I sort of want everything to be new because this is my first child but I'm 23 and unemployed at the time because i'm full time at school and had terrible morning sickness up until about a week ago. I want to work so I can buy things for when the baby comes in May but I travel 4 hours a day just to get to school. Should I just suck it up and take the hand me downs or try to work while going to school and try to get the things I want for the baby.
2006-11-30 08:30:31 · 27 answers · asked by La Belle 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
It depends on what handmedowns you need. For clothes, go ahead. Baby won't know and if the items are clean and don't look totally worn out (highly unlikely with newborn stuff) you'll be fine. You'll still want to buy a few new things for your baby (going home outfit, for instance)but it will certainly save you money. I bought my daughter so much stuff and some of it she wore once and some not at all. I was glad to pass those things on.
For things like a crib, carseat, etc. you should check how old the item is. Many items are recalled each year by the manufacturers - you want to be sure that your carseat is safe, your crib, etc, that any toys are safe. Also standards change so a carseat that was made even 3 years ago may not meet today's more stringent requirements.
If you take clothing handmedowns, you might be more able to buy the carseat, stroller, etc for yourself, and those things are more important since they involve Baby's safety. It is admirable and understandable that as a new mom you want to provide all new things for your brand new baby. But don't kill yourself to do it. Remember, you have to take care of yourself too - that in itself is a gift to Baby, and if you shower him with love and affection when he arrives, he (and you!) won't really care if the clothes he's wearing are "gently used."
2006-11-30 08:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by WifeMommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations.
I completely understand where you are coming from. The urge to buy everything new is really there!
However, you need a lot of things for the baby, and if someone is offering to give you some of their things, look at it as a helping hand.
Maybe decide what kind of things you want brand new - buy a new carseat/carrier for the child. Do not accept those hand me downs. Similarly, unless you know the person / crib details very well, do not accept an older crib.
Clothes on the other hand, can be washed and thrown away if you do not like them. You need a lot of baby clothes, and babies outgrow them very quickly. So accept the clothes and just put away the ones you do not feel good about.
Also, say yes to maternity clothing. It is expensive, and used so little. Just make it yours by using your accessaries.
Finally, where I come from, it is sign of good luck to get some used items for the baby. So look at it that way! You are getting a brand new baby, and there is nothing better than that in life!
2006-11-30 08:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by SS90 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hand me downs rule!!! In our family all the children in my daughters generation are girls save one so for any age there's a box or two of hand me downs floating around somewhere. In fact I'm about to pack back up the smaller stuff my cousin sent me because my daughter is older now and she's having another baby. Sometimes you even manage to get new stuff in the handmedowns. We got multiple things that were the wrong size or the wrong season when they were recieved the first time so they still had tags on them. There are so many other things that you can't take handmedowns on (bottles, diapers, wipes etc) that I think getting the clothes is the best way to go.
2006-11-30 17:02:41 · answer #3 · answered by evilangelfaery919 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hand me downs are great and the baby won't know the difference! As long as you are getting the clothing from people you trust and you wash them before they touch your baby, I see nothing wrong with it. By the way, props to you for sticking it out in school even though God has a little something else in store for you! I hope the father is helpful in every way to you and your unborn child. So, yeah, take the hand me downs, save money for the more important things like diapers, food, formula, crib, bassinet etc. etc. etc. Also have a baby shower and register at a bunch of different stores so everyone knows what you need, you can get lots of nice stuff at a baby shower!
2006-11-30 08:38:07 · answer #4 · answered by Isabella's Mommy Expecting #2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure , there is nothing wrong with taking hand me downs. I Understand you wanting new things for your first baby, but even so, if you decide to get a job, you can have the hand me downs and have more money for other things for the baby. Go garage sale shopping. That is great too. I had a garage sale myself not too long ago and sold tons of baby things. All of the clothes I sold were in good shape and some not even used. You can find nice cribs, changing tables, etc...There is nothing wrong with it at all. Good Luck and congratulations!
2006-11-30 11:01:18 · answer #5 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it from someone who knows from experience. I'm also a full time student and I have three little girls. I tried to work this past semester but I didn't have anytime with my husband and kids and barely anytime for studying. Don't push your self over the limit (espeically during your pregnancy)-I would say there is no shame in accepting hand-me downs at first, you should be grateful for those helping you and when you graduate college you'll be able to provide nicer newer things for your baby. Remember-right now succeeding in college and getting a good job after graduation is more important than addin the extra stress of work to your busy life-your baby will understand and you can still get him/her new stuff on occasion but unfortnately not everything can be new.--Good luck----Please don't add extra stress to your life, it will affect the baby
2006-11-30 08:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by country girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the hand-me-downs! New or not it's going to look the same after your child has worn it a few times. Almost everything my daughter has worn has been used, and I tell you if it hadn't been we wouldn't have been able to make it. Even now we can afford new clothes but I still buy used at yard sales so we can put more money in savings- the kids don't care.
2006-11-30 09:36:55 · answer #7 · answered by AerynneC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with handme downs. You can just pick out the ones that look best. My M-I-L gives me clothes from my neice. I'm grateful for them all, and when we're in the house I use all of them, but there are certain outfits that look better that I'm more apt to dress her in for outings or pictures. Just make sure there are no loose buttons, loose threads or other safety hazards. It seems as though you aren't really in a situation to be picky or want "perfect" stuff for your baby. Suck it up and be greatful for anyone wanting ot help.
2006-11-30 08:44:27 · answer #8 · answered by Laura R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the hand me downs, you will need lots of stuff for the baby. If there are some that are too worn out, donate them to Goodwill or something. Hopefully someone will give you a baby shower so you won't have to buy everything yourself.
2006-11-30 08:35:39 · answer #9 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would do both hand me downs can be just as good and it is very expensive having a baby especially in the beginning the baby doesnt know that he or she is wearing hand me downs just be picky with the hand me downs that is how i was and i am glad because my daughter grew out of everything so quick i think i would have gone broke. Every little it helps.
- single mom of 2
2006-11-30 08:34:56 · answer #10 · answered by undecided 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