baby stuff

LilMissEmmylou

if your in england go to your local NCT sales - apparently they are fab for buying bits and bobs for a few £ a time. Im looking fwd to coming back to england for these sales!

Oh and borrow a moses basket or crib if you can, they only get used for a short time. Buy a cotbed rather than cot as then it lasts you a bit longer and you can get them for £100 with matress brand new in some store Oh and if you get a moses basket/crib check if pillow cases fit as a sheet! I didnt do this as i got free crib sheets from a friend but apparently it works a treat. Also means when the baby is sick in the middle of the night, rather than changing it... you just flip it over

i agree on bath products i never use half of them on my girl, just good old warm water with a few bubbles, shampoo and baby oil. Thats about all you need bath wise - get them in boots on the BOGOFs of their own brand and if you join their baby club you also get double points on all their own brand baby products

oh and you get a free changing bag from boots too - infact just go join the boots baby club now if you havent lol

lil_me

Sorry to hear about your partner loosing his job, hope something comes along soon. Congratulations on the expected arrival.

My biggest advice would be if someone offers to buy gifts be honest about what you want and need.

Try https://www.dontdumpthat.com aswell as freecycle. You could just put a wanted ad of baby items - anything considered.

Free ads papers like https://www.adtrader.co.uk can also be good for bargains.

With DS2 I put away money each week for things I would need, helped a lot rather than buying everything incase I was offered something free/cheaper than new.

nell2

Congratulations on the baby- there's lots of good advice here by the look of it about where to get things without spending too much.
However, the most important thing to remember is that little babies don't need very much stuff. Far more important is someone to cuddle them when they want to be cuddled (most of the time in my experience, especially during the hours that normal human beings sleep!)
I agree that Ikea is great for baby stuff at good prices- my cot came from there, and it's still going strong with baby no.3 currently in residence!
I hope your oh gets something sorted out soon.
All the best, and congratulations again!

belfastgirl23

I'd say also ask your mum or friends to put word out on the friends and relatives network and see what comes in. People love to pass on their baby clothes to someone they care about but sometimes feel awkward about giving 'second hand'. Also if said mum or friend was able to help co-ordinate presents to encourage a few relatives to get together and buy something bigger rather than little bits. I know I would be THRILLED not to have to try to think of something original but to be able to contribute money towards something genuinely useful for the couple. Sort of like a wedding list idea...

Good luck with your baby!!

Curious_George_2

have you joined all the parents clubs (eg, boots - free £25 changing bag, SMA - free hooded towels of such outstanding quality you wont believe they are just giving them away!, coupons, bibs and samples galore etc)

have you joined pigsback? me and my OH have been clicking like demons for the past few months and have got about £80 worth of boots vouchers which we will be spending on baby supplies.

andicarmi - you really didnt need the bath and top and tail bowl?? blimey! we used ours every day at least until DD could sit up properly, our bathroom was cold and our front room was warm... i know where i would rather have been bathed!!

Justie

Curious_George wrote: »

SMA - free hooded towels of such outstanding quality you wont believe they are just giving them away!,

oh where I can't see any mention of it..

rchddap1

I hope you've already registered with the boots pregnancy club. You get some vouchers and a change bag...very useful thing.

Make sure all your friends and family know...and whilst you're there ask any with kids if they've got anything they don't want / need. I'm borrowing a huge amount from my sister. Clothes....sleep suits are sleep suits afterall, and I hate seeing my girl in pink all the time. Car seat....I can borrow this as I know it hasn't been in an accident, cotbed, toys, bouncy chair etc.... To be honest I think I could get away with not spending a penny...she'd look like a boy all the time though.

Go round all the car boots as well....you can pick up no end of stuff. From clothes, to prams, to toys (don't go for car seats as you need to be 100% certain they haven't been in an accident...if they have they're useless when it comes to proctecting your little one.

www.kiddicare.com is a great baby shop site. They only have one store in Peterborough, but they do have some cheap stuff. Got a pram / pushchair from them for £60. Didn't see the point in spending £200+

If you have a nectar card and have points on it you can get some Adams vouchers. They're not the cheapest for clothes...but when its free.

The other thing you'll use a lot of is nappies. I use disposeables, but you could get a set of re-uselables (forgotten the exact word, but you know what I mean). Then use cotton wool to wipe their bum and the odd wipe when it gets really revolting.

Oh...and congratulations.

tra_2

Don't forget boot sales. I bought a double buggy for £50, it was still in its sealed cellophane and box.

mishmash

Hi

For bigger items like High chair and cots I would say Ikea. I got my DD's high chait ( I think it was £12) and it is still great ( she's 2 now). My Cot was about £20 and that is good as well.

I agree with the other posters, don't spend loads on clothes you will get bought lots and babys do not need too much stuff. Well not of the material kind lots of love though!! Also think about breast feeding not only is it better for baby, helps you lose weight it is also very cheap. No bottles or sterilisers or formula. I was not sure at first but I found it really easy.

Congratulations and good luck.

Mish x

chergar

Great tips on here but I'd like to add (slthough you probably know already) that you may be entitled to a Sure Start payment. It is a one-off payment for low income families of £500 that you can apply for from 3 months before til 3 months after baby is born. You need to get your midwife to sign a copy of your application. I don't know the link but if you google sure start payments you will find it - failing that ask your mw at next appointment.

Oh and congratulations on your pregnancy.