Mum2mum market- best buys for baby.

I have been meaning to produce a list for ages of great things to buy second hand for your baby and it's so tricky.  There are so many great second hand bargains and you really can find anything and everything imaginable to buy for babies and kids.
The following are my top mum2mum market buys for a new baby- and if you are new to parenting you probably don't realise half of these exist!

Grobags. 

These are a parenting secret and a godsend.  Grobags are baby sleeping bags that you zip baby into so they stay warm and cosy all night without kicking the covers off.  Suitable when baby reaches 8lbs (so from birth if baby is big enough)

Mum2mum market top tips:

• Grobags come in sizes 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18months-3 years and different tog ratings: 0.5 for hot weather, 1.0 summer and 2.5 for winter.

• The branded Grobag and Slumbersac ones do seem to wash better and not get lumpy inside compared to the supermarket and own brands. They are worth paying a bit more for
  

• You will need a2 or 3 of 1.0 and 2.5 tog bags in each size

Retail price £20-£30……….. Mum2mum market price £4-£5!

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A Bouncer / Jumperoo

You need to wear baby out so it will sleeeeeep!!! And once baby can crawl they are the perfect place to spend 15 minutes while you make a cup of tea/ shower/ get dressed without having eyes in the back of your head.  This is the best bit of baby kit I bought!

Mum2mum market top tips:

• Suitable for use from about 5 months- when baby can hold their head up confidently- right up to when they are walking.

• It is not recommended to buy a ‘baby walker’ that looks similar but allows baby to scoot around the house as they can tip up/ fall down stairs. A bouncer should be fixed in one space. 

• You can also get bouncers that hang from a doorway

Retail price: from £85…….. Mum2mum market price £30 -£40

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Cot sheets, towels, muslins and blankets

The cost of all these little things really add up.  You really can't have too many..... it really takes the pressure off keeping up with the washing...... If you have a sicky baby you'll get through a mountain of sheets in a week.



Mum2mum market top tip:

• Know what size sheet you are looking for- cot bed, cot or moses basket.
• Worried about putting your baby in secondhand bedding?  Don't be!  A hot wash with a dose of napisan will kill all known germs if you are worried.  It is important to note that the increased risk of cot death is linked to using secondhand mattresses ONLY. It does  NOT apply to secondhand bedding, or even cots- just the mattress.
  

Retail price £5-£10 each........... mum2mum market price £1 -£3

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A bath seat
(shown at rear of photo with a baby wetsuit in the foreground)

Most parents realise they need a bath seat of some sort at the point where they are struggling to hold onto a slippery newborn in the bath and need an extra pair of hands!  A bath seat is the answer- baby is held securely in the seat leaving your hands free to wash them or grab a towel.  One of these makes bathtime so much more relaxing for you and your baby!

Mum2mum market top tips: 
There are two sorts of bath seat.

• A fabric sling on a frame which keeps baby reclined and semi immersed in the water suitable for newborns until they can sit up (about 6-7 months)

• A rigid plastic ring which attaches to the bottom of the bath with suckers- suitable once baby can sit up confidently. 
  
• You will probably need one of each as your baby grows
  

Retail price £10 – 15 …………  Mum2mum market price £3 –£5!

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Small toys
Babies love variety and you'll be amazed at the mountain of brightly coloured, rattley, crinkly toys you'll accumulate in the first year. 
The savings to be made by buying secondhand are huge


Mum2mum market top tip:

• Most  second hand soft toys can be surface cleaned- or throw them in the washing machine if you are prepared to risk it. 
  
• For  hard toys wipe with dettol surface wipes or put them on the top rack of the dishwasher
• 
  

Retail price £5 -£10 each........ Mum2mum market price £1 -£3!

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Travel blackout blind

These are great for holidays or visiting family.  They attach to any size window with suckers and pack down into a pouch.

Also great at home when your baby is ready to start the day at 4.30am and you are not!

Retail price around £30……. Mum2mum market price £10!

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Ride on toys
Every little boys dream....... their first set of wheels!

A favourite ride- on will get years of use.  These bees, called 'Wheely bugs' are brilliant as the wheels spin 360 degrees so they move brilliantly in all directions and are a bit less scratchy on wooden floors.  A great first birthday present!

Mum2mum market top tips:

• Also look out for plastic ride on toys with a tall handle at the back and a boot with a lid.  They can also be used as a baby walker to build confidence and they love filling the boot up with toys!

Retail price £20-£50 .......... mum2mummarket price £5-£15

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