I'm going to be one to kind of disagree here - sorry!! I realise there are some good bargains out there and if you can get them go for it! We got our cradle off ebay for $80 and it's lovely - I just bought a new mattress and bedding.
I do feel however there are some things you should buy new and better quality. It doesn't mean it has to be expensive but for example our pram which cost $400 (not too bad really) had been used sooooo much and if we had bought a second-hand one then I don't know whether it would have lasted the distance.
Also somethings are nicer new - I would buy new singlets and jumpsuits because they are used so much. Unless of course you are getting them from a reliable source .ie family or friend. Even so you can pick singlets up for a couple of dollars so to me it's worth doing that rather than getting second hand which can look a bit scungy after awhile.
Car seat are def something you should get new unless once again you ACTUALLY know who you are getting it from. My mum bought our car seat capsual and we fully intend for my brother and SIL to use it one day but I wouldn't buy one off ebay.
I know it does come down to budgets in the end and I love a bargain as much as the next person but I also really enjoyed hunting around and buying nice things for our baby. I like the big baby stores because most of the time the staff there are very helpful. If you can at least get advice there then go to a department store then at least you have had help.
Just my say!!
BTW I have no idea how much we spent for DD1 but I would say it would be up around $1500 once we got everything.
Wow First-time-mummy! You have done so well for yourself and are a great example of not being a slave to expectations/advertising/overly consumeristic etc! Just shows what can be done when it needs to be!
It's hard to work out what we spent- our nursery furniture was about $800, pram $800, car seat $400. Other than that, I am not sure about clothing- maybe a couple of hundred including singlets, wraps etc Toiletries and other sundries- maybe one hundred?? That was the bulk of it from what I can remember. Second time round- no much yet. have delved into cloth nappies so that would be our biggest expense at a few hundred dollars!
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