How do you know what to buy for a new baby?

[mdpierre]

We are planning to have a baby how do I know what you need and where do I start?

Stuff to wear, somewhere to sleep and nappies will cover the basics. You'll probably get given stuff and be bombarded with advertising! Good luck.

@bluechampagne that's great advice thank you. We have been given some stuff already which is cool, where would you suggest to buy the basics from?

My go to was supermarkets, asda has some lovely things as do tesco sainsbury's etc. I'd honestly have no idea where to get a pram from since mothercare closed!

I know I can't believe Mothercare closed... What about online, there seem to be some great marketplace websites out their now..

Don’t buy anything until you’re actually pregnant!

Somewhere to sleep:
Moses basket
Cot/cot bed
Next to me or similar or bed side cot
Sheets
Mattress protector

Things to wear:
Vest (short sleeve) at least 7 but i would get 14
Baby grows at least 7 but i would get at least 14
Long sleeve vests x7
Scratch mitts (not always needed)
Baby outfits if you.are that way inclined

Accessories and other things
Muslins
Swaddles
Flannels
Wipes
Nappies
Nappy sacks
Or reusable nappies and all the things that go with that
Bottles if bottle feeding
Formula
Steriliser
Carseat if you drive
Pushchair

Try John Lewis or a baby show if you want to view pushchairs

Google it and you'll come up with loads of lists of 'must haves', but really you don't need alot.
The gifts I received were mostly cute baby outfits, most of which didn't fit or would be the wrong season when my baby did, and he wore baby grows most of the time anyway.
I never had a moses basket or changing table. I had muslins, cotton wool, changing mat, nappy bag, cot (with associated bed linen), sleeping bags, baby grows, vests/sleeveless onesies, nappies, travel cot for downstairs naps (also useful to pop baby in when they're mobile and you have to run to answer the door or go to the loo), baby monitor (baby always slept in own room), car seat that fit on pram and the pram which also worked without car seat, playmat. Blankets, bouncy chair. Eventually bumbo seat, high chair (got one that attached to table so portable). Breastfed for first five months then got a bottle and plastic tableware (IKEA great for that). That should do it!
Dont forget you: maternity pads, breast pads etc. Don't need nursing bra or special nursing tops.

Keep an eye out for NCT 2nd hand sales too. If you have friends and family with small children, they may overwhelm you with advice. But I second Soontobe60, don't buy anything till you're actually pregnant.

All being well babies don't actually need that much. A couple of bundles of sleep suits from eBay, a carrier, a pram. I found cosleeping the only thing that worked for me and my kids so the lovely chicco next to me crib made a great (if overpriced) bedside table. It's really exciting to buy your baby toys and accessories but there is really no need so they don't do anything at first. Things like bath chairs etc, it's easier just to take them in with you. Tiny nail clippers and scratch mits are good. The main thing other than clothes is maternity pads for you.
People tend to give you lots of stuff so it's worth holding on to see and then fill in the gaps or you end up with 4 coats. I found my rucksack more convenient than y changing bag. I loved my little swaddle blanket and I wouldn't be without a decent thermometer and the snufflebabe snot sucker device. Also a little bouncy chair the simple 80s ones are the best. Good luck.

I had no idea how expensive maternity clothes were and since you spend all of 5 minutes wearing them before you grow out of them, it made it even more painful to part with my cash.
I kept thinking "this would pay for a lot of nappies" etc.