What essentials to buy for first baby?

SmlSave

Hi guys

There's a NCT sale this Saturday and I've been advised that it can get a bit crazy. Can you help me make a list of things that I should keep an eye out for?

Is it safe to buy a second hand mattress/pram?

How many clothes do you realistically need?

I want to BF, is a pump worthwhile? How about a sterliser for the odd bottle or should I just use tablets/hot water?

Many thanks

Bloomin_Freezing2

Second hand prams are fine, but personally i'd always want a new mattress. With my 2, for the first 3 months they pretty much lived in sleep suits. I liked ones from Next and Matalan as they have fold over cuffs which turn into scratch mittens. I'm sure othre shops now do these types too but I don't know where.

gratefulforhelp_2

SmlSave wrote: »

Hi guys Hiya!

There's a NCT sale this Saturday and I've been advised that it can get a bit crazy. Can you help me make a list of things that I should keep an eye out for?

Is it safe to buy a second hand mattress/pram? I would say no to the mattress, yes to the pram.

How many clothes do you realistically need? Not too many proper clothes, but lots of vests (short sleeved, depends on when baby due) and sleepsuits. Go for 0-3 months, otherwise they will last about 5 min on a newborn. You can always get littler ones when babe is born if you need them.

I want to BF, is a pump worthwhile? How about a sterliser for the odd bottle or should I just use tablets/hot water?

Great that you will B/F:TI would hold fire on the pump, since expressing in the early days isn't ideal, and you might change your mind.

For sterilising, I used a big tupperware box with a lid and sterilising tablets, lots of people have other ideas.

Many thanks

DD2 was b/f exclusively for 6 months (no other drinks/food) and I didn't use a bottle/pump/whatever at all. Nor did I use any bottles, just went straight to sipping from a cup. Much cheaper.

Also have you joined all the baby clubs, you get quite a lot of free stuff?

You need some hats for early on, two or three baby blankets, some sheets and a towel or two.

Changing mat/s I have one upstairs one downstairs.

It is nice to have a baby playmat/bouncy chair/travel cot if you will travel.

But leave some space for friends and relatives to buy you stuff, so if in doubt, don't buy yet.

Do you have time to check out prams before the sale in a department store/mothercare?

old_motters

SmlSave wrote: »

Hi guys

There's a NCT sale this Saturday and I've been advised that it can get a bit crazy. Can you help me make a list of things that I should keep an eye out for?

They do get a bit crazy, sharpen your elbows! The main thing to look for at the NCT sales are clothes, they really are so much cheaper than at the stores. You might find a decent pram but, from my experience, they tend to be a bit tatty by the time they reach the NCT sale.

SmlSave wrote: »

Is it safe to buy a second hand mattress/pram?

Yes to the Pram, no to the mattress. You will definitely want a new mattress. From memory, I don't think I saw a 2nd hand one at NCT in any case.

SmlSave wrote: »

How many clothes do you realistically need?

With sleepsuits being so dirt cheap, we bought loads. Reckon on 3 or 4 changes a day for a newborn.

Sublime_2

Def a new mattress. You can get some decent quality sprung/padded ones off ebay for around £50.

I preferred a new pram, because I could, but not necessary. Save yourself a lot of money getting a used one.

You'll probably be inundated with baby clothes from people, so just buy some basic vests, and babygros, and have a stack of nappies, wipes ready.

ajaney

I brought a second hand cotbed & matching changing unit for £50 but would always, always, always insist on a new mattress. You can get cots on ebay, just look for one quite close as majority are pick up only.

Sleepsuits & vests are pretty much all you'll need at first - don't buy a lot of 'outfits' as they are not needed until 3/4 months. We had some lovely outfits brought by well-meaning friends/relatives for 0-3 months & they got worn once.

The 0-3 months clothes don't last that long so look for the 3-6 & 6-9 months, you will get much more wear out of these. You can pick up packs of the 0-3 vests/sleepsuits for under a £5 at supermarkets/primark so they can be brought as needed rather than stocked up & not used.

I brought a Tommee Tippee Electric breast pump when it was half price - Tescos are offering it at £43 instead of £85ish when their baby event starts I understand https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3119390. I was pleased I had mine from the beginning & it tends to sell well second hand in good condition on ebay for around £20. It comes with a steraliser which i used to do 2 little bottles when we had the odd expressed feed.

I would buy a second hand pram/buggy - if you get a buggy which can lie flat then you can use this from newborn rather than having separate pram then buggy.

Join the Boots parenting club, buy a pack of pampers nappys & get a free change bag.

Hope this helps & good luck!

old_motters

ajaney wrote: »

I would buy a second hand pram/buggy - if you get a buggy which can lie flat then you can use this from newborn rather than having separate pram then buggy.

Good point. Ours is a lie flat, adjustable to sitting up. Now our baby is 9 mo old, she enjoys being able to see out. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit in the boot of the car so we had to buy another, smaller pram for excursions. Whatever you do buy, make sure it'll fit in your car!

SmlSave

Thanks everyone This is really helpful!

clw1

NCT sales can be manic so I'd advise:

• make a list of stuff you want
• go with a friend who can hold the stuff you want to buy while you look round for other things.
• if something is a 'maybe' then pick it up - you can always put it back later if you don't want it but if you wait it will be gone !
• get there at least 30 mins before the sale starts to be towards the front of the queue.
• if you are an NCT member some sales let you in 30mins before they open the doors to all which is fab as you get the best bargins and it's less manic.
• Take cash / a cheque book (thay don't accept cards)

As for what to buy:

• A moses basket (if you can't borrow one from a friend as they are only needed for a month or two)
• Cot / cot bed (but get a brand new matress)
• Cot bedding / sleeping bags (hard to get good ones so maybe best to ask for them as presents for the baby)
• Clothes inc babygrows, vests, coats and snowsuits for next winter (I wouldn't buy many outfits as you get lots as presents)
• Change mat / change table
• Muslin cloths
• Baby bath & bath support
• Bouncy chair
• Play mat for baby to lie on
• Baby monitor

Stuff I would buy new would be:

• Car seat
• Mattress

For the pram I'd have a good look round to decide on makes / models you like then look on ebay.

Boots baby club has a free change bag.

gratefulforhelp_2

Personally I wouldn't bother with a moses basket, or a baby bath (use the sink with a towel over the taps) but each to their own. x

old_motters

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't bother with a moses basket, or a baby bath (use the sink with a towel over the taps) but each to their own. x

We weren't going to bother with either but found them useful once we had them.