Yes, there are things you need to buy, but many are optional. Here are my tips and opinions on the major baby items.
Car?
Do you really need a new car? Amongst my pregnant friends and work colleagues, I seemed to be the only one not buying a new car to transport the baby-to-be. One had a convertible that didn't fit the baby seat, so that one seem justified, but everyone else had perfectly good cars that I'm sure could have transported the baby just fine. For most it seems to be the safety/air bag factor. I just figure I've lasted this long in my unsafe car, and we all grew up with unsafe cars, that we'll be just fine. We all squeeze into my hatch back fine at the moment. We did a road trip up to northern NSW with the pram, baby and luggage and survived.
Although, saying that, our pram is small. If you buy a monster pram, you may need to take out a mortgage and buy a huge car. Your decision.
We probably will need to buy a station wagon when we have the next child, so that all our stuff can fit, but at the moment it's really not necessary.
Pram
I read an article once about a mother who didn't have a pram for her baby. She carried her and then when the child was big, she walked! I was quite inspired by this article and decided that I would never have a pram. I hated prams, how they took up so much space. I thought mothers with prams were pushy and rude. I didn't want to be one of them.
But my mother insisted that I needed one and also insisted on paying. I reluctantly agreed and we went to Babies R Us and picked out the smallest, simplest pram we could find. It was also cheap at $175. (For the record, it's a Valco Navigator.)
Of course, I couldn't live without my pram, and I hardly ever use the baby carrier (Ergo) that I thought I'd use everyday. Having a caesar meant that I couldn't use the sling for ages, but could go for short walks with the pram. The pram was also a life saver as Lewis loved it and would go to sleep in no time. He loves the motion (and the lack of suspension in our pram helps too!).
If I had my time again I'd actually do some pram research and get a better quality pram. I love that it's light and small, but I hate the wheels/steering and the work-out that I get pushing it!
It would also make sense to buy one that has a toddler seat attachment if you are planning to have a second baby. I'll probably have to buy another pram soon! I think I'll try to get one on Ebay though, as good prams are very expensive!
Baby carrier
The baby carrier is really helpful, and although I don't use it as much as the pram, it still gets a work out and is great for shopping, going into cafes that won't fit prams, and great for music festivals/walking where prams can't go! It also saves your arm and back. I love the Ergo one; it lasts until they are 4 years old, and you can wear it at the front, side or back. The Baby Bjorn one only lasts until they are one (or similar).
Cot
We got our perfectly lovely white painted cot from Target on special for about $250, including the mattress. You can spend an awful lot of money on a cot and they all look the same! So keep an eye out for specials or get one second hand (making sure it is safe, of course). I'd love to get one of those fancy Danish ones, but they cost around $2000 which is more than I would spend on a bed for myself!
