When do I start baby shopping?

Having 100 and more questions when you’re newly pregnant is very normal! We’re here to help you on this journey. As a team of (mostly!) mums, we’ve got plenty of experience altogether and we want to share our knowledge and advice with you all.

Preparing for a new baby is exciting and fun (especially buying little newborn clothes! P.S. you’ll be melting). But, let’s not forget that it can be very overwhelming too! The baby market is expanding every day and things can get confusing very quickly. With so many products and options available, it can be difficult to know when to start buying everything you’ll need for your new little one. While it can be tempting to start shopping for baby items as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, it’s important to know which trimester is best to start buying baby products.

We asked our team of mums (and Google) and what we all agreed on is that generally, the second trimester (weeks 13-28) is the best time to start buying baby products or after the 20 week scan. Remember, at the end of the day it’s all personal preference!

We think the second trimester is the best because the first trimester will be full of new symptoms and by the third trimester you may start to get more uncomfortable which is why it may be helpful to buy some of the bigger things before. However baby will be sleeping in your room for first 6 months so don’t feel you have to get everything for the nursery sorted. You have time.

The second trimester is the one where you will likely have more energy and feel more comfortable. Also, the second trimester is an important time for your baby’s development, and it’s a good time to start preparing for their arrival.

During this time, you can start purchasing essential items such as a crib, stroller, car seat, nappies, wipes, and baby clothes. These items will be necessary for your baby’s comfort and safety, and it’s important to research products to ensure you’re getting the best quality items for your budget. For example, you might be interested in a subscription box for your nappies and wipes! You’ll soon learn that a new baby means you’ll be going through nappies and wipes like wildfire. Don’t forget that your little one will grow out of newborn nappies quickly, so a subscription box like our Eco-Nappies and Biodegradable Baby Wipes Bundle will allow you to change the size of the nappies whenever you wish. You can also start thinking about additional items such as a baby monitor, nursing supplies, a nappy bag, and a breast pump if you plan to breastfeed. We would say you don’t need to buy a breast pump until you know how feeding goes. You may never need one or if you do, you can order one to come quickly with shops like Amazon.

Starting to shop in the second trimester also gives you enough time to make good decisions about what you’ll need for your baby. You can take the time to research products, read reviews, and compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. It’s also a good idea to talk to other parents or attend baby groups and classes to get recommendations and advice on the best products for your baby.

Mum tip – don’t buy too many clothes. Just a few baby grows is enough to start off with until you know baby’s weight when born otherwise you can end up with clothes they may take longer than you think to grow into and then the season may have changed. Also you might get a lot from friends and family. 

We hope you enjoy the shopping!

Team Mum & You x