Start-up costs for new baby

tomhann187_2

Dear all

I've just found out I'm pregnant - very early days yet but I want to get a start on budgeting for everything. I've got a list of things to buy and my guess of how much these will cost. The prices I've used are a mix of cheap-ish new things and good-quality second hand items. If anyone could give their opinions on where money can be saved and if there is anything I'm missing or equally things that I could do without that would be great.

Thanks in advance!

10 vests/body suits 10
10 x baby grows 10
3 x outfits 10
Socks, scratch mitts and hats 7
Pram suit 15
Set of re-usable nappies 185
Cotton balls, rash creams 5
Bath support 5
Bath and room thermometer 5
Nail clippers, other first aid stuff 5
Muslins 10
Breast pump, bottles and steriliser 35
Maternity bras 30
Cot bed with NEW mattress 100
Travel cot with basinet and changer 30
Room clothes storage (chest and wardrobe) 85
4xsheets, 4x blankets, 3x sleeping bags 60
Baby monitor 15
Night light 5
Pushchair with carry cot, car seat and ISOFIX base 600
Sling / carrier 15
Bouncer / swing 20


I know the pushchair is the biggest expense. However, I really think an ISOFIX is important for safety and the cheapest seat and base combination is still about £200. You're not supposed to get these second-hand. I also think the ppushchair needs to be a high quality item as we live in a remote place and it'll be taken over dirt tracks, bridleways, grass, cobbles, country footpaths etc on a daily basis. It needs to be robust and have excellent suspension.

tomhann187_2

Oops the formatting has gone all funny for the costs - bare with me I'll try and sort it!

vroombroom

we got our cot and mattress from Ikea, £60 altogether
:money:that, and the pushchair and car seat, are the only thing I wanted from new

Maternity bras - I got 5 off ebay, all priced around £6/7 and one from Mothercare that was £18:eek: so ebay is definitely your friend.

In regards to babygrows/vests etc check the major supermarkets as you can 7 for a fiver, etc.

Another tip I recommend as well, pick up a box of nappies everytime you go shopping:rotfl:

pigpen

you need twice as many vests and sleepsuits and loads ore bibs.. we go through about 8 a day!

scratch mitts are useless.. baby doesn't learn not to scratch itself and thy rarey do anyway.

do you really need a cot and travel cot? Would you not want a moses basket/crib for the first few months and get a cot later?

toiletries.. don't get rash cream you get loads of samples. you only need baby bath, sponge, baby lotion cotton wool and 1 pack of wipes for meconium evil nappies.. it is best to use cotton wool and water or baby lotion in the first few weeks or they often get sore. The cotton wool balls are not big enough.. get the pleats or the rolls and tear bits off

If you are breastfeeding do you really need bottles etc?

nipple cream.. lansinoh.. it is the dogs balloonies!

And ask yourself if you need a dryer for the cloth nappies over winter.. they are a pig to get dry!

Keep an eye on ebay and netmums, gumtree and freecycle for bargains

Triggles

I agree, ebay is a great place to get baby clothing and such, including room deco if you so desire.

Check sales for cot beds or even secondhand, but we always made sure mattress was purchased new.

Some of the cloth nappy places online have trial packs so you can try different kinds first to see what you like best. We bought the boots brand, however, and were happy with them (plus we got good boots card points for them as well!)

Join baby clubs for good coupons, sales, and freebies - boots, tesco, sainsburys, toysrus/babiesrus, etc.

Some things can be found in poundland - such as nailclipper kit.

We never used scratch mitts or hats (not really supposed to use hats on infants in the house anyway - too warm unless they have specific medical need for it). Baby socks work well for scratch mitts if absolutely an issue.

msb5262

Triggles wrote: »

We never used scratch mitts or hats (not really supposed to use hats on infants in the house anyway - too warm unless they have specific medical need for it).

When my DD was born - on a very warm June day - the midwife asked for a hat to put on her within an hour of birth as she was a bit cold! I'd definitely recommend at least one hat and get it put in the bag of baby stuff when you're getting ready to give birth.
HTH
MsB

Nicki

pigpen wrote: »

you need twice as many vests and sleepsuits and loads ore bibs.. we go through 8 a day

I think that depends. We only had 6 sleep suits and vests (2 packs of 3) in newborn sizes and no bibs at all for all 3 of ours and that was loads even with a baby with reflux. We just wouldn't have used 20 especially in newborn size which only lasts about 6 weeks. I woud only change a vest or sleep suit if it was soaking wet or had poo on it. I don't have a problem with little babies having a small amount of posset on them, and constant changing and washing just adds to workload when you are rushed off your feet anyway. And why would a breastfed newborn need a bib? Ours were winded with a muslin to catch any possetting. You only really need a bib when weaning starts at 6 months, and again a max of 3 per day surely, assuming you use a clean one for each meal, or better still use the plastic Tommy tip pee ones which wipe clean after use and you only need one.

pigpen

My baby is 7 months and a big girl at that and still wears the 'newborn' size bibs. She dribbles like nothing on earth and has had to wear bibs since 5 weeks.. and she is breastfed! We have big bibs for food.

Sleepsuits/vests we would regularly go through 4 or 5 a day due to poo explosions.

I found the plastic ones too hard and made their necks sore.. they do neoprene ones now which are 'interesting' to say the least..

My 3 with reflux didn't wear bibs.. 2 had silent reflux and the other was projectile so missed the bib anyway.

Triggles

msb - I think the hat thing is a bit debatable, and tbh up to personal preferences. IMO not necessary. Others may disagree. *shrug* tis life...

I agree that 6 sleepsuits and vests were plenty for us as well. Probably can depend on what laundry facilities you have availalbe. We have a washer, but no tumble dryer and were fine.

msb5262

I agree with Nicki ^^ on this - have only ever used muslins for breastfed babies, started using bibs when food was involved at about 6 months.
If you are using reusable nappies, remember to factor in some washing/drying costs too.

The "debatable" comment on hats - well, the midwife didn't think it was debatable! Personal preference didn't come into it, I just did as she asked me and thought this info might be of use to the OP.

narabanekeater

Im expecting number 3 at the moment after my wonderful big brother threw away all of my baby bits. If your an ebay member then you can search for items within X number of miles from your house. Ive seen travel cots go for £10.
Sleepsuits ive seen 3 for £7 in Asda which is the chepest ive found them. If anyone knows anywhere else please let me know.
Asda and Sainsburys have 'baby events' where they reduce lots of bits. Ive seen Tommee Tippee closer to nature pumps and bottles very cheap in there.
I guess my best piece of advice would be to save up your pennies then if you see a bargain you can snap in up
Also never underestimate Clubcard and Boots points. My cot comes fro Tesco from the double up promotion and my pram from Boots. They didnt cost me a penny in cash