Written by Annalisa Barbieri

I wrote this two years ago so some of the content may be out of date now (ditto prices/contact details) but a few of you have asked to see it so thought it easiest to put it here.

Basics/Essentials

1. Wimmer Ferguson Infant Stim-mobile

This is the mobile to have. It’s won loads of awards with good reason – the interchangeable cards (swop the graphic black and white ones for coloured as your baby gets older) fascinate babies far more than any cutsey Winnie the Pooh mobile will. You can put it over a cot or changing table or hang it from the Dangle and Drape (see below). This mobile can entertain your baby for what will seem like ages. Bliss.

How much: £24.95
Where from: John Lewis branches, tel: 020 7629 7711, www.johnlewis.com and various baby outlets.

2. Dangle and Drape baby gym

This wooden gym really does prove that it is possible to marry practicality and style when you have a baby. It’s a thing of beauty, and appears almost invisible – which is important if you don’t want your house to seem like a branch of Toys R Us. It comes with one toy but you can hang all sorts off it, it’s height adjustable, dismantles for easy storage/portability and comes with a bit of cloth that neatly turns it into a tent when your child is too old for dangling and draping. This is the most fantastic piece of baby-kit and I can’t recommend it enough.

How much: £59.50, ref 050
Where from: Holz Toys tel: 0845 1308697; www.holz-toys.co.uk

3. Velvet playmat

The trend for wooden floors is all very well, but what happens when you have a baby? You can’t just lay a baby down on a blanket on the floorboards to play cos they have a habit of thrashing their little arms and legs about. Hard. This is where this lovely, padded, sumptuously soft velvet playmat comes in. The grey and cream version is muted, hence tremendously stylish, and it’s washable. I’m not sure you could want more.

How much: £32.95, ref: 33730, size: 115cmx95cm
Where from: Urchin tel: 0800 035 1001

4. Muji apron

Any attempt at glamour ends when you have a baby. Especially if you have a baby that sicks up a lot. When you’ve been drenched in puke ten times before noon, you do start to wonder if perhaps housecoats are a good idea. They’re not. This Muji apron, however, is the answer. It’s really styish (not easy for an apron), washes well (but don’t tumble dry) is cheap and has big, useful pockets. And you feel incredibly industrious in it - and almost capable.

How much: £9.95
Where from: Muji branches nationwide, mail order and enquiries: 020 7323 2208, www.muji.co.uk

5. Mind Shapes

If you have the Dangle and Drape, the WF mobile and these you’ve got an all-in baby-entertainment centre that won’t scare the most style-conscious adult either. These ‘toys’ may no look much to the adult-eye but babies love ‘em. Even a really young baby can have a go at grasping them; they love the textures and graphics and sounds – scrunching, rattling and chiming – they make. Washable, too.

How much: £19.99 ref: 6403
Where from: Blooming Marvellous, tel: 0870 751 8944, www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk

6. Zolowear slings

These slings are like no other. They take practise to get right but when you do they’re brilliant. You literally sling your baby (or toddler) in them – they can face in, out, side ways you can even breast feed in them - and take them anywhere. They are quicker (once you’ve got the knack) and more versatile than anything else on the market and they fold to fit into a (large) pocket. They are all washable, including the silk versions which are truly beautiful. The ‘tail’ acts as a cover up or burp cloth and has an integral pocket. There is even a ‘wet’ version for taking baby into the pool with you.

How much: $75 for cotton, $150 for silk (plus shipping this works out at approx £47/£88 using exchange rate at time of going to press)

Where from: www.zolowear.com or from UK distributor Stephanie French tel: 020 8810 6973, email: stephanie_french@zoloweear.com

7. Little Ewe Muslins

I love the sheer simplicity of these pure cotton squares. Unlike some fancy-coloured muslins they pretend at nothing but practicality. They are much bigger than conventional spit-up cloths (80cm square) and have a myriad of uses: as sheets, nappies (if you’re into cloth) to swaddle a new born, towels or as a big hanky for mums in the first few days! Then when your baby becomes a toddler they can be tied around the neck and used as bibs.

How much: £11.99
Where from: www.thenappylady.co.uk tel: 0845 456 2441.

8. Mini Mode clothes

This is a bit of a secret label – it’s Boots own. It’s not widely available other than from larger branches, but is available from the Boots site (and therefore the comfort of home). The clothes in this collection are really wonderful and very much cheaper than the astronomically priced in comparison Baby Gap. They have all of the ‘ahh’ factor without inducing nausea.

How much: from £5 for t-shirts, age range 0-4.

Where from: Selected larger branches of Boots, enqs: 0845 0708 090, or buy on-line: www.boots.com

9. Oregon Scientific C510 Digital Stopwatch

Not to use as a stopwatch but rather, as a watch because it’s actually very difficult to wear a wrist-watch with a baby (it ends up scratching delicate heads). Although I can’t pretend this stop watch is stylish, it is immensely practical; as well as telling the time, it also tells the day and date (invaluable in the early days as you just lose track!) and is waterproof. Its garish yellowness does have a use – babies love it so it’s good as an impromptu distractor.

