First time mum and struggling to buy ANYTHING!! HELP!!

[LabradorMama]

I'm 29 weeks with DC1 and really need to start stocking up on baby bits. I've ordered a nursery cot and mattress and the pram but that's it. Everything else I want to order is a nightmare - I think I've found what I want then I read a review and get put off. For example, after a lot of umming and aahing I decided I wanted an Arms Reach Co Sleeper cot for the first 6 months while baby is in with us. But they're bloody expensive and several reviews say the mattress is too hard. So that put me off.

Then I read loads of reviews on the Angelcare baby monitors and decided to get one of those but having just gone online to order it, I see it is analogue not digital which apparently will interfere with my broadband.

Same problem with a changing/bath unit (I have SPD and back problems and want to bath/change baby at waist height) Apparently the one I want is rubbish, flimsy and the changing mat splits if you give it a dirty look.

My brain turned to mush at the beginning of the second trimester and I've been incapable of making a decision ever since but it's just got bloody ridiculous now. But these things cost so much money and I'm determined not to make costly mistakes with only 2 paydays to go until SMP kicks in (ugh)

Please tell me it's not just me? Is anyone else struggling to decide what baby kit to buy or do I just need a good kick up the arse??

I am 28+5 with my first, and also concerned about the impending SMP and lack of stuff I have bought. Plus I'm moving house in 2 weeks so have been holding off from shopping so we will have less stuff to move.

I'm just telling myself to keep it simple. My parents didn't have a lot when I was born and I survived. The baby industry must make a hell of a lot of money from things you don't need. I think people spend as much as they can afford.

I bought a travel system in an Argos sale, with an Emma's Diary voucher, some time ago. Second cheapest, will do the job.

I will be looking in charity shops for a Moses basket, and will buy an IKEA cot when baby grows out of that. I have some hand me downs, but will be buying basic bibs and babygrows in ASDA. Looking out for a baby sale to buy nappies, wipes, bottom cream- not too many newborn size, and I have been recommended ALDI nappies.

And finally breast pads, and nipple cream to use from day 1 (from advice from various posts I have read on here).

Good luck, keep calm and we will be fine x

I've never used a baby bath as someone lent us a tummy tub but DD hated it. When she was little she came in the bath with me as she found this the most comforting and she liked a big very warm bath, since about 12 weeks she goes in the big bath with just a shallow bit of water half covering her and has a good kick.

The only thing I regret buying is a Moses basket, she wouldnt sleep in it at first and then grew out so quickly. I wish I'd just bought a small, cheap ikea cot that I could drop one side on and attach to the bed as some people suggested.

I can highly recommend the Ikea Hemnes children's draws with the detachable change top. My back isn't great and it is just the right height. Later you can take the top off, it doesn't look baby-ish and just have nice draws, plus I needed storage space for clothes. I had a tippitoes baby bath with the little seat in it, loved it! Felt much more confident bathing pfb in it as had one hand free, I kept it on the bathroom floor after filling with the shower attachment and had the towel next to it all ready to transfer him over to it. I felt safer being on the floor in those early days, slippery little suckers, though looking back I was a worrier

My friend used a baby support in the bath.

I haven't decided yet. It will depend on if I see something second hand or on freecycle.

If I don't have something by the time I am nearly due, I will go to a baby shop and decide then.