Sophie Angell, a 37-year-old mother of two, is expecting her third child in September and has found a way to save approximately £3,000 on essential baby items by shopping second-hand. Angell purchased items such as nappies, a car seat, and two prams for a total of £365, a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Angell decided against buying new products after her experience with her first child, where she spent over £1,500 on a travel system alone that proved to be too bulky. She found that many items purchased for her first child were never used, deeming them a waste of money. For her upcoming arrival, she turned to platforms like Facebook Marketplace, charity shops, giveaway groups, and received items from family friends.
Among her significant savings were two Bugaboo prams, purchased for £100 each on Facebook Marketplace. Angell estimates these prams, which came with accessories like footmuffs and rain covers, would have cost around £1,000 each if bought new. She also acquired a Joie 360 car seat for £40 and a Doona car seat for £50 from a family friend.
Angell found a baby sling for £10, a Moses basket for £10, and a portable steriliser for £5. Other items, including an Ergo baby carrier and a Maxi-Cosi Iora bedside crib, were sourced from local Facebook giveaway groups and family. Her local Barnardo's children's store was also a valuable resource for premium baby products at reduced prices.
Angell advises other parents to create a list of needed items and research second-hand websites. She also suggests collaborating with family and friends to request specific, useful items rather than generic ones. She noted that babies do not require extensive wardrobes, as gifts often provide more than enough clothing. She also recommends checking for sales at supermarkets and online retailers for bulk purchases of essentials like nappies and wipes.
Angell emphasized the importance of safety, stating she only buys second-hand car seats from individuals she knows to ensure they have not been in an accident. She also stresses the need to buy new mattresses for cots, prams, and Moses baskets and to follow safe sleep guidelines. All second-hand items are steam-cleaned and disinfected before use.
The £3,000 saved will provide financial relief, allowing Angell to potentially take more time off after the baby's birth. She plans to give away her collection of items after use so other parents can benefit.