New Baby

ironman1

We have had our first baby, a boy who is now a couple of weeks old. He is amazing and we couldn't be happier!

Anyway my question is can we apply for tax credits etc after we register him in the next few days? I work but don't earn loads so we could reaally do with some help.

He is going through about 10/12 nappies a day and drinks milk like his old man drinks lager! (well before he was born, can't afford as many now haha). He goes through around 8 bottles of 3 ounce SMA milk a day.

With one wage it won't be easy although I wouldn't change him for the world. Is there a website specific for baby stuff in terms of deals/bargains?

Thanks :beer:

john9to5

for clothes, toys and accesories the best place for bargains is eBay, had great prices and is a great way of recycling too

LittleMissMPB

The first thing you need to do is get him registered. Apply for Child benefit first, and then Tax Credits.

If nothing has changed since I did this with my daughter 3yrs ago, Tax credits need you to be claiming child benefit before they can pay out.

You can only get a form to claim tax credits once you have rang them and spoken to their helpline, so I would do that asap so you have the form ready and maybe post it a couple of days after your child benefit claim to get it through as quickly as possible. However if it is the first time you are claiming they may ask for the birth certificate.


8 lots of 3ozs is about right btw, my little man is 12 weeks old mostly breastfed, however when he does have a bottle he still only takes 4ozs at most.

ETA - if you are awarded the higher element of child tax credits then you should also qualify for the SureStart Maternity grant. I'm not sure how much this is as it recently changed, but maybe worth a look into x

pigpen

ring the tax credits immediately that you have him registered.. post the child benefit forms.. the child benefit can be backdated 3 months but they only do the tax credits to the Monday before you applied, or thereabouts.. They will accept the application over the phone or online (IF it is back up!!) and there is a question.. 'are you in receipt of child benefit for this child' and an option for you have applied and are waiting to hear..

They never asked for confirmation hat we had ever been given the CB from me when we added Squeak last year so I guess they have some way of checking internally.

ironman1

Thank you for the replies. It says in our child benefit form that we need to send his birth certificate so we have to wait until he is registered. I have been told that is when we can apply for tax credits also?

I don't think we will get much as I work. Self employed builder. I'm not on mega money as I haven't fully qualified though, so it is hard for us. My gf has given up her job for a year to take care of the little fella.

We also have a shared ownership home which we pay half rent half mortgage. Something tells me we won't be entitled to much. But the way it's going my gf only gets statutory pay from work for a certain number of weeks which just gives us enough to live after bills after my money which is basically all taken up by outgoings.

Not that i'd change anything. I have great family and friends who all helped with nappies etc and he has more clothes than a celebrity!

madnessandmayhem

Firstly congratulations!!!

I had my 3rd son 10 days ago, and I thought I had to wait until I had claimed for child benefit before claiming tax credits for my new little man. My midwife said I didn't have to wait, so I rang them (after he was registered) and it wasn't a problem, they did ask if I was getting child benefit for him and I just told them i'd sent the form off. I was able to do it all over the phone, but that may have been because I already receive tax credits for my other 2 children-it's worth giving them a ring-at worst all they will do is tell you that you have to wait until you are getting child benefit!!

Becles

Unfortunately there are no cheap first baby milks, nor will you find special offers on them. It's something to do with the government who said there can be no offers on first milks as it may discourage breastfeeding.

Have you tried cheaper brand nappies? It's trial and error as to which brands fit your baby best, but my daughter was fine in the Tesco Essentials nappies which were much cheaper than Pampers/Huggies etc. Also look out for special offers and stand and work out the cost per nappy and some offers make the brand names cheaper than store brands.

Look on all the manufacturers websites. I was in the Huggies Club, Pampers club etc., and they all sent vouchers out every so often. Do the same with Hipp, Cow and Gate etc., and you'll get samples and vouchers for baby food when he reaches weaning age. Shops like Boots and Tesco have baby clubs too that are worth joining for vouchers and offers too.

lauren_1

The best deal I have found on baby SMA gold milk is buy it through Lloyds pharmacy on-line, they're the cheapest at £7.69 now ( i see wilkinsons are doing it for £9 and boots for £8.37) and you can get free delivery if spent over £30 and you can get cashback of 6% via quidco even on baby milk.

With nappies try to consider washables or at least having a few to cut down on the disposables. Boots however are with good nappy offers and if you join the parenting club you get 10 points per £ and lots more offers.

Darlyd

WOW Was only 4 years ago SMA white/gold was £5 from the health centre.

ironman1

Luckily we may le able to get Pampers half price as we know a wholesaler.

lauren_1

darlyd wrote: »

WOW Was only 4 years ago SMA white/gold was £5 from the health centre.

Yup....and farleys was that too. I think baby milk is fast approaching the price of petrol.