We are expecting our first child in late May... any advice on quality but cheap products and where to get them?

L[Deactivated] on 03/01/2014 - 00:04
Last edited 03/01/2014 - 10:52

Hello!!

We are expecting our first baby (yay!) in late May. Don't know the gender yet, we will find out in 2 weeks. Where can I buy the best/good quality things at the cheapest prices? I'm also after some answers to a few of the products as I am not sure what to get. I need the following:

Car seat (Preferably 0-8 years so that we don't have to buy a booster. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal car seat and then add a booster when the baby is older?)
Blankets
Bibs
Change mat
Diaper bag
Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people)
Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?)
High chair
Nursing clothes
Baby clothes
Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each)
Baby wipes
Face washers
Food (for when they can eat)
Toys
Utensils
Books (for baby to look at and read at a later stage)
Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions).

We live in Melbourne. Would appreciate any advice!!!!

General Discussion

Comments

bbqwer on 03/01/2014 - 00:32

+4

I find Target/kmart a good value for money. Retail shop like babykingdom, bunting are absolute rip off.
Oac966 on 03/01/2014 - 00:35

+2

Answers below well my 2c worth anyway
Car seat (Preferably 0-8 years so that we don't have to buy a booster. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal car seat and then add a booster when the baby is older?) haven't really seen ones that do the whole 0-8 thing and plus they may not last for a good 8 years so best buy a baby and a booster that way if and when you have a second child you can reuse the baby seat
Blankets
Bibs - Aldi
Change mat -Aldi
Diaper bag - Aldi
Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people) - don't need one ( although others may disagree)
Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?) - Aldi simple but it last us through 2 kids and we also purchased a separate stroller
High chair - ikea the plastic ones used in most cafes
Nursing clothes - sorry no idea
Baby clothes - online or at sales
Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each) - Huggins initially when on sale or Aldi disposable
Baby wipes - Aldi
Face washers
Food (for when they can eat)
Toys eBay or gumtree
Utensils
Books
Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions). - Cot that can convert into a toddler bed - gumtree
- ProjectZero on 06/01/2014 - 09:17
  
  +1
  
  I'm male and don't have a kid, but work with a few moms and always hear them say ALDI nappies are really nice and better then most branded stuff…
  
  Just from what i heard tho…
EmCKay on 03/01/2014 - 00:38

+3

I volunteer at a large Salvation Army store here in Sydney. We get some beautiful stuff donated to us especially from shops that are closing down. Keep your eyes peeled and start looking now.
_Bruce_ on 03/01/2014 - 06:15

Car seat (Preferably 0-8 years so that we don't have to buy a booster. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal car seat and then add a booster when the baby is older?)

There are three types of car seats, rear facing for 0-6 Months ('capsules'), forward facing with harness for 6 months to 4 years and booster seats for 4 years to 8 years. It is common to get the first two (0-4Y) or second two (6M-8Y) compined. 0-8Y exists but aren't common and are expensive. I'd look for a 0-4Y and a 6M-8Y personally. If you want a capsule that can be easily removed and fitted to a pram you have to get matching equipment and this is expensive.

Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each)

Cloth nappies are a lot of work but are cheaper (only if you manage to stick with them) and better for the environment.
- Benicio on 06/01/2014 - 08:03
  
  +1
  
  Block-quote Cloth nappies are a lot of work but are cheaper (only if you manage to stick with them) and better for the environment.
  
  That has been debatable for a while now. I'm not going to list the long arguments here (google it) but as there are now biodegradable disposables, the argument is no longer so simple.
Geewhizz on 03/01/2014 - 08:08

+3

Unless you have a very large car, any car seat that is 0 - 8 is not really going to fit comfortably in your car in rear-facing mode, because of the height. You'll need to consider either a capsule or a convertible car seat, which is generally 0 - 4 years depending on the child's height.

If you want a carrier to be able to take baby inside it might be worth your while considering a capsule so that you're not having to wake baby up to put him/her in and out of the car. Particularly given that you're due close to Winter it will also avoid them getting cold while you're doing this - strap them in then cover up, and transport the whole thing to the car. Unless your baby is tall, it will probably last well beyond 6 months, but in reality, with the weather getting warmer by then you're probably going to be wanting something a little less enclosed by then anyway.

If you decide to go for a seat instead, or when they've outgrown the capsule, Infasecure Neon sells at BigW for $168 but is often on special for around $120 or thereabouts. It's reasonable quality, and you'd be pushing to find a cheaper seat.

Beyond that is a newer group of seats known as convertible boosters which are generally promoted as suitable for 6 months to around 8 or even 10 years. They come with inbuilt harness which can be removed once your child is tall enough to go into a regular car seat, though the harness is recommended to be used for as long as possible to ensure the greatest safety for your child. Because baby should be rear-facing until they are well able to support the weight of their own head, these are not really suitable for littlies, because they're generally only forward facing, and often too upright for tiny ones.

Every year Target, Bigw and I think Kmart have a baby sale, and there are some very good bargains to be had. I'm not sure of the others, but Target's last year was in mid-late January, so keep your eyes peeled.

Don't be in a hurry to buy a heap of good (ie expensive) clothes in tiny sizes. They tend to outgrow them before they've had much, if any wear. As such, there is some really good buys to be had in opshops on new condition baby clothes that people have given as gifts etc. I got a LOT of designer label clothes for our grandchildren when they were on the way for just a couple of $ a piece. Things like singlets in the tiny sizes are another thing that often turn up there in brand new condition. Instead of paying $4 to $5 a piece as they are in the shops they're generally only around 50 to 80 cents a piece.
retiredfeline on 03/01/2014 - 08:23

+3

Books

For the newborn or yourself?
- [Deactivated] on 03/01/2014 - 09:29
  
  +1
  
  For the baby at a later stage
b2tf on 03/01/2014 - 08:32

Car seat (Preferably 0-8 years so that we don't have to buy a booster. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal car seat and then add a booster when the baby is older?)
—Buy 0-4 years and then buy booster. My spend - 250$
Blankets
—Target or similar. You cannot get enough wraps!!! Buy long ones and practice swaddling while you wait for baby.
Bibs
— Target or similar
Change mat
— Target or similar. We have one with pockets on side - useful for storing nappies, nappy bags cotton, wipes etc. This way all is in one place. We cover the mat with old wraps when changing the baby to avoid any staining on the mat itself.
Diaper bag
— Target or similar
Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people)
— Don't need. Got a good pram and the baby can stay in there and sleep.
Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?)
—Get a light pram. My Spend - $330 to $500
High chair
— Not sure yet
Nursing clothes
— Don't need anything specific. Just buy extra large shirts.
Baby clothes
— Target or similar
Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each)
— Disposable mainly due to convenience. Huggies - Costco is the cheapest, buy on sale at other retailers
Baby wipes
— DO NOT USE. Use ONLY water to clean via cotton balls or cotton makeup wipes.
Face washers
— Target or similar
Food (for when they can eat)
— Not sure yet
Toys
— Do not buy. You will get lots of presents and give presents on occasions - eg birthdays, xmas etc
Utensils
— Nothing special needs. If breastmilk expressions is required then buy a double breastpump (recommend Medela, we bought from Amazon UK). You will need spare bottles (Medela from Amazon UK) and milk storage bags which you freeze (Swispers from Chemist Warehouse $5 for 20) .
Books
— None needed. Lots of info on the internet. Best advise I got - "You will know what to do when baby is born". Relative gifted is "Happiest Baby in the world"
Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions).
—You will need a cot which becomes a bed when baby becomes older/bigger. Myspend around $350.
Hellfire on 03/01/2014 - 09:34