How much: £7.95
Where from: John Lewis branches nationwide tel: 020 7629 7711. Online: www.johnlewis.com, web ref: 230138039

10. Baby chair

Baby chairs are an absolute essential, but they are all hideous. In the end I got a good friend to make me a divine chocolate brown corduroy cover for a hand-me-down one we got. But in the absence of such needle-handy friends this is the simplest available on the market. Seat height doesn’t adjust, which is a bummer.

How much: £29.95, order ref: 12015.
Where from: Urchin tel: 0870 720 0709, www.urchin.co.uk

Luxuries

1. The Stephen Richards’ Cuore di Legno

If you’re trying to think of something really beautiful but original as present for a baby, consider this. Hand-sculpted by Parnham-trained craftsman Stephen Richards, who usually makes furniture worth several thousand. (On the birth of his niece he made her one of these as a one-off, only to then be inundated with orders from those that saw it.) You can (within reason) chose the wood, although if you want it engraved with baby’s name fruit woods are best – apple, pear, cherry. It’s the sort of lovely object that will become treasured when those little babies become adults, too.

How much: from £140
Where from: email: stephen.j.richards@lineone.net , tel: Tel 07946 464701
Please note there is currently a 6 week waiting list.

2. Circa Holdall

In a moment of massive denial of impending mother-hood, and in rebellion against the endless, awful ‘baby stuff’ being paraded afore me, I bought a bag from Circa (which makes wonderful leather stuff) as my ‘baby bag’. Other mothers looked at me with raised eyebrows, but so far my bag has never failed me. It holds everything we could need for a day-out; plus whenever I use it it reminds me that when babies are born, style doesn’t necessarily have to be sacrificed for practicality.

How much: holdalls from £225 in black, brown or red.
Where from: Selfridges and selected stores throughout the country, tel: 020 7924 6180 for your nearest stockist.

3. Stainless steel bucket

If you’re considering using cloth nappies (and believe me they’re not as scary as you’d think – see XX) the style-stumbling block is the nappy bucket. They are all a) plastic and b) come in awful colours. It took me ages to source a good, handsome bucket and here it is. Made from food-grade stainless steel it’s gorgeous (it is possible to get this excited by a bucket) and also very practical because unlike plastic stainless steel doesn’t ‘hold’ smells. And when the nappy-days are over and following a good clean you have a very nice – albeit fabulously expensive - bucket left to use about the house.

How much: £35 for bucket, order no: 3362 990; lid, £11 for lid, order number 3363 090
Where from: Manufactum, www.manufactum.co.uk tel: 0800 096 0941

4. Petit Bateau wrap body-suits

These are the best body suits you can get but they are not cheap (who cares? Just have less). The wrap style is ingenius, much easier than getting baby’s head through a neck-opening. The quality is superb and the sizing spot on. In the autumn/winter collection (which goes back in store September) watch out for the winter version of these cotton bodies – wool lined in cotton so that only cotton is next to the baby’s skin. My only complaint is that Petit Bateau is not overly easy to get hold of, especially for rather house-bound new mothers. We want mail order please!!

How much: £12 for two cotton/£12.50 for one of the wool/cotton. Sizes newborn – 3 months in wrap over shape.
Where from: Petit Bateau, 106-108 King’s Road, London SW3. For nationwide stockists: 020 7436 5336.

5. Elemis Nourishing Milk Bath

This really is the ultimate luxury. At £35 a bottle there (its) is (its) a certain madness using this for a baby’s bath (it’s actually an adult product but can be safely used for babies). But. So many baby-products are full of petrochemicals and do nothing but strip the skin of valuable moisture and can set off things like eczema; whereas this doesn’t and is wonderful. You only need half a capful for baby’s bath so you can make it go a long way.

How much: £35.50/400ml
Where from: Elemis salons nationwide, or mail order: 020 8954 8033.

Pic contact: Caroline Muirhead at Luchford’s 7631 1000

6. Origins Love me Tender and Bare Hugs

In terms of what to put on your baby’s skin, these two lotions are my favourite. They smell utterly divine, but, sadly are not (its) that (its) cheap hence being in the luxury category. The Bare Hugs Massage cream is perhaps one of the most delicious smelling products there is – it contains relaxing aromas of orange and neroli. The Love Me Tender baby lotion is great after the nightly bath and smells of lavandin and ylang ylang. Neither overpower that lovely natural smell of baby!

How much: Love Me Tender, £9.50/150ml; Bare Hugs, £10/100g

Where from: department stores nationwide, enqs:

7. Thermoscan Thermometer

Having something to tell your baby’s temperature is, of course, essential. When I first saw this I thought ‘pah I can make do with my regular thermometer’. Er,no. Babies do not lie still and those three minutes it takes for conventional thermometers to register the temperature will seem like an eternity as you risk annoying an already fractious babe. The beauty of this is that it takes the temperature – from the ear canal - in one second flat. Thoroughly worth the money (and strangely addictive, you will end up takinig everyone’s temperature).

