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Hi All
I'm a TTC'er with a limited budget. I thought I'd pop in and ask the mum's what they thought was the essentials / non-essentials for a baby? What did you buy only to realise after the baby was born that it was a waste of money / was useless? What could you never have lived without?
Thanks!
The three things I use(d) most was the sheepskin liner for the pram (still use it now), the Buba Sling was a Godsend for settling DS when he was new, and the Tiny Love "Kick and Play" play mat/gym was great for entertaining him during tummy time.
All those fussy little baby outfits and booties are a big fat waste of money. Most bubs hate being dressed and fussed over, and because they can't hold their head up for AGES anything with fussy bows or zips just won't sit right and no doubt scratch them. Without a doubt good old cheapie gro-suits are the only thing a newnorn "needs" as clothing (and singlets and socks underneath if it is cold, or just a singlet and nappy if its hot).
I agree with Aurora there's no need for fussy little outfits (chances are you'll be given oodles of clothes anyway).
Cloth nappies are a big initial expense but you save in the long run, especially if you have more than one baby.
Breast-feeding is much much cheaper than bottle feeding as well as being better for bubs.
Most of the lotions and potions are redundant - I usually washed my babies in plain water although I use a bit of soap on thier nappy area now they're older and stinkier.
I found the baby bath was a total waste of money - it's much easier to wash bubs in the laundry basin or on thier back in the bath with water up to thier ears.
Those nappy wrapper gizmo thingo........we were given one and I never ever used it.
Totally agree with Rory's thoughts on what babies need to wear.....no fussy frills, just plain old Bonds suits.
My life savers were a sling/carrier (my preference is Baby Bjorn) and the baby hammock for a bed........
Totally agree with Lucy on the nappy wrapper! We bought one (about $80!) and the cartridges are around $19 and only last a few weeks! I switched to nappy sacks when I found out about them! 100 for about $3.50!!
waste for us was
baby bath- just borrow one
baby bjorn carrier- sold for an ergo
couldnt live without
change table
muslin wraps big ones!
OMG I was going to post this same thread just the other day after having the conversation with my SIL on what I wish I hadn't bought or wasted big money on. Great thread.
Money Wasters for Me
Baby bath - Laundry Sink whilst small, then into the tub or DH showers with bubs
Expensive Chg Table with Draws - too small
Expensive Rocking Chair - didn't rock on anything but tiles, too stiff & not comfortable
Baby Bag - doesn't even fit over the pram handle LOL
All the fancy clothes, especially JEANS - what poor scrunched up little bubs is actually comfy in jeans
Couldn't live without
Grobag
A decent pram (I walk everywhere)
Big Wraps....the really big ones
A Nappy Wallet
Wondersuits
Also really wish I had spent the money on a swing or something similar, the indoor ones with the toys above. Bubs can get really grizzly on the ground & want to be held, but if you need a bit of time out or free hands pop them in a swing, turn it on & away they go. OMG they are amazing, I borrowed one but next time round will purchase one for sure.
When I look back I got that excited about having first bubs as did Nanna we all went nuts!! They are only little & want to eat, sleep & small amounts of play. They just want to be comfy & loved, we really don't need everything that opens & shuts. It's kind of like a Wedding, it's only after you realise you could have saved a heap of money along the way, but you want it all to be perfect (& that's fair enough).
The swing thing..........I borrowed one from a gf when lexie came along........it was an utter godsend....they are quite exy new, but well worth it (IMO) if you can borrow one......with 3 under 3 it kept me sane, and Lexie loved it......
Couldn't live without
Hug a Bub around the $100 mark, a crafty person could make one great for putting a fussy bub to sleep.
Bonds wonder suits, they are fantastic and have built in mittens
if using disposables aldi sell really good nappies and are heaps cheaper than huggies.
Big wraps, but they cost so I would suggest (for cool weather) buy a couple of metres of flannel and hem them yourself.
Good Pram, I'd be lost without mine
you need enough sheets for one set on the cot, one in the wash and a spare in case of another change needed.