+1

After having 2 babies I can safely say that 2nd hand is the way to go. You will save a fortune compared to buying everything new. Baby and kids markets are a good place for all kinds of things. Salvos stores are great for clothes. My wife goes every few weeks and comes back with a bag of barely worn brand names clothes for $10-20.

You will also receive tons of newborn clothes as gifts so hold off buying those until right before the baby is born.

Some other points:

Car Seats - You don't know its history so I always recommend a new one. Newborns don't tend to fit well in those all ages seats. Starting in a capsule is safer.

Blankets - Move into sleeping bags when they get big enough. So much better and easier.

High Chair - Ikea is the best when they get bigger. We used a bumbo when too small for high chairs and it is a good option.

Bassinet - Great for newborns as they fit quite nicely. Don't cosleep in the same bed if you can avoid it. It is dangerous and you can have trouble getting them out.

Nappies - We used cloth on both kids. Started off with just the cloth squares when they were small and moved into modern cloth nappies (mostly baby beehinds) when they got a little bigger. Saved a fortune compared to disposables and reduces occurrence of nappy rash. It is more work and messy but I think its worth it.

Baby carrier - These are great for keeping mobile and babies love them. I prefer the Ergobaby because you can keep the baby in them much longer than the BabyBjorn.

Nursing clothes - Not my thing but my wife made a large order from ASOS. She also liked some privacy when feeding in public so I recommend a nursing cover such as a "hooter hider" if your baby will tolerate it.
[Deactivated] on 03/01/2014 - 09:42

CLOTH NAPPIES: I don't know if this is still the case, but BigW was the only place we could find that sold the plastic covers. The trouble is, they were rubbish and tore on the first or second use. We wound up using disposables because we couldn't buy half-decent covers.

EVERYTHING ELSE BABY: www.freecycle.org - just ask!

CO-SLEEPING:

Did you know #1: There is evidence co-sleeping reduces cot death. I believe it was something to do with the baby breathing THE air you have already breathed yourself.

Did you know #2: Child protection authorities in Australia believe a child sleeping with an adult constitutes child abuse. It's true! I read it online in one of their own documents. (Anyone still think Australia is not a nanny state?)
- _Bruce_ on 03/01/2014 - 13:13
  
  +1
  
  Do you have sources for either of your claims? There is a lot of evidence against co-sleeping.
  - [Deactivated] on 04/01/2014 - 10:22
    
    -1
    
    The study/ies are online (or least they were). Just do a search. It was something to do with the reduced oxygen content (or was it increased carbon dioxide), if that helps.
    - _Bruce_ on 04/01/2014 - 15:06
      
      +2
      
      Try reading this:
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-sleeping
      
      Basically all of the positives are emotional. Not discounting that, it is important, but it does't keep your child alive.
    - [Deactivated] on 06/01/2014 - 11:29
      
      +1
      
      I always resort to wikipedia over peer-reviewed studies published in medical journals too. ;-p…
    - [Deactivated] on 06/01/2014 - 11:36
      
      Neg away, LOL. I didn't produce the studies. Hm…
      
      How did that THE in all caps get up there!?
    - _Bruce_ on 06/01/2014 - 12:38
      
      +1
      
      I resort to Wikipedia over someone telling me of some study they read once.
    - Sick of This on 06/01/2014 - 12:46
      
      +1
      
      realfamilyman> Your evidence is not a peer-reviewed study. Your evidence is "I once heard there was a peer-reviewed study somewhere, go look it up". It's not the same thing. It doesn't allow your adversary to check the claims made.
- NancyCat on 04/01/2014 - 10:40
  
  +7
  
  All 3 of our children co-slept in our bed until they were 6-9 months old. No problem at all. I think it's all depends on individuals. We have tried to put our newborn in the cot, but ended up bub crying through the night, hubby and I couldn't get any sleep. Once we put bub in our bed….good night sleep for all. We do have a king size bed and that helps. And we kept our room temperature warm, so we don't have thick layers of doona/blanckets…
  Also, baby co-sleeping is nothing new, many other cultures/countries also co-sleep.
  
  As for 'child abuse'??? Well, I guess some people think immunisation is a form of child abuse too.
  - [Deactivated] on 06/01/2014 - 11:33
    
    +1
    
    Another one in the same paragraph I believe, was a making a child live in a remote area was abuse. So much for the few remaining farmers that feed us all!
  - wicklow on 06/01/2014 - 14:41
    
    +1
    
    I think with raising children - whatever gets you through!!! I've got two co-sleepers, not what I intended, but when the first one only slept 40 minutes at a time for the first nine months, it saved my mental health (somewhat).
- Freakycat on 06/01/2014 - 22:25
  
  Cloth nappies: you can buy very nice cloth nappies covers from ebay, but their microfibre inserts are not absorbent, that's why I am using disposables until my bub is a bit older.
trindean on 03/01/2014 - 09:53

Try Baby Kids Market, Ebay or Gumtree if you don't care to buy brand new.
•Car seat - Buy a convertible car seat that can be used until your child turns 4 years old then buy a booster seat
•Blankets
•Bibs
•Change mat
•Diaper bag
•Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people)
•Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?) - We were lucky to find a Strider Plus 4 wheeler pram on Gumtree for $100 that was only a year old then bought the second seat brand new $140 when we were expecting our second child
•High chair
•Nursing clothes
•Baby clothes
•Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each) - I used cloth nappies with my first child up until she was 2 years old. Saved so much money.
•Baby wipes
•Face washers
•Food (for when they can eat) - I cooked vegetables to mash/blend and froze servings for my babies and also bought baby food from the supermarket. I found cooking baby food is cheaper.
•Toys
•Utensils
•Books - When I was expecting my first child, my sister recommended getting books from the library. Baby Love by Robin Barker is a good book. What to Expect when you're expecting is another. One book I found at my local library which was extremely helpful was The Illustrated Guide to Pregnancy, Babycare & Baby Food by Alison Mackonochie and Sara Lewis
•Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions). As mentioned above it would be best to buy a cot that converts to a toddler bed
trindean on 03/01/2014 - 10:01

+1

Totally agree with one of the previous posters about buying things second hand. It saves SO much money!! I also bought from Baby Kids Market and highly recommend you check if you have a local BKM. The majority of my children's clothes are second hand. You can get good brand and quality items from Salvos and Vinnies for less than $5. My local Vinnies has kids clothes for $1 & $2.
bluedufflecoat on 03/01/2014 - 10:03

SECOND HAND MARKETS:
http://www.reuseitbaby.com.au/

Get baby things, especially clothes and toys at a ridiculous low price… especially when it's close to closing time! :)

Next one is 19.01.2014
Strange1 on 03/01/2014 - 10:06

Another +1 for those who recommend buying clothes second hand.

