The most important purchase will be your pram - something that will be used everyday. Travel systems are the most popular choice and if you are looking for a stylish and practical pram it is hard to beat a Mamas & Papas pram. The Pliko Pramette is one of their best sellers and great as the pram folds umbrella style and therefore fits into the smallest of boots. For true style statement look at bugaboo. These great prams are celebrity favourites and their bright colours make them difficult to miss!



A car seat is one piece of equipment you really need before your baby is born. Even if you dont own a car, you will need a seat if you plan to take lifts from people. You will also need a car seat if you are having your baby away from home and will be travelling back by car. Most hospitals wont let you leave until they have seen your baby safely sitting in his car seat.

Baby monitors! Hardly something you would think to be a difficult purchase but now with so many on the market offering so much more, the choice is huge! You can also buy a camera and listener so you can watch and listen to your baby. The e-thos Family Monitoring System 5.6 inch monitor and camera set from Mothercare is just under 200 pounds but certainly looks the part. However, the Tomy Walkabout Classic is difficult to beat.

The other absolute favourite gadget is a simple microwave steam steriliser. The advantage being that you store it in your microwave freeing up your work surface. Philips AVENT Express II Microwave Steam Steriliser is perfect.

It is not long before you are moving your baby onto solids. It is so easy to make all of his or her food for the first 6 months and the Kenwood Hand Blender is the perfect kitchen gadget for preparing small amounts when you just want to blend your extra vegetables from your own Sunday lunch.

The last key purchase certainly deserves a mention. A new cot can be expensive so borrowing one from a friend has its advantages. In doing this you can spend as much as you can on a new cot mattress. With so much in the news on cot deaths it is comforting to buy the best. John Lewis have a great range including the Baby Coir Spring Cotbed Mattress.