What do I need/don't need for new baby?

black-saturn

Unless your baby has a skin problem like excema you wont need to buy special baby toiletries. Thats just the shops way of getting you to spend more. You can use the same toiletries and washing powder as you use.

happyhunter

That's right, no need to buy any additional toiletries. If the baby has any conditions that requires them, then your GP will write a repeated prescription which your baby can get for free.

pickle

I bought washable nappies (terry squares) at the Savers store for £3.19 for 4 in a pack. I've bought around 20. The charity shops are fantastic for baby gear/toys etc and the 'mothercare' brand range of pushchairs and car seats are inexpensive.
Don't forget you should be able to get child benefit which is around £17 a week and tax credits if you work (and you get more for the first year).
There was a thread on this topic a short while ago with lots of advice re. money saving for baby which might be worth looking at.

mamaoba

sorry i just had to let you know & your PM isn't working - if your son has a dairy intolerance you are legally entitled to prescription formula on the NHS. this is because his milk is a medical need not a parenting choice. Get down your Gp's pronto!

Baileys_Babe

As has been said by many having children can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it.

Ds 9months old has cost us very little. Nappies washable 2nd hand, washable fleece liners (ikea cheapest fleece blanket cut up) washable wipes (old flannels, asked friends and family), wraps bought new decided to have some quick drying, breatherable, washable at 95 if wish £6 a pair, pack of nappy grippers (present), nappy buckets (present) about 5 - 6 loads a month dry out side where possible. Cot, bouncy chair, travel cot, car seat, sling, bedding, most clothes leant by family. We do not have a pram or pushchair by choice but have bought a hippy chick hip seat £30. Again no highchair out of choice but do use a Tamsit (present). Toys mainly gifts or passed on from cousins have yet to buy him any toys our self as he has plenty, he also loves playing with ballons and empty pakaging. I have choosen to breast feed and he eats the same food as us so the cost is negligable.

I found it wise to have a list of things you may want for the baby helpful so when people ask what shall I get littleX for christmas/birthday/easter you are prepared and don't get inundated with things you don't want or need. For Easter (to young for chocolate) ds received a cycle helmet and a seat (passed on from friends) for the back of daddys bike, both father and son very happy.

This is the way we have always done things, I'm not to fussed about the latest pattern I'm more interested if it will do the job effecientley and safely.

Just remembered have bought him paracetamol suspension and ibprofen suspension.

All in all not a large out going so far but I have had a loss in income due to taking 12 maternity leave.

Forgot to say generally we don't use toiletries on ds just water and a natural sponge, except nappy cream.

jellyhead

i was told that lactose intolerant babies can get prescription milk but it's vile, and made from potato! he was gaining lots of weight despite being poorly, and it was decided that instead of him having a special formula he would have normal formula and have colief on precription, to put into the milk. it's the lactase enzyme and it clears the lactose from the milk before baby drinks it. it can be used in breast milk too, i was expressing breastmilk to begin with. colief is £9.99 a bottle on the shelf and lasts for 10 days in formula, 5 days in breastmilk.

so i get the colief on scrip and pay for ordinary formula. i'm always wary of lactose free milks because lots of family members were on soya before they realised it ought to contain calcium, and now have knee problems etc.

so anyway yes, some things can be free on scrip. some doctors give calpol, nappy cream and all kinds of stuff. mine gave us calpol once when i'd run out, to save me going to the cashpoint with a poorly baby, i just had to go to the chemist on the way home. but some doctors will give calpol to anyone who asks. if baby has eczema then definitely ask for creams, bath oils etc. on scrip.

Sharra

We used to get soya formula on prescription because my son (now 12) was lactose intolerant - there are a few different ones and they will change the prescription until you find the one he likes
It was great, we got that free and still got milk tokens