Wife Is Pregnant - Your Recommendations for Baby Necessities?

Lribze1 on 07/09/2019 - 15:11

Hi all,

Found out this week that my wife is ~7 weeks pregnant with our first child.

I'm interested to hear from the community your thoughts and recommendations on the big ticket 'necessities' for babies such as:

  • Pram
  • Car seat
  • Bassinet/cot
  • Baby monitor
  • Change table
  • Rocking chair? (For us to sit on and rock)
  • High chair
  • Playpen
  • Other contraptions such as electric rockers, carry-all bags, chest carrier

Being a discerning OzBargainer i know that this is all going to cost alot of money so looking to make the right purchases in terms of cost/quality and ultimately taking care of my baby.

Should i be on the look out for bargains along the way or early on? Example: 20% off Storewide @ Baby Bunting (Exclusions Apply)

Cheers,

Ribze

Toys & Kids Baby Accessory

Comments

      • grizzle on 09/09/2019 - 16:34

        Ah yes, I did mean to say that. We tried a few baby seats in the car at Baby Bunting (I don't know which other stores this would be convenient at) and it knocked some out of consideration. To be clear, this is for a 0-4 year type seat in the rear-facing position. I'm not sure if it would be an issue with a capsule.

        We actually had the same experience with a Stokke pram! Thankfully didn't buy it new.

  • bl1027 on 09/09/2019 - 16:01

    I've got a 2 month old and can say that in addition to all the baby stuff, the things that I've found most helpful are:
    - set aside some budget to have a cleaner come once a week. You don't want to be cleaning nor live in a mess.
    - attend a couples counselling course specifically for those expecting a baby. Teaches you how to manage conflict and support each other.
    - think about how you will each get a few hours away from baby each week. Eg You go meet friends while your wife looks after baby and vice versa. You need time away from the baby!
    - closer to the date, start prepping bulk meals that you can heat and eat in 15 minutes.
    - get groceries delivered! Do not waste time/stress doing this in person.

    • Danstar on 16/09/2019 - 06:34
      • set aside some budget to have a cleaner come once a week. You don't want to be cleaning nor live in a mess.

      Really?

      Sounds like you aren't ready for a kid if you struggle to clean

  • sheebies on 09/09/2019 - 16:25

    Bassinets are the BIGGEST waste of money in my opinion.
    You can put your little one straight into a cot, I got a stunning cot second hand that had adjustable heights with one height setting being around the height of a bassinet.

    Capsules are also a bit of a waste of money in my opinion, I got a reversible car seat that when my son was around 8 months we turned it around and it lasted him until it was 4. Then upgraded to a booster style seat that will last him until his is 8. It's also recommended that you don't let your baby sleep in their capsule for extended periods of time.

    Big W usually have baby sales in around February but I agree with everyone above, second hand is great. I also found bonds clothing to be a massive rip off, people go crazy for them but cheaper brands work just as well.

    Also if you have the time, write to a few companies about nappies, nappy rash creams etc.. They are usually more than happy to send you out free samples and if you have the time go to the Pregnancy Babies & Children's Expo, I got free bath thermometers, formula samples, nappy samples, cream samples etc. It was awesome.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2019 - 16:36

    pram - try whichever you need, try the light small one, try the all-terrain heavy ones, try the big huge ones, very depends on your need.
    Car seat - just pick the safest ones that can still fit in your car. if your car is big, then pick the safest one. Get the capsule if you think your baby going to be small. If big, then they will only spend 3-4 months in it, before you spend for another one.
    Bassinet/cot - whichever cheapest and heavy enough. If too light it gets kicked around too easily. If you put it on a carpet then not much of a problem. Bassinet is only more of a convenience, having it near your bed.
    Baby monitor - get old android phone, and install baby monitor app. Dormi is good. Then get a phone holder that can be mounted on cot rail.
    change table - again whichever cheapest and does the job.
    rocking chair - not necessary. Get an office chair.
    high chair - ikea
    playpen - waste of money, instead get the fence thing for your kitchen, heater, stairs, and other dangerous area.
    electric rockers - waste of money
    carry-all bags - whichever does the job.
    chest carrier - ergo baby or baby bjorn.

  • InsertCrow on 09/09/2019 - 19:25

    Congratulations OP! Not sure if it has been mentioned already but run out to Kmart and grab a $10-15 microwave bottle steriliser, we used the shit out of that thing. Just chuck the bottles in, just some water in, close it up and cook it for about 4 mins. Steams the bottles and sterilises them about 4 bottles at a time.

  • HeWhoKnows on 09/09/2019 - 21:10

    Nappies, nappies and more nappies.
    Then more nappies again

  • srr on 09/09/2019 - 23:46

    https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/mamas-papas-pixi-c… hands down the best high chair we had (we had 3). The main thing it's separate seat and rest, which helps to achieve better posture.

  • Alex10 on 10/09/2019 - 10:02

    Noise cancelling headphones, you're gonna need em!

