First Baby and don't know what best things to buy

[BabyAcorn]

Hello fellow Mummies. I am finding everything quite overwhelming, with how many of every product there is to choose from. It reminds me of when I got married.
Today I received an Avent bottle, as I went on their web site, and it's got me thinking. I am 25 weeks, what should I be looking at buying now or soonish?
I would really appreciate some thoughts on this, I would like to breast feed, but know that I would also like Hubba to feed to, so bottles would be good too and maybe an electric pump? But do I do bottle or plastic bag bottles? And how many bottles do we think?
I suddenly feel as I am the only person out of my friends who is pregnant [ I'm 27] I cant really ask any one close.
Would really appreciate anything any-one has found really good, and don't get me started on prams!I just cant decide!Is it really that bad to be wanting everything lovely, perfect for this thing that keeps me awake already all night!?!?!

I was planning to stay in the birthing centre for a couple of days; I left it far too long to go in and ended up at our local hospital. I went in at 06.30 and was home by midday - I could not WAIT to get out; I was discharged direct from labour ward.
Be prepared that plans you make now may totally change and what you think you want might not actually be what you want

Other posters have made suggestions of what to get, so I will just suggest something NOT to get: a BabyBjorn. Don't make my mistake!
Definitely get some kind of sling. Great to cuddle your baby, especially when they don't want to be put down, and get stuff done or go for a walk too. But a Bjorn can quickly become uncomfortable when the baby gets heavier, as all the weight is placed on your shoulders. It also can't be used for carrying on your back when the baby gets bigger.
There is a bewildering choice of slings available. You can have a look at www.slingguide.co.uk and Natural Mamas for more information. Some kind of stretchy wrap/carrier, such as a Close Carrier, Moby or Kari-Me, are good for newborns, and soft-structured carriers (SSCs), are great too. Some of these (Beco, Manduca, for example, but there are loads of others) are suitable from 3.5kg.

Its a nice idea to stay a night or two in your birthing centre if you have your baby there but be prepared to be turfed out if they are busy!

I had every intention of breastfeeding but my milk didn't come in. Thank goodness I kept all my breastfeeding kit in their shopping bags with receipts so I was at least able to get my money back. My one nursing bra by Anita was amazing. I wore it during my last 3 months of pregnancy and hope my boobs increase to a 34F next time so I don't have to buy again!

As others have said you don't need much at all. Start small, stay neutral and buy second hand. Accept hand downs no matter what, you can always discard/pass on. Don't turn down clothes from the opposite gender. I dress my DD in blue onsies and add her pink skirt to make it girly.

Don't bother with a changing table. At 5 wks DD has already started to try and roll. We now change her on the floor or on the bed. Friends gave use changing sheets which are great for the 'diaper bag'. I concur with others and also HATE diaper bags. DH uses it (he is determined to get some use out of it since he insisted on me getting one) as he can't fit everything into his pockets and he looks like a prat carrying it. Get an old rucksack out for the man.

I am living in the US and there are lots of coupons available. I registered at all the stores that offer a 10% 'completion' coupon and used that to get a discount on my pram. The assistants at work and DH's assistant have been collection pampers coupons since they found out I was pregnant. Also Amazon do AmazonMom which gives you a 15% discount on baby items. Don't know if they do the same in the UK.

Get the free changing bag from boots - then be prepared for utter confusion at baby group when everyone else has one too! Fits quite nicely on the back of a pram. Still using mine almost 2 years later.

Second (or third) not buying a changing table. WE alwasy did DS on the floor, thus negating risk of falling off.

A thermos mug, so you might actually get a hot cup of tea.

Lots and lots of cake.

Can anyone recommend a thermos mug I can buy online?

the ones in tesco have always worked well for me, dont get a screw lid, get one with a slide cover. You need 2 hands to undo the screw tops!!

Also, get a plastic changing mat. We were given a lovely fabric covered one and after 4 weeks of washing the cover every day once it was weed or pooed on I got fed up and bought a wipeable one, much easier :)

If you are in a birthing centre, take the rest and help while you can - with DD1, I was in the local hospital, had a pretty nasty birth but could not wait to get home as I got virtually no support and got more at home. With DS, quick birth at hospital, went home 4 hours later from the labour ward. For DD2, had section at hospital and transfered to the local birthing centre for 2 days which was just lovely and would highly recommed it. Really helped with the feeding and the staff were lovely.
Good luck and yes, £500 is a lot of money for a buggy. I spent £20 from ebay on my lovely pram for DD3 - it was brilliant.
However, you will probably be able to resell yours and recoup some of the money later