About co-sleeping - not all babies like it. I have a bassinet and a cot, but when my babies were small I would bring them into bed with me at night if they wouldn't settle and it worked a treat and allowed me to get more sleep. My DS still likes to sleep in our bed, he will climb in during the night a few times a week. My DD however, once she got to about 6 months of age, hated it - if I put her in bed with me to settle her, she would toss and kick and cry, so I would comfort her and then put her back in her cot where she would go to sleep comfortably.

I like, however, that my kids have their own space for sleeping and co-sleeping full time is not my cup of tea. Whether or not it is "better" for babies, I think what is most important is that they feel secure and loved and I know I provide that for them even though they are not in my bed every night to sleep.

I agree, when it comes to buying baby things, babies do not need brand names and they do not care whether you buy them a $50 outfit or a $10 one. Shampoos, baby bath etc are not necessities and you may find that you get given a lot of this stuff anyway. I only ever used disposables, huggies are the best, but the woolies nappies are good value and even the home brand nappies are quite good.

Bon