When did/will you start shopping for baby?

[Mrs. Charming]

I'm 11 weeks along and I am *dying* to really start shopping for some new gear/clothes. It's hard because I don't know the gender, but the u/s tech thought she saw a "boy part." I only have a girl, and only pink things, so I'm going to need to get some new stuff.

I know bad things can still happen, but I'm feeling a little better about it since I've had ultrasounds since 5 weeks, and had my last on Thursday, and everything was all good. I'm starting to calm down and I've stopped having daily panic attacks

So now the shopping bug has hit, and I want to partake in the BRU trade-in event.

When did you start or when will you start shopping for baby?

 

[Zeebs]

With my first we started buying stuff around 12 weeks, we did this as we needed everything and wanted to spread the cost out.

With my second he got a new coming home outfit (which the little fatty was too big for) when they told us at the 20 week scan that they were pretty sure he was a he. As we neared the birth and set room up again, we then replaced some bits that were worn out.

With this one, they told us that she was a girl so we have bought her some hats, and at some point when I see something I like I will get a coming home outfit. We have been given a lot of second hand stuff for her and all the big stuff we still have.

I don't believe that you are jinxing by buying early, but I am a pretty positive person most of the time and once I was pregnant I was confident I would have a baby.

I also would forget what the sonographer thought he/she saw because at 11 weeks it is way to early to put ANY faith in the sex.

I remember once watching a show where the people were told they were having twin boys. EVERYTHING was for a boy from the over decorated room to the whole closest of clothes. The first twin was born a girl and the Dad said well that is exciting one of each but a bit of a shock then the next one was born it was also a girl. They had spent soooo much money getting everything done for the boys.

Kirsten

 

[RooRach0906]

We started buying things that early for clearance sale prices (not a whole lot just a few items) we would either get one of each or neutral items. We also went and purchased our nursery furniture when I was like 12-14 weeks, mainly because we knew it would be the largest expense and wanted to have it paid for before the lil one got here.
At 20 weeks when we found out it was a she we started really buying clothes, I already have her set for 6-9 months as long as she is not overly big or small.

 

[mjkacmom]

Honestly, wait until AFTER your shower - you will get a lot of stuff from others. For my oldest, I didn't buy her any clothes until she turned 2 - I really should've returned and exchanged for larger sizes instead of taking off tags and washing!

Edited to add, I see this is #2 - wait until you learn the sex for sure.

 

[katied]

We're expecting #2 ourselves - due in June. We bought our first stuff for the new baby after our 20 week u/s - for us, we wanted to not only know the gender, but also have gone through all the measurements, etc., that they do during that u/s to know that things look good.

 

[photographymom517]

I was sooo excited when I found out I was pregnant that everytime I went to the store, I bought something! Most of the items were on clearance, but I occassionally splurged for a blanket I thought I couldn't live without or a cute outfit. I was on a HUGE budget as I was only working part-time & making under $150 per week. I didn't need bigger items like a crib, but if I would have, I probably would have bought those items first because of their higher price tags! (so you could see how much of your budget was left for clothes & decorations for the nursery) I looked online to get ideas for the nursery but instead of purchasing high-price items from stores, I found ways to create the same theme at a lower price. For example, I painted $4 canvas from the local craft store with the nursery theme (with No-VOC paint by the way!)

I would HIGHLY advise not to buy anything expensive or larger items (like stroller, highchair, etc) until AFTER your baby shower. I got sooo much stuff for my shower & then wished I hadn't purchased half the stuff I thought "I needed" to have for the baby! 9 times out of 10, you will regret what you bought ahead of time...although it is very hard to pass up clearance prices for under $1 at The Children's Place at the end of the season!!! It is such an enjoyable, memorable time being pregnant...one thing I would suggest buying is a Pregnancy Journal. I got a great one from Babies R Us and wrote it in after every doctors appointment & about once a week right before I went to sleep (to tell "baby" what was new in my life or with my pregnancy). I still to this day take the journal out & read it to my baby (who is 2 now) or just to myself to remember those days/months!

Oh, I also had this weird-anxiety thing for shopping when I was pregnant. It happened between about 3 months and 6 months. I would see something in the store & looooove it...wouldn't buy it and then would obsess about it for days until finally I drove myself crazy & went back to buy it. I seriously couldn't sleep or anything until I bought the item. It was honestly the weirdest thing I've ever gone through emotionally! Since I had the baby, this hasn't happened & it never happened before either. Not sure if it was hormone related or what, but it drove me crazy!