Not needed
Crazy bath lotions etc
crazy clothes (although i am guilty to a degree)
I didn't buy our bath, but we are hardly using it 'cause it's too heavy for me and DH just has a shower with him.
any clothing that buttons up at the back - whats with that?? whoever designed it clearly has never dressed a newborn
There are heaps of baby shops with second hand bits and pieces you can pick up. There are of course some items, car seats in particular that are better bought new. It's fairly cost effective to hire a capsule from the council for the first few months.
As others said you may have people wanting to buy you gifts and let them buy the silly things, save your money for the things you really want.
Good Luck
Now there's a great point. Ditto to that!! I got given a heap of suits like that & just sold them at a garage sale. They were a nightmare!:
Couldn't live without:
My Hug a Bub - Nicholas has reflux and lived in it for the first 3 months. You can get heaps done around the house with them in it as well as do shopping etc - still use it a lot now too
lots of cloth nappies - used as spew catchers (again for the reflux!)
Tiny Love activity mat - Nicholas absolutely loves his mat. It plays music, has a mirror, and heaps of things on it for him to grab.
Pram - now that he is heavier, I use the pram a bit more than the Hug a Bub.
Bonds Wondersuits. These were the only things Nic wore for the first 3 months
Lots of bibs! (for the same reason as the nappies - saves having to change the whole outfit all the time)
Now, he loves his Jolly Jumper - I can get the dishes done and the vacuuming done while he happily bounces away in there!
Waste of money:
Baby bath - just had showers instead
Fisher Price swing - my mum bought it and Nic never really liked it.
MUST:
soft cloth sling (now have an Ergo, but prefer soft cloth for newborn)
lambskin
NOT:
baby bath (was borrowed, but we didn't use it for long before realising the sink or shower was easier and better for our child)
Steriliser - I knew I would BF, but I fell for the hype about expressing equipment only to realise later that hot soapy water is good for breastfeeding equipment!
Never bothered with a cot because we decided on co-sleeping.
Still don't have many toys because outside is more fun and so are the dogs.
No cuddle toys or blankets because he has booby and never developed an attachment to any items.
Really, you can keep it simple, despite what the magazine advertisers would have you believe ;) I also shopped a lot at kids recyclers and bought a few muslin wraps for $1 each (huge ones!), wondersuits, singlets, to counter all the fancier things that we got as gifts.
I must be really lucky because I can't think of anything that we bought for bub that hasn't turned out to be useful, but here are the top lifesavers:
1) Towels - all varying sizes - Large towels for drying bub after a bath, wrapping bub in (instead of a wrap - so much easier to wipe any dribble or vomit), putting down on the floor to give bub tummy time. Medium towels (or cloth nappies) to lay in bassinette or underneath wherever you're putting bub down (once again, to catch any dribble, vomit, wee, etc and not have to change the sheets). Small towels (I bought a bunch of facecloths) to keep in your nappy bag or handbag and in handy places around the house for any accidents.
2) Sling to carry newborn bub around.
3) Baby Bjorn to carry older bub around.
4) Nappy sacks - so cheap and they really do neutralise the smell of nappies.
Things that are not so useful (fortunately we didn't actually pay for any of these, he he):
1) Nappy bag - we got given a cool looking designer one, and I do use it, but if no one had given it to me, I would have just put all the nappy stuff in one of those cloth green bags - so much easier to access everything you need and a much better size.
2) Change table - our one sits in the oorner of the room. We use the shelves for storage, but change bub on a changing mat on the floor.
Thinks I've found handy:
Bunny rugs and wraps, you can't have to many. We mostly use a portable change mat with raised sides instead of the change table. Buying second hand where possible (I got a baby bath for $3)and accepting things from friends. We were given sooooo much stuff and it saved us a fortune. Buying things like wipes in bulk. Also for my baby shower I asked for gifts like powder, breastpads, wipes, creams, nappy bucket etc. I was able to be fully stocked up and wont have to buy any of these things for ages.
Things that were wasted:
Only 0000 bonds wondersuits so far. Get 000 as they grow out of 0000 very quickly! Even my 4 week premmie DS grew out of these by 5 weeks old.
Think about what your baby needs to do: eat, sleep, and be clothed and warm. You can do that quite simply, really.
