Shopping list for your new born
This blog post compliments this post:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/pregnancy-in-uk.html
When you are expecting, you get advice from everywhere. Buy a cot from Ikea! Buy everything from Mama and Papas ! Buy the most expensive Silvercross pram in the UK !
My wife and I faced a similar dilemma. So we did our research online on baby forums and narrowed down what to buy.
We bought the major expensive items over Christmas when everything was on sale. And we bougtht the remaining stuff over the past few weeks. We were done by the time my wife entered her final trimester.
This blog just gives a general idea of what we bought and when we bought it. Every couple has their own priorities however these are the most important things to remember:
1. If it is expensive, it does not mean it is necessarily good.
2. Yes, this is your first child in the UK. However this does not mean you need to spend 5,000 GBP on a pram when you get the same for 200 GBP.
3. Research on everything! There are loads on online forums. The sales people in shops are incredibly helpful and always give useful advice.
4. Look for bargains. Buy the major expensive items over Christmas/ Easter/ Black friday, etc.
5. Get loyalty cards for everything- this will help you in the long run.
6. Make a list of what to buy.
7. If you like one particular item, check the price of it on every store online. You will be surprised how many bargains you can get.
Bedsheets fitted (3-4)
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/sheets/
Blankets 1 knitted, 1 fleece
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/blankets/knitted/
Wrapping sheets/Swaddling blanket (1)
https://www.mothercare.com/swaddles/mothercare-swaddling-blanket/LD0177.html
Sleeping/Wrapping bags 1
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/baby-sleeping-bags/
Nightlight
Available at Mothercare, Boots, ASDA
Bathing
https://www.mothercare.com/bathing-and-changing/baby-bath-and-accessories/baths/
We bought this one initially:
https://www.mothercare.com/baths/mothercare-extra-large-bath-with-integrated-bath-support/LKB603.html?
But this broke when I dropped it so we got this one:
https://www.mothercare.com/baths/shnuggle-bath-with-grey-backrest/290762.html?
The second one is better as the baby can support him/herself and it is more compact thus easier to drain.
Small tub for baby laundry
Available in every grocery store
Diapers
Join the pampers club here:
https://www.pampers.co.uk/pampers-club
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/pregnancy-in-uk.html
When you are expecting, you get advice from everywhere. Buy a cot from Ikea! Buy everything from Mama and Papas ! Buy the most expensive Silvercross pram in the UK !
My wife and I faced a similar dilemma. So we did our research online on baby forums and narrowed down what to buy.
We bought the major expensive items over Christmas when everything was on sale. And we bougtht the remaining stuff over the past few weeks. We were done by the time my wife entered her final trimester.
This blog just gives a general idea of what we bought and when we bought it. Every couple has their own priorities however these are the most important things to remember:
1. If it is expensive, it does not mean it is necessarily good.
2. Yes, this is your first child in the UK. However this does not mean you need to spend 5,000 GBP on a pram when you get the same for 200 GBP.
3. Research on everything! There are loads on online forums. The sales people in shops are incredibly helpful and always give useful advice.
4. Look for bargains. Buy the major expensive items over Christmas/ Easter/ Black friday, etc.
5. Get loyalty cards for everything- this will help you in the long run.
6. Make a list of what to buy.
7. If you like one particular item, check the price of it on every store online. You will be surprised how many bargains you can get.
8. Although our families love "helping us" financially when it comes to their grandchilds shopping, it is best to request them to let you pay. There is nothing like paying for your childs stuff. It gives you immense pleasure in doing so.
9. Try not to give any exams, interviews during this time. Spend 3 months researching and shopping. Trust me, this is a lot of fun!
10. Your hospitals maternity unit will hold regular classes and guidance sessions on this as well. Do attend all of those. They are very helpful.
Here is our list which we spent a few weeks compiling before Christmas. We took advice from everyone however decided on what to buy ourselves. Baby shopping is a lot of fun if you plan it properly.
Stuff we bought over Christmas (The expensive stuff)
Travel system:
The purpose of a travel system is that it is an "all in one" thing. Everything is compatible and this makes life easier. So when your baby is asleep at home and you have go somewhere, you can put him/her in the car seat at home and then carry him/her to the car and attach the car seat to the car seat base in your car avoiding waking him/her up.
Similarly if you want to go out for a walk and the baby is asleep, you can put him/her in the carry cot and attach it to the pram.
The pram itself has a seat which comes off and can be replaced by a car seat or the carry cot.
