i couldn't agree more with mr tall re baby stuff, especially re the stroller. our little lad trundles around happily in a cheap plastic second-hand stroller we got from an expat leaving sale that collapses easily into a small size which my wife can lift with 1 hand and that fits easily in the car. we have friends here who bought their monster baby moving machine in new zealand while on holiday 3 mths before the baby arrived and lugged it all the way back here. they bought it because it was the latest model with the big wheels etc and they're hugely proud of it, but it's huge even when folded and barely fits in the boot of a cab, and she can't lift it on her own!

it's ludicrous. we also have second-hand baby bjorn, backpack carrier for when he's a bit bigger, bath tub etc - our logic was it'll all be covered in vomit / worse within a matter of days anyway so why buy new? he seems happy enough and he hasn't yet caught the local obsession with brand names so doesn't mind not being in the lastest buggy with a turbo charger, ABS, windscreen wipers, airbags etc....

the baby industry just plays on your worst fears - freely throwing around words like "maim" and "permanent damage" to con you into spending a fortune, most of which is unnecessary. the only objects which i would definitely get new are car seats as i don;t want 1 that may have been in a crash and been damaged, otherwise i'm going to let the whole baby guilt thing flow over me and spend the moeny i save on a monster 50 inch plasma tv so in a few years he'll enjoy playing on his playstation even more!

Actually, we only went for the 42-inch plasma!

Thanks for the mention, Simon!

Mr Tall