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wizardofid
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Soon to be new Dad. Any advice?
- Thread starter bennyblanco
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tetrasect
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Don't buy cheap bottles. They don't have vents so a vacuum builds up inside the bottle, making it very difficult for the baby to drink.
Go for these Philips ones instead:
Go for these Philips ones instead:
semaphore
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Easy a permanent money drain.
Haha def seems that way but prepped for it so all good.
The Darkness
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The first bit is tough. Consider that on average a person sleeps for 4 months of a year - having a baby will likely take away a month or two. It depends on the child though.
OP - only advice is don't get sucked into the marketing hype and buy everything being sold to you. Just keep it basic to start with. Also, friends will try and give away all of their old baby stuff; take them up on it! Also babies are tough. My first one we sterilised a dummy if it was dropped, the next one we'd just pick it up, dust it off and pop it back in.
Also - if you have some spare cash, start an investment account for each child before birth (separate to a study investment). I'm glad I did this as they're looking very healthy these days. - this money will be a coming of age gift to each child for them to have a bit of a head start.
It's an absolute joy being a parent, and family is everything. Enjoy it. It really gave me purpose in life, made me fierce and driven. I hope the same for you.
Yeah already eyeing the tfsa accounts for him
The Darkness
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Be sure to update your will, and have your life insurance upgraded, as well as medical aid if not already.
Will in place already, but need to update accordingly.
Life insurance sorted but wanna increase a bit . Camaf med aid also in good spot and 500% gap cover from stratum in place.
All really good advice!
PaulGherkin
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I enjoy being a parent, it was worth it. For all the sacrifice I have gained:
* A gaming buddy
* Someone who helps me around the garage with woodworking projects
* Someone who can carry on with this company I created eventually
* Someone to talk to about schyte in this country
The first year was tough, but when the sleeping through happened, we quickly caught up our sleep debt, and we also went on holiday and as I recall, we got to the accommodation, we all were tired and we all slept, and sleep we did, for 12 hours, even kiddo. Of course when we all woke up he was in desperate need of a change. By 24 months everything was back on track.
However, there's one caveat. KIDS ARE FUKKING EXPENSIVE. I would worry about that more than anything else.
* A gaming buddy
* Someone who helps me around the garage with woodworking projects
* Someone who can carry on with this company I created eventually
* Someone to talk to about schyte in this country
The first year was tough, but when the sleeping through happened, we quickly caught up our sleep debt, and we also went on holiday and as I recall, we got to the accommodation, we all were tired and we all slept, and sleep we did, for 12 hours, even kiddo. Of course when we all woke up he was in desperate need of a change. By 24 months everything was back on track.
However, there's one caveat. KIDS ARE FUKKING EXPENSIVE. I would worry about that more than anything else.
purple face
Honorary Master
Yes they are very expensive and also if you send them to those private schools that also becomes very expensive
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Thread reminds me of this 
purple face
Honorary Master
I was eating and nearly spat out my food, when I saw your post. Very funny
Corelli
Executive Member
1. Register on the various babyclubs
- Dischem - You get a free bag of goodies on your 3rd trimester
- Clicks - Also goodies and discounts
- Woolworths also goodies and discounts.
www.woolworths.co.za
Do these 3 ASAP.
2. Then the Japanese stuff is normally best. We used Pigeon Bottles, and it worked well.
3. Stock up on nappies but not too much, babies are different so huggies work for some and pampers for others.
4. Dont spend too much on a baby cot, honestly they sleep most 1 year in it. We bought a 2nd hand Graco with change table on it, worked well. Get a new mattress though, you get the holes with holes for babies to be able to breathe.
5. IF YOU HAVE A GIRL, DONT USE BABY POWDER FROM Johnson and Johnson - leads to 80% increase in cervical cancer due to asbestos contaminents in TALC powder. Because we're 3rd world JanJ dont care, but in the US mega lawsuits. Use Fissan Paste instead for nappy rash.
6. Get a stroller with carseat included that can be used when older. We used Chico
https://www.chicco.co.za/products/chicco-goody-plus-travel-system
Good when small the stroller when bigger.
7. Pigeon has good bottle steamers, however we didnt use bottle heaters. Total rubbish. So depends if you breast feed or formula feed. Honestly there is no difference for me. I know some of the top graduates in SA that was all on formula. (If too sore for your wife, then switch to formula, ask your gynae for help to stop the milk production. I nearly punched out a nurse at the breastfeeding clinic as my wife cried in agony, and the nurse kept on pushing.)
8. We used a system for hot and cold water. ie we would boil water and pour into a hot water jug, and then more into a room temperature flask (tupperware), so when we had to make formula (on demand from baby) we would mix the two to the right temperature. Made it much easier than dealing with a crying hungry baby who wants milk now while waiting for the bottle to heat up.
