Help! Not a single clue about anything

[GwenGotLost]

Hi :)

So this is my first pregnancy, not entirely planned, certainly not unwanted, but, being unplanned I have NO IDEA about anything when it comes to products; just walking around the BabiesRus section has me confused and scarred; I've never heard of these brands before in my life; how do I know what is best, what is good value and what isn't?

So far we've bought nothing; I know I need the obvious things like a cot, pram/pushchair, car seat even though we don't even have a driving licence/ car between us, So so many clothes (although we are being donated a ridiculous amount by friends)
What else? I need a list of essentials, and if possible some basic tips on which brands are worth it, what is not (products and brands). I know I'm asking a lot here, but hell I think I need it

Let me know if there's a better part of the site to post this up in and Thanks in advance :)

OK I hope this doesn't sound patronising or obvious
Nappies obviously - get some newborn ones (usually up to an eight pound baby) and a bit bigger in case your child has a large birth weight
Vests and babygrows
cardigans
litlle hats in case it's cold (don't know when you are due?)
Don't spend too much on clothes they grow out of them ridiculously fast.
Cot and bedding. baby alarm
bassinet for carrying baby round house
dont bother with a car seat if you don't have a car
are you breastfeeding? breast pump, bottles, sterilisation set, breast pads and feeding bras
pram that converts into an early stage pushchair
changing mat
loads of wipes and the obvious lotions
dummies
nappy bags
I'm sure I have missed loads out cos It's a long time since I had the pleasure of a newborn. I envy you.
Loads of younger and more sensible women will be along to give you better advice I am sure :)

Thank you for the start :D
I'm currently 17 weeks; my due date is 31/07/12; I'm 25 now and will be 26 then :)

And concise list is a good thing; I've tried googling a list before but there is a lot of conflicting information and a lot of it is skewed towards that site's particular products / customer base (i.e. America and in one case Singapore; I have no idea how I got there..)

To be honest, just buy the basics. They grow so quickly that it it a waste of money otherwise. Spend on the pram/pushchair and any safety things. Clothes can be done cheaply. They grow out in seconds trust me I have had four, albeit a while back :)
Mothercare is good and they provide a list of things for a newborn, do you have one near you?

If you join the "due in July" thread in "Antenatal clubs" (I don't know if you have done this already), you will get lots of info as and when you need it. Its early days yet, so don't go overboard. I would recommend getting real basics and adding as and when you feel the need. What you need for a newborn is pretty limited, and can be bought in a large supermarket mostly, so I would start with:
Moses basket and bedding (sheets and cotton blankets for swaddling). I have not used the cot for the first few months.
Pushchair (Prams tend to be too big and bulky to use for long, what sort of pushchair depends on lots of factors eg urban/rural, public transport, your house etc. There is a whole pushchair section on here)
Car seat - how will you get baby home from hospital/do you ever use taxis or take lifts?
Nappies, cotton wool or wipes, change mat, sudocreme
Babygrows and popper vests.
Bouncer chair
I bath babies in the big bath
erm

Bear in mind that people will give you things, often nice (rather than useful) clothes, toys etc.
I don't know whether money is an issue, but we all love a bargain, ans since baby things are grown out of in a short time, there are lots of good quality second hand clothes and equipment about, think: ebay, freecycle, car boot sales, NCT sales.

I disagree about the car seat. We do not drive, have never driven or owned a car but a car seat is a necessity.
See if you can get a cheap one or a hand me down. You need it for taxis and lifts. Even if it is not used that much as a car seat babies alway love sitting in them at home too.