Joie chrome dlx £250, red colour
Includes a pushchair, a carry cot, a car seat
https://www.mothercare.com/prams-and-pushchairs/joie-chrome-pram-and-pushchair-travel-system---black/LX5158.html?dwvar_LX5158_color=Red&cgid=#q=Joie+chrome&start=2
This included a carry cot and isofix car seat in the price. Currently the pram is only available (This may change depending on the sales season and you may get a better deal)
Rain cover/Sun shade
This is sometimes available with the travel system. If not you must buy this as it rains a lot in the UK and the pram can get drenched easily unless it is waterproof.
Isofix base
60 GBP
The car seat needs to be fixed to a base and this is the one we found to be compatible with the car seat of our travel system. The IsoFix base is sturdier as it attaches to points fixed to the cars chassis. Please note that your car MUST have an IsoFix option in order to attach an IsoFix car seat base.
Make sure that when you buy your car seat and base, you ensure that it can fit in your car.
I got the car seat with the travel system from Mother Care and got the base a few days later from Halfords. I took the car seat with me and tried to fit the seat to the base outside the shop. I could not and asked for assistance. The salesperson taught me how to fit it properly. So make sure you check this before leaving the shop.
http://www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/car-seat-bases/joie-belted-base-for-gemm-juva
Cot/Cotbed:
Ikea sundvik £90
120×60cm
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/cots/sundvik-cot-grey-brown-art-70248564/
This was very confusing. There are amazing cots available at Ikea, Mother Care and Babys R Us. We ended up getting it from Ikea because it was on 10% sale and we have always had a good experience with Ikea furniture.
You can also get a bedside crib:
https://www.mothercare.com/search/?q=bedside%20cot
Cot mattress:
Ikea vyssa skont £40
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/cot-mattresses/vyssa-skönt-mattress-for-cot-white-art-00152866/
Make sure you choose the mattress while you are choosing the cot. The size can be a problem. We got this from Ikea on a deal.
Breast pump:
Boots medela swing single breast pump £99.99
http://www.boots.com/medela-swing-electrical-breast-pump-10062124This had very good reviews. The purpose of this is to express your milk and store it for later use so that you can get a bit of sleep at night. Of course, breast feeding is very important and this is to be used occasionally when the mum is really tired.
You can get it for a bargain at various stores so check every website.
Electric sterilizer kit and milk warmer.
Mothercare tommee tippee closer to nature complete kit £159.99 (£74.99 on offer)
https://www.mothercare.com/sets/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-complete-feeding-kit---black/219657.html
We got this at half price over Christmas.
Changing bag
25 GBP
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus/bababing-day-tripper-lite-changing-bag-in-grey-marl/TRUP150430001
Be very careful while looking online for these - pictures can be very deceptive.
Unfortunately, this bag turned out to be too small for us as we go out for at least 4 -5 hours every weekend so we got this after 2 months:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077NVXQ3H/ref=asc_df_B077NVXQ3H53525795/
Nappy disposal bin:
10 GBP
https://www.mothercare.com/bins/tommee-tippee-sangenic-tec-nappy-disposal-bin/LGD485.html
This was available for a discount (usually costs 30 GBP- We got it for 10 GBP).
Next sale season shopping:
Stuff we bought during the next "sale season" which was in March. Mother Care and Boots had a "baby event" in which there were discounts ranging from 10 to 50% on most items.
Bedding
Mattress protector:
https://www.mothercare.com/nursery-furniture/mattresses/mattress-protectors-and-covers/
10. Your hospitals maternity unit will hold regular classes and guidance sessions on this as well. Do attend all of those. They are very helpful.
Here is our list which we spent a few weeks compiling before Christmas. We took advice from everyone however decided on what to buy ourselves. Baby shopping is a lot of fun if you plan it properly.
Stuff we bought over Christmas (The expensive stuff)
Travel system:
The purpose of a travel system is that it is an "all in one" thing. Everything is compatible and this makes life easier. So when your baby is asleep at home and you have go somewhere, you can put him/her in the car seat at home and then carry him/her to the car and attach the car seat to the car seat base in your car avoiding waking him/her up.
Similarly if you want to go out for a walk and the baby is asleep, you can put him/her in the carry cot and attach it to the pram.
The pram itself has a seat which comes off and can be replaced by a car seat or the carry cot.