9 NAPPIES TOWELS are the best - just as long as you dont use them for nappies. They are waterproof. Babies gets sick and vommit, and it can be messy. At 3AM especially. So nappies towels are great for messes. So we generally wiped and cleaned it and chucked into the bath, next day when more awake we would wash them. Otherwise you will be soo tired. We literally had 20 nappy towels on standby
10. Bibs work great
11. Get a high chair that a baby can strap into when bit older for feeding. Again Chico
11. We had a small rocking chair which helped a bit.
Otherwise dont go swiping the credit card for everything new. Shop second hand for the cot, stroller, high chair, and buy the rest once you subscribed to the baby clubs for discounts. You may also get a lot from coworkers etc as some do celebrate it.
And lastly. Babies dont mind power tools when sleeping, they would sleep right through it.
If you want to decorate the room, we went the FuntoSee Funberry Farm route, although the stickers do tend to peel after like 2 years, but we would simply glue them back.
And if baby is really grumpy, take them for a drive, they tend to sleep quick
- Dischem - You get a free bag of goodies on your 3rd trimester
- Clicks - Also goodies and discounts
- Woolworths also goodies and discounts.
Woolworths.co.za | Food, Home, Clothing & General Merchandise available online!
Woolworths.co.za | Food, Home, Clothing & General Merchandise available online!
www.woolworths.co.za
Do these 3 ASAP.
2. Then the Japanese stuff is normally best. We used Pigeon Bottles, and it worked well.
3. Stock up on nappies but not too much, babies are different so huggies work for some and pampers for others.
4. Dont spend too much on a baby cot, honestly they sleep most 1 year in it. We bought a 2nd hand Graco with change table on it, worked well. Get a new mattress though, you get the holes with holes for babies to be able to breathe.
5. IF YOU HAVE A GIRL, DONT USE BABY POWDER FROM Johnson and Johnson - leads to 80% increase in cervical cancer due to asbestos contaminents in TALC powder. Because we're 3rd world JanJ dont care, but in the US mega lawsuits. Use Fissan Paste instead for nappy rash.
6. Get a stroller with carseat included that can be used when older. We used Chico
https://www.chicco.co.za/products/chicco-goody-plus-travel-system
Good when small the stroller when bigger.
7. Pigeon has good bottle steamers, however we didnt use bottle heaters. Total rubbish. So depends if you breast feed or formula feed. Honestly there is no difference for me. I know some of the top graduates in SA that was all on formula. (If too sore for your wife, then switch to formula, ask your gynae for help to stop the milk production. I nearly punched out a nurse at the breastfeeding clinic as my wife cried in agony, and the nurse kept on pushing.)
8. We used a system for hot and cold water. ie we would boil water and pour into a hot water jug, and then more into a room temperature flask (tupperware), so when we had to make formula (on demand from baby) we would mix the two to the right temperature. Made it much easier than dealing with a crying hungry baby who wants milk now while waiting for the bottle to heat up.
9 NAPPIES TOWELS are the best - just as long as you dont use them for nappies. They are waterproof. Babies gets sick and vommit, and it can be messy. At 3AM especially. So nappies towels are great for messes. So we generally wiped and cleaned it and chucked into the bath, next day when more awake we would wash them. Otherwise you will be soo tired. We literally had 20 nappy towels on standby
10. Bibs work great
11. Get a high chair that a baby can strap into when bit older for feeding. Again Chico
11. We had a small rocking chair which helped a bit.
Otherwise dont go swiping the credit card for everything new. Shop second hand for the cot, stroller, high chair, and buy the rest once you subscribed to the baby clubs for discounts. You may also get a lot from coworkers etc as some do celebrate it.
And lastly. Babies dont mind power tools when sleeping, they would sleep right through it.
If you want to decorate the room, we went the FuntoSee Funberry Farm route, although the stickers do tend to peel after like 2 years, but we would simply glue them back.
And if baby is really grumpy, take them for a drive, they tend to sleep quick
Corelli
Executive Member
And dont be shy to buy stuff from Pep for at home or when at creche. The amount of clothing items going missing at creche is amazing if you buy good quality stuff, so we switched to pep and couldnt be bothered.
We brought in a lot from Asia and some items went missing. Irritating. And its not really the staff, other parents like to steal.
We brought in a lot from Asia and some items went missing. Irritating. And its not really the staff, other parents like to steal.
Also really great advice - Im big on minimalism and will pretty much go secondhand on most things with one exception the car seat.1. Register on the various babyclubs
- Dischem - You get a free bag of goodies on your 3rd trimester
- Clicks - Also goodies and discounts
- Woolworths also goodies and discounts.
