Having a baby Old Style???

Shoose

Hi

Look on Freecycle - my local ones currently have a baby bath and clothes on there, all for free!

Personally I would keep away from white clothing as they stain too easily.

Join as many clubs as you can at different shops as you will then regularly get money off coupons.

Check with you local authority to see if they offer incentives to use washable nappies.

FairyElephant_2

Moneybunnybabe - hello & welcome!

Sorry to hear that your baby's dad is such a ****, but you seem to have the right attitude and I admire you for being so sensible and getting on with what is impotant - as someone else said - it is, & will be in future, his loss!

I'm pregnant too - 17 weeks now - and although the baby was very much planned I had not planned to be made redundant at this point, so although I was intending to be as OS as poss, this is now a money-saving essential rather than a choice!

There's been some great advice on here already, and I haven't too much to add at the moment, except to say don't panic about getting everything NOW - you have plenty of time, so I would say sort out your lists, price-up the new versions of what you need/want and then start keeping your eyes open for bargains in all the ways already mentioned. Also take whatever people offer you with thanks - if you don't use it now or in future, you can always pass it on again or charity shop it!

One thing I have been picking up is flannels from £1 shops and similar - often 4 or 5 for £1 - to use as re-usable wipes. Also I got some cheap hand-towels at £1 a time for big wipes/changing mat covers/baby towels...

Oh, and when you see your midwife, make sure she fills in the form for you to get your NHS card - free prescriptions, dental checks and sometimes other bosnuses depending where you live (we get free swimming sessions apparantly, but I haven't been yet!).

As well as Ebay for baby stuff, there are usually loads of cheap maternity clothes on there which you'll need before too long! I've got some great stuff either new or VGC and paid a fraction of what they want in the shops! For new stuff, ASDA is reasonable and good quality, and peacocks too - but avoid Mothercare which is a ripoff! (my only indulgence has been dungarees from there, as I really really wanted some and couldn't get anywhere else in my size as I'm quite big - at £35 though they were a total treat but I love them and will gets lots of wear out of them, then probably sell them on!).


I am usually around at some time most days if you want to PM & have a moan or let off steam, or have any questions or worries I can help with (am away this w/e though!).

Good luck & congraulations!

FE -x-

PS - Angelpye - your post brought a tear to my eye. Your love & pride in your daughter shines though. Congraulations & all the best with your pregnancy!

fluffybunnies

Hello :hello:

My sister gave us all guidance when we asked what her kids wanted/needed for xmas/bday, and she would give us a specific age of clothes etc-i think she now has clothes for up to 5 years for my nephew and neice.

As bubba gets older I would reccomend using a toy library rather than buying loads of expensive toys-or talking to other mothers with children of a similar age(if you use surestart you are sure to meet some) and arranging a 'toy swap' day.

charliee_3

sorry if i repeat anything, baby stirring upstairs so dont have long!
1) muslins- i was told id need loads so i bought loads and they arent cheap. i didnt use them as my son didnt spit up.. ever. he was breastfed so i think they generally spit up less... mine are all still folded up in the airing cupboard 2 years later..
2) dont get a fancy chaging station, you dont need it.. a changing mat on the floor will do
3) i bought the pram/ carrycot attachment for my pushchair, i used it about twice, but we did use it as a bed for a while as l/o didnt seem to like the flimsyness of the moses basket so we put the carrycot on the moss basket stand
4) nursery.. dont spend loads of money decorating it coz a) the baby wont be in there for the best part of 6 months anyhoo.. and b) even when they do go in they dont care if the walls are plain as long as they have a mobile to look at...
5) you are breastfeeding which is the chepest option by far.. just a tip.. the first 2- 3 weeks are really tough.. it hurts like hell, but if you can stick at it and persevere, after the first few weeks its a cinch ;-)
6) you might want a breast pump, etc, but wait until you are sure you want one as BF may not work out or you may not need to pump.. i had a pump, but didnt get on with it.. couldnt see the point for me as i was happy to do all the feeds myself
7)dont bother with fancy bedding.. i bought one of those sets with cover, blanket, flat sheet, bumper etc.. didnt use any of them i am still using the same 2 fitted sheets on the cot that i bought at the start and that is it.. he is 2 in nov and only just got him a duvet cover set..
8) blankets.. i got given/ bought LOADS and didnt really use them as most babies these days end up in gro-bags so blankets are pointless
9)EBAY is your friend.. buy second hand

10) dont panic buy.. there is an urge to get everything before the baby is born.. basically tesco is open 24 hours and sells everything so you can leave buying some of the less everyday things until you think you might use them..

