How much does a baby add to your budget?

Rambosmum

ViolaLass wrote: »

OP, reusable nappies were easily our most money-saving purchase. We calculated that even with cleaning costs, we have been in profit since our daughter was 3-4 months old. The nappies are showing little sign of wear and tear and with luck will do us a second child too, should we have one.

I've just bought a second hand lot of nappies, several different brands, and sizes to take us from birth to potty for £59, including postage. We have enough of each brand to sell the ones we don't get on with and make some money back. We'll still use some disposables but should save an awful lot of money.

meer53

LilElvis wrote: »

Times change. If you were a first time mother now you might well do things differently, just as you probably didn't do what your own mother did.

When my (now 5 year old) daughter was moved into her own room at 8 months we would turn on her lullaby CD as we left the room after settling her for the night. She soon learned that her music meant that the lights were going to be turned to low, Mummy and Daddy were going to leave the room and it was time for sleep. She was usually asleep before the end of the second song.

My sister gave us a vibrating chair. My nephew loved it, daughter not so much. It did come in useful on the odd occasion when she was fractious but fighting nap time - similar to children being trundled in their pushchair or being taken for a car drive to settle them.

We didn't have a musical playmat, but we did have one with sensory areas, an overhead arch with dangling mirror, toys and a mobile for the time before she could roll over or crawl. Basically a rug with toys attached.

I agree, times do change. I always sang to my two, and any times they were fighting sleep, i rocked them. I just don't understand the need for things that require batteries ! They're an unnecessary expense really.

GwylimT

meer53 wrote: »

I agree, times do change. I always sang to my two, and any times they were fighting sleep, i rocked them. I just don't understand the need for things that require batteries ! They're an unnecessary expense really.

I don't either, our youngest is 2.5

meer53

GwylimT wrote: »

I don't either, our youngest is 2.5

My youngest is 15. She was premature and didn't sleep for more than 4 hours at a time until she was 2, i would have been bankrupt if i'd relied on battery powered things to help her sleep !

ViolaLass

Come on guys, no need to judge!

So you didn't feel the need for battery-operated things, others do. Horses for courses...

meer53

ViolaLass wrote: »

Come on guys, no need to judge!

So you didn't feel the need for battery-operated things, others do. Horses for courses...

Not judging anyone, each to their own, the OP is trying to save money for when they have a baby. Babies don't need battery powered anything, it's one thing they can miss off their spreadsheet

Diamond_Orchid

I weighed up the disposables vs reusable nappies thing when expecting my first, and I opted for disposables and there was many a time when I thanked myself for not shelling out loads on reusables.

The amount of nappies and changes of clothes they get through can vary, but I know I wouldn't want smelly nappies or clothes hanging around so there was enough of them for a wash. Nevermind adding to my weekly washing. I couldn't see how it was cost effective.
I know some people have been happy with it, so each to their own.

I use Aldi nappies which are very cheap and just as good IMO. I also like the Tesco own brand.

Birdie85

We haven't gone through loads of batteries, but battery powered toys are good for LOs, just because certain people haven't had them doesn't mean that others shouldn't. We had a play gym that had lights and sounds which DS liked (he found the lights fascinating) and it bought us enough time to make dinner; his Jumperoo gave us time to have a shower... now he loves all of his toys that light up and sing when he presses a button... in fact if we get bored of the noise and sneakily turn them off he brings them over to us to turn them back on!