First time pregnancy! Any top tips as what to buy for prospective DC

[saiyme09]

Ive recently found out that I'm 2 months pregnant! After the initial excitement I have been a little panicked as to what I actually need to buy, and what not to buy. Obviously I know I need the basics I.e Cot,Pram clothes etc. I've ordered several parenting books for both me and my partner on various aspects of pregnancy and birth. However there's so much advice brand recommendations etc that it's very disorientating ! So wondered if anyone has any top tips or handy items they bought that was very useful!
Any advice would be welcomed
Thanks xx

I think the main thing is really look at your lifestyle before you buy. Ie if your in and out car or on public transport lots a large pram is fairly pointless as end up buying smaller for convenience anyway

I found writing a list of everything to buy helpful. Then I could look and think if I really needed an item, or could wait and could cross off list to save buying

Ie baby play mat was on list. Then realised it would have little use after baby moving so waste of money and space. We brought a sheepskin baby rug in the end so baby could lay/ play/ sleep, and now older used as regular rug by children's bed so lasts forever

Baby bouncer/ swing/ highchair we decided to cross off and wait and see if needed. We ended up never buying as most only good under 6 months and by then baby was still happy held/ on rug/ in cot etc

Cotbed rather than cot so lasts 0-5 years rather than just baby, as side comes off and makes toddler bed

Congratulations!

The things I found useful apart from the essentials were -

A Sleepyhead (comfy portable bed). We spend quite a bit of time over GPs and its like a home from home for her. She sleeps in it nightly and loves it.

A big ole baby nest that she can relax in.

A baby gym so she can kick around on the floor and look at stuff.

A sleep shade for the buggy to protect those little peepers from the sun.

Bundles (I think thats what they're called) basically a baby grow with an open bottom for easy nappy changes in the night.

Don't worry too much about toys as they don't play with them for ages and you'll get bought loads anyway.

I wouldn't rush out too soon to buy stuff..you've got plenty of time!

Wait until you tell people about the pregnancy. Then you will be deluged with free second hand (and sometimes brand new and unused) items from people who's babies have grown up. You may find you need to buy very little!

Gumtree is your friend! We've managed to pick up so much stuff (not clothes but toys and furniture) for DS at a fraction of he price that it would've cost new.

Oh and if there is anything that you are not sure DC will get on with then always check eBay or Gumtree first. Fo example I wants to try those Velcro swaddle blankets on DS but instead of spending the £15-20 that they cost new, I picked one up from eBay for 99p plus postage. Good thing too, as DS hated it!

I don't think you should go mad and buy everything at the baby show - think about how much use you'll get out of it and try to get as much as possible 2nd hand or after the birth. But try not to read too much of the "you don't need..." advice on the internet or you'll end up feeling like Mothercare saw you coming because you were stupid enough to buy a pram and a baby bath.
Things I found useful: baby bath and thing to lie him on in the bath, play mat, sleeping bags, flannels and muslins.
What I found useless: bath thermometer - takes so long to read an accurate temperature. I thought about a cot mobile but the time between going into a cot and being able to grab dangly things was quite short with us!

Congratulations! Bibs I ended up using millions and having to buy loads. eBay is great for baby stuff, when they're little and growing rapidly buying bundles of clothes that are hardly worn saved a fortune.

Remember that the shops will still be there after you give birth! I remember with dc1 thinking that I had to have absolutely everything bought and ready for him. As long as you have a couple of babygros, a few nappies, a blanket and a car seat you're good to go!

Thanks everyone all those comments are really helpful! Xx

I agree that unless you are the first on your social group to get Pregnant, you will be given tons of stuff if you let people know you are open to hand me downs. We bought virtually nothing then handed it on again

And yes gumtree, eBay, local baby table top and NCT sales all sell stuff really cheap. My must have was baby bath seat

Congratulations agree with the other ladies that you will be given lots if goodies! Don't buy too many clothes. I got a starter pack from asda for about £8 with baby gros, vests etc in and the rest I was given! The thing I couldn't live without is our play gym- he's been on it since he was a couple of days old and at 4months still loves it! Xx