OS list of what you REALLY need for a first baby

Daisies

My brother and SIL decided not to buy a pram/pushchair when they saw someone getting onto the bus with one folded up and also carrying the baby! So my first nephew was carried around in a sling until about 9 months old, which gave them a chance to see what others at toddler group were using, and what worked and what didn't. The sling was much easier for breast-feeding too, and he seemed to enjoy being carried that close to his Mum/Dad (was very peaceful baby! Now a rampaging toddler!).

Delilah

I wouldn't unwrap any baby clothes you but in newborn sizes some babies go straight into 0-3 months sizes. Also if you do decide on the moses basket you can use soft flannelette pillowcases for a sheet less hassle to put on, no tucking in and if the baby is sick in the night just turn it round. Also if you are bulk buying nappies in advance dont bulk buy in the newborn size as like with the clothes - they may not be in them long. i agree with all the posts about the toys, for the first month or so they are barely awake long enough to feed and change them let alone play. I brought some sleepsuits from Matalan three for £4 and they have the fold over sleeves on them which acts as scratchmitts in the early weeks. i found asda were great for the essentials in the first few months, very cheap, after some humongous CODE BROWNS we ended up just cutting the bodysuit off of baby and binning it. Baby toiletries are a waste of money for the first few months although shampoo if your baby has hair always smells nice. Also check out Adams and Mothercare in their sales every few months, esp if you know what you are having, some of their stuff is so cheap, baby is nearly 5 months now and we have clothes ready for when she is 1 and 1/2. Also make sure you stock up on breast pads i didn't have nearly as many as i needed. Maternity pads are a must, but i found that afterwards (i had stitches) i found them to uncomfortable and after trying a few i found that the basic pack of 10 press on towels worked wonders. With baby wipes when you have joined all the baby clubs and have your vouchers for BOGOF or £1 off try using them when they are on offer anyway i ended up paying 40p for 2 packs of pampers wipes lots of times. Try tesco own nappies in the early days when you are changing the nappy all the time (we were changing every hour or two cos we over keen) they are more obsorbent than the huggies ones and much cheaper the only difference being a little bit bulkier but even if you are just using them in the day then you have saved money. Some places like Babies R Us do a gift list kind of like a wedding gift list where you go in and make the list and when people ask you if there is anything you need, you just give them the details, then they can choose price wise what to spend. Didn't work for us as we had miscarried already nobody asked till the very end - we had got it all by then. Also we brought baby two coats in Newborn size and what a waste of money - when they are small they dont go anywhere cold, snowsuit in the pram, blankets in the car. A couple of fleecy cardies will do.
Long post i know but once you start thinking it all comes rushing out!!