Pregnany money saving mission!!

MUSLIMAH_MUMMY_TO_BE

Bollards wrote: »

Hello and congratulations!
I'm also pregnant and due at the beginning of August. This will be my second baby and my biggest piece of advice would be to ask advice from others before making big purchases. There are a number of things that we bought which either lasted no time at all, or just weren't useful. I'm really going into it with my eyes open this time!

I'll give you an example:
We had loads of newborn clothes which lasted approximately a week, and DS didn't even get to wear some of them. It is also quite difficult to dress a small baby and I think that this time it will be living in (2nd hand from my DS) vests and babygrows. Thankfully most of them are unisex colour. I really don't think I am going to bother getting it any proper clothes until at least 3, if not 6 months. You will probably get some as presents anyway. Also as you are having a summer baby it won't need loads of clothes otherwise it will get too hot.

If you can, try to use reusable nappies. They do take a bit of work, but I have found them economical and reliable. I will be using the same ones as I had for DS. You can often get them second hand (I know it sounds horrible, but people who use reusables tend to look after them very well) and if you buy new then there is always the chance for you to sell them on afterwards. There are loads of sites which will help you through the real nappy maze, one of them is the nappy lady (google it!)

Can't think of anything else to say for now, but good luck with your pregnancy!

Thanks I really appreciate your advice. I think I know what you mean about the baby clothes. I bought lots of 0-3 then I found out so did my mum and so did my auntie!!
I still cant get my head aroung using reusable nappies! But I am open to maybe using them later. I have recieved alot of free samples and coupons so I already have about 450 nappies and I have probably only spent about 30.00 in total! But eventually I will have to thing about more ways to save and reusable nappies is a good option.
Good luck with your pregnancy!!

MUHAMID

Hi everyone,

can i enter in this thread or do i need to be pregnant for that?
lol......!

racer256

Hi
PM me as I have a book of vouchers for Pampers that a freind has given me and I don't have any kids (but I was pregnant but miscarried) Shame for them to go to waste. First come first served with your address.
m x

victoriaplum1

Hi
My 'baby' is now 2 and my biggest money saving tip in retrospect would be....not to buy everything new esp clothes. I do bootsales and it is amazing how many people sell off really really good quality kids clothing for next to nothing. You could definitely save a small fortune on baby clothes by scouring bootsales and no one would ever know they hadnt been bought new esp with small baby clothes 0-3 months, newborn etc...they hardly get any wear so stay in fab condition. I also took all offers of second hand baby clothes from family members etc kept what was in good nick and charity shopped the rest....it was a godsend cos babies go through stacks of clothes being sick on them etc. Also I bought big boxes of non bio washing powder from Asda and found it to be really good, used only half amount per wash too (unless really dirty) and had machine on economy wash whole time.

isaacsmum

There are several good ways to save money when having a baby - I am mum to Isaac 2 1/4 years and also a health visitor - these are my tips

1) breastfeed - its free - hard work, yes, but persevere - it will pay dividends in the end both money wise and convenience wise - no need to buy the endless load of stuff associated with artificial feeding - ie bottles, steriliser, formula milk - its very expensive and full of horrific things:eek: - teats, dummies, bottle warmers etc etc etc

2) Use reusable nappies - I bought a cotton bottoms birth to potty pack its fantastic - ebay is a good place to look - especially for the flushable liners - 200 for £4.99 in Boots - usually can get them for about £1.99 +p&p. Also you don't need to use the flushable oliners straight away as liquid poo runs off them anyway. when you do start with them they can be cut in half for a while - depends on the size of your baby but I did this until my son was about 1 year and my son was 8lb 15oz born!

3) Consider baby led weaning - not until at least 6 months (26 weeks) and possibly longer - when baby is able to reach out and grab food is best. Don't buy baby foods - make your own - much cheaper and more tasty - not padded out with thickening agents and preservatives - freeze extra portions of adult meals for when you have non-baby friendly stuff like hot curry.

4) Borrow stuff from friends whose babies have outgrown things ie cots, baby baths, and even clothes including maternity ones for you, or buy second hand or "seconds" or "old collection" items from ebay or similar. Just be wary about car seats as they may have been in a crash and therefore not reliable.

5) Use the libarary - they aren't like they used to be and children can be noisy in there and if books get damaged or lost they do not fine you if on the baby's ticket. Also use a toy library for trying out toys. Consider joining groups that may be run by the nursery nurses in the health visiting team - if you have them - they will show you how to make toys blue peter style.

6) Look out for special offers on baby toiletries - shops own brands are usually fine also. Infacare smells gorgeous and is cheap in Tescos.

poodlehorse

isaacsmum wrote: »

- ie bottles, steriliser, formula milk - its very expensive and full of horrific things:eek: - .

Can I take umbridge at this part of your post. While I do not dispute that breast is best there are mothers who despite wanting to BF can't for whatever reason, I was one of them. To be told that you have fed your child HORRIFIC things is very unhelpful. I would have thought as a medical professional you would have realised how this might make a mother feel, especially as they may have PND or going through lots of confusing and guilt-ridden emotions already. I really struggled with feelings of enormous guilt and unworthiness as a result of not being able to feed my baby myself and this post makes me very angry but my son is now 2 so it is all over and done with for me but there might well be new mums going through what I did RIGHT NOW. I don't think you have done your profession any credit with this post.

kizzykizzywizzy

Do you know anyone who does nappy trials in your area? I did this with both of mine & saved a lot of money.
As for the breast feeding argument, I've done both ways, mostly through pressure to do the right thing, I ended up breast feeding my daughter for 2 years, as was told I was doing so well by health visitors, it went on for so long I couldn't stop her! Ok I know it was good for her, but I had 2 years of just me being woken up, she wouldn't take an expressed bottle & never slept through & although people say it's best & I was always discreet, went into another room ( for my privacy, not others ) I felt embarrased that it went on for so long, when I went in to labour with my son, I was still breastfeeding my daughter! she went cold turkey whilst I was in hospital. When I had my Son I decided to bottle feed & was made to feel guilty about it, but I really couldn,t carry on anymore & how could I feed my Son & stop feeding my Daughter. The moral is they are both healthy & you must do what's right for you & your baby, not others, your baby would prefer a happy unstressed mother I'm sure, & if you are unable to breastfeed, so what, I'm sure you will be a great mum in many other ways, so don't beat yourself up about it. And I've got a couple of spaniels ears for breasts!!! :rotfl: