Aargh expecting and scared!

Becles

If money is really tight, have a look at freecycle and ask friends and family what baby stuff they have lurking in their cupboards and lofts. You'll be surprised at what you can beg and borrow! Give stuff a good clean and it'll be as good as new stuff.

The only new things that you should buy new are a car seat and a cot matress.

Oh and congrats! Being pregnant is great, but being a parent is even better. No matter how bad your money problems are, they'll all melt away when you get your first cheeky grin, first kiss etc

Bun

I've done very well with children's clothes bundles from Ebay. I've just bought a bundle with approx 30 items in for £16.00 plus postage. Don't be put off by postage prices on large bundles as the clothes can be heavy to post, and are often washed and ironed nicely. Some of the stuff is unworn, some is good for nursery etc so you ahve a good mix.

Also I'm of the same mind with the 'baby on board' stickers. In the days when there was no sign of the child - carseats, booster seats etc then fair enough if you removed the sticker when they weren't there, but now, waste of money. Likewise the bath temperature tester. Put your cold in first and keep testing.

tra300

have never heard anything so silly in my life, the emergency services as far as i know do not give priority over anyone for a baby

When I had my daughter 5 years ago before we were able to take her home the hospital checked that our car was kitted out with correctly fitted and appproved seat. We were given a 'baby on board' - it wasn't a sticker but on a suction cap thing. And she explained that they were, in case of an accident, to indicate to emgergancy services that there was a liklihood that there was a baby involved. It is not uncommon, if incorrectly restrained, for a baby to end up under seats etc. and thus overlooked during recovery.

vcharnett I know exactly what you are going through!! I fell pregnent 3 months after moving into our first house (on a 100% mortgage, we were engaged & planning the wedding) and NOT planning kids - I had nannied my way through Uni which cured me on the kids front. We were destined to be DINK! I too was on the pill and while there is a minor chance it may happen you never expect it to happen to you. And to be truthfull I am a bit of a planner - and would give Monica a run for her money. I was petrified!!

That was 5 years ago (I still get that sick feeling at the back of my throat just thinking about it)! But I am so glad it happened and wouldn't change any of it. They are right (no matter how much you want to punch them) there is no right time for a baby!! You could always have saved a bit more or paid off the wedding but realistically once the wedding is paid off, it'll be the car/new house/holiday/credit card - there is always something.

To be fair you find the money. I didn't get maternity leave/pay as I was contract and didn't qualify for what the government paid. My husband had a good job not huge pay but we managed. You do sound like you are OK with it though - try and enjoy just being pregnant the first trimester is when there is the highest chance of miscarriage though so don't stress! We found that you can actually register with some places for a baby (like you do for a wedding) which was helpful because you can get what you need rather than a 100 soft toys/white or yellow baby grows.

The only real expenses outside of that was nappies & the more personal type things. I do agree with Merlot there are loads of things that appear on these lists that you don't need so don't go mad and buy everything before hand. We got through without things like changetables, and bath thermometres - we bathed BG in the kitchen sink - it was the ideal height, so there was no need to bend, and depth and I could lay everything I needed out so it was all within reach.

Enough from me - you will find what works for you & that is really what it is all about!! The best bit of advice that I got when I was pregnant was 'there is no need to be a hero'!

Take care & good luck... and keep us posted!

vcharnett

Wow,

I didn't expect such a response so soon I just want to thank u all there is some really useful info here, will show it all to my hubbie when he gets in from work..

feeling a lot calmer now! i'll keep you posted and of course i'll let you all know of any money saving tips i pick up on the way!

Doozergirl

You really don't spend much money during pregnancy because you have to give everything up! No new clothes, no alcohol, you're tired and want to go to bed. I was amazed at how much I didn't apend when I was pregnant with my first. I went from being overdrawn to having enough money to get all my baby stuff and a new sofa suite before he came!

And babies really aren't expensive to start off with unless you go completely over the top and start raiding Mamas and Papas which is so completely unnecessary. You want to get baby out of the big travel system pram and into a smaller, more manageable straight away - buy in the appropriate sales - for you it will be the January sales.

Both my little ones had the cheapie Ikea cot - about £40 in total, and then into a big bed as soon as they got too big for the cot.

I also learned with no 2 that buying clothes is a bit pointless for the first few months. They live very happily in babygros and they are far more comfy in them. You will be given enough 'best' clothes as gifts.

Congratulations :heartsmil

novagirl

Congratulations

I've been doing a 'baby on a budget' and it really doesn't need to be expensive. I bought some maternity jeans off ebay for a couple of pounds and then just bought some floaty tops in my own size so that I could wear them after the baby was born.

Make use of any sales and discounts/coupons. Sign up to EVERY parent club you can find going as they'll send you lots of freebies.

Also, accept any help from family/friends. Their help can be priceless but remember that you're in charge so tell them when you want them to leave!

Once again, congratulations

amysmummy

Congratulations!

Have you ever heard of the NCT? They run local branches up and down the country and every 6 months they all hold nearly new sales. I have bought tons of stuff at these, clothes, toys, even maternity wear. It's all really cheap and the quality is usually really really good!

I have a 3 yr and I have just bought most of her winter clothes from the latest sales and it only cost me £20 & that was including a good winter coat!

Tulip

Congratulations

Katie