Cost for baby items.

[YvetteY]

My DH freaked out after our recent trip to Babies R Us today.   I needed to get a lot of little things and probably a few things that I didntt really need, i.e. diaper pail (DH says we could use the trash can), play mat with over head toys (DH says we can put blanket on ground with toys), a bouncer (do I need this if I have a swing), etc.

To make matters worse he was rushing me so he could go practice with a bucket of balls before his golf game.   So I'm sure I probably threw some stuff in the basket I didn't need.   Oh well that's what he gets for making me rush.  

Anyways LOL!  We spend about $1400.00 bucks today at Babies R Us and at Target and to be honest we didn't get anything big, such as a crib or changing table/dresser.  The biggest item I purchased was probably the breast pump and the swing.  

This is his only baby and my baby after 14 years; and of course I have squat from my last baby (14 yo).  So obviously I need quite a few items.

So if you don't mind sharing... how much have you spent on baby stuff total???   DH has no clue how much things costs, let alone thing baby will need.  I really don't think our purchase was unreasonable.   The breast pump alone was over $300 and the swing was $160 and the rest of the stuff was just little stuff that added up.  

Okay...thanks a lot!!

[40smama]

Y - I spent at least that much when I add in everything (not including crib/dresser/changing table) too.   And that was AFTER the baby shower.  

I had a swing/bouncer/exerciser - in fact all of it.  I have a bedroom full of stuff that'll never get used again probably.  In fact I had two swings - what a waste - long story.  

I won't even tell you how many diaper bags I have - another waste but I kept finding cuter, more practical ones, hee, hee much to Wade's chagrin.  He almost hated getting packages at the pharmacy because he KNEW they were diaper bags.

I loved shopping for Noah - I know he's the last & Wade & mine first so I loved buying new and different stuff that I couldn't have afforded 25 years ago when i had my first baby and was very, very poor.  When Babycenter went under, I was so sad as I bought a ton of stuff from them.

I guess you can tell I have a little different perspective - I just wanted to enjoy buying things that I couldn't have afforded that many years ago & since it's been YEARS & YEARS since I had a baby, I don't have anything to compare it to as far as prices go.

[Helen72]

This is why people register and organize large baby showers!!  You should start buying items after your baby shower.   That way there will be no repetition.  Baby stuff is expensive though...  You can cut costs if you plan well though.  For example, you can often rent a breast pump from your hospital.  Also, I would hold off on buying a breast pump since you do not know yet if you will be able to b/f.
Good luck!

[SoCalTricia]

I felt like you about the shower but changed my mind because 1) my daughter and her best friend really wanted to have one for me and 2) all my friends and family kepting asking me when my shower was and what I needed. So, I caved and said okay. Now I'm kind of excited about it.

As for the diaper pail...I remember when my son was a baby we had a Diaper Genie. It worked really, really, well. Every time you put a diaper in, you kind of twist the plastic, and it seals it.

Tricia

[magnolia55]

Beg, borrow and steal!!! Since my son was a baby (now 19), babies have been "commercialized". The $1200.00 strollers, $1000.00 cribs...it's CRAZY! My older and wiser neighbour asked me if my daughter was going to grow up and thank me for putting her in designer baby clothes and a fancy stroller. Since the answer is no, it was a good reality check. I do recommend a good exersaucer/activity center. As for the diaper pail...my niece's bedroom stinks of dirty diapers, so I don't think they really work that well. I put my in the trash right away and we had no smell issues.
I opted not to have a baby shower because I didn't want my family and friends spending their hard earned cash on me. It didn't effect my daughter's development and happiness one bit.

[mlb1234]

I am not sure what you are having but if you are having a girl just wait until you start shopping for clothes!!  It's soooo hard to resist those adorable tutus, dresses, hair bows, etc!!

[SoCalTricia]

I, too, was shocked at the increase in price. My son is 9 now, so I haven't shopped for baby stuff since then. The increase is dramatic! Luckily, I found a huge box of 1-24 month clothes that were my son's. (I have no idea why I kept them.) And - another thing I'm not sure why I kept - I still had his crib (that converts to a toddler bed, then a twin bed), changing table and dresser. Whew. Other than that, I've got nada. Honestly, though, I remember having a lot of really unecessary things with my oldest (she's almost 19). So, with my son I kept things simpler, and I plan to do the same with this baby. Instead of a full-size swing, we registered for a travel swing. I do remember using that a lot. A stroller and car seat combo. And a travel play yard. Those are about the biggest things we've registered for. No bouncers or any of that stuff. If I decide we need them, we'll get them as needed...I don't want to spend a bunch of money of **** we'll either no use or use for a few weeks! My shower is next weekend...so we'll see where things stand after that!

Tricia

[prevatt77]

I had a daughter 15 years ago and I couldn't believe the price of things when I went to do my registry for Gavin.  Prices have went up so much from 15 years ago.  When I just go to K-mart or Wal-Mart I always go in the baby aisle and end up buying something for Gavin.  Things add up very very quick.  Those breast pumps are not cheap.  I'm lucky I work in a hospital and they provide the employees that are breastffeding mother a room to pump in and they also provide us with hospital grade pumps, all you have to bring is your own kit.

[oceanv]

i can't bring myself to buy new on a lot of things because a. all you hear about is the baby used it for a month and then never again....urgh..... plus dh got laid off 5 days before my hpt+ and is still not working as much as i'd like......

I bought a couple of clothes lots of ebay for 0 - 6 mos - probably 50 pieces and luckily a lot of them are girl oriented but heck she can wear the blue stuff too - approx 50 USD

misc outfits because some things are such a good deal or so cute: other outfits, sleepsacks (2), hooded towels,  snowsuits etc..... another 100 cdn

crib, changetable (off craigslist) she threw in manual breast pump and crib aquarium thingy $80cdn

arms reach mini co-sleeper (the cats love this :O ) $110 US ebay

evenflo stroller, infant car seat from may 08, expires 2013  (off craigslist) $100cdn

froggie theme bumper pad, quilt, sheet, pillow, window treatment, diaper hangy thing, toy hangy thing 40USD off ebay

crib sheets (more) , crib waterproof pad, receiving blankets, scratch mits, cradle sheets (2),  fluffy blanket, prob $100

still have to buy:
swing, fisher price booster seat, exersaucer, baby bjorn carry thingy, bouncer, bath -
hopefully  i have a shower or something.....

[melimeli]

it costs a lot and if he isn't interested you should probably go on your own so you can enjoy it... much of it can be put off until later.. ie:  the swing I found they don't like off the bat, the overhear playmat they don't use at first the high chair can wait until after they can sit up.  But the bouncer is required from the minute you come home haha...  it does add up.  Will you have a shower?  You will get a lot there.. but I think I spent at least 2000 before I brought the baby home.  

[Diabolicafemmia]

I havent kept track, Ive been trying to do 1 or 2 high dollar items per paycheck and a few little tings, and my hub freaks evety time :). Tell him kids cost for the rest of their lives, so he better get used to it now!