Baby on the move

One of the most important purchases you will make for baby is a carseat and it's one that you don't want to scrimp on as baby's safety is at risk.

It can be really confusing and I don't claim to be an expert but have a great link to a site that is

http://www.babyonthemove.co.nz/ These fine folks have people dotted around the country (NZ that is ;) who will happily help you pick out the best choice for you and your family.

A lot of people swear by capsules to start with. With son number 1 I was a bit of a capsule snob I must admit. When I saw people with them I though "those poor babies stuck in that little thing al day long!" To a certain extent I wasn't completely out of line. It is important not to leave baby in any carseat for too long - my personally limit without a stretch is an hour but for premature babies it is much less. Often babies in capsule take their ride in the car then get clipped onto th e stroller then back into the car etc which is probably not ideal. HOWEVER with son number 2 I became capsule fan, in fact in the first few months I would have been lost without it - try hanging onto baby and your terrible 2 year old with only 2 hands!!! So the choice is your and either way works :)

Eventually either way you will need a convertable carseat. I would recommend getting one that you can keep rearfacing for as long as possible. Why you ask? It is sooo sooo sooo much safer for baby and child. My 2.7 year old is still rearfacing and he loves it. Check out the Brio Zento which can rear face up to 25kgs! http://www.babyonthemove.co.nz/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,14/category_id,16/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/

The Cosco Scenara can rearface up to 16kgs and is a lot cheaper than the Brio so there ar options there :)

http://www.babyonthemove.co.nz/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,10/category_id,16/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/

Sweet dreams

It's an important purchase as your new baby will spend a lot of time sleeping (though you'll always want more!) but as far as financial investment goes I personally wouldn't over spend on the bed itself.

When baby is new you may want a Basinette, cradle or hammock for them. Cots just look so huge at the start and it can be easier to have a something smaller if baby is going to be sleeping in your room (recommended for the first 6 months).

With my son's we used a hammock and it was expecially brilliant for son number 1. The advantages of the hammock are a) easy to go in a give it a push b)can hang it from the ceiling so is able to be moved around from room to room c) great for taking away overnight d) baby gets a sense of security, almost like the are still snuggled up in the womb :)

http://www.naturesway.co.nz/ is where ours was from. They now have a wonderful organic version and organic sheets too. If you are on a tight budget a pillowcase will serve as an excellent fitted sheet.

Oh and I have never seen this brand hammock in NZ but isn't it gorgeous!!!http://www.nurturenappies.com.au/store/WsDefault.asp?One=1766

When baby is ready for a cot there are a couple of options again. A standard cot or a cot that converts into a junior bed. The cot-bed version is great but if you are planning on a small gap between babies then you may need to get baby into a single bed quicker so bear that in mind. The big chain stores babyfactory.co.nz and babycity.co.nz have a wide range that'll do the trick. I personally would rather spend less on the cot itself and invest more $$$ into a decent mattress. If you want to splash out though check out the Sleepi by Stokke http://www.babystar.co.nz/product_info.php/cPath/23_66/products_id/349