Shopping for baby things

[Chinadoll]

Hi guys,

This is my first pregnancy and we're starting to look for baby stuff. Just wondering if anyone has advice on where to get affordable and good baby things e.g. cot, pram, car seat, essentials, etc. I'm slghtly overwhelmed by all the shops and internet sites out there....and how expensive things can be. Help!!

Thank you!

We were quite lucky because my Mum got the moses basket and blankets, my Dad got the cot, FIL got the travel system, friends bought other stuff like the mobile, baby bath and clothes. DS was born in October so then it was Xmas and our parents then gave us stuff like high chair and other useful stuff and friends gave us toys etc.

We definitely bought his chair and sling but I can't think we bought any other big stuff, so odds and ends like cups and wotnot were just bought as and when.

I do think it is a good idea to tell people what you really want or need if they ask as otherwise you are given tons and tons of stuffed animals and clothes. Also, if you are given clothes or duplicates of things you've already got, take them back! Even if you have no receipt, just find a shop that sells that item and return it for an exchange or credit note

Get your friends or family to throw you a stork party, I'm having one this weekend, can't wait! Yay Pressies! Also just bought a cot off e-bay for third of the price they go for in the shops. Best thing to do is get a Mothercare catalogue & take it from there on what you want/don't want etc.

We bought a secondhand lie-flat pram to use for the first six months, and then spent a bit more money on a decent lightish pushchair for the next few years. It's tempting to buy a huge posh heavy pram for a newborn, but you probably won't use it for long; once your dc is big enough not to have to lie flat you'll have more idea of what you need for your day to day life; bus-friendly, or fits easily in car-boot, etc.

As for slings, I LOVED my wilkinette and having used it for 3 dcs (not at the same time...) I've just proudly and slightly tearfully passed it to a new-mum friend... with the instructions . It does look like a palaver but it really isn't, and it's really comfortable.

Congrats!

Thanks EVERYONE for the great advice and helpful hints. I feel a lot better about tackling the shops with a budget. Am really looking forward to it now!! I've even managed to get the DH excited about shopping!

I've also just come back from an hour of pampering massage for pregnant women (which my friends at work got for me) and feel super relaxed.

xxx