What does my baby really need?

ScarlettsMum

Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place.

I'm after some advice on what it is really worth spending money on for my daughter. We don't have a lot of money so don't want to waste it on something that isn't needed.

Our daughter is now 11 weeks old and starting to spend more time awake. She needs to start playing with things so what do we buy?

We have been given a baby play gym which works for about 10 mins and a baby swing which sometimes she loves and sometimes she doesn't.

So what else should I buy and where would you look to get it (secondhand is fine for us)?

Thank you for any ideas

ScarlettsMum

delain

We've got a couple of black and wite board books that our LO loves (she is now nearly 5 months, loved the book from 3 months) Babies' eyes are not developed much at this age so they don't really see 'in colour' IYSWIM, they do see the high contrast though.

nuttywoman

Hi, my grandaughter is more or less the same age and she loves looking at anything that has bright colours in it. I have a fleece blanket in a awful green , yellow swirly pattern and she loves looking at it ! lol

kazwookie

HI

I don't have kids, but my local freecycle group always has people giving away baby stuff, / toys / games, simply as the child has out grown them, so it may be an idea to look there.

money_saving_diva

The best first things I found my children loved are the rings that hold toys to a buggy. I got a set from the poundshop. I have also got them from elc. String a couple together and your baby can grip them, chew them and wave them around! They are great because they are so light. You can get them with different textures etc.

Ask on freegle/freecycle for baby toys/stuff.

Carboots are also good.

When you think about weaning Ikea do a great cheap high chair - best baby item we have ever bought!

Wooden toddle trucks/walkers are great when your baby is tying to stand. They are more sturdy than plastic ones. Start looking for a good second hand wooden one now or ask on freecycle.

Dread_Pirate_Roberts

Our son is now 4 months old. They do tend to get bored quite quickly, so it's probably just as important to be spending time playing with them, talking to them etc. My wife goes to our local Sure Start centre that has lots of activities for mums and babies; some are free, others are very cheap, e.g. £1. try looking on Freegle/Freecycle, as people often put baby stuff on there, and it's all free. Our son also loves going out for walks, as he gets fresh air, and likes to look around. You could also check with your local church. They often run coffee mornings for mums/dads and babies where you can chat, get advice, and they don't push a message if you're not interested.

Good luck, and enjoy!

esio_trot

when my son was about that age, I bought him Sophie the Giraffe. It's not the cheapest but is cheaper than the mounds of other teethers and toys which I had already bought him. At the time, it was one of the few toys he had that he could work all on his own, it's light, squeaks easily without adult help and is great to chew on. He's 6 months now and Sophie still goes most places with us.

needanewjob

When my DD was little, she loved a doorway bouncer (maybe suitable in a few weeks?), and try looking on Netmums - look on your local board, there's nearly new stuff and free stuff.

LilacPixie

they have really short attention spans. a nice mat to play on the floor during tummy time. Both mine were very keen to 'see' the world when awake so maybe a sling so she is more upright and looking around as you do normal daily stuff. Other than that things with textures always popular we have a fabric square with crinkly bits. satin, fleece etc etc. Charity shops a good place.

money_saving_diva

Also meant to say sing to your baby. I sit mine on the floor or in a walker and chat & sing about anything - mainly what I am doing - 'mummy is mopping in the floor, mopping the floor, swish swash' all with exaggeratted movements! She is kept amused, giggles away while learning language & interacting with me and I get jobs done! My son also finds it hilarious and he asked me to repeat a song I made up about them both going to have a bath lol! Good job I could remember it, kind of lol!! :rotfl:

also as someone said earlier get to your local sure start. They have great free activities/ sessions on!

stepharoo

When you think about weaning Ikea do a great cheap high chair - best baby item we have ever bought!

The Antilop one? We have it and I agree it's great. Not at all fussy, wipe clean, sturdy and only about £15 all in! DD is 2.5 and still loves it.
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