Happy Parents Result In Happy Children (Preparing for Birth On a Budget)

Member Name: xjemloux

Product:	Preparing for Birth On a Budget
Date:	15/04/09 (170 review reads)
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O.K so despite endless advice on what to buy and what not to buy and what I would and wouldnt need I went ahead and spent god knows how much money on things I didn't really need and didn't spend half as much as I needed to on things I really did need.

It was my first pregnancy, and I don't suppose any of us like to listen really as we all think we 'know it all' at some point. I found out I was having twins, and then twin boys ( non identical ) but I just wanted everything baby'fied in every catalogue and shop I looked in. Now though I realise half the things I bought were just a total waste, and now I know next time I have a baby I will be alot more sensible when it comes to buying things. In fact I'm doing things now that I wish I had done when I first found out I was pregnant.

Of course I wanted the brand name products, the best and most fashionable clothes, the biggest and most expensive toys, the best looking double buggy I could find, which of course resulted in a lot of money being wasted.

Most things I had to buy two of obviously as I was expecting two babies at once, but even though I was expecting two it still didn't stop me from wanting to spend hell of alot on money when really I should of been looking to save it.

I bought two sterilisers, loads of babygrows and vests in newborn and 0-3months, two moses baskets, rattles and a few other fancy toys to pin on their pram and cots etc, baby bath, bibs, socks, this is just some of the things I had to get but most of the things I actually needed I didn't buy anyway as I was so wrapped up in the whole "my twins will have the best, and most expensive things" phase.

They stayed in their moses baskets for just 4weeks as they were both quite big born at 7lb 4oz and 7lb 1oz and continued growing at a hefty rate (lol), for the first week they were in the same moses basket, but even when put on their own they grew out of them very quickly so of course I had to move them to their cots, they shared a cot for the first month and then were in their own. Because I had realised I had wasted quite a bit of money on 2 moses baskets for a start I went to Mothercare to shop for cots, and decided to opt for the cheapest which set me back £260 for 2 cots which they still have now at 16months. I'm so glad I opted for the cheapest as now they just kick them until the bars break, bite them and bounce them round their room like they are toys. So the moses baskets I really think are a waste of money, why spend money on a moses basket when you are going to transfer them to a cot in no time anyway. O.K so they might last in a moses basket for a few months but they are still going to end up in a cot so theres not much point on wasting the money on a moses basket in the first place. Get them used to sleeping in a cot straightaway, and that way they don't get used to sleeping in one place and then you don't have to mess up their comfortable surroundings when they get to a certain size. Babies can adjust quicker than we know it too things and will get used to a cot from day one. Of course this may not be everyones cup of tea but I so wish I had just put them in cots straightaway.

I probably would of bought 2 baby baths too but whats the point my Mum asked as there was no way I was going to be bathing two babies at the same time! Ahh thats right knock some sense into me Mum. They grew out of their newborn vests and babygrows within a week and were soon out of their 0-3 months ones as well. Nappies they were flying through like wildfire. This is when I began to realise I needed to take different steps to try save myself some money.

I had to buy highchairs, and yes I did need two, so I shopped around for good but 'cheap' ones and managed to get two lovely high chairs for just £50 including the delivery and they are still in excellent condition now.

Here are a few things I've found have helped me save money, and hope they can be hot tips for mums to be also;

As for their clothes I buy them in advance now, and I tend to go to primark for their tracky bottoms and jumpers and t-shirts for around the house as they are so cheap, but nice at the same time. For their 'smarter' clothes I will go to Matalan, Next (sometimes) or Asda as I do think the prices are really good, especially as I buy two of every outfit.

Car Boot Sales and Charity Shops have been a total godsend for toys !! I even have toys stocked for when they are a little older which I have purchased in charity shops and at boot sales, they have been real bargains. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this before but for what they do to their toys (throwing them everywhere, drawing on them, breaking them etc) I didn't want to pay £15 plus for a toy which wasn't really going to last two minutes. So with my bargain toys I give them a good wipe over and clean and they are just as good as one I would buy brand new in a shop, nobody knows any different and my boys are happy. By doing this I have saved so much money.

I have found that by shopping around when I've seen something I want for the boys has helped me save alot of money. I've also got my head around the whole not buying what I "want" for the boys and instead buying just what they need! They don't have a clue about what clothes they are wearing etc, just so long as they are clean, tidy and warm in the cold winter months and they have my love and attention there is no happier child really.

I'd say when you find out you are pregnant write down a thorough list of exactly what you will NEED for your baby, shop around for the best prices and even look on ebay, your local newspaper ads and like I said Boot Sales and Charity Shops. I wouldn't buy loads of clothes for when they are just born as they really do grow out of them so quick, they also don't get dirty as quick when they are just babies as there is no mucking about in them etc. Also I'm sure friends and family will buy you clothing gifts too for when your child is born.

