Expecting a baby - what NOT to buy.

Bambywamby

Hello there

I am expecting a baby and I am buying all baby's things bit by bit to spread the cost. However I don't want to get anything that I really won't use or will find pointless as at the moment in particular, every penny counts.
So all you seasoned Mums and Dads out there - what did you buy that was either a waste of money or you found a better and cheaper substitute.

Thanks in advance

Bams

alleycat`

The MSE part of me wants to tell you to not buy anything new clothes wise.
You'll go through them (due to growth) like a shot and they'll look unworn.
Pick them up from nearly new places / car boots, etc.

At most you'll only need the baby grows for most of the time.

However, if it is your first you'll want to buy all new and who am i to tell you otherwise

Don't buy too many nappies in one size.
My DS was too big from the get go to wear new born nappies.
Likewise a lot of the clothes we bought never fit..

O and congratulations

pigpen

nappies and wipes... don't go mad.. you don't know how big baby will be or how fast it'll grow.. the shops will still be open and have offers on when baby is here.

a baby bath.. a washing up bowl will do.

If you intend to breastfeed don't buy bottles etc.. they just are a temptation to quit when it gets tough.. and it can!.. or a waste if they don't get used.. there are 24 hours shops and they are open 7 days a week.. You usually get a free bottle with a breastpump anyway and 1 is plenty for one offs or emergencies.

We never bothered with outfits.. they are outgrown to quick, people buy them for you and they are so much more comfortable in sleepsuits.

Congratulations!

toffifee

We bought one of those special nappy bins that's supposed to keep all the smells in. It worked but was so disgusting to empty we preferred to just go to the outside bin every time.

threemuttleys

do not buy any clothes that have to go over the babies head. my ds hated them

clw1

I bought lot's from NCT nearly new sales and ebay as most baby stuff doesn't get much use so stays in good condition and if friends have babies then borrow newborn stuff like a moses basket or newborn clothes.

Don't buy outfits for your LO as they live in babygro's and friends will buy things for them but if you do buy stuff think about what month it will be when the baby is that age - i.e. you don't need summer clothes in December etc !

Also borrow / look on ebay for maternity clothes.

Someone else said don't buy a baby bath but I got lot's of use from mine (cost £2 at an NCT sale) as I have a huge bath so it takes loads of water to fill and the baby bath only needed a little water.

Nappies - don't buy too many in advance as the LO grows and suddenly the nappies don't fit / leak, as for wipes I found that lots of brands (inc johnsons) gave my LO a rash so don't buy loads incase they don't work for you.

Good luck & congrats.

SkintGypsy

Changing unit. Baby is safer on the floor, but now the knees of all my jeans have holes in. Am sure knee patches work out cheaper than a changing table though. And a bottle warmer. Takes too long. They say not to, but I use the microwave. If the bottle is well shaken, I can't see the likelihood of hotspots. I think my children are both still fairly in tact?

go_cat

Don't buy lots of 0-3 month bodysuits etc they grow out of them before you can blink

same goes for outfits, my DS lived in sleepsuits for the first few months

SkintGypsy

Also, would second the disgusting nappy wrapper. Who wants to save a weeks worth of human waste and then open the stinking vessel in an enclosed space? Not I!

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

congratulations!

DONT buy LOADs of clothes - hinm/her wont be in them for long!
DONT buy loads of nappies - may be wrong size! My dd was too small for newborn sizes! (we saved them!)
DONT buy a nappy bin - the replacement reels are ridiculously expensive. tesco sell 19p nappy sacks which do the same - just take them outside!
DONT buy soft shoes - whats the point?!
If the babys sleeping in a moses basket - why not wait to buy a cot?
Personally i wouldnt buy a 3 in 1 pram. The car seat bit will only be good for a few years at most. Buy a forward facing car seat (that can also attach rear facing) and they'll last longer
DONT buy too many bedding sets - whats the point?
DONT buy too many maternity clothes
DONT buy teddies - EVERY ONE buys them
DONT buy nappy rash cream unless the baby gets nappy rash! I went to put cream on DD and nurse stopped me. she explained that if you put cream on, it acts as a barrier - the nappy will soak the cream up, the pee will stay on babys skin and they get sore. I never used cream - DD has been out of nappys for a year now (shes 3) and she's never had nappy rash unless she's teethed.

FYI - Olive oil rubbed on scalp at night then washed off in the morning works just as welll if not better than cradle cap shampoo!

When friends asked what they should buy i asked them to buy cheap things i'd use - baby shampoo, cotton wool, talc etc

mrbrightside842

We bought a baby bath and other bits to sit the babies in when in the bath. After my c-section I couldn't lift the baby bath so that was no use, and I tended to bath the babies at the same time as me or just in my arms, so had no need for the seats until they were able to sit up themselves.