How do you know what to buy?!?

[luci]

I'm 10+1, and am starting to get excited at the thought of being a mummy My OH hasn't yet come to terms with the thought of us becoming a family, so am just talking to my best friends about it, and its getting really hard not to get carried away.
Is it too soon to start buying little bits and pieces? just a few baby grows and sleepsuits here and there. I'm really hard up, so figured if I start buying now, I'll have enough when bump arrives

My main dilemma is, how on earth do you know what to buy??? My OH's parents have said they'll buy us a moses basket, and that they'll help us as much as they can, but what else do we need? And what things are useful but not essential?
I like the idea of a baby sling, but am physically very small, so not sure I could carry a baby on my body!

 

[ISH]

It's never too early, particularly if you're looking to spread out the costs

I remember the first time I stepped into Mothercare, I was TERRFIED!!! I had no idea what to get. I just bought a little something every week and put it on a list; you get clued up and everything starts adding up really quickly.


(and I am the most distracted, head in the clouds person alive!!)

 

[luci]

I'm glad you don't think its too soon, I know 12 weeks is generally the "safe" time to start telling people, but we've told a few people, so it's starting to feel real. I was so naive, I really didn't realise how expensive it was going to be before the baby even arrives!!
I had absolutely no idea I could be looking at £400+ for a pram and a car seat!!! OMG!!!

 

[Lulabell]

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/pregnancy-chat/205946-what-we-need-buy-list.html

This list is good x

 

[Lulabell]

We bought ours for £75 brand new through tesco. Was on special offer. Obaby monty travel system. It's perfect for us. Don't feel like you HAVE to spend loads. Spend within your means. So long as baby is fed clothed n healthy that's all that matters.xx

 

[Nic36]

We bought ours for £75 brand new through tesco. Was on special offer. Obaby monty travel system. It's perfect for us. Don't feel like you HAVE to spend loads. Spend within your means. So long as baby is fed clothed n healthy that's all that matters.xx

Totally agree with Lulabell- there is a huge range of prices for many of the essential things- travel system, cot, even clothes. Don't feel you have to spend a fortune as there are some great value bargains out there if you shop around. Starting to look early means you will have the time to shop around and hopefully grab some bargains.

Also consider getting items second hand - again, many are good quality and a snip of the price of buying new. The oly thing I would be cautious of buying second hand is the car seat unless you can be 100% sure it hasn't been involved in accident.

Good luck - and happy bargain hunting!

 

[BevG]

i got a travel system off ebay for like 25 quid. car seat and buggy etc. if you look around and dont insist on all new things it dosent have to be too expensive.

 

[BabyBrain]

I'm glad you don't think its too soon, I know 12 weeks is generally the "safe" time to start telling people, but we've told a few people, so it's starting to feel real. I was so naive, I really didn't realise how expensive it was going to be before the baby even arrives!!
I had absolutely no idea I could be looking at £400+ for a pram and a car seat!!! OMG!!!

There are some amazing 2nd hand bargains to be had hunny. I got a complete travel system (pushchair, carseat and pram) for £80 on gumtree and a back up pushchair for 17.50.

Babies don't care if things are 2nd hand, it leaves you with a lot more money as they puke, poo and wee their way through clothes lol. Charity shops have amazing clothes for next to nothing too. Shop around and get online, join all the baby clubs you can for discount vouchers such as boots, tesco and cow and gate. Having a baby doesn't have to cost a fortune xxxxxx

 

[luci]

Thank you so much for the advice My OH's parents have been amazing. They're members of a church in Yeovil, and apparently every year there is a huuuge second hand baby things sale. And everything is normally pretty immaculate. Its on the 26th of Nov this year (can give details if anyone wants some ) So am hitting the sale with my MIL to hopefully get lots that bumpy will need And the best thing is, she's told me they're paying which means I can focus on looking after myself and not working my little bottom off quite as hard as I'd have to!

 

[misscrazycooki]

Also sign up to FREECYCLE in your area alot of my stuff was given away on that, I also got a baby car seat a door bouncer and a baby swing for free. I think I got the best of the lot x

 

[Lulabell]

Also look out for any baby sales/nearly new sales/NCT (http://www.nct.org.uk/). These are great for bargains. Also for early clothes I found primark, asda and tesco great for vest etc. Go to mothercare and you'll end up paying a heck of a lot more. Look around and don't buy the first stuff you see. You have time to browse. x

 

[Lulabell]

And another tip... start buying items a bit at at a time. It spreads the cost. Don't leave it up until the last minute cos you'll end up having to buy everything in one go. My plan was if i saw a bargain, then i went for it. I got a moses basket and stand for £11. I just bought a brand new mattress to go with it.xx

 

[luci]

I'm going shopping for the first time today Have seen a beautiful sleepsuit that says "I love my daddy" am thinking of getting it for my OH, because he's still struggling to come to terms with the thought of being a dad. Do you think thats a good idea, or should I wait? We only decided to keep bumpy on Wednesday evening

 

[hellywelly]

I went into the Boots babycare section last week, had a panic attack about the amount of choice there was and then left!!! ha ha!!!

I would definitely agree with the second hand advice from other ladies on here. We have inherited loads of stuff off family members and I plan to hit the NCT nearly new sales as well. We bought a Mamas and Papas cot, blanket box and chest of drawers off a friend and I'm buying cheap white curtains that I'm jazzing up myself with a multicoloured bunting theme.

I got a little bit down the other week and was moaning to my OH that our poor baby's nickname was secondhand Sid and that they didn't have anything new, and he quite sensibly pointed out that baby doesn't care, and everytime we save money on free or secondhand stuff, it's another month I can have off work with baby as we have saved a bit more money!!