Puss - I have a dishwasher but you also need a DH to load and unload it.

Short sightedness is good value when you have a baby, if you can pretend not to see the dirt it's not there so you don't have to clean.

Overzealous attention to cleanliness or tidiness is definitely completely unnecessary! If you aren't actually going to catch the plague from the floor, it's clean enough IMHO

(Oh and DD has a superb immune system as a side effect too!)

Babies leak constantly. Breastfed babies have explosive liquid poos which no nappy known to man can contain when they really get going. Also kids are just generally quite sticky. Who knows where it comes from, it's generally green or brown ick of some description. Baby wipes are pretty good at getting to it and taking it off if you spot it but it's generally once you've got them to sleep and sat down you notice the crusty stain on the cushions

A bumbo is a seat made of foam which helps the baby sit and can be put in the kitchen while you cook so you have hands free while you misguidedly assume the baby is behaving and watching you rather than chucking carving knives at the cat.

wmmc - what were the stains on the sofa from? Putting varnish on my shopping list now....
and what's a bumbo?

Baby monitors don't work in big stone buildings we found.

We have a tummy tub which was marvellous value and the only thing to treat DDs colic.

A bouncy fabric chair was worth the money in our case, it was nice not to have to carry her round constantly.

Best buy was a large pot of vanish to clean the stains off the sofa.

The bumbo was great but she only used it for a month before learning to escape it - so get one used or borrow one if you can.

I have yet to open the packet of muslins we bought prior to DDs birth and she's now 20 months. I just didn't understand what they were for and still don't. Kitchen towel is just as effective and you don't have to wash it. (Sorry I know it's ungreen but she was sick about four times in a year so it's not like I was going through a lot of it).

I totally agree with you, seeker! We've discovered ebay, netmums (FANTASTIC) and nearly new sales which save loads of money. While we could certainly afford the things we need brand new, why bother? It's not like these things are dirty or less functional... same thing, less money - more money saved in our bank and equally happy baby.
This thread has been incredibly helpful!!! We've passed by loads of stuff that we previously thought we "Needed" and it feels GREAT. We've gotten some stuff second hand, but bought bottles, sterilizer and breast pump all brand new - stuff like that I need new - I'm absolutely crazy about cleanliness.. yes, I realize this is going to be a huge problem when our baby arrives

The best doesn't mean "stuff". Honestly it doesn't.

One thing that I've found a godsend during my pregnancy and after....a dishwasher!! If you haven't got one, use the money saved by not buying the things listed here and buy one! Trust me, when you get 5 mins peace, you do not want to be spending it blardy washing up!!!

well i like to differ age really aint an issue...as i become a first time mother at the age of 15...i did all the same things i have done this time and always said if i had more children i would do it again...so here i am having another girl due in 2weeks and i am looking forward to it i say if ya can afford it why not!!! your children deserve the best call me silly my 7year old is spoilt but she is a good child

xx

For me it has been a moses basket- ds is really long and at just 4 weeks old I am desperate to get rid of it. He is much happier either in his cot or in bed with me.

Matching cot bedding. I just use a grobag and maybe a cellular blanket if its cold.

I kind of agree about a changing bag. There's no need to spend loads on one, any bag you have lying around is fine- maybe its different if you're formula feeding though. I wouldn't want bottles leaking all over a nice bag, but all I need to take with me is muslins and nappies.

Lots of outfits- sleepsuits are best and they look so cute in them I have no inclination what so ever to see my little boy wearing mini jeans or trainers especially at about a tenner a pop.

Toiletries- ds had very cracked skin on his hands and feet when he was born and we were told to just use olive oil- it worked a treat.

A big pram. It's so fun to pick a pram and have it all ready before lo arrives but I hardly use mine. My Close sling has been a godsend. I bought it when ds was 5 days old because I was desperate to not be lugging a pram about, with no guarantee of a place on the bus etc, and the Baby Bjorn I spent a fortune on was killing my back and looked uncomfortable for ds too.

Parasols. Bloody useless and guaranteed to get in everyones way.

Absolute essentials are lots of muslins, sleepsuits in 0-3 and grobags.

also meant to say - remember that you don't need everything before they are born apart from real bare essentials. you can get stuff afterwards too! order online etc.

one thing that's really useful - make some shepherds pie etc and put it in the freezer for the first few days, and a bottle of champagne in the fridge! and tons of biscuits for you and your visitors...