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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Baby stuff - so expensive!
So I had a wonderful shower last week and got some really nice stuff... however, I was kind of surprised how many people didn't even bother with my registries... the BRU registry only 10 items were purchased and the BBB NOTHING was purchased. Which now leaves me with the following situation...
So DH and I went to BRU tonight b/c I have a coupon for $5 off a bouncie seat and I wanted the Eddie Bauer one that has the dual enclosure (keep the cats out), we also got our Diaper Genie and a refill canister, a Serta contoured changing pad that was far less expensive than the one I registered for at BBB (that one was like $60, this one was $24.99), 2 changing pad covers, a bottle of Dreft, and 2 outfits... $188.00 later . And we are far from done with what we need to get. I have a whole list derived from our registries.
We did get a few bucks from the shower which I'll use on the next shopping excursion. We still need to figure out where and how to store everything. Wait till the shopping spree I get my breast pump at... ouch!
I don't want to sound like I'm whining about gifts, of course you have to appreciate what you get, and we got some very thoughtful items, it's just that the items on the registry weren't niceties - they were the necessities. Oh well. Guess I'm going to use my free infamil diaper bag instead of buying one.
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Posted 4/11/08 8:53 PM  |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
your scenario is my nightmare... for exactly the reasons you mention....
my shower is likely in early august.... my registry is already done. Mom knows about the registry and she was ready to give Crouton..... not a piece of furniture or a stroller... but a giant ornamental mound of newborn diapers (greatly elevated in price due to the decoration...)
I was ready to  ... When she told me that she wanted to get this ornamental pile of diapers (I think it was 100 for $300  ) I told her 'frankly, that's how much our crib costs! please get us THAT instead....'
I pray there aren't too many other overpriced gifts, becuase we can't afford to luxuriate in disposable diapers that cost $3 each........ we need a stroller and carseat!
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| Posted 4/11/08 9:13 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
oh, I will add though....
that you can economize in some areas.
BRU and BBB are overpriced, IMO. You can likely get the same stuff for cheaper online.... frequently with free shipping, and no tax. I found amazon has a lot of reasonably priced stuff.
Also, a lot of moms have posted that dreft is not necessary.... they use other perfume free detergents (forget which brands) that are much less $$$.
One other tip with the breast pump... don't buy it until you truly are in your last week or 2.... becuase the warranty time starts ticking down from the date of purchase....
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| Posted 4/11/08 9:22 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
Posted by wannabemom
oh, I will add though....
that you can economize in some areas.
BRU and BBB are overpriced, IMO. You can likely get the same stuff for cheaper online.... frequently with free shipping, and no tax. I found amazon has a lot of reasonably priced stuff.
Also, a lot of moms have posted that dreft is not necessary.... they use other perfume free detergents (forget which brands) that are much less $$$.
One other tip with the breast pump... don't buy it until you truly are in your last week or 2.... becuase the warranty time starts ticking down from the date of purchase....
True, alot of us use All free and clear.
With the breast pump, dont buy until AFTER the baby comes. First most likely you will not pump in the beginning as actual nursing is better for your supply. And second, you just never know,. I am glad I didnt buy a $300 pump as I only nursed for 4 weeks as my supply never kept up with DS.
Baby stuff costs alot but dont drive yourself nuts getting it all now. there is alot you wont need for awile. The things I needed in the beginning, clothes, bibs, changing supplies, bouncy seat, swing, bassinet, bottles and thats it.
From teh hospital you will get diapers, formula pacifiers, vasaline, etc. I also got a hair brush, thermometer, diaper bag.
Oh and it took me 3 tries to get a diaper bag I liked so dont worry too much!
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| Posted 4/11/08 10:33 PM |
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julz33
i run for bacon
Member since 5/05 20584 total posts
Name:
julz
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
I just spent $200 ib BRU tonight!
Good thing I had gift cards and store credit!
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| Posted 4/11/08 10:38 PM |
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lovemy2boys
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 3915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
This is exactly why I told my mom not to throw me a baby shower. people love to buy clothes for babies, and I know I wouldn't get the bigger necessities. We do not need clothes, and people do not buy much off the registry. We are taking my brother's hand me downs for the big stuff ( his baby is one year old) and the rest our parents are going to buy.
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| Posted 4/11/08 10:45 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
I am definitely going to check out Amazon.com. They usually do offer some good deals.