For big ticket items like a pram / cot, if you want to buy new, go to baby bunting, find one that you want, and then get them to price match against the cheapest price you can find on one of the baby furniture websites
Kjjd on 03/01/2014 - 11:24

+2

I personally wild hire a baby capsule for the first few months. They are so much more convenient to use, they don't last size wise too long but you can't beat the convenience. I hired mine from a baby equipment hire company. This link might be relevant to you.

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/ForMyFamil…

Clothes: 2nd hand as babies grow so fast , often the clothes you buy are in very good condition still.

Nappies: think it's down to personal pref . I used disposals for convenience plus I had boys with eczema and Huggies suited them best. With other brands I tried, got side leakage , etc. once they were older, Baby Love was a good cheaper substitute. Buy up in bulk when on sale.

High chair: IKEA but buy harness and also table
Feeding: the Heinz suction plate is great once they start feeding themselves. They can't upend the bowl.

Food: good stick blender and covered ice cube trays. Cook, blend and freeze . Only food I didn't bother doing was corn and bought that as the skin round kernels was very difficult to blend.

I wouldn't stress out about the feeding till later as you won't need these straight off.

Books. Baby Love by Robin Barker was my baby bible. Really liked her matter of fact manner of listing of options to try. So there's no one right way but she lists the consequences of each option.

Don't bother with those cots that convert to beds if you intend to have more than one child.
- Geewhizz on 03/01/2014 - 12:42
  
  Food: good stick blender and covered ice cube trays. Cook, blend and freeze
  
  Yes, don't be suckered into buying a 'baby blender' . It's totally unnecessary, and very costly. A regular blender does the exact same job at a fraction of the price.
- bluedufflecoat on 03/01/2014 - 12:48
  
  Food not required, for at least 6-9 months, assuming that you (or your wife?) are going to breastfeed. Best not to clutter the house with unnecessary gear, until necessary! It will help with your budgeting and sanity.
- wicklow on 04/01/2014 - 11:25
  
  +1
  
  Food - look at Baby Led Weaning - never blend anything or make/buy separate meals for your bub. No special equip/food required.
  - modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 16:07
    
    +1 on baby lead weaning - done it for three kids now with great success (albeit a bit messy!)
b2tf on 03/01/2014 - 14:10

+1

forgot to add - baby bunting price matches all AU online stores
- modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 16:12
  
  +1
  
  that's probably the best baby shop we've been to
Bargain hunter mum on 03/01/2014 - 14:10

+1

In my opinion you shouldn't skimp on a cheap carseat- initially I had a capsule and this is a godsend as you don't have to wake them and it can be used if you are going to dinner etc and ours also attached to the pram

When they outgrew the capsule we got the ahr platinum with the airbags about $350 and is 0-4 yrs but I couldn't live with myself if something happened rad the reviews on vic roads or such and decide from there

Nappies I swear by Huggies cloth are good but a pain in winter and when newborns

Wipes the aldi premium are good or Huggies the others are too thin I use the comfy bots for face etc

Clothes - you will get lots as gifts just get 6-8 jumpsuits in 0000 and 000 singlets and socks mittens etc-

Pram- mine is the strider but yes it's heavy but the options of capsule second seat are awesome they have a new strider or the steelcraft agile is good too

Cot- agree one with toddler bed conversion is best

Good luck
- modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 16:10
  
  I see most babies out-grow a capsule very quickly (usually about 4 months) which seems a waste of money to buy one, or even rent one.
  Plus, we preferred to get our babies used to being lifted out of the car so they can resettle to sleep, rather than just being carried around in a capsule oblivious to the world.
  Much the same as we make noise around the house so they get used to noise as opposed to some new parents who tip-toe around the house all the time :(
  - [Deactivated] on 04/01/2014 - 16:23
    
    It's interesting that you said that, as I as well as my own mother, believe that babies should get used to noise otherwise they find it very hard to adjust to going ghopping, visiting people, etc. and cry all the time! However I do like the comfort that the capsule provides the baby - I think it might be good to have a pram with an in-built capsule that can be used in the house for the baby to lay in.
  - Bargain hunter mum on 07/01/2014 - 08:44
    
    It's all personal preference- I loved the capsule they would still stir but not fully wake both my girls are awesome sleepers but I have learnt everyone is different and every baby has different needs
    
    Being in a capsule doesn't stop noise and they still get unsettled getting in out of car good luck
minniethemoocher on 03/01/2014 - 15:43

I was at the Carribean Market today, it was the Maternity, Baby & Kids Market, which happens on Friday twice a month. Stuff is dirt cheap, much cheaper than any other a Baby & Kids market. And a lot of it's really good! Also check out Ebay for the big stuff eg cot, you should be able to pick up a really good one for under $100. Look up sleigh cots, the Boori ones go for a premium but the non-Boori equivalents which are really good & go for a steal!
[Deactivated] on 04/01/2014 - 08:51

+3

Thank you for all your responses, I really appreciate it!!
ilostnemo on 04/01/2014 - 12:05

Agree with the capsule, being a male, it was very easy to move in and out, and also no disturbance to baby.

With clothes,bibs and all others, friends and family usually cover you for this.

If I was you, I wouldn't find out the sex, it's a great surprise.

Remember you are going to be in hospital with baby for a few days, this is the time hubby,boyfriend etc can race around and buy the nappies wipes etc.

When our little girl was born she was a whopper ie she was straight into 0 if my memory recalls. (Yes I am male, maybe why my memory doesn't recall)

Other bargains you should be lookling for are cartons of corona and cigars.

Good Luck, happy times ahead.
- modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 16:11
  
  +1
  
  We found babies are very resilient to being disturbed, and we didn't want to encourage a baby that can't be disturbed. That's why we never got a capsule.
modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 16:04

+6
We have three kids under 4.

Car seat: 0-4 reversible seats are good. Buy a good quality brand from Target or Babies R Us, SafeNSound is really good. Baby capsules are a waste of money as babies grow out of them so quickly (4-6 months) plus you should get baby used to being picked up.

