My Washer/dryer - the amount of clothes DS pooed and sicked on, it was going daily!

Baby carrier. I borrowed a Baby Bjorn but that was bad for my back, then borrowed a Kari-Me and got on with that so much better so bought one: try out other people's carriers first!

Travel system: when DS is asleep it's easier to move the carseat, not him, even when he then goes into the pushchair.

Bibs. We get through up to 10 a day with reflux.

Dummies. I always hated them (as I've mostly only seen them used to shut up a talking baby), but when DS just wants to suck and bite, not feed, these are fab. Get the ones with the button front, not handle front, or flailing hands will knock them out.

Washable breast pads. I hate running out and these are so much softer than disposable ones. On this topic, nipple cream. That kept me breastfeeding through the early days.

Vaseline. DS's bum is covered in this and when he does a big poo it doesn't stick!

Cotton wool balls. Dip in a small bowl of warm water for bum-cleaning.

Coffee morning groups BEFORE bub arrives - this way I was out and about when DS was 3w old, which made me feel so much better and gave DS a comfortable day structure, I made friends with other local mums and have loads of people telling me how handsome DS is.

Buy clothes in the next sizes up before bub gets here - an unexpected growth spurt means that even with just one bigger outfit you can get more clothes without your baby going cold around the shops.

I found temperature gauges unhelpful, as DS hates the "right" temp, but will sleep much better 2-3 degrees warmer than he is "supposed" to be - and I ran it past a midwife friend, who did the same with her lad too. All babies are different, stands to reason they'll like different temperatures!