G.L. asks from Los Angeles, CA on July 11, 2008
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R.S. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Hi G. - My daughter is now 9 but from the time she was born, I shopped at a small, "gently used clothing/gear" store called Precious Repeats in Cerritos. Recently, the owner sold the business and it is now called Inch by Inch. I have not been there since they have changed hands but if it is the same, they had some fantastic deals on baby "gear", clothing, toys,cribs, carseats, etc. everything (not maternity clothes though - just kid items - from newborn to about size 7/8). Very nice, clean, great condition. They are located near South and Gridley. The address is 11446 South Street - Cerritos, 90703 - ###-###-####. It is in a strip mall near Coco's. Good Luck and Congratulations!!
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C.W. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Go to Ross, they have a maternity section. You might have to look and keep going back, but I found really cute tops and pants for about $5-8. They also have a huge kids section with good prices
C.L. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Hi G.-
Congratulations!!
For clothes I'd recommend investing in just a couple of staples like black pants, jeans, that sort of thing. I did pretty well with non-maternity clothes that I knew I could wear afterwards- there are a lot of styles with empire waists, or stretchy ribbed that I was able to wear during and after pregnancy to get more bang for the buck. I also sent the word out and got hand me downs from friends. Oh- if you plan to nurse keep that in mind when you buy your clothes. I didn't lose my baby weight for a few months so I was actually wearing some of my maternity clothes afterwards, but needed to be able to nurse in them. So look for low necklines or button downs, even nursing tanks that you can wear while pregnant, or other things you'll be able to access your breasts from. This will help keep you from having to buy additional clothes just for nursing.
As far as baby stuff goes, I recommend the book "Baby Bargains" (we have it at our local library otherwise it is $15) which really helps you figure out what you don't need. For example, we didn't need the expensive crib! (Pack and play would have been fine if not as cute). And as for strollers, we didn't even get one until she was 6 months old, and it turns out she actually is fine in the $20 umbrella stroller we bought on vacation! Finally, see if you can borrow stuff instead of buy. You use it for such a short time. We borrowed a bassinet and glider. Wish we had borrowed the swing- we paid so much for it and she didn't like it at all!
Oh- take lots of pictures of your belly (with and without clothes) and include the date and measurements- I wish I had more of those.
Have fun with it! It's such a precious time.
C.M. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
I bought all of my 'maternity' clothes at H & M and Forever 21. Shockingly they have cute, inexpensive tops, dresses and stretchy skirts and pants. I would invest in one pair of jeans and slacks, though. Target has cute stuff too.
Check out weelicious.com for fast, easy and fresh homemade baby food recipes and more!
S.B. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Hi G.,
First, Congratulations!
Have you checked out Ross and Target? I have bought a bunch of really nice and cute maternity tops at Ross for under $10 a piece. I've bought dresses and pants at Target between $10 and $30. I went to Motherhood for the first time last week and bought couple of dresses for $20 and $30 each.
I'm not sure what you mean by baby "stuff," but again Target, Ross, Baby Gap, and BabysRUs come to mind.
All my best,
S.
G.C. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Hi G.~
Congratulations! This truly is an exciting time in your life.
Enjoy every moment. I found some good bargains on materrnity clothes at Target, Ross, Old Navy and Burlington Coat Factory. As for some deals on baby stuff...if you do not mind gently used items...I suggest you check out these two places:Children's Orchard and LA Kids Consignment.I've been to both Children Orchard locations; Torrence and San Dimas. Also, you might want to check out the website http://www.lakidsconsignment.com/....i found some great extras that I needed for my babysitting situation...great deals!
I hope this is helpful :)
G.
R.S. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Hi G. - My daughter is now 9 but from the time she was born, I shopped at a small, "gently used clothing/gear" store called Precious Repeats in Cerritos. Recently, the owner sold the business and it is now called Inch by Inch. I have not been there since they have changed hands but if it is the same, they had some fantastic deals on baby "gear", clothing, toys,cribs, carseats, etc. everything (not maternity clothes though - just kid items - from newborn to about size 7/8). Very nice, clean, great condition. They are located near South and Gridley. The address is 11446 South Street - Cerritos, 90703 - ###-###-####. It is in a strip mall near Coco's. Good Luck and Congratulations!!
J.P. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
I got a lot of compliments on the two tops I bought online from Kiki's Fashions, http://www.kikisfashions.com. They are dressy enough for work and look equally cute with jeans--and are really reasonable. Two things: they run small, so if you would buy a medium at Old Navy (where I bought the rest of my tops), order a large from Kiki's; also, many of the blouses SAY hand wash only, but delicate cycle and line drying works fine.
I'm tall (5'10) so I ordered my pants. jeans, and one black skirt online from JC Penney (tip: search for coupon codes if shopping online).
To save money on baby gear, check out craigslist. I saved $200 on my stroller, plus got great prices on little things that were gently used. Often people GIVE away maternity and baby clothes (or offer the whole lot for $15 or whatever). I joke that our baby "was brought to you by craigslist." Good luck!
E.S. answers from Los Angeles on July 12, 2008
Yes, eBay!!! I buy almost all of my baby clothes there. I get huge bargains for stuff in brand new or like-new condition. Also got my maternity stuff there.
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