Something else to consider, as we did, was what you plan to do for future bubs should you have more than one? We have been fortunate enough to have been able to buy almost everything new (after some very vigorous saving, I hasten to add!). Our reasoning is that we will be having at least 2 or possibly three.

We have planned ahead who will be using what beds etc. as they graduate from their cots. We have also considered timing our children in such a way that we don't end up needing three cots at one time, for example! As a result, we decided to get a sturdy cot that we intend using numerous times (we weren't silly about it and certainly didn't get anything near top-of-the-range, but it is a decent, well-branded" cot, with warrantees, that will hopefully last). Likewise, we forked out a fair bit on a change-table-chest-of-drawers modular thing from which you can remove the change table part and use for their bedrooms oneday.

What we did do with stuff like the linen, the rocker, the swing, the pram etc. was to buy gender-neutral colours (granted it may all look dull and boring to some) because we only intend on replacing things if they break.

We are also getting the nursery painted, but again, it will be a neutral colour so as to avoid having to paint over blue walls if the next one is a girl

What we haven't spent anything on is baby clothes (save a $15 pair of swim togs for him!). Everyone had been so generous in giving us bags and bags of boys clothes. My plan was to have my babyshower 2 months before the birth so that I can consolidate all of the borrowed and given clothes before spending a cent on anymore.

We have really tried to keep emotional buying to a minimum and even although I think we have spent a lot of money ($4500), we have not incurred any debt and see it as a worthwhile investment for more that one child. We have, fortunately, planned this baby for a long time and I understand that with less planning, this sort of outlay may be very difficult. As someone has already mentioned, not getting into debt over the baby gear is probably the most important thing you can do for both bub and your family.

Good luck with it all - I have had great fun preparing for bub's arrival