Keep the outfits simple, as the PP have said. (I loved ones that snapped between the legs all the way down. Very easy for changing.)
Breastfeed, if at all possible.
And don't go crazy on bedding for the crib. Blankets and bumper pads aren't really recommended anyways. A nice set of sheets (I'd recommend not going too cheap here, 'cause otherwise the sides come untucked all the time from crummy elastics!) and a "sleeping bag" are fine. (The sleeping bag things, like grobag, can be made yourself pretty easily. There are patterns available at fabric stores and online.) A couple of stretchy blankets are nice, for bundling a newborn, if you have a cooler weather baby.
Many women love their carriers, but shop around online and second hand. You don't have to buy one new! I just got one myself, and while I was looking at the hug a bub,($110) but I found a very similar one (Moby wrap - $50) for about half the price. You can also make one.
Cloth nappies are money savers (although you might want to have both, since disposables can be easier if you are out.)
For toys - don't worry. You're bound to get lots as gifts, plus babies and young toddlers like to play with "non-toys" just as well. A frozen washcloth is a great teething toy. Pots, pans, and a spoon are great for banging. A jar with some beads (tightly closed!) is a fine rattle. Sing and read to your baby (the library is free!). He'll be just as happy as the baby next door with the designer rattle, ;) and perhaps more so, because your baby has your attention.
Above all else: SHOP SECOND HAND!!! Here in Canada we have some great children's second hand stores, but there are always garage sales, etc. The Parents of Multiples Association here has a big sale twice a year where they get rid of the extra stuff they needed for their twins, triplets, etc, and it's a great place for bargains. Perhaps there is something similar near you.
All the best!
Just moving this to Baby and Toddler General Discussion
okay this is what i will be getting for next bub:
wondersuits and bodysuits and bonds socks (i found they were the only ones that stayed on)
borrow bassinet or cradle
hopefully find a cheap swing (was a godsend with Archie)
breastfeeding pillow
happy baby dummies
bouncy chair
cotton bunny rugs like the ones in hospital with the checked pale patterns
flannelette nappies for spew rags
UV sun shade for pram
Huggies newborn nappies
Things i wont be getting:
baby carrier (sling would be much better i reckon)
baby bath
big expensive change table (i bought one for $15 its about 20 years old and does the trick)
Any other brand of disposable nappy for newborn
clothes other than the ones mentioned above
polar fleece bunny rugs (make bub all sweaty)
walker
thats all i can think of for now. Have fun spending!
Can't live without.....(in no particular order)
Tiny Love activity mat
sling/carrier
really good pram
BIG wraps, muslin and flannellette
change table - couldn't be without it!
lots of cloth nappies
bonds wondersuits
Don't really need.....
baby bath
heaps of clothes
creams and lotions, we just use olive oil in the bath and sorbelene to moisturise!
ummmmmm, can't really think of anything else ATM!
I'd like to say a big thanks to everyone who has posted advice! Looks like I won't be buying a baby bath or change table!!!
You guys have saved me lots of $$$. I figure every $500 I save is another fortnight I can stay at home with bub.
Thanks again!
Things I got but barely used:
- Small wraps. The smaller ones only lasted a few weeks. Get the bigger wraps (at least 1m squares) or someone suggested using cot sheets which is a good idea too.
- Microwave sterilising thing for bottles. Not sure why I got it, as I'm breastfeeding and she has only ever had a few bottles of EBM. I suppose I could use the container for something else in the future..
- Pretty outfits, esp those that do up at the back. we were given lots of pretty outfits, including ones that do up at the back. I didnt like the ones that do up t the back since she isnt keen on being on her tummy, they are harder to put on (IMO) and I dont like having to flip her over several times which dressing her as it makes her cranky.
- Shoes for newborns. they arent going to be walking anywhere. Socks or pants with feet will keep the feet warm enough.
- Baby bath. given to us. It was good for about 3 weeks, then we stopped using it. It hurt my back too much to use it and she wasnt too fond of it. I find it much easier to use the big bath (I get in the bath with her). Also with the baby bath, we got to a point where she would just kick to much and all the water would end up on the floor/walls.
Things I got and use/used lot:
- Baby carrier. I've got a Baby Bjorn which I quite like and I use it all the time. They are very handy.
