Bringing Up Baby Old Style ... 2013 and beyond

tootoo

Oh maternity clothes... I got by on a pair of jean, trousers, leggings and dh treated me to a dress. Other than that I wore/bought floaty tops.

kettlenic

Thanks for all the maternity clothes tips I will be having a look at ebay and def heading to Matalan and Primark!!

This a great thread - I have subscribed and will be sitting down and making a list and notes so I don't forget!!

I will also use the freecycle idea as a way to try and get some things for the baby

I have my appointment on the 13th June to find out if it is a boy or girl - so excited!!

skint_breeder_5

chickien wrote: »

I'm going to join in too



Am loving the tips optimistic-mummy and am planning to follow most of them, but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for reusable nappies. They seem so expensive to begin with and after reading about the different brands on Mumsnet even the top rated ones have some really bad reviews?? Are they a lot more hassle than disposables?? I know I could be saving a fortune (and the planet) so would like to give them a go

Some advise for you chickien and Opto-Mum go on ebay and get yourself some "used" ones

If you are put off by the thought that they are "used" then washable nappies are not for you - one lot of baby Poo is just like another - after all, nobody is going to put unlaundered washable nappies up for sale

Many washable nappy bundles come up, including ones with nappy bins and liners (these are usually good buys as this means the seller tried washable nappies and couldn't get on with them, so one or two may be described as "new" but the others may still be new in packets :money:)

I have 5 children (aged 20 to 3 months) the eldest I did try old fashioned terri-towel folding triangle nappies with no success - limited cash meant when baby no4 came along I tried washable nappies. I used washable nappies 95% of the time for no 4 and no5

I have a number of different style "pre-owned" so I cannot tell you all the branded names, but I favour "pocket style" nappies having plastic wetness barrier and coloured cloth exterior. They come with poppers for easy adjustment and they allow you to choose the number of inserts you put in (personally I find bamboo inserts to be excellent, but I also have a number of microfibre and miscellaneous ones too!) and put a nappy liner in.

The popper ones are easily adjustable like tabs on a disposable, with the added benefit that they last right up to potty training and beyond (they still fit my no 4 who is 3 1/2, who is dry overnight but useful if staying over at a friend's where you don't want any unexpected accidents) so you will find they will last a long time.

I have also got some velcro based ones called "lollipop" that are a fixed size that have a couple of layers of absorbent 90%bamboo 10%polyester towel all in one, with some matching additional inserts which lay on top of the nappy, then you have some plasticated wraparound that stops the wetness onto the clothes.

Personally velcro are a pain in the wash, as you really need to "open up" the nappy to ensure it gets fully clean - hence the velcro sticks to anything and everything else in the machine.

Whatever you do, think ahead, do you want to be sticking your machine on a boil wash every night? No? How many days nappies do you want to store up in between washes? Allow between 6 to 8 nappies per day, then you can decide how many you really need to buy upfront.

Most importantly, do not use fabric softener in the wash as this affect the absorbency of the nappy.

I have other hints and tips, so PM me if you wish

pigpen

Most newer Velcro washable nappies the Velcro folds in like on a disposable so they don't snag on everything.

I loved terry squares I had some of the brightbots ones which were most funky.

Sequeena

My son is 21 months now but we are TTC our second child

BF didn't work out for us last time (he was hospitalised with sepsis at 2 weeks old, wouldn't let me bf as they wanted to monitor his feeds so instead I had to pump but I couldn't get half as much out and dried up by the time we left hospital)). I'm also interested in cloth nappying. I loved to wear my son but suffer with sciatica so unless that clears up I won't be able to wear the next baby.

Other than that we mostly have everything so shouldn't need to spend too much!

silverchair

optimistic-mummy wrote: »

sorry for another post but i wanted to ask what everyone thought were essentials what with keeping the cost down and all ....
here is what i have came up with so far :
sleepsuits
vests
carseat
pram/pushchair
cot and/or moses basket
bedding / blankets
bouncer - not essential but handy to have
hats and mittens
pramsuit if winter baby summer hat etc for summer babies
nappies
wipes

omg im minds gone blank again .... :mad: if anyone would like to add to the list feel free my brain has gone to sleep .... its been doing it alot lately x

I would prob give the mosses basket a pass. You can pick them up almost new at bootsales & ebay for cheap & theres a reason for that. Ive not met anyone whose little baby would sleep in it. Its also awkward if you need to move rooms as you have to carry a bulky mosses basket in one hand & baby in the other

My essential buys were:

Baby carrier:
For me a baby carrier was essential (I bought the baby bjorn one as it was good on my back & the least complicated strapwise). It just gave me so much freedom when my LO was newborn. But I think if you dont rely on public transport then you prob dont need one.