Pram: we use a Phil & Teds navigator with double kit which is fantastic. You can sometimes find them on special for about $500 for a baby store

High chair: the plastic IKEA Antilop highchairs are great (as shown by their popularity including many restaurants). They are less than $30 including tray table which is easy to wipe clean.

Baby clothes: try to get them off friends. Don't buy many smaller than size 0 as baby will grow so quickly. Bonds have really nice stuff IMO, and often have 40% off sales online

Nappies: We use Baby-Bee-Hinds Modern Cloth Nappies (MCNs) which are awesome. You can get cheaper clones including Chinese ones on eBay by searching for 'MCN'.
When traveling or when they're older at night, we use only Huggies Disposables (bought on sale for about $28/box) as unlike every other brand they don't leak horrible crystal chemicals all over baby.

Baby wipes: At home you can mostly use wet washers, but if you want baby wipes then Curash 80 packs are arguably the best you can buy. They can sometimes be found on sale for $2.50 per packet, or most of the time at 3 for $10.99 at Chemist Warehouse.

Food: we do baby lead weening (google it) which involves giving baby soft whole foods to eat when they're ready. Better than spoon feeding them. Avoid sugary/salty pre-made baby foods such as Rafferty's Gardens which are also very expensive.

Toys: wooden toys from IKEA are good.

Books: twice a year in Brisbane there's a LifeLine book fest which sells millions of second hand books. We go on the last day and get hundreds of kids books which our kids love to read every day of the year. A whole bag of books is usually a few dollars.

Some of our favorite kid's authors are Julia Donaldson (Gruffalo/Gruffalo's Child etc), Mem Fox, Eric Carle, Rachel Wells (That's not MY series)

Bassinet/Cot: We used a Moses basket from Big W at $90 for the first 5 months or so, as it's handy as it can be moved from room to room. IKEA cots are good but don't cheap out on a matress as sleep is one of the most important thing for a baby and you'll regret a cheap mattress if it causes them not to sleep/breath well!

As for co-sleeping, we've done it without problem for three breastfed kids now. Bear in mind we're both non-smokers, non-drinkers and are aware of the downsides. We've had no problem transitioning to cot in our room and then into a shared kids room.

Others you missed

Sleep Wrap/Boba Wrap: We found this more useful than a pram initially as you can carry baby as he/she sleeps and do things like household jobs with two hands. Get lots of comments about how comfy baby looks in it!

Vics Vaporizer machine: these are a tank of water which you add vics vapor mix and it produces a vapor for the room. This is a very safe way to help kids with snotty noses when they are young as you're not applying anything directly to your body. These cost about $45 on sale and is one of the best things we bought in regards to having kids.

Baby Gates: as soon as they're mobile (as young as 5 months) you might want to section some of the areas of your house out of bounds - get these at Target or similar places

Portacot? : If you plan traveling with baby then Phil&Teds make one that folds up small and is able to use carried as carry on luggage. Most portacots are HUGE

Cheers
- horsome on 04/01/2014 - 22:54
  
  Agreed on vaporizer… an absolute must have. Also re health a braun brand ear thermometer are pretty handy for when the little one is having a bad day/night and wish to rule out an unnecessary visit to gp or even worse, a hospital, just because he/she needs to burp or fart.
  
  Why braun, have been advised they are best by a mile for affordabilty.
  - modsec802 on 04/01/2014 - 23:09
    
    +2
    
    We have a forehead one which is excellent as you don't need to buy anything for it (the ear inserts) and can also measure ambient temperature like bath water and room temp instantly. Only downside is novelty factor for 3/4 year olds who want to measure the temperature to everyone/everything. They cost about $80 but well worth it IMHO to have instant unobtrusive hyenic temp readings.
airzone on 05/01/2014 - 01:18

My own experiences:

Car seat: For the first, we only used a convertible unit, and swapped her out to a booster when she was about 3.5yo. For the first 6 months of the second one, we hired a capsule, and then moved her into the convertible unit from the first. The hire cost was about the same as a new one minus the resale value. As a bonus, it was actually a new unit. But TBH, capsules are bulky, heavy, and a pain in the arse. BTW, the law dictates what type of car seat to use based on the kids age… But this is a load of crap and only for parents who are too dumb to know how tall & heavy their kids are. Make sure you select based on your kids size, not age.

Pram / Stroller: Get a good one, and ensure it lies back fully. I have a Maclaren Techno single and a Phil&Teds tandem. Since you'll cart your kid around for years to come, invest in one that will fit in your boot, feels light, maneuvers easily, and can be easily packed down. The good thing about umbrella strollers is that you can push them right up to an aerobridge if you ever need to travel.

Portacot: Phil & Teds is great.

Nappy bag: I just use a woolies green bag… It's lasted 2 kids, and itself was a loan from my shopping bag pile.

Clothing: The only thing you need are singlets and bonds wondersuits for at least the first 9 months. Keep it simple. Friends & family will give you a tonne of clothing that you will never really use.

Bedding: We had a hand-me-down moses basket. Then the kids upgraded to a cot. Try not to sleep with them (although we are guilty of that on a few nights)..

Other stuff: Keep baby panadol ready, and get a good thermometer. And for gods sake, keep your medicines out of reach.

With most of this stuff, don't be afraid to check out 2nd hand items.. You can save a tonne of cash. But make sure you buy a new car seat (or can validate that it hasn't been dropped / in a crash) and mattresses.
YTW on 05/01/2014 - 01:20
Well most things are covered already so will just add my own few comments.

+1 for capsule - esp if bub is going to be a Winter bub. Not nice being woken up and dragged out your carseat when you are all nice and cozy!

1 for co-sleeping - Dr James Mckenna has done a lot of research on safe co-sleeping. Google his name to find his university webpage on it all. You still need somewhere safe to stick baby when you aren't asleep with them though. We use a basket (the Big W one) when newborn then move to cot. First child never used cot, second does. We bought second hand in new condition off a woman who's child also never used the cot.

+1 for Ikea high chair. You'll just end up buying it anyway, everyone does. So get it first time round. Or better yet, ask for it as a pressie.

We haven't been able to live without our electronic swing - godsend for unsettled babies.
We got this one for $89 in the Target baby sale - wouldn't buy second hand unless you knew it hadn't been used to death;
http://shop.target.com.au//p/fisher-price-luv-u-zoo-space-sa…

Nursing tops - waste of money and useless. Just wear a singlet (spaghetti strap and easy to pull down) under your usual shirt. Lift up shirt, pull down singlet and bra to feed. Very discreet and much easier to use than your average nursing top. Forget a cover, they just draw attention to you and drive baby nuts. No-one notices or cares if you nurse in public. I've been doing it for years and have had nothing but positive reactions.

We use Moltex nappies - not cheap but they are low on harsh chemicals and much better for the planet. I buy in bulk from Eco-child when they have their "$100 off when you spend $300" specials via their newsletters.

