Prams, cots and baby gear!

code-a-holic

Charity Shops!!! When i was expecting my daughter i had already had 2 boys so was after a full new wardrobe!! I walked in and the staff were rummaging through a black bag of pink. I asked if i could have a look and on seeing it was all next/debenhams and monsoon (mainly) i bought the whole bag - for £5. I didnt need anything else for the 1st 6 months!! But now im looking for 12mths stuff and im being really stingy and hoping to have a simmilar find soon!

super41

Juicy_Tube wrote:

Flat head syndrome is becoming a more common thing due to this and babies being on their backs for too long. Literally a flat head at the back and can be very severe where they have to wear a helmet I think?

Tummy time helps. Remember a few years ago that babies were sleeping on their backs? Now they are told to be put on front for this reason I think? As well as cot death etc.? Sure someone else can add to this!

JT x

I understand they should still sleep on their backs but my HV has recommended that we should put our baby on his tummy (with help he's only 4 months!) so he can practice lifting his head and strenghen his muscles.

Getting back to the pram issue I think a problem can arise when manufacturers aim their product at parents - what's easy/convenient for parents, rather than what's best for the baby in terms of safety, health and comfort.

rchddap1

For my little one (due in around 7-8 weeks) we've bought a pram / pushchair from Kiddicare. Cost us £60 and will be perfect for our needs. It can be either forward or rear facing and fully intend to use it for as long as 'bean' needs to.

My partner likes long walks and can just see him wandering around with bean and didn't want it to be squished in a car seat.

The car seat we are borrowing from my sister, so I can guarantee its not been in any accidents. We are also borrowing her cotbed (but will buy our own matress. For the very short term we've also bought a cheap moses basket.

Am also borrowing lots of clothes from family too. Don't see the point in buying everything new when we have much of it lying around within the family.

ailuro2

Ikea are great for cheap sturdy furniture.

Invest in a changing cupboard rather than a table.IT really saves your back,has somewhere to store all the nappy stuff,vest,baby gros etc.

Our dd's is now in use as her book cupboard and the drawers each hold a different category of toy.She's nearly 8.Our best buy.Originally came from Index for around 60 pounds.Worth every penny though.:D

Don't bother with an expensive pram,if you must have one, you will be able to get a top of the range Mamas and Papas out of the paper for 100 or so,being sold by the people who found out it was too heavy to lift in and out of the car boot/is too big for the boot/too big to leave left up and they want a slimmer sensible buggy now.;)

Never ever use a second hand mattress for your cot, and if it's a used cot make sure the new mattress fits properly.
Always buy new car seats too, as you don't know the hidden history of a second hand one.

And Congratulations on the happy news too!:T

Phil_rich

highland wrote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil_rich
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.


Phil
I think Phil_rich means the car seat baby carrier thing's that come with travel systems, some people leave their babies in them for too long check this link rather than a traditional carry cot thing, (hope thats ok Phil_rich just trying to help)

Yes Highland, you were correct I did mean the car seat carrier thing that comes with the travel systems.

Sorry if I caused anyone some alarm due to wrong wording. Carry cots are fine, car seats are not.

Phil

super41

ailuro2 wrote:

Don't bother with an expensive pram,if you must have one, you will be able to get a top of the range Mamas and Papas out of the paper for 100 or so,being sold by the people who found out it was too heavy to lift in and out of the car boot/is too big for the boot/too big to leave left up and they want a slimmer sensible buggy now.;)

Yes they are difficult with a car, much more suited for the person who does a lot of walking. I agree get one 2nd hand if you can because some people hardly use them and they are really well made. However don't carry cot type pram as for some people they are just the ticket!

MegS

I echo what everyone else says, don't spend a fortune as babies grow so fast. With the buggy practice putting it up and down one-handed before you buy then you get a good picture on how it easy it will be when your holding baby. Definitely buy a new matress and pillow, Ikea is pretty good (they also do a good highchair for future reference when baby is old enough). Unless you are absolutely certain you are having a small baby don't buy newborn baby grows buy the next size up, mine was 9lb5oz and luckily we had only bought one pack of newborn sizes before I thought logically about it (he never did fit into them lol). Babies grow fast. Everything else charity shops are good. I know its hard but try not to buy too much especially if you will have family and friends who will be bringing clothes as pressies, they grow fast and you will find half the stuff is never worn/used. Oh and I'd say don't bother with a baby bath, used mine twice (when midwife came round). I'd recommend one of those padded mats that go on the floor for changing nappies, baby can't roll off anywhere and they're easy to wipe down. If you have a boy remember not to take the nappy off too quick and look carefully before removing, little boys have a habit of spraying you if certain parts are exposed to the air to quickly lol.

pickle

You can get a mothercare Altan (or Atlan?) pram and it costs £70 and you can use it from birth. I have found it to be very good and I can foresee using it for a few years as the seat is suitable for an older child also. It also comes with a free weathershield. I haven't used it on public transport but it doesn't seem bigger than other prams and I'm sure it would be ok. You'd need to check this for yourself though.

The cot I got from Ikea which is fine - the basic one which someone mentioned earlier. I also purchased a mattress pad so I can wash it if necessary. But you could just leave the plastic cover on the mattress and that would do. You could use a large towel instead of sheets or fold a regular sheet and fold and tuck it in . I use a baby sleeping bag instead of top sheet as mine just kicks off sheets and blankets so had to buy a bag instead.

The travel change mat from mothercare is great. I use it inside the house and take it with me if I want when I go out. It was about £7 but you could just use a piece of thick plastic if you like. It would do the trick.

Clothes - charity shops are best.

Wash baby in the sink. Easiest way by far.

hampshirebabe

ailuro2 wrote:

Invest in a changing cupboard rather than a table.IT really saves your back,has somewhere to store all the nappy stuff,vest,baby gros etc.

I haven't seen a changing cupboard, but was thinking of a changing draw unit. But they cost quite a lot, about £150 would a normal draw unit about £50 with a changing mat on top be safe enough, the proper changing ones tend to have extra sides on the top to keep the mat in place.

ailuro2

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15567&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=74363&langId=-20&categoryId=16255&chosenPartNumber=S19838768

is Ikea's 75 pounds one, made from plain wood - we kept ours in the corner of the living room when she was 'new'

or http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15567&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=12318&langId=-20&categoryId=16255&chosenPartNumber=20045205 a plain frame and top for only 15 pounds!

(imho, it's worth trying to avoid MDF furniture in babies rooms, there's a lot of info out there on the dangerous chemicals it gives off, not claiming they are right but worth noting)

If you have a cabinet already you could adapt the top-add a pice of wood with edges on it and a changing mat,which you'll need to buy anyway.