I personally am a shopper, but also am very budget-oriented...so I would say to buy what you feel is important to you, but don't go overboard until after the shower & you find out if its a boy/girl. Because after you find out the gender, you will have the shopping bug again! Best wishes to you with your pregnancy!

 

[tms295psu]

I did my registery after my 20 week ultrasound... and bought random too cute to pass up outfits. Don't buy to early.... You never know what new gotta have pattern will come out for the big stuff... but you can always go back and change it on your registery (before your shower) Also at B-r-Us they used to mail a 10 or 20 percent off coupon about a month before your due date... so you could purchase whatever was on your registery that you did n't recieve at your shower... Which really helps on the big stuff.

 

[ferrytale]

I am around 20 weeks, and the only thing we've bought are some packs of diapers and wipes to stock up on. I still have a lot of stuff from our first, just need to pull it out and make sure we still have all the pieces and such. Plus I partake in a HUGE Kid's Consignment Sale 2x a year which is coming up in March and I know I will be able to pick up things like the bouncy seat and stuff there for REALLY good prices.
The biggest thing we need is a new travel system which we will buy new. I really WANT to buy some stuff, but budget is tight for right now so we'll unfortunately have to hold off for a little while on some other stuff.

 

[cel_disney]

I am expecting #2 as well...I am 17 weeks now. I have been very hesitant about this pregnancy (worrying about things going wrong although like you I have finally passed the daily panic attacks somewhere around 12 weeks and 4 ultrasounds!) and really have been able to get past the urge to buy too much because of it...

I also wanted to partake in the BRU Trade In Event if needed, so I went through my stuff to see if I had anything to 'trade' and in the end, I decided I didnt! Nothing was bad enough or expired (carseats etc) that I wanted to have to buy something to replace it (even at the 80% discount). I did want a basinett but ended up borrowing one from a friend for free...

This week we had a 20% BRU coupon that was about to expire so we bought a new baby monitor which we know we desperately needed as our old one can only operate plugged into the wall (batterys no longer charge). Originally I was going to use the coupon to stock up on bottle liners and replacement bibs (i like them to be white so they are easily bleached!), but with the monitors on sale, it made more sense to do that!

I will wait until my ultrasound at 19 weeks to do any shopping I think. If this baby is a boy, I will need very few things - probably just bibs and maybe some newborn summer outfits/onesies since DS1 was born the end of September we dont have those. If this is a girl (THINK PINK PLEASE!!), well, thats a whole new ball game!!!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Congratulations!

I opted to wait until after my 20 week ultrasound.

My case is different since I had quite a bit of difficulty getting and staying pregnant. Over the years I had bought enough to furnish a nursery and the baby never came. I ended up giving it all to Goodwill before I went in for the IUI that took. I needed to unload the bad mojo/karma so that I could move on...but that was just me and my situation.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

After all the hemming and hawing I did over whether or not to buy baby things, I took DD's old stroller to BRU, got the coupon, and didn't buy a thing. I wanted this Fisher Price bouncer, but it wasn't one of the brands listed. Boooo.

It looks like we don't have a ton to buy except maybe a new exersaucer, bottles, maybe a bouncer, and some clothes regardless of gender... despite the multiple Rubbermaid containers of barely-worn girls clothes.

I'm kinda sad...there's not going to be a baby shower for us this time, I almost didn't get one last time. There's been a bigger rift in the family, and well, I don't have any girlfriends or cousins or belong to a church.. so yeah. It's all on us. Which is OK, we can do it. Big deal if a boy sleeps in a pack and play with flowers on it, LOL. Some pink things won't scar him for life.

I think I might just start stocking up on NB diapers for now. Gosh if I remember correctly, DD wore Preemie for a week or two!

 

[cel_disney]

I got some great advice years ago when it comes to buying diapers ahead of time! Tape the receipt for each on the box/package!! That way if you dont end up needing them (too many in a certain size, your child leaks in certain brands or has allergies to them etc), you can easily exchange/return them!!

I would probably recommend staying away from the newborn size too...ya never know how many you are going to be able to take home from the hospital or if this baby will be small enough to wear them! Many go home and go straight to size 1s!!!

Happy Shopping!! And Congratulations!!

