Shopping help needed!

[dappleton]

I live abroad and expecting dc1 in April, only chance to do baby shopping will be on a trip back to London next month. Only problem is I have no idea what I need to buy, the products seem endless and don't want to waste money on things I won't need... so please let me know your lists of what I won't be able to live without once baby is here!

Pram/pushchair

Car seat if you have a car

Cot

Vests and sleepsuits (I'd say 6 of each initially - you'll be given loads I expect once the baby is born)

Can't think of anything else!

Hat
Cardigans
Coat or snowsuit (unless you live in a hotter country than this one!)
Bedding - sheets, blankets etc.
Changing mat (or you could probably get away with using a towel tbh)

Can't think of anything else at the moment

Things I wouldn't bother buying:

Baby bath

Changing mat (I use an old towel, they crap all over it all the time anyway )

Moses basket (grow out of it by 6w IME)

One of those giant 'Travel System' prams... most people I know bin them as soon as the baby can safely travel in the trusty Maclaren

Where abouts do you live? Have you considered getting larger items delivered from the uk? Amazon is doing free delivery to alot of EU countries at the moment. Or finding local alternatives.

I did a UK shopping run as I too live abroad, I concentrated on newborn and 0-3 baby (babygros, vests, socks, couple of cardi's, snowsuit, socks and tights (cold here!!)) and maternity clothes, baby sling, breast pump (which I got on sale) and ear thermometer (don't like the anal ones I can get here), baby medicines - calpol, nurophen, metanium, gripewater and bonjella (prob won't need these but childrens meds not free and very expensive here.)

My hope is I'll be able to fly over before baby needs 3-6 mnth clothes!

So much is personal choice - e.g. I have a bad back & joints so couldn't bathe a baby in the normal bath, so need a baby bath I can put on the counter.

What can/can't you get where you are? Presumably you won't need to buy things like a cot over here?

Thank you everyone, it appears i won't be needing as much as i thought. I'm actually in Africa so its pretty hot here most of the time, even though we will be coming into winter when the baby is born. I can get things like cots but not sure i can get a car seat (not one i'd trust anyway) and certainly won't be able to get things like baby slings and breast pumps. Sounds like I just need a few 0-3 baby clothes (my parents will be visiting by the time I need the 3-6months), a cot with bedding, car seat, something to transport the baby - sling/pram and maternity clothes. Sounds like if i'm a bit inventive I can pretty much cope without the extras. OK much clearer now - thank you!

Good luck