Now that I'm expecting and baby obsessed, I've noticed a lack of a baby stuff thread….
And those baby stores really suck you in and sell you lots of crap at huge markups.
So I was thrilled to get some mothercare vouchers through the various Amex deals……
But having already bought the big items and many small items, I'm now at a loss at how to spend my "bargain" giftcards….
Also thought anyone wanting to mention good baby deals/items that aren't really exciting enough for the deal page could do so without getting booed off the deal pages. Especially since mothercare pricematches :p
To start off….
Medela swing electric breast pump new, cheapest I've found is Toys R us at $224.95
Sophie the giraffe cheapest I've found is Metromum (in Sydney) bulk pack, must buy two to get it at $23.85 each (ok if a friend wants one too or you need a gift) (its cheaper overseas, but this is what I used to pricematch at mothercare)
The ELC toys at the moment are mostly more expensive than a couple of months ago.
Anyone else?
Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your baby.
Here are some thoughts as a new mum. I just had my baby girl 11 weeks ago.
Breast pump - i would rent a Medela Symphony breast pump for the first month after delivering the baby to get your milk supply up before buying a pump. Some women are unable to breast feed, so wait until the baby is born before buying the pump of your own. I use the Medela Swing and it is good.
Breast milk storage - Avoid wasting money on disposable breast milk bags to store frozen milk. Use the little food containers designed for babies starting on solids. They are the perfect size for one feed. You will get more milage out of these containers as storage for frozen breast milk. Then continue to use them when your baby is on solids at around 6 months.
Bonds baby gear is cheapest via the Bonds website when they are on sale. They do free shipping. For the first few weeks your bubba will be wearing the Bonds Wondersuits most hours of the day. It is comfortable and easy to do nappy changes quickly when in a Wondersuit.
Key takeaway: Hold off buying stuff unless you see it on sale.
Clothes - My daughter has received enough clothing as gifts or hand-me-downs to last her three years! No need to go nuts buying clothes as you will most likely receive a lot as gifts. However if you have to buy clothes, go buy baby singlets.
Books & Toys - Books and toys are the next most popular baby shower gift. No need to go lashing out on these. For the first few months of the baby's life, the best toy is the parent who will interact with the baby. Again, my daughter has received lots of Lamaze toys and classic books. Also, the Toy Library is an option to consider. Membership is about $70 a year depending on the suburb/municipality. These are usually council run. The toy library toys are usually cleaned thoroughly before being loaned out. Well, that is the case in my local toy library.
Baby wipes - If you don'r mind no name brand wipes, the cheapest baby wipes are the Woolworths home brand wipes at 2 cents a wipe. It comes in a box of 6 packets for about $9. Aldi's are the next cheapest at 3 cents a wipe. Both are really good.
Nappies - Huggies nappies when on sale ranges between $27 and $30. When you see the cheap, buy up. When baby arrives it is near impossible to push a pram and lug boxes of nappies out of the store.
Sudocrem and other baby hygiene creams and potions are cheapest at Chemist Warehouse. They are consistently cheaper all year round. Most of these items you will receive as samples in the Bounty Bag that they give you in the hospital.
All the best!