As for the breast pump - isn't it also true that hospitals have them (should you need for some reason while you are there) and that you can even rent their's for a period of time? Maybe thats the way to go for the first month... by then I'll know if I'm really BFing and the pump was more really for when I return to work, although I had planned to start a few times like 3 weeks before I return to work so that DC can start to get used to both breast and bottle. Is this a feasible plan? I know they can't take back pumps once used which makes total sense, but they are very expensive.
I'm putting the crib and playard tents on the must have right away list b/c of our cats - I have coupons so they should help a little and those are the 2 most expensive items (other than the monitor and breast pump) left on the registry. Things that are more decorative can wait as can the convertible car seat... we have the metrolite stroller system from my MIL so we are good with an infant seat for now.
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| Posted 4/12/08 10:59 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
Posted by clwp
As for the breast pump - isn't it also true that hospitals have them (should you need for some reason while you are there) and that you can even rent their's for a period of time? Maybe thats the way to go for the first month... by then I'll know if I'm really BFing and the pump was more really for when I return to work, although I had planned to start a few times like 3 weeks before I return to work so that DC can start to get used to both breast and bottle. Is this a feasible plan? I know they can't take back pumps once used which makes total sense, but they are very expensive.
You can rent from most hospitals...I bf for 9 months with my first and bought a pump after 4 weeks...my lactation consultant didn't recommend pumping until 4 weeks...
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| Posted 4/12/08 11:03 AM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
roughly how much does the pump cost to rent from the hospital?
somehow, I suspect I will only need to pump for a month or 2... so I don't really want to buy one if the rental charges aren't too hideoue....
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| Posted 4/12/08 11:05 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
When I looked into it from St. Charles, it ended up being similar in cost to buying one (I also wanted one that was relatively portable since I used it when we traveled and at work and the hospital ones can be bigger)...you can call the hospital directly and ask them the costs...I definitely agree with waiting to buy a pump...
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| Posted 4/12/08 11:16 AM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
Posted by wannabemom
roughly how much does the pump cost to rent from the hospital?
somehow, I suspect I will only need to pump for a month or 2... so I don't really want to buy one if the rental charges aren't too hideoue....
The places I looked at for rental were roughly $60 per month.
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| Posted 4/12/08 11:27 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
Posted by DancinBarefoot
Posted by wannabemom
roughly how much does the pump cost to rent from the hospital?
somehow, I suspect I will only need to pump for a month or 2... so I don't really want to buy one if the rental charges aren't too hideoue....
The places I looked at for rental were roughly $60 per month.
I know at St. Charles there is also a fee on top of that charge ($50ish) for the parts that you need to purchase new for each use
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| Posted 4/12/08 11:33 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
Posted by Kelly9904
Posted by wannabemom
oh, I will add though....
that you can economize in some areas.
BRU and BBB are overpriced, IMO. You can likely get the same stuff for cheaper online.... frequently with free shipping, and no tax. I found amazon has a lot of reasonably priced stuff.
Also, a lot of moms have posted that dreft is not necessary.... they use other perfume free detergents (forget which brands) that are much less $$$.
One other tip with the breast pump... don't buy it until you truly are in your last week or 2.... becuase the warranty time starts ticking down from the date of purchase....
True, alot of us use All free and clear.
With the breast pump, dont buy until AFTER the baby comes. First most likely you will not pump in the beginning as actual nursing is better for your supply. And second, you just never know,. I am glad I didnt buy a $300 pump as I only nursed for 4 weeks as my supply never kept up with DS.
Baby stuff costs alot but dont drive yourself nuts getting it all now. there is alot you wont need for awile. The things I needed in the beginning, clothes, bibs, changing supplies, bouncy seat, swing, bassinet, bottles and thats it.
From teh hospital you will get diapers, formula pacifiers, vasaline, etc. I also got a hair brush, thermometer, diaper bag.
Oh and it took me 3 tries to get a diaper bag I liked so dont worry too much!
ITA with all of the above. I still do not have a diaper bag that I *love* & DS is almost 1 year.
I also recommend renting a pump to make sure that you can/will keep up a supply. I got my pump from a mom on here & I am glad I did not pay full price b/c I was only able to BF for 3 mos or so.
Also, if you think that some of the extras that were purchased as gifts do not suit your needs, exchange them for a GC that you can apply toward something you will need.
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| Posted 4/12/08 12:57 PM |
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My4GirlsMyLife
My 4 girlies
Member since 2/08 9702 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Baby stuff - so expensive!
I know I am on #3 and no shower for me and I have nothing left from the other 2 so I will be starting from scratch
Message edited 4/12/2008 4:23:08 PM.
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| Posted 4/12/08 4:22 PM |
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