Having a baby Old Style???

weezl74

congratulations OP, and the other pregnant ladies on the thread

We haven't had to buy anything new for either of my sons due to a combination of hand me downs, freecycle, and gifts from friends and family.

There was a point while I was pregnant where I felt I had to buy stuff in order to be ready, but it's just that people don't like to give you things too early in your pregnancy.

People on freecycle don't need you to be poor and destitute, they just usually don't want to have to chuck things on landfill sites

I definitely liked the advice earlier about using your common sense about whether things are essential, or just a cute mummy gimmick. We were given a bottle warmer, but to be honest I just pop kessies feed in my cup of tea for a few mins:o well it's very old style cos I only boil the kettle once:rotfl:

As tigs says, it is truly possible to make at least 3 pairs of toddler trousers and a sleeping bag out of an ikea fleece, even if you are using your mother in laws old sewing machine and have nil sewing skills ;)

HTH

Love weezl x

paulies_nixie

we're planning our first and this will come in super useful.
Is anyone willing to post their list of "essentials"?? I understand this is gonna be subjective but I'd love to have an idea of what to get.

Also what happens with the nappy bucket schemes? I want to use cloth but was unsure which ones to pick - can someone explain about the try before you buy thing please?

Nixie
x

falady

paulies_nixie wrote: »

we're planning our first and this will come in super useful.
Is anyone willing to post their list of "essentials"?? I understand this is gonna be subjective but I'd love to have an idea of what to get.

Also what happens with the nappy bucket schemes? I want to use cloth but was unsure which ones to pick - can someone explain about the try before you buy thing please?

Nixie
x

Hi there,

Well, this is my list of essentials for us and our circumstances (but please bear in mind that I am a first time mum and baby has not yet arrived, so more experienced mums might be able to help better.)

Cot
New cot mattress
Cot bedding -2x fitted sheets, 2x flat sheets, 2x blankets OR baby sleeping bags
Buggy with carry cot so little one can lie flat (newborns should be completely flat, whatever the government minimum says)
Brand new Car seat, plus carseat base if appropriate
Storage for baby's stuff
clothes - people will probably give you stuff. 2nd hand is fine
nappies - cloth/disposable
towels - we used some 'normal' towels which i got from primark when i did some massage training (obviously washed since then! - very soft and fluffy, and very cheap!
toiletries - many people say they can just be washed with water to start with, but i've got a few different brands to try. I got a 'johnsons' baby essentials' box inthe asda baby event, and will use the box as a changing box downstairs with nappies etc in, so i'm not taking her up and down our steep stairs all the time.
cortton wool or wipes (disposable or reusable) to clean their bum etc
breast pads for when your boobs start leaking
maternity pads for when you've just given birth. Some people suggest just using nighttime sanitary towels, but I've heard that maternity pads are better as they don't mask any signs of infection.
Decent well fitted maternity and nursing bras - not something to skimp on if you want to be comfortable / non-saggy! :eek::rotfl:
dimmer switch / lamp for the baby's room for night time feeds
play mat
baby nail scissors, brush etc
ear thermometer
room /bath thermometer - we've decided to get one, but i realise that not everyone does. Its that first time mum worry coming out!
changing bag - doesn't have to be a specific 'baby' one - you could use a rucksack / old laptop bag etc.

There is lots of flexibility in the list above, and as I said before, its just my opinion. You might choose to make your own cot sheets, get a second hand buggy, use a sling instead, buy special baby towels etc - its up to you and what suits you. There's a wealth of information on MSE (relationships and families forum), and on the many baby sites. I use netmums quite a lot.

HTH,

Ali xx

rach

I'm currently almost 23 weeks pregnant and this baby is going to be very moneysaving! My advice would be similar to some of that above, we have spent a fraction of what 'they' tell you you should spend! Am hoping to breastfeed! My main advice is don't go mad, and netmums, freecycle and ebay are your friends (as are your friends!!)

Maternity clothes I bought a bundle of 5 pairs trousers on ebay for £10 incl postage - they're in amazing condition and i've lived in them. I've borrowed tops and more trousers from my sister and lots of my own tops are fine as they are long. My mat wardrobe is better than my normal one by far!!

From friends/family we've been given or promised a cotbed, changing table, breast pump, bath seat, and I am sure some other things that I can't remember! I am going to a friends next week to look over her bits, expect I will end up with things like baby bath, top & tail bowl etc.

From netmums I've bought a babybjorn active carrier for £7, a chicco chair for £5, a moses basket with covers, stand and 5 sheets for £12, 3 sleeping bags for £5 plus some nappies.

Nappies I am going for reusable and a wanted on netmums netted 15 brand new tots bots (free), 15 some new some used cotton bottoms £10 and 15 kooshies £10. Our council doesn't so a scheme though my councillor is looking into this for me so hopefully they will come good and cover nappy buckets etc. Using boots, tesco & sains vouchers I have bought 4 packs of disposables and got a free change bag.

reusable wipes I have bought 2x8 flannels in 99p shop and am making others and nappy liners from fleece.

clothes - bought some bundles from ebay and other things my mum has got some plain white vests and sleepsuits from a variety of places.

New we have bought a few clothes, a babygym thing (£6 in tk maxx sale), a little book that I wanted, a few vests etc. We are buying a new pushchair (parents have offered), and carseat (in laws have offered!), cotbed and moses basket mattress (£100 should do both) and some new bedding bits (but not going mad on a set). Hoping to get curtains off ebay.

