Baby stuff - Am I missing something?!

Bluemeanie_2

Hello,

I know there are quite a few lists on here about what you really need for a newborn, so sorry for the repetitiveness. But I've not bought half the stuff that friends etc seems too and not found it as expensive as everyone says. I will list my stuff so any feedback appreciated if I am really missing something!

Pushchair - After loads of research etc - Brand new, but on special offer. they were only going for about £50 less with scratches so decided to have new.
Car seat (free with pushchair) and Isofix base
Cot and mattress (£60 off Gumtree for a £150 cot and £80 mattress)
Little Circus bedding from Mothercare - Gift from parents
Moses basket, stand and bedding (£20, bought from an acquaintance. Little Circus so matches all my other stuff yay!)
Baby monitor, kindly donated to us
Breast pump borrowed from friend
Unisex sleep suits
Vests
Hat
Cardigan

"Consumables" (To be purchased nearer the time)

Nappies
Bum wipes
Breast pads
Muslins

Indulgent purchases to make baby's room nice:

Rug,
wall stickers
clock
new lampshade
new curtains

Not buying bottles, steriliser or formula as if breast feedings hurt etc, I will give in straight away, so would rather go out and buy it (or send Hubby).

When do they lay on a playgym? Baby due Sept and I've seen them on the car boot for a tenner tops, so was going to get one this season as they are very dear brand new.

I'm just determined to have a "moneysaving" baby, as I'd rather put money away for his/hers first house or Uni.

Thanks.
xxx

lowlitmemory

I can't think of anything really "necessary" that you haven't already got. We bought a sling which was necessary for us, BUT only because we don't have a car and so our car seat wasn't the kind with a handle, meaning we needed a way to get baby safely from the hospital ward down into my mum's car in the carpark. Of course we could have carried him, but being a first-time mum I was paranoid I'd drop him and secondly it was mid-January and snowing. Sorry, I'm rambling! When your LO gets here I'd really recommend going to a sling library and trying a few different types as I find mine to be a godsend, but did admittedly sell our first one on as it stopped suiting us.

Baby didn't lie on a mat/playgym type thing until he was 3 months, because he never liked to be left alone in the newborn weeks. Tenner is a good price for one though, I'd get it if I were you.

To be really moneysaving you can get reusable nappies, wipes and breast pads. Up to you though. We love the reusable nappies and breast pads, but neither of us like the idea of reusable wipes so just buy big multipacks of the disposable wipes when we can find them cheaply on Amazon. We also use disposable nappies at night for convenience and didn't start him in them until he was big enough for birth-to-potty nappies.

Basically I think you've done well... if I was doing it again I wouldn't have bought half the things we did. I wouldn't even have bothered with the pram (£400 second-hand it cost me!!) as we get on so well with the sling and could easily carry him until the time comes we can get a cheap stroller. People will probably buy you toys and clothes too! And anything else you find you need, or which would make your life easier, you can easily get once your LO is here anyway.

pigpen

A chair for baby to relax when awake. If you can get one cheap i'd have a look at the birth to toddler fisherprice one.. my very large 2.5 year still uses ours. It has a toy bar and lays almost flat for tiddlies.

I wouldn't bother with a specific playmat a blanket on the floor is just the same and put a few toys on you are sorted.

I'd recommend a coat of some sort too.. buy a bigger size and roll up the sleeves September can be very cold sometimes.

Car boots are great for bedding and stuff too.

And just use a washing up bowl for a bath or put baby in with OH when he gets a bath or shower.

I can't use a sling due to problems with my hips but I did for a long time with the older ones.

shell_girl

Another vote for reusable breast pads. You've got everything you need - all baby wants at first is you anyway!

You mentioned breastfeeding, if you can, go along to a local breastfeeding support group while you're still pregnant. I learned loads about breastfeeding before the baby came along, it's a skill like any other that needs to be learned. Lots of Mums I know really wanted to breastfeed but fell at the early hurdles (or booby traps!) because they didn't know what to expect :-(

Bluemeanie_2

Thanks both. I've considered a sling because of walking the dog. I thought I would struggle to push a buggy and hold her lead (She pulls!).

I wanted to use re-useable nappies, but I'm going back to work full time after 18 weeks off and I struggle to get our washing done alone. Then work is a 45 min drive each way and having a combo of Mum and nursery to look after baby so I've prioritised my time with baby over that one. If I was having a year off I'd have used them without a doubt because of the money and environment. But I'm being bad and choosing convenience!

I think I'll get a chair next payday off ebay or car boot. (Hopefully Little Circus again if I'm patient lol)

It is appreciated, as I keep hearing about all this stuff you HAVE to buy and it just doesn't seem right. Yes the £15 bath with the matching circus on is nice to look at but just looks like more stuff that it will end up carbooted! All novelty items.

Changing table seem the biggest waste to me. They always seem to be for sale on facebook!

Not that I'm calling anyone, if you want to spend the money and buy it all, then by all means fill your boots, but I like to think I'm reasonably sensible.

Basically I think you've done well... Thank you. x

Wonder_Girl

The only other thing I would suggest is a bouncy chair as above, it's nice to pop baby down for 5 mins if you need to answer the door or something.

Also the mattress you got with the cot, is it brand new? it is recommended to have a new one for every baby so although you got a bargain it may be something you want to look into.

Alsoinstead of muslins we have brought a load of these much cheaper.

Good luck x

Bluemeanie_2

shell_girl wrote: »

Another vote for reusable breast pads. You've got everything you need - all baby wants at first is you anyway!

You mentioned breastfeeding, if you can, go along to a local breastfeeding support group while you're still pregnant. I learned loads about breastfeeding before the baby came along, it's a skill like any other that needs to be learned. Lots of Mums I know really wanted to breastfeed but fell at the early hurdles (or booby traps!) because they didn't know what to expect :-(

Thank you. I really want to give it my best shot. I've found one at the local Sure Start that I might try. I have a good friend who fed as well who said she'll teach me.

I'll look into the reusable breast pads. Thanks again guys

Wonder_Girl

re the pulling dog get a halti type harness, about £10 ish from most pet shops, out huge dog would pull me over every time he saw a squirrel without it!

lowlitmemory

I have these breastpads... currently on sale: http://www.littlelambnappies.com/front-page/gbp/bsos-special-half-price-offer-breast-pads

I echo the advice of Pigpen re: the infant-to-toddler rocker. Half the price of some of the most expensive ones, but will last a lot longer. We used ours for daytime naps when very small, until he started refusing to sleep anywhere but me. Now I put him in it when having a shower or cooking dinner!

Bluemeanie_2

Wonder_Girl wrote: »

The only other thing I would suggest is a bouncy chair as above, it's nice to pop baby down for 5 mins if you need to answer the door or something.

Also the mattress you got with the cot, is it brand new? it is recommended to have a new one for every baby so although you got a bargain it may be something you want to look into.

Alsoinstead of muslins we have brought a load of these much cheaper.

Good luck x

The person I bought it off claimed it had been used only once and put straight back in the packaging, and too be honest I believe her. It still has that "new" smell etc.

I will look for a bouncy chair, it looks nice for them to chill in while there awake instead of rolling around in Moses basket etc.

Thanks, I can't wait! xx

Bluemeanie_2

Wonder_Girl wrote: »

re the pulling dog get a halti type harness, about £10 ish from most pet shops, out huge dog would pull me over every time he saw a squirrel without it!

I've got a harness for her, worked great at first but then she went back to normal! Little !!!!!!! Do you have a link by any chance so I can see if it's different to the one I've got? x