The noobs guide to baby equipment?

I have had a few people about to have babies or are thinking about it, asking me lately 1. how I manage to have a baby that sleeps so well and 2. if you don't want to buy a whole lot of baby paraphernalia - what are some things that we have found the most useful?

The sleeping thing? I'm going to leave that miracle marvel (because short answer - thats what it is) to another post.

but to answer question number two, here is the man and Is list of top 10 items we found we needed or we couldn't live without.

1. it kinda goes without saying, but clothes for the babe.
Saying that, if you are having a baby shower - don't bother buying ANYTHING until after it. Seriously. I didn't buy anything before out of general laziness and confusion and it turned out to be a good thing because we were inundated with gorgeous little soft (omg how soft are new baby clothes?) cutesy items. Also we have a good friend who drops of a bag full of her latest two nephew's castoffs almost religiously each 3 months. The awesome thing about baby clothes is that they literally don't wear them more than a couple of times. Until they start eating solids and getting [inset veggie/fruit etc of choice here] all over themselves they dont even really get them dirty. They can go through about 5 babes before they even start to look worn :P
BUT if you dont have this as an option, here are my cannot live without items:

• All in ones - the ones with legs, feet and long sleeves type are AWESOME for everyday wear, sleeping in and keeping warm. Who wouldn't want to wear PJs all day?
• Onsies - sleeveless or with are also great (and good for going under need the all-in-ones when its cold.
• Singlets - my babe was born in the height of summer due to his bassinet being around 30 degrees C all hours, realistically he spent most of his days and nights in no more than a singlet and a nappy. Yay no air con. But sleeveless onesies are just as good.

2. A good supply of nappies.
Whether cloth or disposable. My mother gave us one ofthe best gifts of 300 disposable newborn nappies before ZJ was born. We didnt have to worry about trying to buy them for ages and it was fabulous. We also buy bulk from Nappies Direct and it means we never run out.

3. A whole load of bassinet-ish sheet sized blankets things. 
This seems random, but again, one of the best presents we got (thanks mum) was two big bags (about 30 in total) of these sized sheets/blankets. You can buy them used off Trade-me etc or even just cut up old sheets to around that size. These are fantastic for everything, we use them as burp clothes, for using as a bib type thing when feeding, the cuddlier ones for his bed, for SWADDLING (awesome for newborns), for putting on the floor for him to sit on, for changing him on...seriously everything.

4. A baby sleeping bag.
When ZJ decided that swaddling wasnt that fantastic anymore and it was getting colder, this turned out to be our lifesaver. Its fantastic because he cannot kick it off meaning hes not waking up constantly because hes cold. Its also great used with the next item on the list...

5. A Safe T Sleep - www.safetsleep.com

My sister bought me one of these as she swore by them for all three of her kids. She used them right from a newborn so they were used to it but we found it more useful when we transitioned ZJ into his cot (from his rather small bassinet). I think it helped him feel snug and safe but it also prevents him from rolling around and getting tangled up - which has been the livesaver part now hes all into rolling around. The more paranoid parent (and who isnt really?) can safety pin bedsheets to it so they cannot ride up over the baby's face as well.


6. A sling or babywearing device.
You can make a cheap 'moby' type one by just buying a couple of metres of material. Great for getting stuff done with a newborn, breastfeeding on the run (or so im told) and soothing babes.

7. A baby monitor.
Can be expensive but worth it. If your lucky get one off a friend or family member who is done with is. We were given a used one and it is is great for my paranoia.

8. A fold up stroller.
We have a beautiful huge pram that is real fancy and is all four wheel drive and all - which is great for the wetlands next to our house but not great for shopping and things like that because its not easy to fold up and transport. So a fold up one that you can preferably undo one handed.

9. A bouncer.
Buy used - we were given an old used one and its fabulous - ZJ is 7 months old and loves to bounce in it still, its a perfect little chair for him to sit in.

10. And from my own experience, if you do formula feed - the right equipment.

• Bottles - we have 6 250ml bottles - anything smaller is useless after 1-2 months, anything bigger is not really needed.
• Bottle brush - normal brushes don't cut the mustard.
• A microwave sterilizer - you dont need anything fancy like a huge machine to do it but boiling bottles in pots suck.
• a good sized container for putting the bottles in the fridge. I say this because our system is to sterlize the bottles, fill them with hot boiled water and then pop them in this container in the fridge. When we go to make a bottle we just fill it up to the right amount with hot water (and after a while you get skilled at leaving just the right amount of cold water in and getting the right temp straight away) and then adding the formula. its very quick and easy.

So mamas out there? what are your cant live without items?