1. Definitely a really good pram. I did lots and lots of walking and while I had a great time, my friend with a cheap stroller didn't!

2. Grobags - fantastic! DD was wrapped right from the start but by 4 weeks was in a grobag with only her arms wrapped. Grab her out for a feed and she stayed nice and warm, and didn't have to fuss with tucking blankets in around her.

3. Walker. When DD got to about 4.5 months she could sit, but not unassisted and was frustrated with lying down all the time. I could put her in the walker and she had back support so she could sit up and be happy playing with all the toys on it while I cooked dinner, did washing etc.

4. Flannel nappies for spew rags and change table covers. Cheap, plentiful, and meant I could maybe get through an hour or so without having to change my own clothes!

5. Baby Bjorn/Ergo/Ring sling - invaluable to keep a reflux baby upright and therefore not screaming while allowing you to actually get something done.

Useless:

1. Bassinet for pram. Cost almost $300 I think and DD was in it twice - reflux made it impossible for her to lie flat.

2. Clothes with buttons on the back. Uncomfortable for DD to lie on, and a pain to dress/undress - especially for DH who thought if he couldn't see a button right in front of his face it didn't exist!!

3. Too many blankets - I really only needed a lightweight and then warmer blanket for the pram, one in the car and then a couple for her cradle and then cot. I had something like 18 blankets of different sizes and I never used most of them.