Whoa!!!! this shit just got real…I can’t believe how expensive things are….
I don’t even know who is more shocked…me or my bank balance. 7 years ago I almost died at the sight of the price tags of baby essentials but walking into Baby City a few weeks ago was mind boggling. I left with….nothing. I kid you not I was so shocked that I decided that I needed to regroup and clear my head. I needed a game plan and essential shopping list.
OMG, Thank goodness I still have my babysense sling and sleepy sack that I bought for Dudie when he was born. This child of mine only used his sling until he could peep out and actually see that there is activity beyond that sling so he needs to be sitting upright and checking out his surroundings. And that was the beginning of the end. Thereafter he only ever wanted to be on the floor so I packed away our sling. Here’s hoping that we will put it to good use when the new baby arrives… Now, although this is only my opinion of the essentials one would require for a new baby, in no way am I saying that your offspring will become the next president or world renowned scientist, please remember that we all have different needs and priorities. Of course as parents we only want the best for our offspring but hell man it can break your bank account.
Essential must haves:
Jogger Pram/stroller – sorted as I still have Dudie’s.
Camp cot – sorted as I still have Dudie’s.
infant/newborn car seat – sorted still Dudie’s, but I could get a new more padded version
bath compactum – sorted still Dudie’s.
bath seat and pillow – sorted still Dudie’s.
baby monitor – you guessed it, still Dudie’s.
thermometer – Dudie’s but need to check if it is still in a good working condition.
breast pump – frantically looking for it in the house as OMG it costs a small fortune.
pacifier -Dudie used his for 8weeks and the weaned himself off of it. Will buy some…
bottles- I used Dr Browns and Nuk with Dudie… Will buy new ones as I haven’t even checked what the old one’s look like…maybe I should just leave it at that and buy new ones.
wet wipes you can never have enough wet wipes. Dudie is 6 and at any given time you can walk into our house and you’d be guaranteed to find random packets of wet wipes in the house and even cars.
nappies, nappies, nappies
telement drops
telement gripewater
lansinoh nipple cream – it saved my nipples the last time.
bio oil – I guess its just my genetics but those stretchmarks still make their appearance….but love the bio oil nonetheless.
Now no list would be complete without a few tons of nice to haves….
baby rocker – still need to investigate this but love the concept
activity playmat -I only found the poles of our previous one….no mat but I did find the monkey that hangs from the bars. I could just make my own and connect those pipes to each other and let the resident alien lie on a mat soft mattress…but someone might just report me to the welfare
those pretty babysense burp cloths
babywrap because I love the idea of wearing my offspring. I loved my sling, pity Dudie didn’t want to use it longer.
a baby bag which will double as Mom’s handbag for the next 12 months…We all dream of this glamorous image of a new mom but in reality it is just convenient and much much less time consuming to pop your own essentials into the baby bag.
a new car seat – even though we kind of have this sorted I would like a new one though…just died at the sight of the price tags…
a new baby monitor – we have the very basic one but wow have you seen the fancy monitors these days.
shares in Pampers because you won’t believe how much money you will spend on nappies…I kid you not. Can someone let me know how I can buy shares in Pampers….
A decorator to do the new baby room….we seriously need some inspiration/ideas for a nursery/little boy’s room.
a few breakaways for mom….just me time…a peaceful night’s sleep, uninterrupted, preferably in a high end hotel with amazing room service so that I can just stay in my pjs the whole day.
a new car- ok maybe this is taking it too far but I can dream can’t I?
a Personal trainer to get back my pre preggie body…
A chef/cook, like that little old lady from the fattis and Monis tv ad. The one they used to keep locked away in the broom closet. She would make life so much easier and we could literally just ooh and aahhh over the baby all day long. (found the ad on Youtube)
In essence, you don’t need all those fancy designer clothes as your precious baby grows out it so fast. Sometimes they outgrow clothes they never even wore…don’t get me wrong it’s lovely to dress this new sweet smelling baby but believe me they poop and puke all the same in ordinary clothes just as they will in designer brands…
Currently, I am trying to figure out should I go get that wax at Sorbet or buy the damn PregOmega….Newly waxed vjay jay vs fishy burps daily…Just kidding…I will get the PregOmega vitamins. I used it with Dudie and it definitely made a difference then and now. Just got back from my wax 
I am already actively looking for a nursery school even whilst the resident alien is still in utero. It baffles me that I need to pay a deposit to secure his spot for 2017….its days liked these that I feel I should have a money tree in the backyard. Just go pick some money as and when I need it.
Happy baby prepping…
Spirited Mama
catjuggles
Oh that ad – I remember it so well. I also need one of her. I used our Bumbo seats a lot – something I think is wonderful.
spiritedmama1
Ooh thanks for reminding me. My friend is giving Dudie’s bumbo seat back to us, LOL. It’s sooo expensive now.
Mrs FF
I about died of laughter reading this and I can so relate ….. I don’t blame you for walking out of those shops. When I pregnant hubby and I went and the first few times we got zilch.. Nada… Because I was convinced I didn’t need a million and one gadgets to keep my child alive. Ok granted I caved and got a few gadgety things but I mostly stayed away – pretty impressive for a first time mom. I had a friend with slightly older kids break down the layette list and boy oh boy she did a good job – the list I was given had baby donut, her remark whatever is that, doesn’t sound like an essential thing. And high chair which she said you need but can wait and be bought when baby is ready to use it. And special baby dish washing soap which cost a pinky finger , not essential so I used regular dishwashing liquid and I have an almost 3 year old so definitely not essential
And I should have listened that baby didn’t need that many clothes because of course I bought a lot (who can resist gorgeous baby outfits) that she never used. In my defense I didn’t know the baby’s gender so I bought lots of unisex things before baby was born and once baby came I went really crazy 🙂 🙂
The only thing I would say is check the car seat that it hasn’t expired (yes they do expire) except the SA cars aren’t made like that but the car seats from the US have an expiry date.
Mrs FF
Oops sorry I wrote an epistle
spiritedmama1
No worries, loved your comment!
spiritedmama1
Oh my, glad you laughed perhaps I will see the humour in it a few years down the line but for now I am shell-shocked….Feel like I need to sit in a corner and just rock myself. Funny thing is that this is NOT my first time. One would think you would get over the initial shock but not me…When will I ever drive my convertible….