Yes because I do know what I need to buy in advance, where I can find cheap brand new items etc.. but No also because it was 5 years ago since i had my girl!! 5 years is not very long but neither is it short at all..
so, what I've learnt from this preparation:
1) DO NOT prepare everything in your 3rd Trimester.. If possible, do it in your 2nd trimester as that is when you have lots of energy, you feel better from all the morning sickness that you've gotten from your 1st trimester, and of course, financially, it is better as it is "spread out". And because I never expect myself to be in such painful situation in my 3rd Tri, i couldnt do alot of things. Like to buy
i need from baby fair etc as I cannot walk/lie/sit too long as the pressure on my pelvic area is very bad. I have to walk real slowly and at times, I could not even wear my panties or pants because it was just too painful to lift my legs up, yes, even to that height.
2) there are lots of things you can buy online nowadays, at a cheaper price, and if you dont mind, 2nd hand items that are as good as new. I sort of listed down the items i needed for this baby (yes, from scratch) and then cancelling out those that I already have, like the face towels, baby clothes, stollers, playpens etc. I like to stalk Qoo10 and Carousell app as and when.. Qoo10 usually have their Time Sale, Group Buys & Daily Sales.. I will just scroll straight into Kids/Baby or Food to look for deals and when I shortlisted the items I need (like baby wipes, breast pumps etc...), I will take note of the price with shipping and make sure that I get a good deal before I purchase them, like using the Qpoints or coupons etc. These will allow you to save some $$ for sure.
As for Carousell, I will also go to Baby & Kids, to see what sellers posted for sale.. these sellers are usually mummies themselves and selling off items that are of no use to them. So depending on luck at times when you can get the item you want, at a super low price plus its brand new & sealed.
For example, I've bought my Avent Nipple Shield for $5 (include postage), item received is sealed. So all these has to be done way ahead before your due.. check out retail prices first, then online prices (which is usually cheaper than retail stores), then check out how much others are selling it for. Like this you will know if you are getting a good deal.
I've also bought the milk storage bags online from mummies that don't need it anymore. my budget is usually about $0.15/pc, so i will try to bargain a little (i'm never good at such). Of course there are deals that doesn't get through, but there are some who just want to get rid of the items. So usually i will stalk for an item for a period of time, grab as many as I can, then stop and move on to the next item that I need.
3) Sort the baby clothes according to their months.. for me, I have bags of hand-me-down clothes. So I've sorted them into
- 0-6 months
- 6-12 months
- 1 year-2 yrs
- Above 2 yrs
4) Cleaning up space for the little one's items. I've lots of things to throw away and to make space for this baby. It is also a good chance to do a little spring cleaning here and there. Seeing the empty space makes me feel the sense of satisfaction, but i know it wouldn't be for long when its filled up totally. haha..
5) Pack your hospital bag.. When you do not know what to pack, google and the list will come up BUT not all items are required. Here is my list:
For Baby
- Baby clothes x 1 ( I prefer long sleeves with long pants. the Top to be either button or tie with ribbon as new born have super soft neck and heads so romper may not be a very good idea initially)
- Mitten & socks X 1 pair
- Diaper Rash cream (I'm using La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5)
- Maternity Pads (i prefer to use Pureen Maternity Pads instead of the ones NUH is giving because it is so soft and thick)
- Breast shields and nipple shields (I'm very scared of the nipple pain due to breastfeeding, so I'm bringing those items just in case)
- Earth mama Nipple Butter
- toiletries (Im not sure what NUH provides already but i still prefer to use my own cleanser, toothpaste etc)
- Disposable undies
- Phone Charger
- Nursing Bra
- Post partum spray (home made with Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree EO and Lavender EO)
For Daddy
- Toothbrush as he would be staying over in the hospital with me.
- Clothes wont be necessary for my hubby because he will travel home everyday anyway for whatever.
Week 36 now, cant wait for LO to pop!
Also, happy belated birthday (only in this post) to my girl.. we celebrated her birthday yesterday by bringing her to the airport Mr Bean Playground, together with my 2 nephews.
In the morning, we went to have Long John's Silver for brunch (she loves the chips with nachos there), then brought her to Kiddy Palace to get her a present that is paid for by nai nai and yeye. Ended up, she chose an Elsa doll which looked damn scary to me.. I did tell her i didnt like the doll and she looked very disappointed and affected by my comment, but i told her that it is ok, she can choose it still because it is her present (and Im not the one paying for it). So she happily paid for the doll using the ang pow $$ and also topped up with a little pony squishy.
Then, we headed down to airport T3 playground to meet my family there. This girl was really excited and super happy yesterday. Go back home still got new toys to play. haha.. glad she enjoyed herself <3