Woolworths.co.za | Food, Home, Clothing & General Merchandise available online!
Woolworths.co.za | Food, Home, Clothing & General Merchandise available online!
Do these 3 ASAP.
2. Then the Japanese stuff is normally best. We used Pigeon Bottles, and it worked well.
3. Stock up on nappies but not too much, babies are different so huggies work for some and pampers for others.
4. Dont spend too much on a baby cot, honestly they sleep most 1 year in it. We bought a 2nd hand Graco with change table on it, worked well. Get a new mattress though, you get the holes with holes for babies to be able to breathe.
5. IF YOU HAVE A GIRL, DONT USE BABY POWDER FROM Johnson and Johnson - leads to 80% increase in cervical cancer due to asbestos contaminents in TALC powder. Because we're 3rd world JanJ dont care, but in the US mega lawsuits. Use Fissan Paste instead for nappy rash.
6. Get a stroller with carseat included that can be used when older. We used Chico
https://www.chicco.co.za/products/chicco-goody-plus-travel-system
Good when small the stroller when bigger.
7. Pigeon has good bottle steamers, however we didnt use bottle heaters. Total rubbish. So depends if you breast feed or formula feed. Honestly there is no difference for me. I know some of the top graduates in SA that was all on formula. (If too sore for your wife, then switch to formula, ask your gynae for help to stop the milk production. I nearly punched out a nurse at the breastfeeding clinic as my wife cried in agony, and the nurse kept on pushing.)
8. We used a system for hot and cold water. ie we would boil water and pour into a hot water jug, and then more into a room temperature flask (tupperware), so when we had to make formula (on demand from baby) we would mix the two to the right temperature. Made it much easier than dealing with a crying hungry baby who wants milk now while waiting for the bottle to heat up.
9 NAPPIES TOWELS are the best - just as long as you dont use them for nappies. They are waterproof. Babies gets sick and vommit, and it can be messy. At 3AM especially. So nappies towels are great for messes. So we generally wiped and cleaned it and chucked into the bath, next day when more awake we would wash them. Otherwise you will be soo tired. We literally had 20 nappy towels on standby
10. Bibs work great
11. Get a high chair that a baby can strap into when bit older for feeding. Again Chico
11. We had a small rocking chair which helped a bit.
Otherwise dont go swiping the credit card for everything new. Shop second hand for the cot, stroller, high chair, and buy the rest once you subscribed to the baby clubs for discounts. You may also get a lot from coworkers etc as some do celebrate it.
And lastly. Babies dont mind power tools when sleeping, they would sleep right through it.
If you want to decorate the room, we went the FuntoSee Funberry Farm route, although the stickers do tend to peel after like 2 years, but we would simply glue them back.
And if baby is really grumpy, take them for a drive, they tend to sleep quick
Corelli
Executive Member
We used our Chico travel system for 5 years, but they have much better designs.
I find these ones totally useless. (22kg)
But we had the bigger Chico travel version and then switched to Chico Liteway plus (9.kg)
The thing is, try and fold a stroller into a car. Headache for some. Especially those robotic style ones that weigh literally a ton. Chico. We travel a lot abroad, so these strollers----heavenly when coming in and out of planes too.
Last edited:
Corelli
Executive Member
This is great advice. Your baby can make a fortune modelling. We worked with a freelance agency, and both my kids modelled for Pampers Asia, etc. Shame to be 6 months old and having to pay a fortune in tax to sars sucked.
Corelli
Executive Member
Ask your local paediatrician about the types of medicines and went to use them for fevers. You get ibuprofen, panado, etc. You cant use the same one within 4 hours of a fever or cross use them. Ours drew us an entire chart when to use what. Unfortunately I dont know where that it, but it made dealing with fevers much easier. Get a good thermometer for measuring them. It helps.
But dont panic, people panic and then bills start piling up.
And babies change as they grow up, and they grow up quickly. Thus not overspending on some items are essential.
But dont panic, people panic and then bills start piling up.
And babies change as they grow up, and they grow up quickly. Thus not overspending on some items are essential.
Corelli
Executive Member
These are some of the items we used, but its upto you what you prefer.
Graco Cot with hood and changing table
Chico travel system which we then replaced with the Chico Liteway 2
Pigeon Bottles (Yip Japanese makes good stuff) Get some smaller and then bigger when older)
Pigeon Sterilzer for the bottles
Mattress for cot with the holes for breathing
Graco Cot with hood and changing table
Chico travel system which we then replaced with the Chico Liteway 2
Pigeon Bottles (Yip Japanese makes good stuff) Get some smaller and then bigger when older)
Pigeon Sterilzer for the bottles
Mattress for cot with the holes for breathing