For me it's partly about moneysaving and partly environmental, plus I love a challenge!

mumto1_2

falady wrote: »

Hi there,

Well, this is my list of essentials for us and our circumstances (but please bear in mind that I am a first time mum and baby has not yet arrived, so more experienced mums might be able to help better.)

Cot
New cot mattress
Cot bedding -2x fitted sheets, 2x flat sheets, 2x blankets OR baby sleeping bags If you've got room, a cot-bed is better value, can last till LO is 6 in some cases.
Buggy with carry cot so little one can lie flat (newborns should be completely flat, whatever the government minimum says)
Brand new Car seat, plus carseat base if appropriate
Storage for baby's stuff
clothes - people will probably give you stuff. 2nd hand is fine
nappies - cloth/disposable
towels - we used some 'normal' towels which i got from primark when i did some massage training (obviously washed since then! - very soft and fluffy, and very cheap! We bought a cuddledry for ours that we are still using - worth every penny as it hangs round your neck so you can use both hands to hold baby in and dont' need to lay out a towel on the floor when baby is cold and screaming.... best price was on ebay.
toiletries - many people say they can just be washed with water to start with, but i've got a few different brands to try. I got a 'johnsons' baby essentials' box inthe asda baby event, and will use the box as a changing box downstairs with nappies etc in, so i'm not taking her up and down our steep stairs all the time. The online site I used for organic bubble bath and SLS-free bath gel and wipes seems to have changed to https://www.peachytots.com. The wipes dont' leave a soapy residue and the gel lasts forever (we're on our 2nd bottle at 16 months!)
cotton wool or wipes (disposable or reusable) to clean their bum etc you can cut up and hem terry muslins for wipes and use chamomile tea to soak them in - it's anti-bacterial, just make fresh every day. I get it loose off the market. Helps prevent nappy rash. With a bad outbreak you can leave a soaked cloth in the nappy.
breast pads for when your boobs start leaking
maternity pads for when you've just given birth. Some people suggest just using nighttime sanitary towels, but I've heard that maternity pads are better as they don't mask any signs of infection.
Decent well fitted maternity and nursing bras - not something to skimp on if you want to be comfortable / non-saggy! :eek::rotfl:
dimmer switch / lamp for the baby's room for night time feeds
play mat
baby nail scissors, brush etc
ear thermometer
room /bath thermometer - we've decided to get one, but i realise that not everyone does. Its that first time mum worry coming out!
changing bag - doesn't have to be a specific 'baby' one - you could use a rucksack / old laptop bag etc. A laptop bag wont' be wide enough, a rucksack/ large duffle would do.

There is lots of flexibility in the list above, and as I said before, its just my opinion. You might choose to make your own cot sheets, get a second hand buggy, use a sling instead, buy special baby towels etc - its up to you and what suits you. There's a wealth of information on MSE (relationships and families forum), and on the many baby sites. I use netmums quite a lot.

HTH,

Ali xx

Can't think of anything we bought and didn't use........... except the sling and that was cause I couldn't carry him in it due to my bad back.

I know you haven't thought of weaning yet... but think about baby-led weaning, basically you go straight to finger-foods at 6 months - veg first, and let baby feed himself, no matter how little or how much gets swallowed. https://www.baby-ledweaning.com is a great site.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Have to say I agree with the above, as far as what are classed as essentials etc but with the 'somewhere to sleep' - if a midwife/health visitor knows your sharing a bed they will highly advise you not too with the risk of baby suffocating under the covers or being smothered by yourself/OH. My matron on my birth ward when I had my son refused to even let me sit upright in my bed with my eyes closed holding Ben and put the fear of god into me about stories she had heard of people accidentally smothering their babies, and not only parents - siblings who were left to sleep and cuddle with them too! :eek::eek:

Also I know our hospitals in south Wales will not allow you to take babe home unless they are securely fastened into a car seat.

Yes, and we had the midwives actively encouraging us to have our babies in bed with us.

It was also interesting pointing out to the agency midwife that I didn't need a car seat because I was walking home and didn't even have a car.

lauren_1

It took me 2 nights but i have finished reading the entire lot, thanks, so many great tips

paulies_nixie

Great lists, thanks I'm gonna have a look into pro's and con's of co-sleeping, I like the idea of it and have a friend who's into baby wearing and makes the sling thingies, deffo gonna pick her brain!
Got the all clear from the docs this morning so we're starting to save for the expensive bits. Who knows it may be months or years before we "catch"

Gonna get a baby doll so the dogs are used to us cuddling a funny creature
Also found that our town has a real nappy network and does sew your own workshops - I got a sewing machine, why not
I'm all stupidly excited LOL

Nixie
x

xxvickixx

If you plan to breastfeed then try and find out where your local support group is and get a list of the helpline numbers and put it on your fridge. Support groups usually welcome Mums to be so you can get to know the people who run it and it will be easier to call if you need some help.
It's much better to call them or one of the helplines than the midwife of health visitor as in the area I live in midwifes don't even get breastfeeding training and neither do the health visitors so they will often give mums bad or incorrect advice. Not knocking the work they do, just trying to show that they are often not experts in breastfeeding. Don't even get me started on GPs...

xxvickixx

Co-sleeping is now being promoted as safe and encouraged at our local Maternity Hospital.