Joie chrome dlx £250, red colour
Includes a pushchair, a carry cot, a car seat
https://www.mothercare.com/prams-and-pushchairs/joie-chrome-pram-and-pushchair-travel-system---black/LX5158.html?dwvar_LX5158_color=Red&cgid=#q=Joie+chrome&start=2
This included a carry cot and isofix car seat in the price. Currently the pram is only available (This may change depending on the sales season and you may get a better deal)
Rain cover/Sun shade
This is sometimes available with the travel system. If not you must buy this as it rains a lot in the UK and the pram can get drenched easily unless it is waterproof.
Isofix base
60 GBP
The car seat needs to be fixed to a base and this is the one we found to be compatible with the car seat of our travel system. The IsoFix base is sturdier as it attaches to points fixed to the cars chassis. Please note that your car MUST have an IsoFix option in order to attach an IsoFix car seat base.
Make sure that when you buy your car seat and base, you ensure that it can fit in your car.
I got the car seat with the travel system from Mother Care and got the base a few days later from Halfords. I took the car seat with me and tried to fit the seat to the base outside the shop. I could not and asked for assistance. The salesperson taught me how to fit it properly. So make sure you check this before leaving the shop.
http://www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/car-seat-bases/joie-belted-base-for-gemm-juva
Cot/Cotbed:
Ikea sundvik £90
120×60cm
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/cots/sundvik-cot-grey-brown-art-70248564/
This was very confusing. There are amazing cots available at Ikea, Mother Care and Babys R Us. We ended up getting it from Ikea because it was on 10% sale and we have always had a good experience with Ikea furniture.
You can also get a bedside crib:
https://www.mothercare.com/search/?q=bedside%20cot
Cot mattress:
Ikea vyssa skont £40
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/cot-mattresses/vyssa-skönt-mattress-for-cot-white-art-00152866/
Make sure you choose the mattress while you are choosing the cot. The size can be a problem. We got this from Ikea on a deal.
Breast pump:
Boots medela swing single breast pump £99.99
http://www.boots.com/medela-swing-electrical-breast-pump-10062124This had very good reviews. The purpose of this is to express your milk and store it for later use so that you can get a bit of sleep at night. Of course, breast feeding is very important and this is to be used occasionally when the mum is really tired.
You can get it for a bargain at various stores so check every website.
Electric sterilizer kit and milk warmer.
Mothercare tommee tippee closer to nature complete kit £159.99 (£74.99 on offer)
https://www.mothercare.com/sets/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-complete-feeding-kit---black/219657.html
We got this at half price over Christmas.
Changing bag
25 GBP
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus/bababing-day-tripper-lite-changing-bag-in-grey-marl/TRUP150430001
Be very careful while looking online for these - pictures can be very deceptive.
Unfortunately, this bag turned out to be too small for us as we go out for at least 4 -5 hours every weekend so we got this after 2 months:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077NVXQ3H/ref=asc_df_B077NVXQ3H53525795/
Nappy disposal bin:
10 GBP
https://www.mothercare.com/bins/tommee-tippee-sangenic-tec-nappy-disposal-bin/LGD485.html
This was available for a discount (usually costs 30 GBP- We got it for 10 GBP).
Next sale season shopping:
Stuff we bought during the next "sale season" which was in March. Mother Care and Boots had a "baby event" in which there were discounts ranging from 10 to 50% on most items.
Bedding
Mattress protector:
https://www.mothercare.com/nursery-furniture/mattresses/mattress-protectors-and-covers/
Be careful! This may be a health hazard as it should be firmly fixed to the cot and should not fall on the baby.
This prevents "flat head syndrome" and has been recommended by a lot of people.
Bedsheets fitted (3-4)
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/sheets/
Blankets 1 knitted, 1 fleece
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/blankets/knitted/
Wrapping sheets/Swaddling blanket (1)
https://www.mothercare.com/swaddles/mothercare-swaddling-blanket/LD0177.html
Sleeping/Wrapping bags 1
https://www.mothercare.com/bedding/baby-sleeping-bags/
Nightlight
Available at Mothercare, Boots, ASDA
Bathing
https://www.mothercare.com/bathing-and-changing/baby-bath-and-accessories/baths/
We bought this one initially:
https://www.mothercare.com/baths/mothercare-extra-large-bath-with-integrated-bath-support/LKB603.html?
But this broke when I dropped it so we got this one:
https://www.mothercare.com/baths/shnuggle-bath-with-grey-backrest/290762.html?
