Advice on buying newborn baby stuff in Adelaide

[Guest Greg and Karen]

Hi All

We fly to Adelaide on the 25th August, getting very excited now! As I'm pregnant, I'm busy making last minute purchases for the forthcoming arrival. Can anyone advise if there's any baby stuff that we should get over here and bring with us rather than buying in Adelaide? I'm not sure what the range is like over there. I already have a car seat, but was planning to get things like a pram, baby sling and newborn clothing essentials over there. Is there an equivalent to Mothercare in Australia for all the basics?

Any advice would be most gratefully received!

thanks

Karen.

[suziewozie]

My friend told me that UK car seats are not legal here in Australia ( her hubby is in the Police here, so she should know). So it might be worth you reconsidering bringing it out here. Most of the big shops sell baby stuff too so you should be ok. Try PM ing Foxychic as she has just had a baby, so would probably be in a better position to advise you rather than me about an alternative to "Mothercare".

Good Luck.

[Guest Aussie pat]

Don't know if this is any help but the Red Cross in Adelaide used to rent out baby cradles for the car. We rented one when we were over for a visit when our daughter was 6 weeks old. It was very clean and like new.

[Rachiegarlo]

There are a few nursery shops like YCN around and the sshops like Target, Big W etc usually carry an ok range of car seats, baths and baby linen, clothes etc.

[Guest Greg and Karen]

Thanks all, that's really useful advice, especially about the car seat. I'll get it up on Ebay then rather than lugging the thing halfway across the World!

Karen.

[andy and lindsey]

Hi I think that they call the newborn car seats capsules too (dont quote me I might be wrong), but its definately something I've not heard before.

 

Lindsey

[Guest moonraker1959]

When I had my baby ( a few years ago mind you lol)the St John Ambulance were fitting baby "capsules".You hired them from them at a very reasonable price,and I think it was for 9mths -1yr?Depending on your budget,I would personally buy some packets of all in ones from somewhere like Tesco which sell newborn size packs of 3 for around £6,which I thought was really good.

[Guest katieb]

Hi Karen,

I am in a very similar position to you as we arrived in Adelaide in May when I was 5 months pregnant (my baby is due 25th September). When we arrived here we hadn't bought anything for the baby as we were very busy back in the UK sorting out the house to rent out and all the other arrangements.

 

During the last few months I have been busy going around purchasing everything I need but to be honest I really wished that I had bought more back at home. This is for 2 reasons; I have found that it is more expensive here and you just don't get the choice that you would get back in the UK.

 

There is no equivalent to Mothercare as such but there are some specialised baby shops which I have been to, the websites are as follows:-

http://www.ycn.com.au/

http://www.babyjunction.com.au/

 

Other than that there is a range of stuff at Target, Big W and Kmart

 

I have to admit that my Mum has been sending me over parcels of stuff from Mothercare and Tesco!

 

Anyway I hope this all helps and please do not hesitate to contact me if you want any other info on maternity care at the hospitals (I am at the Womens and Childrens hospital).

 

Good luck with you trip over.

 

Katie

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

I am sorry I have to join in I thought this thread said "advice on buying a newborn baby" :err:My reading didnt see "stuff in Adelaide"!!!!

I was thinking you could of had my 2 for free:biglaugh:

sarah

[foxychick]

Sarah, you do make me laugh!

 

Regards to buying baby stuff, don't know when you are arriving, how much time you will have till baby is born, what you are shipping etc.

 

So, there are no Pampers here, none of those nice newborn nappies, no sensitive wipes etc. Nappies are $29 on special $38 normal for a box of 108 Huggies newborn size. Wipes are $12 for 3 packs of Johnsons cloth wipes. Formula is around $22 per tin. Vests are $12 for 3 (on special) at target, and are good enough, I like Target and Pumpkin Patch for clothes, but Pumpkin Patch is expensive and I am missing UK stores for the familiarity and quality of some stuff. Babygros - buy in the UK, I don't find them as good quality here, and I don't think they are cheap.