 

[Skylarr29]

The diaper idea is a good one, especially taping the receipt to the outside. My son wore newborn diapers for a couple weeks even though everyone told me not to buy any, I was glad I had them. I wouldn't buy anything gender specific because at 11 weeks both males and females look pretty much exactly the same, they have a genital tuber. Around weeks 12-13 is when they start taking their actual form.

 

[Samar]

Congrats but don't go painting the walls blue yet since all babies have a nub at this point

With DS, we didn't know any better and started buying the big stuff before the pee stick had time to dry Ok, I was probably 8-ish weeks but still, still early in the game.

With DD, at our 19w u/s and got the girl confirmation, mommy went on a spree!

We had 3 miscarriages after DD so when we got our BFP with our newest little girl, DH wouldn't let me buy anything but a little hat at 12 weeks. When we had our big u/s, he said I could buy some clothes since our bean was growing healthy.

 

[*Toadstool*]

Honestly, wait until AFTER your shower - you will get a lot of stuff from others. For my oldest, I didn't buy her any clothes until she turned 2 - I really should've returned and exchanged for larger sizes instead of taking off tags and washing!

Edited to add, I see this is #2 - wait until you learn the sex for sure.

Don't you not get a shower when you have a second child? Maybe that is just a cultural thing here. I only have one, so I am just wondering. Everyone I know with more than one kiddo just had a shower for the first. Sounds like no fun to me.. hehe. I'd love to have a shower if I am blessed with a second.

To OP I started shopping immediately, but mostly bought clearance items and gender neutral items.

 

[njgeneral]

We are on #3 and no shower planned. However, I am with everyone who says wait until your 20th week ultrasound. 11 weeks is early. It is amazing how things have changed since having my son just 2 1/2 yrs ago. As much as you want to buy, I would wait until you know for sure. I felt the same way and soon enough, we found out it was another girl. This will help determine what you need as well as far as clothing goes.

However, it is never too early to think of diapers, baby wash etc... Those things can always be purchased esp when they are on sale. Also, my friend told me about diapers.com. You can really save money on diapers here and it is FREE Shipping. Cheaper than the BRS coupons/deals and Warehouse prices. I still need to sign up but it will be perfect since my son will still be in Pull-Ups unless some miracle happens and he really becomes potty trained and then the new baby. I am all about saving money. Esp. when you go through a ton of diapers in the beginning.

One more thing... There is a place called Buy, Buy Baby (it is owned by Bed, Bath and Beyond) they have a website and you can use your 20% off Coupons on everything except formula and diapers.

Good Luck! I am 21 weeks and wish you all the best!

 

[mjkacmom]

Don't you not get a shower when you have a second child? Maybe that is just a cultural thing here. I only have one, so I am just wondering. Everyone I know with more than one kiddo just had a shower for the first. Sounds like no fun to me.. hehe. I'd love to have a shower if I am blessed with a second.

To OP I started shopping immediately, but mostly bought clearance items and gender neutral items.

I live in the northeast, and no showers after the first.

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

I am like 8 weeks along with #2.. I am not gonna lie I saw the cutest onesie at Target the other day that said " I LOVE my auntie" and I had to get it. It was pink and we dont know what we were having but it was so cute and small I had to get it!

 

[ferrytale]

I live in the northeast, and no showers after the first.

I think it depends on the situation, my sister had showers for her first 2because they have different dads and the families wanted to throw them one and we didn't mind b/c showers are fun. My SIL's family threw her one for her #2 b/c they had a girl and their first was a boy - BUT DH's grandmother/aunt/sister made comments about how you only have one shower and it made me a little uncomfortable. If they didn't want to partake they didn't have too, and it WASN'T a money thing for them.
I don't know that anyone is planning anything for us for #2, it's been 5 years, but I still have most of our stuff. My mom has been bugging us to put together a registry so she might be up to something. I think it is a nice gesture if someone wants to throw something for the expectant parents.

 

[RooRach0906]

Don't you not get a shower when you have a second child? Maybe that is just a cultural thing here. I only have one, so I am just wondering. Everyone I know with more than one kiddo just had a shower for the first. Sounds like no fun to me.. hehe. I'd love to have a shower if I am blessed with a second.

To OP I started shopping immediately, but mostly bought clearance items and gender neutral items.

I know for my sister who has two girls she got showers for both. Also a lot of church friends got like one for each child. Maybe its a regional thing.
Im having two just for my first... one family (DH side extended) my extended lives out of state) and then one for friends where DH mom and sister and my mom and sisters are invited to both.