Look up how to make yourself a homemade Moby wrap - they are brilliant for newborns. I think it is about 5m (don't hold me to that…look up the length that would suit your size) of t-shirt material, then fold in half lengthwise and do one big long cut along the fold. No sewing required. You then have two moby wraps. Took me about three or four goes to get the hang of wrapping it, then it was easy.
http://www.mobywrap.com/mw/how-to-moby-wrap.htm

Big W does an awesome little black nappy change roll for about $8 - I love it. Similar, less durable ones with a pretty pattern on them will set you back about $35 in a baby shop. I stick my nappies, wipes and bags in it and then we're all set for changes when out and about. That and a change of clothes is all you really need if you are breastfeeding.

Have fun :)
lisss on 05/01/2014 - 02:23
I'm gonna add my 2c, as you'll find everyone and their dog does once you have kids ;) I've used a multitude of the latest stuff in my casual job as a nanny.

My main piece of advice: you'll need to figure out what works for you. People have different preferences for everything down to the little things like bibs, wipes etc and it all comes down to personal preference.

Bibs
- Depending on the child and how messy they are, the wipe clean bibs and even the art smock type can be great for toddlers.
- I prefer velcro fastening bibs. The ones that have to be pulled on and off like a t-shirt are terrible.

Diaper bag
- There are whole forums and threads devoted to these. Key criteria for me are - size, pockets, ease of cleaning, and waterproof (the amount of spilled food and drinks you'll have in there is mind blowing)

Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people)
- I agree with others that say get a capsule and then just use a pram that lies flat or almost flat.

Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?)

Personally I wouldn't get a double until you have the 2nd baby - they're a lot more cumbersome and difficult to steer, fold etc. This is a very personal thing. I've used Steelcraft, Valco, Phil & Ted, Baby Jogger, Maclauren, Bugaboo and Mountain Buggy and my preferences aren't always in line with what the reviews say and how they are weighted price-wise. I have actually prefered some of the cheaper ones.

High chair
- The ikea one is great once they can sit up, mainly because it's easy to clean.

Baby clothes
- I agree markets, ebay and op shops. You can get great second hand stuff in almost new condition for a fraction of the original price.

Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each)
- This will depend on the baby and your preferences during various stages of their development. I have always found Huggies to be the best, but they're also the most expensive. If you have a large toddler you might not have much success with any other brand, especially at night.

Baby wipes
- I find Huggies too thick, coles brand too thin, and Johnsons just right. A personal thing.

Food (for when they can eat)
- Use a blender, make your own as much as possible. Get small containers and ice block trays and freeze portions.

Toys
- Markets, op shops and ebay.

Books (for baby to look at and read at a later stage)
- Markets, op shops and ebay.

Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions).
- I'd get a cot that can later be used as a toddler bed. Personal thing :)
ioga on 05/01/2014 - 11:44

-1

As a general rule, anything marketed at babies and new parents are going to be ridiculously overpriced.

www.babykidsmarket.com.au is where it's at. Child seats for $25? check. Cots for less than $100, got it. Books for 50cents? yep. And since parents are (generally) so careful about things that touch their baby's skin, these second hand goods are often in very excellent conditions.
- modsec802 on 05/01/2014 - 13:20
  
  +1
  
  I'd be really careful about buying a second hand baby car seat for $25. It could either had been in a crash or could be old enough that it longer complies with strickening safety standards. For example, professional fitters like KidsSafe will not fit ANY seat older than ten years.
  The 200 odd dollars you'll pay to find a high quality new car seat on special will be one of the most confident purchases you'll ever make.
  On an aside, we once went to the baby kids markets near Sunnybank in Brisbane. We were shocked at how high the asking prices were! It was first thing in the morning (people tell us to go later in the day when they sellers are desperate) but the prices they were asking weren't much cheaper to the really good specials on brand new products I am so used to finding.
  - Frugal on 06/01/2014 - 09:30
    
    I second Juicepixels' comment. Dont skimp on a car seat; buy it new just for the fact that you dont know if it's been through a crash.
    I was able to get a capsule on sale at Target - keep an eye out for their baby sales.
  - Geewhizz on 06/01/2014 - 09:33
    
    I wouldn't be buying any second hand seat unless you are 100 % certain of its history, for the reasons given by juicedpixels. Re their age, once a seat is 10 years old it is recommended by all authorities to replace it. A seat can look ok, but with age and the heat inside the vehicle etc the plastic shell can deteriorate and possibly lose some of its structural strength. It's just not worthwhile taking a risk.
gimme on 05/01/2014 - 11:59

+1

Here's my tip - Don't buy 50% of the 'crap' parents buy these days because everyone has got one. I'm sure parents did just fine 50 years ago without a nappy changing station! Your own bed or a rug on the floor is more then enough and trust me the baby doesn't care.

Going out for most parents these days requires a ute and 3 helpers to carry all the clutter that babies apparently need.

Keep it down to actual genuine essentials, get good quality products, ignore BS baby marketing and you'll be miles ahead of everyone else.

And yeah, hand me downs from family friends etc are the best thing you can do.
- devank on 07/01/2014 - 11:49
  
  +2
  
  I disagree with the change table comment. It doesn't cost much but it is really useful.
  Here are few advantages over a bed or rug.
  1. So much easier to clean it when your baby wets it.
  2. You can change them without bending down. Saves your back.
  3. You can safely buckle your baby while you can clean yourself.
  4. You can store all your baby's toiletries, creams + more.
  5. you can move it's location.
  6. Some come with built-in bathing facility.
  
  I wouldn't compromise on anything which can make your life easier for the sake of few $$. Every single bit helps.
  
  BTW.. congratulations :)
  
  Remember.. what ever other say, you will know what's best for your own baby.
  - NancyCat on 07/01/2014 - 18:01
    
    +1
    
    I have 3 kids, and I think baby change table is a waste of money. Just get a small table/desk and buy a $25 change mat (like this http://shop.target.com.au/p/change-table-pad/36453191) to put on top. Put all the nappies,cream,wipes in a nice box/basket, put it on the table next to the change mat…there you have it, a change station.
    
    Money aside, I find that most change tables are too high (OK…I’m a shortie 5ft 4). It’s good with baby, but when my kids were about 9 months old, I often had trouble lifting the wiggly baby on the change table and getting her off the table. We also have a changing ‘caddy’ (A small basket with a few nappies, cream, plastic bag and a towel) Most of the time, we bring the caddy to the bub and change the nappy on a towel on the floor/rug in the living room or on the bed or on the couch, on the bathroom floor…wherever. Also, you don’t have to worry about the bub roll off. Sometimes, it’s very difficult to change the baby when he/she is wiggly, kicking, grabbing things… buckling up is just more hassle.
    
