Especially given they're in a lounge! A very comfortable way to spend a layover.
I think she needs to look at who her target market is, I use to enjoy the podcast years ago but don’t listen any more. The Facebook group is all about people looking at areas to save money especially for babies. I’ve seen posts about when to shop for nappies for sales and here is Vicky D flying business showing us hacks about a bassinet
Thrilled for her that she’s so wildly successful, but I don’t find it useful because none of it is practical advice for me.
It’s insane and would be stressful for someone who is pregnant and struggling financially to read. I agree that people should spend what they want on their pregnancy and baby but am uncomfortable with the culture she promotes. If you have a straightforward pregnancy and choose to and are able to breastfeed, babies really hardly cost anything. Aldi nappies are half the cost of premium ones and work just the same. Cloth nappies are an even better option if you have the time and resources for them. For the love of god, you do not need a change table or a matching nursery suite. I was saving hard when pregnant with both and always popped into op shops to look for baby clothes. They have heaps of brand new clothes with tags, especially for small young babies and kids. People sell bundles on FB all the time and I’m NSW you get given a bag of essentials when you give birth including a bath thermometer and stuff like that. I bought a new cot but for second child I just changed mattress as per SIDS guidelines and hi waylay just bought a few clothes from best and less and target as find their quality a bit better than other cheaper brands. Think I got a bath mat and a tin of formula incase I couldn’t BF which I donated when I didn’t need it. My kids have never gone without and are just as happy as if I’d dropped 20000 on unnecessary shite.
It sounds ridiculous. She has two rocking chairs, one gifted… a snoo plus a crib, and a capsule!? It’s all so excessive. I thought she was financially savvy! It’s all such wasteful spending when she freely admits she didn’t need to. She’s basically done everything you do not need to do with a newborn. You need a brand new car seat and that’s about it. Everything else you can get second hand or for a lot cheaper. She bulk bought newborn nappies lol.
I used to listen to her podcast religiously at the start. I liked that educated about money values. These days it seems her values are buying a lot of expensive crap, which is great if you can afford it but I agree that she needs to reevaluate her target audience.
Totally agree with the overspending and unnecessary items but it’s a bit unfair to call out the feeding. I had a lot of struggles breastfeeding and I also did a mix of breastfeed / pumping / top ups. It was hell and I got no rest but I was trying to do the best for my baby. It is really hard when you struggle to feed and you feel like you have failed.
Not my intention - I just meant moreso the fact she's spent so much on top of the range pump, and steriliser. It sounded very much like 'oh you should or consider spending so much or this is what it costs to feed a baby' which was excessive. I think she's also not been transparent about how time consuming and difficult it is to go down this route. @Blondie000, you did not fail! No one talks about how mentally difficult it is... the emphasis on products and consumption as opposed to proper feeding education and support would've helped. I know she's a money focused podcast but it was really jarring to listen to.
Great explanation! 100% agree. I spent so much money on pumps/bottles/supplies that were not needed. Most likely ‘influenced’ from what I saw online without knowing anything else as a first time mum
I know this isn't really relevant but often the more complicated births will happen in a public hospital where there's a NICU or ICU. The true benefit of going private imo is more scans.
Yea private hospital will throw anything that is truly complicated back into the public system because they can’t and don’t want to handle it. Private is just for bells and whistles.
This isn't the case at all public hospitals. None of the public hospitals in my area allow for partners to stay over and I've not heard of any public hospitals in Melbourne who allow this (happy to be corrected). Also you're unlikely to get a private room in a public hospital in Melbourne. Even private patients who go public aren't guaranteed a private room. Most of the time you're in a room with 4 other mums and their babies. I know people who've had emergency c sections and still have had to share a room. Given you're remote I would say that's why you had this privilege.
I went private and didn't get any additional scans. People chose to go private so they can chose their obstetrician who looks after them for the duration of their pregnancy and labour. You are able to call at any time if you have any concerns or questions and they know you and your history well. In public you call maternity and speak to a midwife who may not know you or your history etc. My friend had to go to maternity to get additional tests as they were concerned about pre-eclamlsia and she had to wait three hours. In private you'd be seen and tested straight away.
Not to brag, but I was public and had a full blown anxiety attack at my first appointment
, was immediately transferred to the care of the same obstetrician throughout the entire pregnancy, had a planned c section and only shared a room with one other woman (who was a total legend.)
