Baby Bargains/Moneysaving

CL

Following a few other threads asking about baby costs, I thought it might be good to have a thread where people could post any moneysaving suggestions for having a baby. I have a 12 week old and a few small moneysaving things I have discovered are:

White supermarket vests are great £1.75 - £2 for 3. I use 1 or 2 every day, so bought 15 in 0-3 months.

Tesco value nappy sacks 300 for 17p. Someone bought me more expensive ones and the smell of them was horrible. Tesco value ones smell fine.

Join every baby club for vouchers and freebees. I joined the Pampers website in my name, my DHs, my mum's at her address and PIL at their address to get lots of money off vouchers.

Boots do a "Minor Ailments Scheme" where you can get some items on prescription for a baby without seeing a doctor (so free) such as nappy cream, baby bath for dry skin, etc. You can also get nipple cream for yourself free using this.

I would love to get some suggestions from others to help me out.

pigpen

Loads of independant pharmacies do the minor ailments scheme, not just boots.. you can get thrush treatments and stuff for head lice too..

CL

Thanks Pigpen. I didn't realise that. I'm sure you have some tips to offer with your lovely brood!

pigpen

CL wrote: »

Thanks Pigpen. I didn't realise that. I'm sure you have some tips to offer with your lovely brood!

thank you .. but I upset people.. breastfeeding, cloth nappies and homemade babyfood.. all because I am a skinflint lol

CL

I'm breast feeding and planning on making my own baby food, but feel a bit guilty that I couldn't be bothered with cloth nappies!

Britwife

The minor ailments scheme sounds great! However, I haven't been able to find a local service, even my 2 local Boots don't offer it. I did search on the NHS site but it doesn't show most services available.

My biggest money savings tips are to stock up for you baby nappies and toiletries during the baby events that all the supermarkets hold. This is several times a year. I was so well stocked on nappies and wipes that I haven't bought nappies since my daughter was 6 months old. I have one more double pack left and then on to potty training. She 26 months old.

I do plan on using cloth nappies for this baby, just the idea of buying so many nappies is just daunting. I also breastfeed and make my own baby food so that is a huge savings for our family.

I also suggest buying baby things on ebay such as furniture and things, you really save so much money over new.

Britwife

CL wrote: »

I'm breast feeding and planning on making my own baby food, but feel a bit guilty that I couldn't be bothered with cloth nappies!

Don't feel guilty about the choices you make. You chose what works for your family. This is the first baby I'm using cloth on.

Pookie_lou

Great idea for a thread CL, we are going to be on the look out for lots of bargains over the coming months. I'll definatly be stocking up on the tesco nappy sacks.

CL

Yesterday I got vouchers from Boots Baby Club for £5 off £20 and £2 off Pampers. Boots currently have the Pampers Jumbo boxes on 2 for £20. If you use the £2 and £5 vouchers sent by Boots you can get the 2 boxes for £13.

SwipernoSwiping

* Washable wipes - Cut up a fleece blanket or towels, plastic tub with some boiled then cooled water in add a drop of tea tree oil - instant anti-bacterial baby wipes that are super soft. Chuck in the wash with other baby stuff.

*Baby Oil Did you know that J&J oils and such can dry babies skin? Don't buy it. Use a little bit of vegatable oil, almond or olive oil with a drop of lavender oil in.

*Home Bargains. - Buy toys there - much cheaper than heading to Babies are us.

* Moses Basket/Crib Blankets - use pillow cases.

* Use baby socks for scratch mitts.. they don't fall off so you don't buy as many.

*Buy second hand where you can - ebay and there are lots of "nearly new" baby goods sales springing up across the country. Check your local NCT Seriously babies are only in clothes for 2 minutes these days, and toys hardly get used. and your bound to find a pram that was £400 + new for £100. Car boot sales are perfect for £1 bargains.

* Use the library for books to read with baby. No need to buy them, they don't charge you for any books that baby damages if you take them out on babies own card, plus the libraries are pro breastfeeding and most have a changing room/toilet in.

*Look for facebook groups of your favourite brands. They often give away freebies for photo competitions etc.

*Freecycle/Freagle - I picked up a £80 Leapfrog DJ station the other day. Absolutely nothing wrong with it.


*Days out - Sure Start/Childrens Centre. Register before baby is due to be sure of getting the popular things like baby massage. The baby play groups are perfect for making new friends and beating off baby blues.

angchris

with having 2 in nappies at the mo we buy tesco value wipes at 18p a pack, you have to use twice as many but its far better than paying over £1 a pack. we buy them by the box load 12 at a time as we use them for cleaning highchair and dirty faces etc.they work great for us :money:
i get my both my little uns clothes mainly from carboots as they grow so quickly i have clothes for about the next year hidden under my bed!. on the odd occasion i have to buy stuff i make sure that it is in unisex colours like red grey black or white or jeans so that i can pass clothes from my 23 months ds to my 9 month old dd.