    Also, your ‘change table’ will become the kid’s desk when he/she is older!
    
    BTW, I don't understand how those build-in-bath change tables work. How do you fill and empty the bath? All I can think of is water splashing all over the floor.
    
    BUT, having said all that… all babies/kids/parents/homes are different, there’s no perfect solution/product for everyone. Sooner or later, you will work out what’s best for you and your bub. Good luck and enjoy this special time, very soon you’ll be the one dishing out advice!
[Deactivated] on 05/01/2014 - 16:37

-3

How much do you love your child???? How much are they worth????
- airzone on 05/01/2014 - 17:36
  
  +6
  
  Willingness or ability to spend maximum dollar value does not equate to love.
- gimme on 05/01/2014 - 22:37
  
  +1
  
  Dumbest thing I've read in a long time. That's so ignorant on so many levels I don't know where to begin. + what airzone said.
  - [Deactivated] on 06/01/2014 - 15:22
    
    -2
    
    It was a joke… Geez…
wtfnodeal on 05/01/2014 - 23:30

You miss out the most important and the most expensive part i.e. childcare. It is extremely difficult to find a good childcare for your child and will cost you $90 to $100 day before rebates.
- modsec802 on 06/01/2014 - 08:27
  
  You can avoid the cost and risk by staying at home with your children.
  - wicklow on 06/01/2014 - 09:40
    
    Without getting into pros and cons of childcare/SAH, it could be argued that loss of income/job 'costs' as well…
    - modsec802 on 06/01/2014 - 10:00
      
      +4
      
      I know all about it having a wife who gave up a six figure salary to raise three boys. But we couldn't be happier about our decision.
    - wicklow on 06/01/2014 - 10:21
      
      +1
      
      Yeah the $ cost is a totally different question to what's best for the kids and family unit :-)
AsSeenOnTv on 06/01/2014 - 09:46
haven't read all the comments above so sorry if it has already been said, but second hand is the way to go. second hand stuff even in really good condition goes for maybe 10% of the new cost - it seems people want to have new stuff for their kids. As for nappies i would second Project Zero's comment about the nappies. I do have a baby and he wears aldi nappies as they are cheap (and better than the home brand ones)and seem ok.

The only other advice i would give is:

buy lots of bibs (20 minimum and 50 would be good), and

don't buy many of the small size clothes '0000' and '000' as they grow out of them in literally a few weeks.

good luck with it all, and get as much sleep as you can now.
- eve on 08/01/2014 - 00:11
  
  wow… 50 bibs? how come?
wicklow on 06/01/2014 - 10:20

+1

Have a look at CREP tests (http://www.crep.com.au) for car seat safety results. Car seats are probably not something to scrimp and save on, surely safety is a higher priority. That said, you can pick up cheap and safe car seats from BigW/Target on sale - just know which ones you're after based on safety advice first.

We used a hired (through insurance; usually a service in each state, Ambulance service etc) capsule for our second car, and a convertible for our main car. What suits better? Depends. On your baby (e.g. capsule would have suited by son better - awful sleeper - but for my daughter, would have been neither here nor there), on car size, and other things such how easy/hard it is to move around, and whether you get an integrated pram/capsule system.

Seat size - also worth taking into account car seat size (reclined length, width etc). The hired capsule didn't fit in our main car (despite it being a fairly big car!). With our convertible seat installed Rear Facing, the front passenger seat had to be all the way forward making for a very uncomfortable ride. There are smaller seats around - look at the Safe'N'Sound Compaq for example.

I also think it's worth taking into account where the markers are on the car seats (i.e. for child size). Thing get a bit confusing here - the law is generally about child age; pre-2010 seats are weight based; post-2010 seats are height based. The 2010 standard has height markers in the seats showing you where to turn the child. As a side note, have a look at (safety) research into keeping your child rear facing, and then in the inbuilt harness, for as long as you can… anyway, seats with higher markings for both RF and FF = keep kids in them for longer = lower cost (before having to replace seat).

Generally buying second hand car seat is not recommended (exception being from a known, trusted source). Car seats are meant to be destroyed after an accident or after 10 years of age (deterioration of parts). All car seats are marked with date of manufacture. Sometimes seats are on run out are older seats - can be worth checking the date of manufacture - will also tell you which version of the standard they adhere to.

(I guess in an ozBargainer sense - having a seat that will last as long as safe - i.e. 10 years from when you purchase - is probably best $ sense).

Bibs - Target make good packs of terry bibs with velcro tabs.

Nappy bag - you can just use anything - backpacks or messenger bags are good (messenger bags hang over pram handles). Just buy a change mat (plastic/wipeable) and go from there.

Blankets - sleeping bags can be good - also SIDS recommended.

Specific baby furniture - change table? why not just use a regular table :-) We used an old dining table for our first baby…. second bub just got changed wherever :-)

Baby carriers/slings are great. I like Ergos, but they're not great for infants, even with infant insert. Hug'a'bub are popular for little ones. I refer you to this photo wrt Baby Bjorns…. Manducas might be the best to cover both infant/older kids.

High Chair - IKEA - no other option as ppl said.

Pram - good thing to buy second hand - also means you can work out what suits you best without depreciation - and you might want more than one (e.g. a large three wheeler and a light stroller). Check out Baby Jogger City Minis. If you buy last years colours you'll often get a discount.

Nursing clothes - depends on Mum - I just wear normal clothes with a muslin cloth if really needed.

Have a look for a second hand bassinet - baby grows out of them fast, but in my experience, newborns sleep better in them than cots.

Just my 2c.
- Sick of This on 06/01/2014 - 15:32
  
  Yeah, sleeping bags are great for peace of mind. You know your baby's warm enough, and she's not going to somehow get her face covered so she can't breathe.
  
  With respect to bassinets, I found the vibration attachment invaluable for a period of time. BigW, Target etc have bassinets with them.
Conka on 06/01/2014 - 16:20

+1
Firstly, congrats. its a big step, and you'll wonder what you used to do with your spare time!

I won't attempt to answer all your queries, some "advice" from a dad of 3. Everyone has an opinion, even those who aren't there yet. It is all very personal, so I'd recommend that you work out what fits you and your family's future/lifestyle/

budget. There is so much crap out on the market because "if you're a loving parent you must buy one of these". Hogwash I tells ya!!

Generally speaking, I'd recommend 2nd hand for most of the bigger items. Larger toys, prams, cots etc. They grow out of them quickly, and can be found at substantial discounts.

Car seats - we initially hired a capsule from QLD Ambulance. Ambulance fit it and everything. Good, because if you want to go out and let them have a nap, their bed is right there. Don't over think it at this stage. Things change, families grow and cars change. Subsequent seats were purchased at sale time - keeping in mind that whilst some of the bigger seats are comfy, you may need to balance that up against other seats that go side-by-side in a car. We have a big car, and we found it tricky to get the seats just right…

Toys - ebay/gumtree. Providing you have a support network, you'll get so many toys from family/friends that your little one may not want for much.

