TODAY'S WOMAN: Nearly new bargains for baby, from NCT - PICTURES
Oh, baby - it's expensive being a new parent.
It costs almost 3,500 to cover all the expenses of a baby's first year, say financial estimates.
And that doesn't include your childcare costs and wages lost during maternity leave.
READ MORE: Buying wisely, just what you need
Before baby even arrives, a mother-to-be will have spent almost 200 on maternity clothes and ant-stretchmark creams - and bought the most vital items for the nursery.
Afterwards, the list of everyday essentials takes the tally up to thousands, according to a survey by American Express..There's the pram and the car seat to buy, plus an endless supply of nappies, clothing and food. Even keeping your baby in babywipes for a year can cost up to 240!
Small wonder that parents are now deciding it's fine to bring up little Secondhand Rosies and Jimmies...
Nearly new sales organised by the NCT – formerly the National Childbirth Trust - are booming in the recession.
The UK's leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood has been staging sales of nearly new children's clothes, toys and baby equipment for years to help parents eke out the cost of bring up baby - and to raise much needed funds for its organisation.
Each year it uses the 1.1 million from its sales to give thousands of parents expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through a network of 300 local branches, helplines, classes and breastfeeding counselling.
Already 84 per cent of NCT branches have seen a rise in numbers through the doors this year as hard-up parents, and families simply being canny with their cash make a beeline for them. The largest ever sale, staged this spring, had a turnover of over 15,000.
There were long queues outside the doors when the Rotherham and Sheffield NCT staged their recent sale at the Salvation Army Centre in Nether Edge.
Says Lynda Rands, local NCT member and nearly new sales co-ordinator:
"Over 350 people turned up - they were queueing right down the street to get in. It was the busiest we have ever been and we think that must be down to the recession.
"Kitting your family out for a new baby is so expensive these days. A buggy alone can cost up to 400 and there's so much more to buy.
"We had a room crammed with baby equipment and clothes - it was bursting at the seams with cots, buggies, toys, games, bedding, babygrows and designer clothes. But within an hour and a quarter it was practically empty. It was like locusts had descended. People definitely want a bargain at the moment.
"Most new parents want their baby to have the best - and setting up a home for a new baby is one of the most expensive times of your life.
"But baby and maternity clothes and equipment are generally used for a very short time. It makes sense to buy something nearly new. Buy at our sales and you;re not only easing your finances, you're helping the families you're buying from too," she says.
"You only have to look through the Mothercare catalogue to see how much can be saved by coming to our sale. Everything is at a fraction of the high street price.We have a suggested price list for sellers to keep things reasonable.
"And we insist that everything is in good condition. Even though everything is second hand, it certainly is not second class!"
n Do you want a bargain baby equipment sale in your area?
Sheffield and Rotherham NCT are hoping to expand during the Credit Crunch and want to hear from neighbourhoods who can provide a suitable venue.
They currently stage three nearly new sales a year at the Salvation Army Centre on Psalter Lane, Sheffield, but are keen to roll sales out to other areas.
"There's a big need for cost-cutting right now. We would love to stage more sales - and in areas where money is even tighter," says Lynda Rands.
If you have a hall or community centre which might be suitable, contact Lynda via NCTsale@googlemail.com
HOW MUCH THE ITEMS COST
To prove just how cheap the sales make, bringing up baby, Lynda and her team of volunteers searched through the sale stock and pulled together all the items a new mum would need.
Cot, pram, toys, clothes... The total cost for the dozen key items came to just 227 - which is less than the price of a good quality buggy from a high street store.
NCT Nearly New Sale price
(Items pictured left)
Cot 40
Bedding 10
Changing mat 2
Moses basket 10
Travel cot 20
High chair 20
Pram/travel system 60
Play mat/gym 15
New-born clothes 20
Baby chair 10
Baby Carry Sling 10
Cot Bumper 10
How the cost of a baby stacks up during pregnancy and the first year, according to American Express...
Maternity clothes 132
Pregnancy toiletries 45
Nursery furniture/decorations 150
Cot 160
Bedding 100
Pram 233
Car Seat 79
Baby Carrier 25
Changing Mat 6
Baby Bath 18
Baby Monitor 30
Baby Skincare Products 120
Baby Wipes 240
Steriliser 20
Formula milk 600
Bottles 20
Baby food 360
Highchair 50
Clothes in first year 280
Disposable nappies in first year 500
Safety gates 40
Toys/accessories 142
Baby bouncer 30
Total: 3,380
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