The second one is better as the baby can support him/herself and it is more compact thus easier to drain.
Small tub for baby laundry
Available in every grocery store
Diapers
Join the pampers club here:
https://www.pampers.co.uk/pampers-club
Miscellaneous
These are available at Boots and Mother Care.
Nappy rash cream
Petroleum jelly
Baby bath
Baby soap, sponge, shampoo
Baby lotion, baby powder, baby oil
Baby towels small 1, medium 2 sets
Wet wipes
Tissues
Cotton balls
Small bowl or jug for water
Feeders small 2-3
BABY CLOTHES:
Remember that babies outgrow these clothes rapidly therefore do not get a lot.
These are available at Boots and Mother Care.
Bibs 6-8
Vests 6
Panties 6-8
Frocks 6-8
Sleepsuits/bodysuits 6
Socks 6
Mittens? 2-3
Caps, booties, cardigan sets 4-6
These are available at Boots and Mother Care.
Nappy rash cream
Petroleum jelly
Baby bath
Baby soap, sponge, shampoo
Baby lotion, baby powder, baby oil
Baby towels small 1, medium 2 sets
Wet wipes
Tissues
Cotton balls
Small bowl or jug for water
Feeders small 2-3
BABY CLOTHES:
Remember that babies outgrow these clothes rapidly therefore do not get a lot.
These are available at Boots and Mother Care.
Bibs 6-8
Vests 6
Panties 6-8
Frocks 6-8
Sleepsuits/bodysuits 6
Socks 6
Mittens? 2-3
Caps, booties, cardigan sets 4-6
Other stuff:
Maternity clothes
Maternity clothes
Nursing undergarments
Dignity sheets
Sanitary pads
Dignity sheets
Sanitary pads
I am sure this list is not complete. Please let me know if I have missed anything important.
Loyalty programs :
Loyalty programs :
Useful websites:
https://www.google.co.uk
https://www.google.co.uk
http://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/forums/
Other things I have bought along the way:
Nursing pillow
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinder-Valley-Nursing-Whatever-Weather/dp/B01N6W7XTY
Grooming kit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tippee-Closer-Nature-Healthcare/dp/B002IS0M32
Formula milk prep machine:
https://www.mothercare.com/accessories/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-perfect-prep-machine/796566.html
Stroller hooks:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EZ-Bugz-shopping-Pushchair-Stroller-Universal/dp/B01C39KST8/
Very useful to hang shopping bags, baby changing bag, etc.
Stroller umbrella:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Parasol-Stroller-Buggy-Black/dp/B00YB0OYGG/
Useful for sunny days
Bouncer:
https://www.mothercare.com/bouncing-cradles-and-rockers/bright-starts-smiling-safari-bouncer-exclusive-to-mothercare/243065.html?
High chair:
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/high-chairs/antilop-highchair-with-safety-belt-white-silver-colour-spr-89041709/
High chair supporting cushion:
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/baby-textiles/kl%C3%A4mmig-supporting-cushion-and-cover-grey-yellow-art-20373089/
Play mat:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1587247
I changed my car seat and this has been amazing:
https://www.mothercare.com/isize/joie-i-spin-360-combination-car-seat---coal/283218.html
Other things I have bought along the way:
Nursing pillow
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinder-Valley-Nursing-Whatever-Weather/dp/B01N6W7XTY
Grooming kit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tippee-Closer-Nature-Healthcare/dp/B002IS0M32
Formula milk prep machine:
https://www.mothercare.com/accessories/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-perfect-prep-machine/796566.html
Stroller hooks:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EZ-Bugz-shopping-Pushchair-Stroller-Universal/dp/B01C39KST8/
Very useful to hang shopping bags, baby changing bag, etc.
Stroller umbrella:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Parasol-Stroller-Buggy-Black/dp/B00YB0OYGG/
Useful for sunny days
Bouncer:
https://www.mothercare.com/bouncing-cradles-and-rockers/bright-starts-smiling-safari-bouncer-exclusive-to-mothercare/243065.html?
High chair:
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/high-chairs/antilop-highchair-with-safety-belt-white-silver-colour-spr-89041709/
High chair supporting cushion:
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/baby-textiles/kl%C3%A4mmig-supporting-cushion-and-cover-grey-yellow-art-20373089/
Play mat:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1587247
I changed my car seat and this has been amazing:
https://www.mothercare.com/isize/joie-i-spin-360-combination-car-seat---coal/283218.html
Comments
Post a Comment