Sleeping: Second hand Bassinet is great for the first few months so that they can be the room with you. I definitely wouldn't let them sleep in bed. I have heard too many horror stories. I'd also get a second hand cot for when they grow out of the bassinet and a change table (they are useful). New mattress…

3a. Bedding- we use "Grobags". http://gro.co.uk/grobag-baby-sleep-bags
Absolutely magnificent, easy to use. No swaddling here. Also handed down from kid-to-kid.

Pram - second hand. If siblings are in the future, think about getting an extendible pram. We're glad we did initially, but we bought new, and spent $500 on it. After the first 2 were through the stage of both being in the pram (16 months apart), the Mrs preferred to use a single < $100 pram for #3 (2.5 year gap) as it was lighter and more maneuverable.

Clothing - a bunch of our friends had kids either side of us. So, we'd be getting hand-me-downs for our kids. Never underwear, but everything else worked a treat for the first few years.

Bibs - plastic bibs with the pockets at the bottom are the ducks nuts. They get wet/dirty at meals and then you can wipe them down. Priceless.

Education - so many books out there. We used "Save Our Sleep" @ $15 (http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780091929503?redirected=…) and "What to Expect when Expecting". SOS is awesome, and cannot recommend it highly enough. It got each of our kids from random sleepers into a pattern which you can set a watch by. It isn't for everyone, but we found it priceless with a restless first kid; and the other 2 took to it just fine.

A "Baby Bag". We've had a "baby gear" bag that is now coming up to 6 years old. Insulated side pockets are great, and came with a portable change mat (i.e. a piece of plastic coated foam for changing smelly stuff). This appears to the same as ours @ $45 (http://www.bigw.com.au/baby-kids/travel/nursery-bags/bpnBIGW…)

Good luck!
YANNI930 on 06/01/2014 - 18:04

Hi you can buy lost of quality used stuff on gumtree and from baby market.
http://babykidsmarket.com.au/markets/mrktbkw2.php?job=ww&s=v
Freakycat on 06/01/2014 - 18:21

This is where I got the items from:

Car seat - Toys R Us about $100. Saw a few in last Target sale for about $6x-$70.
Blankets - I am using Ikea's throw for the baby. It's only $1.99. You can cut it into half once the baby grow older and use it in the pram/stroller. Very warm and I can wash it weekly.
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/90242820/ or this one
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/60251948/

Bibs - about $1 for 3 when it was on sale in Coles

Change mat/change table - I bought a second hand wooden change table but found termite in it. Be very careful with second hand wooden furniture! I ended up using an existing chair and bed when I change nappies. Still works. Didn't buy change mat, only use old towel as I can put it in the laundry.

Diaper bag - didn't buy one. Use existing bag/environment friendly bag.

Hand carrier - didn't buy one. Same as the carrier in the pram travel system, you don't need it once the baby is about 4 months old. I stayed at home with the baby in the first few months as it was winter.

Pram - be very careful in choosing a pram. You may find tandem/twin pram useful when you have baby no. 2, but it may be too heavy for you to push and fit it in your car boot. I got a pram for $100 new from Big W on sale. Very easy to maneuver. As baby grows, you will need a stroller. Don't spend few hundred dollar on one pram with expansive accessories.
This is what you need in choosing pram - http://www.productreview.com.au/c/prams.html
Recent pram/stroller sale - http://www.toysrus.com.au/babies-r-us/w1/i1177862

High chair - cheap ikea one will do
Baby clothes - Kmart/Target but I prefer Bonds from Bonds Outlet. Don't buy a lot. Buy 4-5 for each size and buy it on sale.

Nappies - used Huggies for newborn, then switch to Woolies Once Upon A Time Nappies as it doesn't leak and very cheap on sale - $5-8 for a convenience pack. Join their Baby and Toddler club for extra discount and free delivery. Save time as well.

Baby wipes - buy when Woolies on sale, they have $1.6/64 Huggies wipes sometimes. Same as the baby wash, sometimes, Coles/Woolies have Johnsons baby wash on sale, about $4 for 500ml.

Food - baby formula - buy more when you need fuel vouchers, if you buy it from Coles, use the $5 off voucher as well. www.ozbargain.com.au/node/110161. You can get cheap formula from Chemist Warehouse/Toys R Us, sometimes it is cheaper than Coles/Woolies. Baby food - cheaper if you use a blender and freeze the puree.
Toys - from friends, either new or 2nd hand.
Utensils - buy it when you see it on sale in Coles/Mumgo (website).
Books - Kmart have cheap hard cover baby books like Colour, Shapes and Animals for $1 each. $3 for animals book with sound. I recommend 'You baby can read' DVD as my first daughter watched them daily when she was young and can read story books when she started preschool. Very good DVD, can save you so much time on reading to the kid word by word. By the time the child can read, borrow books from local library.
Bassinet/Cot - bought a cot but my baby only slept in it twice. Bought it cheap on Graysonline. The quality is good.
Sleeping bag - bought a Grobag and a Swaddle wrap. Didn't use both.
Baby carrier - my baby loves it, as soon as I put him in it, he sleeps straight away. I bought a $30 Kathmandu carrier. http://www.productreview.com.au/p/kathmandu-pepito-baby-pouc…

Be very careful with second hand wooden furniture and read product review before buying the pram/baby product can help.
Jase on 07/01/2014 - 11:41

You can pick up prams/cots etc from garage sales. Once the kids have grown up people literally give them away at garage sales to get rid of them
devank on 07/01/2014 - 11:59

Nappy management: It is really annoying to clear the nappy bin multiple times in a day. So buy (from Woolworths)scented garbage bags and 'Nappy Sacks'. Nappy Sack is a very thin & small plastic bag. You simply tie the No 2 nappy in there and chuck it in the scented garbage bags. No 1 nappy can go straight. It can save few trips to your bin.
pennae on 07/01/2014 - 21:30

+1

Consider a subscription to Choice Magazine, or checking it out in your local library. They provide great reviews of everything baby :)
msimpatient on 08/01/2014 - 00:18

I have a 10 month old, and tend to be abit of a lazy parent in regards to some things. Here is my take on it all. Also, check out the Caribbean markets on the first friday of the month. It is baby and kids stuff and is very big and busy!

Car seat (Preferably 0-8 years so that we don't have to buy a booster. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal car seat and then add a booster when the baby is older?)

I purchased a Safe and Sound Unity capsule, which my son outgrew at 9 months of age (10kg). It was extremely handy to have the ability to transfer him to the stroller in the capsule. Especially for getting him ready inside the house during Winter, rather then stuffing around outside in the cold.

