a Britax 2 in 1 which at the time was advertised as lightweight and public transport friendly but which wasn't. I used this when walking locally but for shopping and bus etc I used a lightweight stroller as soon as he was big enough. I only very occasionally used a sling as I really didn't get on with it and found that he woke up as soon as I tried to take it off. I did the same for no. 2. Third time around a friend gave me her Mamas and Papas 3 in 1 and I thought it brilliant for walking to and from school, great shopping basket (held all my EBay stuff for Post Office!), and just seemed much more comfortable for a baby. He certainly slept a great deal coming in from walks which was brilliant. When he was big enough for the buggy, this was a bit more cumbersome I found although it was much cosier than a stroller. The big wheels are also much better if you have snow and ice to contend with as we do each winter. A complete no go for public transport though and would take up a whole car boot space.

Despite this I would definitely use a 3 in 1 again, using a decent stroller when the baby was big enough. Personally I don't like the travel systems where the baby lies in a fairly upright position in the car seat and never considered one of these.

We are lucky in that storage for the pram wasn't an issue but I understand that it may not be possible to have room for it as they are bulky. The carrycot does double as a cot for the first few months though so you could save on a moses basket. There always seem to be some for sale in the local paper for very reasonable prices.

I have always used McLaren strollers (2 have lasted 3 babies) and found them great quality.

Have fun shopping and good luck with your new arrival.

persontypething

Thanks for your advice Mum to 3- also thanks for reminding me- I have acquired loads of bits and bobs to put on ebay- just couldn't find my camera, but thanks to a big tidy up! in readiness for my partner returning home with his new guide dog- I have located it and will get snapping in a minute! Need all the pennies I can get just now.

Forgot to mention before that my partner is blind, so he will continue to walk taking my arm- cos the guide dog is only trained to guide him on certain routes etc. I keep joking to my friend- we're going to fill the ruddy pavement- a big lass, blind bloke, guide dog and baby, so it is important that whatever pram/pushchair I get is quite easily manoeuvrable.

Life's so simple eh!

busymumof3

Never simple but that would be dull! Best wishes.

Phil_rich

I will chip in with my two-pence worth. We bought a mamasandpapas 3in1 when our son was born, It did seem to be very comfy for him but it was not very manouverable or easy to drive. Also once folded up it was quite big and heavy, therefore I wouldn't reccomend it for use on public transport.

We now have a mamasandpapas stroller which is great, lightweight and easy to drive. This one folds up pretty small also so is easy to carry around. As you say, the seat doesn't recline all the way to lying flat but it goes quite low, and its low enough for my son to fall asleep in.

Also, on your point about carrycots for prams, we were told that you should not have our son in the carrycot for more than 1 hour at a time as the position they are in can restrict their lungs. So dont feel you NEED to buy one as we only used ours in the car, and as you dont drive I would say you dont need one.

Cots - we bought our cot from ikea, it is very basic but in the end of the day it is only a bed. The cot was £17 and the matress a bit more, not sure how much. Also dont bother with a moses basket, we used ours for 4 weeks then we put sam into his cot. The moses basket was then useless and a waste of £40.

Hope I have been some help, and good luck.

Phil

super41

D_e_n_i_s_e wrote:

Hi all

Im due to give birth to my first child in mid December, does anybody know where i could buy good quality cots, bedding, clothing and baby gear?

I'm on a low income, my partners a student and though id prefer branded gear on the cheap or good quality, comfortable cheap stuff which isnt branded (if that makes sense! )

wesites, links, sales, offers on baby stuff especially from mothers would be most welcome!

cheerio!

Make sure you apply for a Sure Start grant within 3 months of the baby being born. Worth £500 if you're entitled and is supposed to be to buy baby equipment etc. You just need a midwife/health visitor to sign it.

Don't be put off by 2nd hand. I got my cot free from a friend, about 6 kids have used it! My daughter was in it till she was about 2 and 1/2 and now her baby brother is using it. I would recommend a new mattress, though don't think you have to buy the most expensive, I think you can get them for about £20 from Mothercare.

Baby clothes - Tesco, Boots, Asda all do excellent clothes at good prices. Eg. Asda 3 white bodysuits for £1.75. Remember your little one ill not be in the early clothes for long so don't get too many.

My advice would be not too buy too much before the baby is born, wait until he arrives and you can se what people get you and fill in the gaps.

Boots have a good clothes sale on at the moment- quite a few things at 1/2 price and many items at just £1!

Do you know anyone who has had a baby recently and might pass on the clothes to you? If they haven't offered already, perhaps you could hint that you'd be interested. My friend hands loads of stuff on to my kids as hers are a little older. All of it in good condititon and some pristine. Has saved me a fortune! At first she thought I would be 'offended' if she offered it to me - seems some people think its a stigma to use 2nd hand!

super41

persontypething wrote:

Cruiksl wrote:

From someone who has wasted sooo much money on baby stuff - here's my advice...

Pram/Pushchair etc - I bought a top of the range M&P 3 in 1 pram - while it's excellent - it's not worth the money buying new. I also bought a McLaren Techno XT buggy which is suitable from birth. Could have bought that at the beginning and saved on the M&P system. Saved £50 on it too by buying at Costco.

QUOTE]


May I just ask your opinion, as you seem to know a lot! I was wondering whether I could get away with just a sling/ baby carrier and something like the Maclaren XT, as we don't drive, and I wanted something that would be easy to use on public transport. I think it's possible I may be able to pick up some sort of older pram that the babe could sleep in if needs be, but space is at a bit of a premium too.

My friends are like nooooooooooo- you've got to get a proper pram with carrycot type thing- they're virtually accusing me of child abuse already! I've heard pple say that the Maclarens don't lie quite flat and aren't supportive enough for a small baby. I know I like to overanalyse everything before deciding, but I just don't know whose opinion to trust on this one.

I've just bought a Maclaren Techno Classic and am really pleased with it. Cost £155 but definitely worth it. Suitable from newborn as it lies flat, and comes with all the accessories (with some models these are extras so the price mounts up). I expect this to last him until he is about 4 or no longer needs a pushchair, so over that time it will pay for itself.

I bought a buggy with the car in mind as I use a Mamas & Papas 3 in 1 on a daily basis as I do a bit of walking around. I was lucky because my MIL bought me this when my first baby was born.The whole thing was £450 but included car seat, carry cot, pram section, chassis and all accessories. It's been excellent value as I've used it so much and it still looks really good. Personally I couldn't do without a carry cot style pram as I find the carry cot bit so useful! The baby has his daytime naps in it which I like because he's downstairs with me. I found this useful as I had a c-section and found my mobility seriously limited at first - i.e. struggled with stairs! Also he has slept in it rather than a travel cot when we went away. I also like the way it faces me so I can chat to the baby - I really believe it helps with their speech development. The baby likes it too - remember you are the most important person to them! They are also higher and can see more. With buggys I always think the child is down near the (wet/cold/dirty) ground, its harder to see what's going on with them and all they can see is people's feet! Many people buy a carry cot style pram and hardly use it, I've seen pristine ones at car boots and offered for 2nd hand sale. You could pick up a real bargain.

With prams/buggys etc a lot is down to individual situation, money and your lifestyle, whether you intend to have more babies etc.

It's worth doing a bit of practical research so happy hunting!