I bought most of my baby “equipment” secondhand from a girlfriend, including pram (your buggy), change table, beach tent, baby sling etc. Then I borrowed a stroller (that baby can go in once sitting up) and also bought the cots secondhand. Here in Oz the recommendation is that if you buy a secondhand cot, you purchase a new mattress. So my mum bought me two new cut-to-size foam mattresses – much cheaper than new cots!

My tips:
- look for a pram that can easily add on a toddler seat or toddler skateboard at the back, just in case your second comes faster than you expected
- look for a cot that converts to a bed. Ikea has a great simple version. It only lasts till about 5 but that’s still a long-lasting piece of furniture
- don’t forget unisex white/yellow/green/orange for as long as you can get away with it

Silly season greetings to everyone, and good luck to all those expecting their first bub!

When I was 21 and not even engaged to my now husband I sat next to a Vicar at a wedding reception. I can’t recall how the conversation came about but he explained he was fed up of hearing how couples couldn’t afford children. He said that all that children need is love. I didn’t really think about our conversation until about 5 months later when me and my other half (having just purchased our first home ) found ourselves unexpectedly pregnant. I had just finished University and was about to start my career, my husband (then boyfriend) was still studying part time. My initial reaction was ‘we can’t afford this’.

But that Vicar was right. His words echoed around and around my head. And all children do need is love. If I had thought about the financials I wouldn’t have had any of my beautiful three children. 11 years on I am only just picking up my career and starting again. My husband and I have worked hard to give them a nice home but really at the core of it all has been a heap of love.

Incidentally I don’t have a strong faith – but that Vicar did come into my life for a reason I am sure (he also taught me how to get chocolate off a suit with cold water, another valuable lesson!!).

Gosh that feels like a bit of an outpouring – make of it what you will!

2. Don’t clip the tags and wash all your gifted clothing. Many moms regret not returning the smaller sizes for bigger ones. If you have too many outfits in one size, return and get a gift card and use it when you’re low on a bigger size.

3. Don’t go crazy buying used clothes too far in advance. You don’t know how big they will be (mine 10#’s..pretty much skipped 0-3), how fast they will grow, and what season your baby will be when they hit their next size. Best to start looking about a month before you think they’ll need the next size up.

4. As soon as you’re done with an item for good, re-sell it quickly. People will always buy the newer models first. If you wait til your kids are in school before you clean your attic, your stuff will be dated and you won’t get much cash for them when you resell.

5. Try to live on one income before you have baby. Many people just can’t bear to go back to work after their kids are born and end up learning the hard way on how to live on less.

6. Have a good laundry setup. If you don’t have a washer/dryer in your house, consider investing in one. If you’re washer is on it’s last let, you will kill it once you start doing laundry every day.

7. Buy a video camera and digital camera if you don’t have one. Take lots of video as they really do change very quickly.