I then went on to use the Infasecure Neon. This seat is amazing cause it is cheap (max it costs is $168 but is often on special for $118. Usually in March). This seat will rear face most children to 2 or 3 years old, and forward face to about 4 years old.

You can then purchase another seat (which you would have to do anyway if you were going to have more kids in that time).

Blankets - I am in Melbourne and I made it through with a coral fleece blanket (2 cause of spews). I kept the central heating on too, but you might want an oil fin heater for the room if you don't want the central on.

I found target great for price and quality during sales for this one. I spent $15 on each blanket.

Bibs - I got a heap of the plastic backed bibs. Put some in the dryer and that destroyed them. Which was fine cause I never ended up using them anyhow. They got in the way and all they did was leave a clean patch on his clothes. Everywhere else was dirty with spew to start with, and food later on.

Change mat - Got one off ebay. About $20. It has high sides and is made from waterproof material. I use half a towel as a cover to make cleaning up mess easier (just tuck the towel into the sides), rather then constantly changing a whole cover.

Diaper bag - I have gone through a few of these. Nowadays I put a change of clothes and some cloth nappies in a wetbag, into my handbag. No separate bag required. I just ended up carrying heaps of 'Just in case' stuff that I never ended up using and made my shoulders sore. If your formula feeding it's a different story I spose.

Hand carrier (To carry baby in/so baby can lay in when visiting people - I didn't use anything until I went on holiday. I purchased a 'safe and secure co sleeper, for $20 off Gumtree. It is very easy to carry and set up and made an excellent place to put my baby. And if you co sleep it might come in handy for that too!

Pram (Including both single prams, and front-to-back tandem - not side-by-side. Also, is it cheaper to buy a normal one but then add another one when you have a 2nd baby?)- Buy one second hand. Much cheaper and there are so many on Gumtree that are still as good as new for under $100. I have a 4 wheel steelcraft, but it is not very sturdy. The 3 wheelers seem to be alot sturdier.

When your next kid comes along, just look for a double one then.

High chair - Go to Ikea and buy their $25 job. You can buy a cushion to help with support too. I started off with one that had padding and OMG it was so hard to clean. Nowadays I take the chair outside after a meal and hose it off. My kid is a mess. You don't want to be dealing with cleaning a chair all day.

Nursing clothes - Personally, I bought a heap of Bonds and Kmart nursing singlets and just put a shirt over them. I pull my shirt up to feed. The shirt covers my boob and the singlet covers my tummy. I find it really comfortable and modest. I can't deal with the peekaboo tops. I end up baring my boob for ages trying to get it in and out. Not everyone is like me though. I am just unco lol

Baby clothes - Deal with this now.. You are going to buy too much to start with lol.
My son lived in Bonds onesies for the first 5 months of his life. He occasionally was taken out of the onesie and put into a panda suit…

I bought a huge bag of secondhand clothes from a lady on gumtree for $20 that was great to have as a filler. I then bought additional things as I went along.

My son was born size 000 too, so the $50 I spent on 0000 clothes was totally wasted!

Snap up onesies are perfect to start (I like zips for when they are wriggly 10 month olds. Not so much as new borns). I would say 5 to 7 of onesies and singlets each.

Keep in mind when buying jumpers that if it has a hoodie, you can't let bubs sleep in it without supervision. So try and buy some without hoods so you can just transfer from car to cot without worrying.

I didn't deal with pants until after 4 months lol

Nappies (cloth vs disposable, pros n cons of each, plus which brands of each) - I started off with Huggies for new born stage.

At 3 months I transitioned to cloth nappies (modern cloth). Using 2 a day, then as I bought more I used more. I now have my son in cloth during the day and use 1 disposable for over night.

I recommend huggies for new borns, but at the 2 month mark, start looking at Aldi or the Reject shop. Both are really good and well priced.

Baby wipes - Stay away from Johnsons and Johnsons… The company is shit. Also, my son had blistering, horrible nappy rash. It was so bad he was bleeding! As soon as I stopped the J&J wipes, and just used a face washer and water, it cleared up and has not been back (I used every cream and potion around. it was the wipes!).

I am a big believer in just using a face washer and water now (I keep a tub of water in the change table). Easy to throw the cloths in the wash with his clothes.

Face washers - Buy these from Target. $4 for 10 and they are a nice thickness (not like the thin flimsy Big W ones). Kmart ones do not give you as good value for money as the target ones. Get 3 to 4 packs if you are going to use them as wipes too.

Food (for when they can eat)- a whole nother story! It depends if you are going to start food at 4 months (eg if your kid has reflux, it is medically advised) or at 6 months when organisations like the ABA recommend.

At 4 months old, you will be starting with orange foods and pureeing, at 6 months old you can feed anything and do it as finger food. No puree's needed.

Toys - Oh I went silly. But they don't really care about anything til 4 to 5 months. Something to look at in the car is good and a playmat with danglies is good too. Don't really need much more til later on.

Utensils - You can buy a 10 pack of spoons for $5 from Target that change colour when the food is too hot. They are pretty good for starting out. You might need different ones as your kid progresses with eating.

Look at breast pumps and bottles too if that is your thing. I have the Medela Swing and love it, however my son won't drink from bottles cause we didn't introduce them til after 4 weeks old, so I have had to donate all my milk. It was just a huge waste lol.

The pump is great for regulating my milk though (increasing/relieving it)

Fenugreek tablets are great to help boost supply. Grab them at the healthfood store.

Porridge/oats also promote milk, so make your wifey this for breakfast once she gets home!

Books (for baby to look at and read at a later stage)

They say you should start reading to them asap… That was in the too hard basket for me. At 9.5 months old I started reading to him consistently. He likes to look at the pages. I got pop up books really cheap (so it doesn't matter if he wreaks them) and he enjoys them alot.

As far as it goes for you, anything that rhymes and has rhythm will help you get through it lol

Not sure whether to buy a bassinet or a cot, or whether the baby should sleep in our bed (provided we take safety precautions). - If you don't want to buy both straight up, buy a cot first and try co sleeping. If Co sleeping doesn't work out for you, you can always use a washing basket until you can grab a bassinet or portacot to use. OR pop bubs straight in the cot.

If you want to try co sleeping though, do it asap as it is a bit of a training thing. If you try to do it too late, your kid will want to play instead of sleep.

And don't listen to anyone who says co sleeping is dangerous. As long as no one is under the influence of drugs or sleep meds etc, then it's fine. The safe and sound co sleeper is good to use though. Or an arms reach co sleeper.

Another product I can't live without is my Manducca carrier. I can carry my son on my front or back in a position that is best for his hips, and do my shopping or walking or housework etc.

Check them out!
mehow on 10/07/2014 - 21:50

check out http://www.expectingdeals.com.au/

We are expecting our first child in late May... any advice on quality but cheap products and where to get them?

Comments

New Forum Topics