Alot of my stuff ive bought from babies r us and ive saved hundreds due to special deals they have on every now and again or coupons or gift vouchers that are given to you by having a gold card and racking up points. I was told pampers nappies are the better choice out of pampers and huggies, and ive bought the tommee tippee range for my bottles and steriliser as they are a closer to nature teet and they do anti colic plus bottles, plus their electronic steriliser seemed to be the best around. I bought a graco quattro tour deluxe pram that came with the car seat, carrycot, footmuff and pushchair, they go for about £280 in babies r us which is brilliant value for money, but they r big so unless you have a big boot id shop around. I found its also usefull to pick up a pack of nappies and some wipes every time I go shopping so that I can start stockpiling. Theres so many things to get so its worth picking up a check list from babies r us to see what needs getting. Good luck! x x x

Hi I bought my pram at the Baby Show (Silvercross 3D) for £300 including the car seat so over £100 cheaper than in-store! However, I found a lot of the stuff there gimmicky and not essential (sorry Kelly & Pete!) I also think you can get things cheaper elsewhere - I bought my steriliser at an Asda baby event for £10! It was more than that at the show. I read loads - get all of the brochures you can (mothercare etc) sent to you and most of them have baby checklists as to what you need... using them and you're own instinct you'll start to learn what you really need. I have found it just as daunting but I'm now 25 weeks and have pretty much everything! Good luck! x

Hi I had the same problem.

Take your time thinking about your lifestyle. For the pram/pushchair you need to think about, how big is the car boot, where you will you store it in the house, how long you want it to last for.Prams are from birth til about 6 months, pushchairs are usually for use from 6months+.

Are you planning on breastfeeding or not some bottles are said to help moms combine bottle and breast feeding such as Tomme Tippee's closer to nature range.

You have plenty of time to research, just take your time honey.
x

Hi there,

Thank you all so much for your top tips - I've just brought my pram/buggie, and got one of the travel systems - which seemed the best value for money + are quite light and easy to move around. I've also cottoned on to the not buying too many newborn clothes as they will get too small, very quickly. Other than that - I'm starting from scratch on which bottles etc to buy, but feeling a bit calmer about it now!!!
The time seems to fly really quickly in this first bit, but I guess it will start to slow down a bit now so I won't feel quite so stressed.
Thanks again x

I didn't know i was pregnant til i was 18 weeks and then I panicked that there was so much to do and get and so little time.

We chose a pram, based on a car seat that would fit in my car - not all did, and I wanted a travel system. Then we tried it out in the store a couple of times and then found it online a bit cheaper (got a quinny buzz).

Next I bought the babies essentials for the hospital bag - scratch mitts, hats, babygroes, body suits, socks and a blanket. Then a couple of packs of nappies and a muslin cloth.

I also kept watching on e-bay for things that I am happy to have second hand and bought a wooden crib, which was a bargain.

Now at 31 weeks I have everything needed for the baby and still lots of time - I am really enjoying pregnant so not worried that the time seems to be going so slowly - just hating the heat.

My friends who have babies have all said that alot of what they bought straight off never got used, many of the clothes were too small as their babies were 9 & 11lbs and so too big for new born things. Also all their visitors were bringing clothes too.

You could spend some time doing a mothercare wishlist then reviewing it in a couple of weeks time - you soon find that you don't want or need everything you select. You also need to think about where all this stuff is going to go!

good luck -
-xx-

i found the baby show very good, they have pretty much everything all under one roof, so great way to compare things, also every one is there to help, so very informative, i think the next one is at earls court but there are 3 every year, they have a web site so try googleing it.

Hi there,
I found mothercare really good for supplying all the essentials. I got a trenton deluxe pram and the car seat comes with it and clips in for when their first born and when they grown out of that, It changes to meet every stage of your babies growth its fantastic. The moses baskets are gorgeous. My little boy loves his.

Go in the shops first see what u like and how they work etc. Mothercare are helpful they will even show u how to fit a car seat. Then buy it online as they are so many deals online.