Children are expen$ive - even before they're born!

Once we'd passed the danger period, we decided that getting as much baby stuff as is sensible would be a good idea before the big event. Even if we didn't have everything, having an idea of what we needed and where to get it seems to be the way to go.

Now, if you've tied the knot recently you'll notice that as soon as you say the W or M word to shops when you buy something the price immediate goes up significantly. For instance, you can get a perfectly good cake at say the cheesecake shop for $30. But, if you want a wedding cake you'll be lucky to get change from $300. Yes, I understand the big day etc etc. But still...



The same thing appears to apply for baby stuff. There are three big cost items you'll be wanting to get. The cot, the car seat/baby capsule and the pram. I'll get onto each of these in a moment. In fact, I think I'll give each it's own entry. :)

Luckily for us we have private health cover. Unfortunately it doesn't cover everything - Obstetrics are a bundle! So you'll need some money for the medco side of things.

Also they need clothes and blankets and rugs and cloths and nappies and chainsaws and baby monitors and... well, you get the idea. There are a number of websites (and shops) that will give you a *minimum* list of what is needed when you have a new born. You'll have to be patient until our little one is actually born before I can weigh in on just how useful those lists are. I dare say I'll put my own together, but for now we've taken a few of the lists, combined them and are using that as a starting point.

So back to getting stuff. One source of baby gear is friends and family. Kiddems don't wear clothes for long. They're always on the grow, so a few wears might be all some things get. A run through the washing machine sees items good as new. If someone offers up some clothes don't be proud. You're most likely doing them a favour as well by taking them as it clears up some cupboard space for the current size of kiddie clothes they're trying to put away. Also we found that parents are mad keen to buy some items. Given the sheer number of things we had to get, we happily agreed to letting parents buy whatever the wanted.

Now, maybe you haven't got friends that have had kids, or for whatever reason parent's can't help, or, you need to compliment what you've got. I was told about a handy market in Melbourne (thanks Maggie) called the Babies and Kids Market. This little gem is a swap meet for baby stuff! Myself and Gumby's mum went along to our first just this weekend past. We were looking primarily for a bassinet as I had read from Sids and Kids that it is recommended to have the baby sleep with the parents for the first 3-6 months and there was no way a cot would fit in our bedroom. I wasn't prepared to pay $200 for something that would only be used for 6 months.

So... Along we went. We found our Bassinet, in good condition but in need of a wash - $50. I also found a nifty little wooden rocking horse for $5 and half a dozen items of clothing for $10. Our first experience of the markets was very positive. There is one thing I would not buy second hand - and that's a car seat/capsule. These items are of paramount concern when it comes to the safety of your baby. It's life may literally depend on that car seat/capsule. If it hasn't been treated well, or has been already involved in an accident, the amount of protection it gives may be compromised. You wouldn't buy a second hand helmet - don't buy a second hand car seat/capsule.

The internet is your friend when it come to shopping for other items. How we chose the items we wanted is a blog entry for another day, having said that, safety is always the priority for me. Cheaper doesn't alway mean less safe though. The breast pump we bought was $100 cheaper than RRP ($299 down to $199) from an online chemist in Queensland. The cot we bought we knew went on sale a few times a year via web searches and forums - $360 down to $230 - $130 off. The pram we want we know goes on sale too - we're just waiting; and though we haven't bought it yet, the car seat is much the same story - can be found for at least $80 off RRP. Moral of the story - shop around!