Expecting a baby in September. We're starting to look a what we should buy, and decide on brands so we can get a good price. Thanks in advance for recommendations on brands, bargains, value, where and when to buy, what to wait to buy, etc.
These thing are on the list of definite things to get:
Pram/stroller
Cot with mattress etc
Baby monitor
Nappies (haven't decided on disposable or cloth or mix)
car seat
These are the maybes:
Change table
Breast milk pump (+storage system, bottles)
baby carrier
Wraps, swaddles, sleeping bags etc
Thanks for any advice or other suggestions.
We had a baby around a year ago, so I can offer some advice about some of the things you've pointed out:
Change tables are pretty useful if you have the space. If you go for a change table, make sure its one of the ones that have shelves underneath so you can put things there and it doubles as a storage unit. Given they're pretty cheap and you'll get a lot of use out of them, I'd suggest getting one.
Depends if you're breastfeeding or formula feeding. If you're breastfeeding, it can be useful if you'll be busy or wanting to go back to work soon…etc. Another option is to give both breastmilk and formula milk, then you won't have to spend the time expressing. That's what we did with our baby, but he eventually went to just only formula after a few months and everyone seems happier. It's easier for travel and I can split up some of the feeding responsibility with my wife which is great.
I wish we got a baby carrier sooner! They're super useful. I'd say get a baby carrier first and then get a pram/stroller later. When they're really small, it's not too hard to carry them for ages, so you can easily go to the shops or for a walk to the park in a baby carrier. You can get a pram after a month or two after baby's a little older. We didn't really use our pram much at all in the 1 - 2 months.
Babies tend to sleep better with a swaddle. They're pretty cheap, so I'd just try getting one or two and seeing if they work well. Otherwise, you can just wrap baby in blankets which is pretty useful because you can always go back to using them as blankets when baby gets older.
Disposable nappies are better, IMO, washing cloth nappies would be a massive pain. I'd suggest having a look at the nappies from Aldi, they're less than half the price of the major brands and they seem to be just as good. Otherwise, keep an eye out for 50% off sales - they happen all the time for Huggies/BabyLove. I would only buy nappies at 50% off.
You'll need a car seat (probably worth getting this before baby is born, otherwise you won't have any way of getting home)! Aside from that, I think you've got anything. You don't really need much aside from clothes, nappies and a bottle for the first month or so. You can always change on the bed or using a change mat on a table. Everything else you can work out as you go in terms of what you need and trying different things before buying lots of them. All the best :)