- Head support thing. I actually got this from a lovely BB member (Dachlostar). It was very good to use in the car and pram when her neck was still floppy and she couldnt hold her head up very well.
- big wraps. as said earlier, i didnt use the small ones for long. I bought some nice big ones from Big W and I also made a couple and I made some buy just buying muslin and flannel from Spotlight. Now I used them as cot sheets and play rugs for floor ply and tummy time, as I no longer wrap her.
- Nappy sacks. Very handy especially when out. My cousin had one of those nppy wrappers others have mentioned and she used it about twice before she was sick of it.
- Rocker. we borrowed it from a friend and it was great when Claire was a bit cranky as I cold rock it with my foot and still do other stuff (like eat). It was also good to use when we went to someones house as she would sleep in it.
- Change mat. we just got the mat and put it on a chest of drawers rather than the whole change table thing. It was like $20 and works great.
- Cloth nappies (the terry square viariety) are great as spew towels.
- Library books. I just borrow kids books insted of spending lots of $ buying them. I;ve also bought stuff from ebay as well which has saved lots.
as well as the other obvious things like a good sized nappy bag.. I've got two now. One is a backpck style and one is a satchel style. Backpack good for when I am out or when we go away, and satchel good for handing off the back of the pram. I use both, but really could get away with just one.
Oooh, that reminds me! I had and very much still use a GR8* nappy bag - it's both a satchel AND backpack! It folds out so you use it as a change mat whilst out, then fold it back up and a wet stuff pocket inside. Really works excellently with my pocket nappies for going out - just as easy as taking sposies, but you take them home to re-use them!
As for the microwave steriliser...I tried selling mine on eBay but it didn't sell! Might hold onto it until someone I know says they want one...
I have the Gr8x bag too. We recieved $50 as a gift so I decided to by a nappy bag with it and picked out the Gr8x one at target for $49 but it scanned as $99 at the register. When I went back a week later I happen to mention it to a sales person and she had a look and said bring it back as it was marked on the shelf as $49 so I ended up getting it for half price and also not paying a thing for it myself!! So you can also save money in unexpected ways!!
Mayaness ~ do you know Gr8x make small nappy bags too? I've just bought one that has room for nappy and wipes,pocket for keys, and is insulated on one side for bottles. The strap is adjustable to go over the pram too. I bought this brand new with tags for only $5 on ebay BARGAIN!!!
Yep, might look into something smaller later on - I'm a very out and about person, so our bag still suits very much - although it needs a wash!
I recently bought one for a GF and it scanned at that lower price, too. They did used to be $99 (though my sister bought me mine) and when I went to buy this one I was expecting to pay the same (though with the staff discount I was entitled to at the time). I asked if they had any left and the lady said she saw one at the back and she'd get it for me. She saw my surprise when it scanned and I told her (I mean, she wasn't going to change the price on me, that would be illegal!), so we both agreed that I had made an excellent purchase! For whatever reason, they are now an especially good buy :)
that's interesting about the sterilizer, I got one and use it all the time. I do express a little bit but for dummies as well.
Although you can't actually just use hot soapy water to clean the expressing things, that just gets the milk off, you do still need to sterilize, but the microwave ones are more convenience than anything else, you can use boiling water or milton as well, just takes a little longer than the 2 mins my microwave one takes.
My nappy bag isn't a nappy bag at all, it's a krumpler courier bag, so I will be able to use it for other things later. it is a satchel bag, but as a courier bag has extra bits to make it a backpack. While it doesn't fold out it also has waterproof lining, and lots of pockets inside.
YEp, with my expressing things, I just used hot soapy water and air dried on a clean towel :)
Just read this out to DH (he's got 4 kids), he says the biggest waste of money with his kids was the change table.
I can agree with that one - with my 4 nieces/nephews - we just used to change them on whatever was closest, bed, floor, chest of drawers, bench etc
I'm also leaning towards a baby bath as being a bit of a waste of money, since I was 8 when my eldest nephew was born, I was the right height to bathe him (and the subsequent 3 other kids), but my brother reckons it killed his back & he just used to shower with the kids
These two articles on the main site sum it all up pretty well:
Mum's Top 5 Things For Baby
Mum's Top 3 Things I Didn't Need For Baby
Things that i cant do without
Change table- i got our change table from my cousin, thought id never use it. I dont know how ppl go without one! It kills my back bending over to change nappies.