  • jellykingdom on 10/09/2019 - 10:23

    We have a 2wk old, so a little bit of new experience in the area

    Car seat = we spent about $400 on really good quality one from Britax with 3x crash protection etc. I'd rather splurge on this protection and not spend on the prams etc. If you Goto somewhere like Baby Bunting they a) will help you sit it in your car to check clearances and b) they price match. We had some comments from friends re capsule but they're quite heavy tbh, and baby doesn't seem to mind the seat. In fact she loves the comfort and falls asleep instantly. Our seat was 0-4yrs

    Cot = we bought the cheapest from Baby Bunting ($200 and haggled a free mattress upgrade) and it's just basic Scandi white look. It's actually quite nice. We avoided drop side but almost all should be adjustable height

    Also bought a $70 Moses basket and it's great, nice and easy to move around the house and we can sit it in coffee table etc

    Pram = haven't tested it yet, we got a Mountain Buggy from a friend. It seems good? Folds up nicely and fits into the car. Gumtree is your friend!

    Change table = we just got a very simple one, just a bucket seat style flat surface. I wouldn't recommend the bed, she occasionally decides to pee herself and I wouldn't fancy getting that on the mattress! I've strapped it to a rolling table so we can move it around in the bathroom (unfortunately we have carpet in the house)

    Clothes, toys, books, etc = don't buy anything til after baby shower!!!!!!!!!

  • Cluster on 10/09/2019 - 10:55

    Better start putting away money for the baby's first home when it moves out at the age of 30. In Australia's real estate market you'll need it.

  • jason101 on 10/09/2019 - 12:37

    Don't worry too much about all the petty little things you've mentioned in this post - Focus on the big picture: You'll need a bigger car, a 2nd car (if you don't have two already) and a larger house in a good school district and or a saving plan for private school.

    • Cluster on 10/09/2019 - 15:41

      As soon as a baby arrives it needs its own SUV. I don't know how people survived 30 years ago.

  • macdaddyjordan on 10/09/2019 - 14:47

    maybe a flesh light for yourself?

  • gavt on 10/09/2019 - 15:03
    +1

    You in Sydney? We have a pram (Reds Baby Bounce) that we're looking at giving away!

  • Alex10 on 10/09/2019 - 20:23

    Some caffeine

  • oO0Dam0Oo on 10/09/2019 - 20:45

    Big congrats from father of 4.

    Take advantage of as many hand me downs as you can. The temptation and instinct to give your child the very best can get away from you very quickly.

    I’d pick a few things you want to see through all your kids as keepsakes but everything else try to source from wherever you can. It’s amazing how quickly they will grow out of things that you would think necessary. Oh yeah get a bumbo she said!

    As for prams we had one quality bulky one then as they got a bit older the best and go to one was a cheapie stroller. It had been thrown around on international flights, hit the beaten streets of Malaysia and thrown around in and out of a car boot more times than I care to remember.

    As long as you keep safety in mind can’t go wrong with hand me downs.

    It’s truly amazing to see how people come together and offer you so much when you have a little human come into the world. There is still a great deal of good out there!

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2019 - 21:19

    Congrats op!

  • ribze1 on 11/09/2019 - 21:32

    Thanks everyone, this has been a great thread with plenty for me to consider. I appreciate the support!

  • ange b on 02/01/2020 - 12:25

    Well there's already tons of advice here so i'll just drop random thoughts. My boy is due in March this year so been looking for sales constantly.

    One thing is don't bother getting a baby swing at baby bunting, terribly over priced and when they are "on sale" It's the regular price you can buy anywhere else. Actually I don't think there's much even worth getting at baby bunting, except trying things out at in store.

    Keep an eye out for Big W, they have a baby sale every once in a while, I picked up a baby swing there for 20% off around the holiday season. ALDI sells a rocking chair twice a year, last year they sold a different brand rocking chair which I got, It's alright but it would've been nice if the back wasn't so straight up.

    Don't bother with BONDS wondersuit unless the discount is 50% or more, they constantly go on sale for 40%. Make sure one of you guys are in your town's facebook buy/sell/swap group, people tend to offload lots of baby clothes if you don't mind getting things second hand.

    Drop Side cribs aren't safe anymore.

  • ribze1 on 02/01/2020 - 23:32
    +2

    Update
    Mum and my son (it's a boy!) are doing very well, just passed the 22 week mark.

    I've already been gifted some clothes and a bunch of hand-me-down toys and what not from the family which is good.
    Wife will be scouring FB Marketplace and Gumtree for sure.

  • Dr Prepper on 24/05/2020 - 01:00

    Ozito 18 volt Vassectomy

  • misswanderlust on 13/06/2020 - 03:14
    +1

    Didn’t read through all the posts but some suggestions -

    Babies in first year grow fast - ask friends/family for hand me down clothes as they grow out of them quickly. Or check Facebook marketplace for buy bulk lot of clothes. That what I did to get baby clothes - bonds wondersuits are good.

    Ikea cot is good and not expensive. Their baby chair is good too, I think only $15?

    • 5iveburn on 15/06/2020 - 16:16

      the thread messages is quite long to read yeah.
      but this one is indeed helpful. was looking for car seat and baby chair. Will check out Ikea then :)

  • victorngel on 11/09/2020 - 11:32

    2 things I can't see being mentioned but have been useful 'investments' would be:

    • Infrared/forehead thermometer (Braun)
    • Rechargeable night light (Yeelight smart motion ) ; helps if you have to feed at night and it's bright enough but not blinding

    Not immediate buys but good to keep a look when there is a discount

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