Baby Products - What can you stockpile?

[Gamerfaith]

So I am planning hopefully to get pregnant in another year after I get married and I want to start stockpile items for the baby now. (especially to start the baby wheels in my HTB's head)

What items can you stockpile for longer than a year? My sister tried to tell me diapers have expiry dates but I never see any on the packages.

Do powder formulas have expiry dates? What about bathroom items like shampoo or bubble bath?

Just hoping the current moms out there could help me with this.

[Minou]

I wouldn't bother yet. 9 months is lots of time to gather baby stuff. Formula expiry dates tend to be a little over a year. The diapers I recently bought had an expiry of 2014.

Don't go scaring your husband to be just yet -- wait until he's married and can't get away!

[BCSparkyGirl]

No point in buying a whole lot. You don't know potential sensitivities said child may have. Some babies can't wear or use certain products. Last thing you want is a bunch of stuff you have to throw out.

[aussie]

Or you could open a separate bank account and put some money aside each pay day.... Thats what Im doing.... we are TTC our first...

[leda]

I would for sure avoid buying any formula. If it's something you can get for free, because of say a clearance and a coupon, or from call ins, and it has a long enough expiry date, then go for it. But I wouldn't spend money on it. As mentioned, little one could have an allergy. My son was lactose intolerant, so we had to get rid of the formula we had and we tried soy....well, that was even worse! We ended up having to get a special one that is available through prescription.
I would (personally) go ahead and stock up on some Johnson's products and Gerber as well. But I would try getting a variety, so you and baby can decide what you like. I suggest getting a couple different lotions, couple bubble baths (like night time ones and menthol ones), couple baby powders, etc. There has been some great deals lately and people are getting baby products for free or next to it. J&J also has that Natural line out. I would recommend trying those too just incase baby does end up with any allergies. My son has sensitive skin, and J&J has never given him any trouble! Hopefully the same will be for you!
There's a lot of diaper deals going on. If you can get your hands on some clearances, and get them for really cheap, I would. I find that hard to come by and you may end up kicking your behind later if you pass them up. Also wipes....maybe someone else could share any expeirences, but I find as long as they aren't opened, they will last. I wouldn't get a ton or anything, but I would recommend any on clearance, etc.
For sure check out deals and clearances on clothes. You'll probably want to buy unisex for now. Browse your local WM, and someone bragged on here about some baby clearances at SDM. Online as well. If you are placing an order for yourself at say American Eagle or Old Navy, browse the baby stuff and grab what you can at a great price. Sometimes you can get clothes for so little, it's awesome!
You probably don't want to start with major items, like furniture or big items like swings, etc, but if you come across a knock out deal, I would recommend it, since those things can break the bank!
You still have lots of time, so don't feel the need to get everything. And I wouldn't get too much of any one item incase it's something you can't use due to allergies, etc.
Also, browse local sites of people selling things, or second hand stores, and you can almost always find What to Expect when You're Expecting for around $5 which is much better than paying full price. Also baby name books, etc.
Also Dollarama is great for things. They carry Gerber and other brand names like Huggies. Never hurts to stock up on a couple bottles, even sippy cups for down the road, plates, bowls, etc. recieving blankets, towels. The dollar store is great for those things, and at least it's something you know will be used.
Good luck with everything!

[princesskimmi]

Or you could open a separate bank account and put some money aside each pay day.... Thats what Im doing.... we are TTC our first...

This is a great suggestion!!!

[robin1234s]

I didn't buy much at all before my baby was born. I'm glad I didn't because I received TONS of clothes, J&J products and toys as gifts. People might give you gifts twice, once during your baby shower and then afterwards when they come to meet baby. So depending on how many people you know, you might receive the things you plan on stockpiling, as gifts.

[robin1234s]

I wouldn't bother yet. 9 months is lots of time to gather baby stuff. Formula expiry dates tend to be a little over a year. The diapers I recently bought had an expiry of 2014.

Don't go scaring your husband to be just yet -- wait until he's married and can't get away!

I agree. If hubby is hesitant, you have to give him some time to get used to the idea.

[GeorgiaK]

Since I only started couponing last summer, I could not stockpile stuff since DS was already 8 months old. Since last summer though I have stockpiled enough diapers, wipes and toiletries to last for the next 6 months. I don't stockpile formula (I buy 1 month's worth) or snacks (I have enough to last 1 month).

The diapers were stockpiled due to the liquidations at SDM and some great coupons I got from Huggies and Pampers mail-outs.

[brwonsugal]

I'm plannig something similar but like mentioned above you don't know sensitivities. I suggest getting thing like car seats, baby baths, clothes etc. instead of things for the skin. Highly unlikely your baby will be allergic to cotton

[Bronwen]

I wouldn't get started yet either. Pretty much everything has an expiry date. Even diapers and wipes. And especially formula. And tbh I would absolutely not stock up on any formula because it will only make you want to stop breastfeeding, and if and when you do stop, your baby may have to try many different kinds before one works without causing adverse side effects. My only suggestion would be to grab a few ovulation sticks and pregnancy tests (but watch those expiries!). Enjoy each other first, kids are the best gift in the world but they're also the hardest thing in the world lol.

[PammieD]

I wouldnt buy a lot in advance. I thought I was ahead of the game by stocking up on diapers. I figured between huggies and pampers, how big a difference is there going to be? WRONG! I still have huggies that I use in diaper cakes for peope because I haven't been able to use then on my now 9 month old. And trust me, I tried.

I also figured I'd get a few things of Vaseline, diaper rash cream, baby lotion etc. Wrong wrong wrong. I am still using the small tube of Vaseline that I got in my kit when my baby was born (we've been blessed with her having an easy to care for bum...she makes up for it with explosive diapers! ), never had diaper rash, and hates being moisturized or massaged. So it's pretty muh all eother been a waste or gone to diaper cakes and charity. I also bought a bunch of sleep sacks when I was pregnant because there was a great sale. Got a couple in different sizes. I've tried them and she screamed bloody murder. So, those are useless for me too the only thing I stocked up on that I didn't regret was white cotton diaper shirts from children's place.

Not sure about expiry dates on diapers, bit car seats etc all have expiry dates. Car seats are typicallt 5 years (although I just bought another diono one that has a 10 year life). And that's from the date of manufacture (not when you bought it...so make sure you look at that before you walk out of the store). I wouldnt buy that before you're pregnant.

There will always be sales and coupons. I can see starting a bit if a "hope chest", but for now, enjoy being a newlywed. Regardless of how much you want children, enjoy your relationship for what it is now, because when your baby is screaming for hours on end (like mine did tonight! ), you'll miss those days you could have enjoyed dinner at the same time instead of in shifts. Children will rock even the most stable relationship at times. So pick up the odd outfit or stuffy here and there that makes your heart melt, and I hink it's a great idea to put away a bit of money each pay for stuff you'll need, but dint fill your place up wih diapers just yet. Enjoy being a newlywed! It only lasts so long!