Snappies- If ur going to be using cloth nappies, stock up on snappies. Mine break after a while & then i have to back to using disposables full time as i always forget to buy more. Plus they are actually hard to find when u need them.
Carrier- I love my ergo carrier! It carries bubby front, back & side(i still havent tried side). It carries up to 25kg. I had my 2 yrd old dd in it the other night to help her get to sleep. She loved it & it was really comfy to carry her.
A good sized nappy bag- I have quite a big nappy bag & i still find i need more room! just coz they are big doesnt mean they have to be ugly
Things that i rarely used
Steriliser- Never used it once
Baby shoes- Like someone else said. As cute as they are, they are useless. Bodhi never wore any of his.
Porta cot- I can go either way on this. I was given ours. I rarely used it. I do now have it set up in the lounge room so Bodhi cant roll away on me. it does make a good play pen. Our is heavy & pretty frustrating to put up & get down.
Baby bath- We just washed our kids in the sink & when they got to big they went in the shower with us.
Anyway hope this helps
that was one thing very much used, my brother & SIL used to have one (or 2 - depending on how many of their 4 were still "babies") in their boot constantly, they were forever going out to people's places and it was sooo easy to set-up in the corner of a bedroom when visiting, comforting for the babies because it smelt like home. DH & I even borrowed it when we had MIL visiting with her 2 foster babies (3mth & 4 day old).:
Things i couldnt live without:
My change table.....id go insane without it
Pram
Terry flats as spew bibs
Creams...DD just loves having cream on her face all the time
Bouncer
Play gym
Night light with sound
Dummies!!
Electric sterilizer
Nappy bag
Rocking chair
Book case/hutch with big draws for storage
Baby jail AKA play pen
Things i could live without:
Baby bath, used for 5 weeks then to small
Millions of blankets
Cot sets
Frilly dresses
Hats
Mittens/booties
So many inpractical outfits
Op shops like vinnies and the salvos are great for second hand baby clothes, so cheap! Also freecycle is great just do a search for it on google.
My DS loved his jolly jumper he would jump and spin around in it for ages!
Baby rocker came in handy too expecially when he was starting on solids we would feed him in it.
Small water bottles with rice and glitter make great shakers.
Aqium hand gel is great stuff!! Especially when you're out and need to clean your hands after changing bubs nappy. We still use it now (great for toilet training DS so much easier) $4 for a small bottle and about $7 for a big bottle at the chemist.
We didn't use the baby bath for long (it was borrowed anyway) as it was too heavy and awkward so DH just had a shower with him. We are going to use it this time however when our second DS is born so Callum can help bath him.
Can't think of anything else right now!
Things I can't live without:
Swing - an absolute life saver - could not live without it - meant DH and I could have dinner together rather than 1 of us holding DS when he was grumpy btw for cheap swings regularly check out Toys R Us catalogues - we got a great fisher price one with music and lights at half price.
Port a cot - we go to in laws and my parents house a lot so it's great for him to have somewhere familiar to sleep.
Lots of little cloths for spills / burping etc
A comfy chair that rocks
Lots of grosuits especially Bonds wondersuits
Grobag sleeping bags (DS has loved them since about 4 weeks of age)
Thermometer - always important to have one handy.
A play mat / activity centre
Things that were unnecessary:
Fancy outfits - nice to dress up in for a special occasion but most are a pain to get on and off and they may only get worn once or twice.
Any outfit that doesn't allow easy nappy access
Wraps and bunny rugs: useful for most but not for us - he hated wrapping, preferred sleeping bags plus he overheated so easily that anything more than muslin was too hot for him.
btw It's easy to see a cute outfit and buy it without thinking but think about the size and what season it will be when your bubs will fit the size. We got given things that he will not wear simply because it'll be too warm for him when he fits them.
Baby shampoos / bath lotions etc - In the end all we use is baby sorbolene.