where to shop....?

[cakebaby]

Hi all, sorry if this isn't the most appropriate place to post, but....

Can anyone advise if there are any retail parks or similar where I can drag dh to a variety of stores selling the big items we need? It'll soon be time to go and browse for and buy or the pram, somewhere to sleep, baby bath, as well as all the other things we need. But, where I live there are only small versions of m/care & b/r/us that don't have the variety of products to get hands on with.

I've googled store directories of the large shopping centers in the south east but it doesn't look like it's what I'm after. I really don't want to drive 70 miles in one direction to go to kiddicare then 50 in the other to go to a decent sized alternative store. I have browsed on line but really want to be able to get hands on with the big things before handing over my hard saved cash!

Reasonable travelling distance would be greater London, n'hants, beds, east anglia etc. Thank you!

How about Lakeside? They have Mothercare, Kiddicare, IKEA and I'm sure they've got Mama's and Papas too.

Fab, thanks buttery. I thought I'd looked at the store directory there. Obviously I didn't, I seem to be getting more daft by the day

Have you got a kiddicare near you? they have special offers periodically on all sorts of prams and carseats and they do sell pretty much all you need.

IKEA is good for kitting out your home - good basic cots, nice sleeping bags, excellent highchair, the best bibs with long sleeves although you won't need them till 6 months, good chest of drawers for baby's clothes, cheap changing table etc etc. I can recommend the poang chair if you want one in the baby's room for night feeds when they are not in your room any more.

Don't bother buying up half of mothercare. It is tempting when you are pregnant but do sit down and think sensibly about what you actually need and in what quantities. So many things that are advertised as essential are actually a waste of money.

• baby bath - don't bother, get a bath support for the big bath.
• nappy bin - don't bother, wet ones in house bin, dirties straight to wheelie bin.

-loads and loads of baby outfits. Impractical. I recommend vest and babygrow plus cardigan as needed for almost all of the time in the first six months. Easy, comfy, practical and cheaper. You will get silly little outfits as gifts and you can use those when you think dressing up is required.

Are you anywhere near peterborough? There is a Kiddicare in Hampton and a nice Mothercare in the serpentine green shopping centre just over the road. Lakeside would be a better bet if you are nearer there though as you have IKEA there too.

Thank you Kat, I'm not really near anywhere big! Out in the sticks in terms of shopping, so have to make a day of it really. I guess it's about equal distance to lakeside/p'boro, so just depends which has most variety. I'd be happy having a day out at both but dh and I only get a day off together about once a month, so have to make the best use of limited time.
So far have resisted the urge to go berserk buying stuff, mainly due to mnetters calming influences! I made a list of what I thought I needed in a fit of excitement, read some threads, tore it up & started again. Saved my bank balance considerably!

what about westfield stratford? dont know exactly what they have but its east side of London. Definitely have a John Lewis and mothercare. uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/

We went to lakeside for ikea/ kiddicare (particularly good for trying out products)/ mamas and papas/ mothercare/ babies r us to view and try out the products. Then we came home and bought most of it on Amazon, kiddicare online and precious little ones- they were honestly SO much cheaper than in the shops (apart from kiddicare, it's the same as in the shop, just easier!), we've saved an absolute fortune.

I would say Lakeside as well. Mothercare, Ikea, Kiddicare, Mamas and Papas and Toys'r'us are all on the retail park and there's Boots and Babyeze inside the shopping centre.

Shop online. Much quicker and reviews are good to look at, plus you will save heaps if time travelling around. We bought all our "big" items on eBay and saved heaps! Good luck.

Mothercare and John Lewis both offer a price match service so bear that in mind. John Lewis is also great for ordering on line.
Mothercare currently have an offer on nursery furniture bundles so def worth looking there.
I would really recommend having a look online before you go, maybe rule the buggy etc down to 2 or 3 that suit your needs, then 'test drive' in shop. Also allows you to get a good idea of pricing on places like amazon too for bottles etc if your buying everything.

KatandKit Actually have to disagree with the nappy bin. I didn't get one and thought they were pointless until DD got to 6mo and weaning. DD was EBF and the poo really doesn't smell bad. I tied the nappy up in a nappy sack and then into a small ikea bin. Took it out once a day. With solids, the smell is so horrid I immediate bought an angelcare bin. Best purchase ever. Also a curious toddler can't open the bin unlike those simply flip top bins around the house. She's emptied my makeup bin many many times. I know you could take the nappy out to the wheelie bin outside, but frankly, I woudln't want to do that in the cold and rain, or in the middle of the night.

Well, i suppose my wheelie bin is right outside the kitchen door, don't even need to put shoes on to reach it so it is precisely because solids poo is so rank that i don't want it staying in a bin in the house any time at all. Fortunately i haven't had to do a night change in a long time. When DS was EBF he was only a twice a week poo-er after the early weeks. perhaps it is one of those purchases where you can wait and see if you need it or not. For me it would be a waste of money. if i lived in a flat that would be an entirely different matter i suppose.

Hi Cakebaby ? are you able to wait until May to purchase all your bits and bobs? I ask because The Baby Show is taking place from 17-19 May at Birmingham NEC. The London one has come and gone unfortunately. A friend of mine bought everything she needed from the Baby Show last year ? reckons you?ll find an amazing selection of branded items (from pushchairs to bibs) at much cheaper prices than you?d find at the normal retail shops. It?s £10 for a ticket but worth every penny apparently.

www.thenec.co.uk/whatson/thebabyshow

Hyperlinked this time!

www.thenec.co.uk/whatson/thebabyshow

Thanks ladies, I knew you'd be full of bright ideas!

Brilliant suggestions, I reckon a trip to lakeside to get hands on & try out, then buy on line where possible to save some cash....and ....crowning glory...baby show in May...I'm loving that idea. Shopping bliss, I can't wait!