11) start stocking up.. each week/month buy some bits for the baby.. nappies, wipes, babygros (as thats pretty much all they wear to start with), baby bath, etc, so you have a stockpile, this will ease the pressure when the baby comes.

12) once again.. ebay is your friend.. most baby stuff on there is barely used and its a fraction of the new price

13) i didnt use them but washable nappies will save you a fortune, my friend even washes and reuses baby wipes (not pooey ones) as she finds they are pretty indestructible, even in the washing machine. then she sprays them with a bottle of water and some sort of essential oils she keeps by the changing mat to make them moist again

14) you will be surprised at some of the things friends and friends of friends who's kids have grown will give you that they dont need anymore (spesh when they find out you are doing it on your own), so may be worth waiting and then filling in the gaps

15) rocking chair.. i love my rocking chair, i got a dutalier glider off ebay for £70 and i have used it every day since so well worth the money.. i just found worn out breastfeeding in the cold and dark at 3am on an uncomfortable chair was the most depressing experience...

good luck!!

charliee_3

oh yeah and make sure you think of what season the baby will be born in or you will waste money, you are due april so you probably wont get much use out of a snowsuit until next winter for example and that bargain jumper wont get much use if it fits him/her in the summer..

also swaddle.. some babies love it, some hate, some think they hate it till you force it on them then they love it.. my boy NEEDED it.. he just couldnt settle with his arms bashing him in the face every 2 seconds.. there are lots out there.. ones i tried myself always came unwrapped.. i had a miracle-wrap which was quite pricey but good, but not the easiest and then i graduated to kiddopotamus that i bought off ebay and can highly recommend for ease and inescapability.. dont get the fleece ones though, they arent as good as the cotton.. buy 2nd hand or get them off friends...

charliee_3

oh yeah.. changing bags.. i have a house full of them!! the freebie ones are good, i used the boots one for quite while, the one that came with the pushchair was ok too, bigger but less practical.. then i got an avent kitbag which is like a rucksack, not big but good if you need to have both hands free.. i also ened up (once i could carry less stuff with me) using one of the large handbags, which was nice as not so mumsy.. currently i have a small shoulder bag and only carry a nappy and a few wipes, a dummy, a disposable bib and a cup of water and that covers most trips now!

OrkneyStar

The good suggestions have been made pretty much, so just to say, all the best.
There is a pregnancy thread on the Marriages and Families board which you could join so you can chat to others if you feel the need, apart from your non-online friends of course , and share tips and experiences.
It will be a scary time, it will be hard sometimes, it will be stressful, you will be tired, but it WILL also be a wonderful time, so congratulations!

ktpie

There are loads of good tips on here, my tip would be try not to get too carried away buying too much stuff before hand, you can always go and get things when you need them, I've still got a drawer full of stuff I thought I would need and never did. Newborn bibs for example, I breastfed and used muslins so never used these, but I know a lot of people use them all the time so a lot of it is personal preference.
I've found mumsnet.com a good place to chat to other mothers, they have a good ante-natal section, it's great to chat to other mothers at the same stage of pregnancy as you. It's very different from MSE though!

moneybunnybabe

Thank you again everybody for the practical advice and the emotional support. x x

My sister has given me some needles and wool to have a bash at making some baby clothes, however I really am a basic knitter - can cast on, cast off and do the knit stitch. Does anybody know any really, really basic patterns I could use.
I know I can buy hand knitted things from charity shops and Ebay however I think I may find it relaxing and therapuetic...also may take my mind off that [EMAIL="w@nker"]w@nker[/EMAIL]. Excuse the French but he has just text me a barrage of abuse - again.

Also I have just applied for a new free orange simcard from the Orange site for my PAYG phone...then I won't have to read anymore of his poison.

X x

daska

Baby Led Weaning

Forget the purees, this is so much easier and faster. I have a lovely series of pictures of DS2 aged 7 months munching his way through a whole pear.