I found joining parenting clubs etc has helped me, such as Bounty and Boots, they have sent me money off coupons etc. Also with Boots you can earn double points on your advantage card when buying certain baby products which these all add up. I even joined Pampers and Huggies and received coupons form them for money off their own products such as nappies. Every little helps.

I didn't breastfeed but I'm sure breastfeeding would be alot cheaper than buying formula. Formula tubs cost at least £6.50 a tub which is unbelieveably costly when it doesn't last that long either.

As for your pram don't just assume that the most expensive one you see is going to be the best, really look into your pram and what you are going to use it for, whether you need it to fold up easily or maybe fit into a car or onto public transports If you need it to be lightweight and if you need it to carry shopping etc. Are you going to be out and about shopping more, or long walks? Is it going to last your child until they are a bit older or will it be a 2 minute pram. Really do alot of research when it comes to your pram, as there is not always a need to spend £300 plus on a pram which is supposedly the "best" pram at the time and all the rage, as it may not meet all your requirements.

As for buying a baby bath, they are not in them long and I probably would of been better off bathing them in a large bowl which you can buy cheap enough.

I always said when I was pregnant if anybody offered me any hand me downs I would politely say no as I want all new, now if anybody offers me anything that I think I may need I jump at the chance, there is nothing wrong with any of it really and so long as it saves you money why not take it if somebody else doesn't want it. Also to keep the good deed going you can hand it down to somebody else yourself when finished with it as it could help somebody else in need.

I found when weaning my boys onto more solid foods they didn't really like the jars anyway but have you seen the prices of them? I had two big babies to feed and the ones they did enjoy didn't really last very long. So I spent a good £10 on a baby mixer, and pureed veg and their dinners. For me it got them used to eating 'proper' food early on they coped with it well and they basically ate what I ate but in a smooth version and then I gradually mixed their food less to introduce lumps. It was so much cheaper than having to go buy jars of gunk which looked and smelt absolutely horrid in my opinion. I couldn't let them eat that.

I also had all the accesories for the boys cots, cot mobile, cot bumper, quilt and sheets. The mobile was useless, it played an annoying melody to be honest and more often than not woke the boys up rather than calmed them to send them to sleep. The quilt was matching, but it was thin, small and useless really, I would of been better off just buying a lovely warm blanket from somewhere. I bought baby monitors too which were a total waste of money as the house I lived in was so small I could hear the boys when they cried no matter what room I were in. Only buy a car seat if you are actually going to need one, but I wouldn't reccomend buying one secondhand really, just my opinion but there is no guarantee it's going to be 100% safe!

As for nappies and toiletries, keep an eye out when offers are being held. Know when you are going to need some more and stock up when the offers are in place. You can even stock up before you even have your child on bigger sized clothing if it's in the sale, your baby bath lotions and shampoos, and nappies too. Buying in advance I find helps me alot with two babies. The offers that are in place in supermarkets etc really do help out too when I'm planning on stocking up on nappies and wetwipes.

When you've finished with clothes, and accessories if it's still in working and good condition you can either try sell it to make a few extra pennies yourself, or join your local freecycle group if you have one near you. This is a good way of 'recycling' your things for free, and helping somebody else out at the same time.

Toys is another big one, yes I did save money by buyin toys at charity shops and boot sales, but there are plenty of things you can make these days to keep children occupied and provide them with genuine fun rather than letting them make fun on their own with an overpriced battery powered toy. Obviously this would be easier as your child gets older, but it really does work. My boys are only 16months old now but they love painting (paints can be made yourself) gluing, anything messy really lol. So I keep any old leaflets, catalogues, boxes, bottles - Oh yes anything noisy too. Fill a bottle with some nuts and you've got a perfect noisy instrument which doesn't cost much at all.

So basically within all my rambling what I'm trying to say is, only buy the essentials you need for your baby, shop around for the best prices. Keep an eye out in charity shops, boot sales, ebay and your local newspaper ads when you do need something. Just doing these simple steps could save you so much money and your baby would still be the happiest baby ever! If people reccomend things for you and your baby, or you read reccomendations in magazines it doesn't neccesarily mean you do actually need it. You will know what your child needs as time goes on and it is a big learning curve for all parents whether you are 1st time or 6th time mum. I hope my personal tips help someone, as gradually they have helped me heaps.

Just because you are being careful with your money when it comes to your little one it doesn't mean you don't love them. A happy child results from a happy parent, and if we save money we are happy - theres my logic in it all lol

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