 

Prams, there are plenty of Graco type prams (mothers choice, steelcraft etc) in Target and Big W, Toys r us. They are a good price, McLaren, Quinny, Bugaboo, Peg Perego(mamas and papas) are more expensive here, so maybe buy before you arrive. If you want a moses basket here, you won't find one, you will need to buy a bassinet which tends to be more money and I don't find them as nice to look at, but baby is not in it long! Cot sheet sizes are different, so if you already have a cot, bring enough sheets.

 

Car seats are very different here, and not expensive at all when you compare them to Britax etc. Have yet to buy one, as I am so confused about all the differences and why one is better than another because it is double the price! need to investigate soon.

 

Nursing bras, wish I had some more M&S ones, can't seem to get one to fit here (maybe I just have odd boobs! ) but really can't beat the good old M&S

Avent feeding stuff - breast pump, steriliser, bottles etc, a bit more expensive here, but not enough to worry about, unless you are shipping loads.

 

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE - stock up on their lovely stuff it is MEGA expensive here, as it is about 3 times the price on average.

 

Any other products?

 

EDIT: there is no alternative to Mothercare sadly.

[Guest Greg and Karen]

Hi Karen,

I am in a very similar position to you as we arrived in Adelaide in May when I was 5 months pregnant (my baby is due 25th September).

Katie

 

Hi Katie

Sounds like we are in a very similar situation, my baby is due a couple of weeks after yours, on the 6th Oct! Except you were sensible enough to fly over at an earlier stage of pregnancy (for various work reasons we haven't been able to leave before now). Am not looking forward to the flight at such a late stage, but my doctor says it shouldn't be a problem (it's only after 36 weeks that Qantas don't let you fly).

 

Where are you staying? We will be in Eastwood to start with, just across the park from the CBD. Would be great to meet up if you're anywhere near.

 

And thanks for the advice, I shall get myself out to John Lewis in my lunch hour (I work around the corner) and stock up on some nice baby clothes!

Karen.

[Guest katieb]

Hi Karen,

 

Yes that would be absolutely lovely to meet up with you. We live in the Mawson Lakes area which is north of the CBD (about a 20 minute drive to your area) so I could easily meet you in the city or nearby.

 

Send me a message when you have arrived and caught up on your jet-lag.

 

Good luck with the flight.

 

Look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Take care

 

Katie

[foxychick]

Keep trying to think of stuff I wish I had. If you like the changing mats in the uk, you know the ones that are foam covered in plastic - buy a couple, they don't have them like that here, they are high foam sides and about $35 here.

[Guest Greg and Karen]

Hi All

 

Thanks again for all the advice. I'm really excited now, we fly out in a week so will get those last minute purchases in asap!

 

One last question, not sure if anyone will be able to answer this though but worth a try. Does anyone know if TENS machines are easily available either to buy or rent in Adelaide? I found one of these really useful for pain relief when my daughter was born 4 years ago. They are pretty cheap to buy over here (about £50) so I'm tempted to buy one to bring over, but our luggage is already pretty full so if I can get one in Adelaide I'd rather do that.

 

Thanks!

Karen.

[Guest Greg and Karen]

Hi Karen,

 

Yes that would be absolutely lovely to meet up with you. We live in the Mawson Lakes area which is north of the CBD (about a 20 minute drive to your area) so I could easily meet you in the city or nearby.

 

Send me a message when you have arrived and caught up on your jet-lag.

 

Good luck with the flight.

 

Look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Take care

 

Katie

 

Great, will be in touch when we're there and fully recovered!

Karen.

[foxychick]

havn't seen TENS machines, but never looked - too posh to push me! TBH I wold buy there, bound to be cheaper

[Guest anniewo]

TENS machines available for $99 from Sun Medical South Rd, Clovelly Park.This is the more expensive model.

[Guest Greg and Karen]

TENS machines available for $99 from Sun Medical South Rd, Clovelly Park.This is the more expensive model.

 

Perfect, will wait until we get there then. Thanks again for the advice.

 

My doctor gave me the consent to fly letter yesterday, so now there's no stopping us!

[Guest katieb]

Great, will be in touch when we're there and fully recovered!

Karen.

Hi Karen,

 

Just wondering how your flight went? Hope you have settled in OK in Adelaide and that you have got your maternity care at the hospital sorted?

 

Take care

 

Katie