When you're expecting a new baby, one of the very first things you start to panic about in my experience is "OH MY GOODNESS...WHAT DOES IT NEED?!"
The baby magazines and parenting websites put out lists of newborn essentials and more often than not they include endless things that, let's be honest, you won't REALLY need.
Of course it's lovely to buy extravagant items on a whim if you can afford to go a little wild in the aisles, it's your baby after all...if you want to indulge yourself...do! But if you're worried about keeping the spending to a limit and only buying the essentials, try not to worry...a baby doesn't actually NEED all that much stuff.
Here is my list of must-haves:
*Car seat (If you have a car!)
*Somewhere for baby to sleep - this may be a moses basket, crib, co-sleeper or cot.
*Things for babies to wear - Vests, sleepsuits, some bibs, and a little hat are the essentials
*Nappies and wipes (or cotton wool and water, which is advised for babies first few weeks)
*A pram/pushchair or baby sling for transporting baby when you're out and about
*A changing bag
*Blankets and cot sheets
*A baby monitor
*2/3 blankets and cot sheets
*Room thermometer/ Bath thermometer (You can buy one that covers each of these)
*Medical thermometer
If you're worried about having to spend a lot of money, then you can always consider buying second hand or nearly new items from local Facebook selling sites, ebay, Gumtree or nearly new sales/stores.
Cribs and cots can be purchased second hand but it's recommended that a new mattress should always be purchased for each new baby, and it is also recommended that car seats should also not be purchased second hand as you cannot be certain that they haven't been in a collision which would render them unsafe. Alternatively there are plenty of baby stores online these days offering items at a fraction of their retail value - I would never just walk in to any of the big brand stores like Mamas and Papas and pay their prices for anything without taking a look online first, as so often you can find the same thing...even the same brand...so much cheaper! One site I have recently discovered is Love The Sales which offers a huge selection of items from baby and nursery products, to womens and mens clothing, home accessories and so much more...all branded goods, all at a fraction of their retail price! Here are some of my current favorite bargain buys for babies!
1. Whilst not an essential item, a bouncer or baby chair is a nice thing to have if you can afford it as having somewhere safe to put baby down and keep him or her entertained in the early days is a very nice little luxury - this beautiful Mothercare ABC Bouncer should be £79.99 but is currently on sale for just £34.99!
2. A medical thermometer is a necessity but they don't need to cost the earth - this Mothercare Digital Ear Thermometer is currently reduced from £29.99 to £14.99
3. And if you have a car, then a car seat can be one of the biggest spends of all for a newborn...but it needn't be! This Fisher Price Safe Voyage Group 0+ car seat is reduced from £69.99 to £34.99
There are so many more baby bargains to be had online, don't let the high street stores suck you in with their high prices!
What was your best baby bargain? As always, I'd love to hear from you!
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