Baby Playgym

I bought a lamaze one & at 6 months he still enjoys it. It was good for tracking & then grabbing. I can also take it apart & do tummy time with him on the mat & shove it in my bag if we're going anywhere. The toys come off so Ive used them on his pram

Baby Chair/Bouncer

I bought the baby bjorn one off ebay (the really old version so it was loads cheaper). I found the other baby bouncers made him almost into a little ball even though they stated from newborn (particularly mamas & papas)


Mam Bottles

Obviously try to breastfeed if you can. Its so much cheaper & convenient. However, if it doesnt work out or you are able to express & have your OH help out with night time feeds these were the best bottles for us. He had so much painful wind with the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles. Just gulped loads of air.
Also with the mam bottles you dont need to buy a separate microwave steriliser as they're self-sterilising

Good Quality Pram/ Travel System

We spent money on this (but bought it secondhand). I wish I did this from the beginning. I originally bought a silver cross 3d secondhand for about £20. I thought it was a bargain, but it was rubbish & then we had to spend time getting another one.
I love my pram now its a dream to push & we go walking loads.

Pram Suit

Great for the baby carrier & saved putting lots of layers on a newborn that hated the fuss of being dressed. Again second hand as you can easily wash these. John Lewis on ebay seem to be the best.

Baby Books
Never too young to enjoy a good picture/ pop up book. I found they dont even have to be proper baby books. My little boy loves his monster pop up book (5 months old) & the sound we make when we read it too him. He now grabs hold of it & pulls on the flaps himself.

Cloth Nappies

I love these. I bought some online & others off ebay from a lady who didnt get round to using them. I must admit these were all new so I did pay a tidy sum as a start up.

I love hand knitted clothes, blankets, hats & mittens. Im lucky my friend handknitted woolly hats for him & his grandma gave me the handknitted mittens she made for his dad. I also bought handmade cardies from bootsales.

Bibs

Vests baby Grows all bought from ebay

Regret buying:

Moses basket & stand (paid £10 secondhand). My LO hated it. Its OK for storing toys in, but I would have been gutted if I paid full price.

Too many blankets. Grobags are better. Kiddicare sell them for £10 (still pricey tho) or check out TK Maxx


Old style tip. Check out your sure start centre & library as they usually have free baby activities


Id also be interested to hear tips & advice as Im really stretched for cash at the mo.

atypicalblonde

Ah yes tootoo Lanisoh is amazing isn't it!

One other point on breastfeeding - I was close to giving up at one point as my nipples were so cracked and sore, but by applying Lanisoh to help them heal and using nipple shields for a few days to protect them whilst they healed I was able to stick with it. I truly believe nipple shields were the difference between me sticking with breastfeeding and not, and at around £6 it was the best money I ever spent!

xx

pigpen

baby bjorn carriers are not very good for the hip development, same as all carriers that hang the baby by the crotch..

Linky link ..

And 2nd linky link.

Having hip dysplasia myself and my daughter has it too, it is one of my gripey topics.

notanewuser

optimistic-mummy wrote: »

poundshop do johnsons baby toiletries but be careful as sometimes when supermarkets have deals on it could work out cheaper

Just to say that Johnson's toiletries really aren't good for skin, be it babies, toddlers, children or adults.

You'd be better off giving that a wide berth.

notanewuser

atypicalblonde wrote: »

- Making baby food. Yes, in the early stages on weaning it is a nuisance pureeing EVERYTHING (I used to wash up the blender several times a day!) but it is so much cheaper than buying food and gets much easier once they are eating what you are eating.

No need to pur!e anything. Baby can eat whatever you eat from 6 months (just don't add any salt). Look up Baby Led Weaning.