When do you start shopping for all the essentials?

I think any time that you feel ready for it during your second trimester is the perfect time to get things together. Three babies later (and another one on the way :D), the only 'essentials' on my list are: - somewhere safe for the baby to sleep - the safest car seat you can afford - something to carry or push baby around in when you're out and about (a stroller, buggy, wrap or carrier) - somewhere to change nappies that's the right height for you (we use two chests of drawers pushed back to back so everything is stored within reach) - nappies and wipes (we use cloth) - simple clothes - large muslins or other wraps, season appropriate for swaddling - bathtub (I used the IKEA bargain basement one with a towel laid in the bottom of it...reduces slipping!) Everything else is handy but not essential. Have fun...I love baby shopping!! Yay! I was exactly the same as you - bare minimum. With my first, I did buy some random useless things (flat sheets, bottles, way too many blankets...), but with poor DS... well, he didn't get anything new. You'll be given soooooo much. People will ask you what you need and will genuinely want to treat your baby - let them, because second time around, there's not half so much hype! Don't buy any toys, nor baby gym, nor clothes, aside from a going home outfit and some baby-grows. By all means keep an eye out for bargains from 12 weeks onward, but I left most of it until I was about 35 weeks. It just gathers dust otherwise!

Very useful lists ladies. I am also 18 weeks and if all goes well will start the shopping after the 20 week scan.

I think any time that you feel ready for it during your second trimester is the perfect time to get things together. Three babies later (and another one on the way :D), the only 'essentials' on my list are: - somewhere safe for the baby to sleep - the safest car seat you can afford - something to carry or push baby around in when you're out and about (a stroller, buggy, wrap or carrier) - somewhere to change nappies that's the right height for you (we use two chests of drawers pushed back to back so everything is stored within reach) - nappies and wipes (we use cloth) - simple clothes - large muslins or other wraps, season appropriate for swaddling - bathtub (I used the IKEA bargain basement one with a towel laid in the bottom of it...reduces slipping!) Everything else is handy but not essential. Have fun...I love baby shopping!!

Hi I'm 27 weeks and started buying a few weeks ago. I am already starting to feel energy disappear, so I would do it while you have the energy. I like the list below - it is pretty much the same as mine.

I started sooner than 30 weeks, second trimester you have more energy. Think I waited until after the 20 week scan though. pram and car seat might take some thought, so start looking early, don't buy early though as the warrantee won't last. I personally didn't use mittens, socks, caps etc as DS was born in summer. We bought our cot, drawers and change table second hand. [u'>Essentials[/u'> Muslin cloths in a variety of sizes are very useful. Soft and easily washed blankets to lay baby on for tummy time or when visiting x2 or 3 tri-pillow, breastfeeding pillow swaddles x 2 or 3 change table, esp good if you end up with a c-section but also great for storage, you can do without but I rate mine as essential baby bath, the mothercare one with the foam insert is handy, (good thing to borrow rather than buy) portable change mat and nappy bag baby monitor, we chose one that told us the room temp which i found handy tonnes of envelope neck snap crotch onesies and soft pants (i'm not into frilly, bulky clothes for newborns and t-shirts tend to ride up) [u'>bedding[/u'> fitted sheets aircell blanket (you don't need top sheets, duvets or pillows or cot bumpers, they're just hazards) a moses basket co-sleeper or a small bassinet are handy, but not essential. [u'>also handy depending on how you plan to feed;[/u'> microwave sterilizer (or bench top if you plan to formula feed or express a lot) a few bottles with slow flow teats pure lanolin nipple cream (the medela or the other purple tube one) double breast pump (you can buy second hand and buy new tubing, bottles, flanges etc) bottle brush nursing cape/cover [u'>other random stuff;[/u'> fan for back of car if you have no AC in the back fragrance free washing powder/liquid (also good to wash all clothes and bedding before baby arrives) white noise cd or mp3 blackout curtains for bedroom summer cover for carseat (they make one for the maxi-cosi) clock on the wall for the room you plan to BF in [u'>toys[/u'> you don't really need any at the start, and you'll get them as gifts, but a bouncer/rocker ( I like the mamas and papas nest) and a playgym ( I like the fisher-proce rainforest one) are handy you might also want to pre-pack your hospital bag, but a bit closer to your due date, thats a whole other list though ;)

i second that... wait till at least 30 weeks... basic must haves include: - baby bed/cot - bedding - receiving blanket - baby record book - onesies, vests, mittens, socks, bibs, caps - cloth wipes / feeding cloths - diapers or nappies - hygiene kit (clippers, etc.) - toiletries - car seat - breast feeding pillow

30 weeks, don't want to jinx anything!