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Frugal Baby Accessories
by Joanna Foss
Where and What to Buy in Terms of Baby Accessories if You Are Not Rolling
in Money?
Finding out that you are pregnant can be both exciting
and frightening. On one hand you are over the moon that you are going to become a mother yourself,
on the other hand you realize the new responsibilities awaiting you, major
changes in your life style, relationship with your partner, your social activities.
On top of this, you need to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the
arrival of your baby and what's more, buy quite a lot of baby accessories which
involves lots of money... If you are well off, then you do not think about having
to spend a couple of extra pounds, but if money is tight, then you have to be
realistic about your shopping and you want to find the best bargains.
I would like to tell you about my way of shopping for my first baby (due in
August) which allowed me to get everything needed at reasonable prices.
Before starting to shop I set up my priorities. As "labels" on the clothes are of
no importance for me, I started preparing a list containing the names of shops
where I could possibly find baby accessories. I also asked several members of
my family about their pricewise preferred baby accessories shopping places.
Each time I took notes. Then I reviewed my list and crossed out the repeated places and added new ones.
In the meantime I borrowed many books about newborn care and mothercare
from the library and I prepared another list. This time it contained all the
accessories for newborns and mothers advised by the authors. As a first time
mother-to-be, I paid much attention to the written media and though I did not
expect some of the baby accessories mentioned in the books to be needed,
I still included them in my list, bearing in mind that the list will be reviewed over
and over again. Once again I asked my relatives and friends with small
children to share their experiences with me.
Equipped with the list of the accessories needed, taking into consideration the
fact that it is far easier to walk around the shops while I was still "slim", I
started gathering information on the baby accessories. Each time I was in the
town centre, I visited several shops and noted the prices of the same goods
offered by different retailers. While comparing the prices, I made sure, that they
referred to the same products (e.g. if they were bottles, I looked for the bottles
of the same volume offered by different companies). I also wrote to some
manufacturers of baby equipment asking for their catalogues.
Once I had all the information in hand, I prepared another list containing names
of the shops in one column and accessories in another. I filled the boxes with
prices (including postage charges in case of catalogues) and circled the best
deals. Bearing them in mind, I started buying 1-2 thing(s) a week as it is
always easier to spread the costs over a longer period of time. Each time I bought something for
the baby, I crossed it out from my list of items.
Big items like a pram and car seat I did not buy until I visited endless shops
and browsed through many catalogues. Once again, I set up my priorities: I
wanted the pram to be safe, manufactured to standards, and suitable for a
newborn. I also required a pram which would convert into a stroller.
Only the prams that allow the baby to lie flat did I take into consideration. This particular
requirement of mine immediately reduced the choice of prams. At the same
time I looked through the gadgets included in the price of prams and decided
which ones are really important and useful for me, and which ones are just
"extras" hardly used but greatly increase the price. I decided on a regular,
easily folding pram with mattress and removable hood (compatible with the
stroller) with no extras. I only bought a rain set (fitting the stroller as well)
separately. Forget the changing bag - you can always find something suitable
at home.
While deciding on the cot (it suits the baby for a longer period of time than a
Moses basket), I again looked through many catalogues and got mine (adjustable
to 3 heights) together with a foam mattress (I made sure it was top quality) for £55. Once again, the
amount of money you spend depends on whether you wish to purchase a pine, shaped cot or you are quite happy with
a standard wood one with melamine ends.
All the baby clothes that I bought come from QD: big selection for very low
prices and what's most important for me, all the clothes are made of at least
80% cotton if not 100%. If you are not worried about the labels, then this is the shop for you.
I did not buy a changing table. I found it a total waste of time and money (we
looked at some but they did not meet our requirements) and we ended up
borrowing an old wooden table from our relatives. After it has been cleaned and
covered with a blanket, it will give us enough space to change our baby safely
and comfortably. Also it is big enough to put a baby bathtub on the solid
surface and transfer it to the changing area after the bath. As the table is old,
we do not have to worry about any water stains on the surface - when it is no
longer needed, we can just dump it.
Another accessory that I did not buy is sterilizing equipment. First of all, I
intend to breastfeed, however I bought bottles, bottle and teat brushes just in
case I need them. If I needed them I would sterilize them by boiling and leaving
to dry on their own. Sterilized teats I would keep in a dry jar with a lid,
obviously sterilized by filling it with boiling water and leaving for a couple of
minutes prior to usage. I do not intend to use any sterilizing tablets as
according to me they have the same effect as bleach and I am very dubious
about pouring either natural or formula milk into bottles that have been
sterilized with them. As you are not supposed to rinse them, it seems like you
serve your newborn a "bleachy" milk.
Instead of buying cotton balls, I bought a two pack of regular cotton wool (you
get twice as much for the same money). Once you dip the cotton in warm
water to clean the baby's eyes, it will lose its ball shape anyway...
I can honestly say that I am well prepared for my baby's arrival without
spending a fortune. The money I saved I am going to invest in my baby's
mental development: I am going to buy various puzzles, books and other
educational toys. Simply, I am investing in my baby's future. You can do it,
too. You have nothing to lose but plenty to gain.
Copyright © 2000 by Joanna Foss, M.Sc.
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