How much: £39.95
Where from: selected department stores and chemists nationwide, tel: 0800 783 7010.

8. Caramel clothes

Somewhere in a parallel universe to mine, people clothe their babies in Caramel all the time. In my world these are a rare treat bought at sale time. The clothes in this range are just like grown up clothes (sort of) but scaled down. So you get padded jerkins and flannel shirts, check trousers, cords and generally wonderful, wonderful clothes. There are no animals in sight just beautiful fabrics made into adorable garments. The only downside (aside from price) is that some items are dry clean only which, for baby-clothes, is a bit silly so select carefully.

How much: from £15, sizes: 3months to ten years.

Where from: Caramel 291 Brompton Rd, SW3, 00 7589 7001 and Selfridges branches, tel: 08708 377 377.

9. A good children’s photographer

If you want more than your own snaps to remember your baby by there is an increasing trend toward ‘getting a photographer in’. However, what do you do if you don’t want your baby photographed dressed as a bunny or in various other clichéd poses? The best way to find a photographer is word of mouth recommendation. I love the work of Helen Bartlett – it’s really natural (harder to achieve than you think with babies); she will just follow your baby or toddler around, capturing those secret little looks that, usually, only you see.

How much: from £60 plus prints

Where from: Helen Bartlett tel: 07713 329090, www.helenbartlett.co.uk, email: info@helenbartlett.co.uk

10. Odhams Convertible Cot

Luckily my mother saved my old cot – a gorgeous early 1960s chrome number. Because otherwise I’d have been a bit stuffed. The only one that even remotely interested me – from a design point of view – was this one. But who has the money? If you do it’s made from black American walnut and Canadian maple and to justify the cost to yourself it converts to a bed and then a desk.

How much: £1,750, allow 6-9 weeks for delivery. Takes mattress 70cm x 140cm

Where from: Naturalmat, 99 Talbot Road, London W11, tel: 020 7985 0474; www.naturalmat.com

Out and about

1. The Bugaboo Frog

If entering the style-free world of buggies leaves you in a cold sweat as it did me (all that plastic!), then the Bugaboo is for you because it’s the most gorgeous pushchair there is and superbly built. As a (its) main (its) pram/buggy system it is incredibly light (compared to others) at 9K, yet superbly comfortable for both baby and parent. It comes with carry cot and buggy: both of which can also be used independently, so lasts from baby’s birth - 4 years old. It’s incredibly nippy and versatile: baby can face in or out, you use the big wheels at the front for rugged terrain, small wheels at the front for town (its turning circle is minute) or two wheels – yes two – for snow or sand. A car seat can attach to the chassis too.

How much: £499 available in six
colours.

Where from: Selfridges, John Lewis and various independent shops nationwide, tel: 0800 5878265 for your nearest stockist, www.bugaboo.nl/uk

2. The Nappy Lady Nappy Bag

No point having a stylish baby-bag if inside it you have loads of garishly coloured baby-paraphenalia. This nappy bag is great because it can hold clean nappies (or dirty ones if you use cloth as it’s water proof?), bottles, spare clothes, whatever you want and it’s washable at a germ-busting 60 degrees. But what I love most about it is that it is pure white with no trace of teddies, bunnies or itsy bitsy nonsense.

How much: £5.99, ref: E-03-Bag 3
Where from: www.thenappylady.co.uk, tel: 0845 456 2441.

3. Maclaren Volo

This is probably the lightest buggy on the market – an incredible 9.2lbs/4.2k. I’ve know some women’s handbags weigh more. It’s very much for use as a second pushchair for when portability is key, (only suitable for babies over six months). The minus point is that there is only one seat position but plus points are that it is fantastically light, easy to fold and carry and, being mercifully free of frills and fancies, really rather stylish.

How much: £49.99, accessory pack, £29.99 (sunhood, raincover, seat liner) in four colours.
Where from: ring 01327 841320 for your nearest stockist; www.maclarenbaby.co.uk

4. Girly girly pram chain

This pram (or car seat) chain (its) is(its) girly but that hasn’t stopped every little boy I’ve introduced it to loving it also. There’s something about the combination of colours – bright but not horse-frightening – and bobbles and bells that makes this a real winner with children. When I hang one end of it from her gym, my daughter uses this to bash the living daylights out of the rest of her mobiles. But, being beautifully crafted and made of wood, it is not cheap. But better, I say, one wooden toy than five plastic ones..

How much: £16, ref: 024

Where from: : Holz Toys tel: 0845 1308697; www.holz-toys.co.uk

5. Out and About spray

If you (quite rightly) refuse to have anything to do with ready-to-use wipes full of their chemicals but can’t always rely on a supply of warm water when your little one’s bottom needs cleaning, this is a really good alternative, it contains lavendar, aloe vera, vitamin E and antiseptic tea tree. If you decant it into a small spray bottle it becomes very portable and you can squirt it onto a tissue to make your very own, much more friendly wipe. Although it’s gentle enough to be used on baby’s skin, it’s also good to disinfect surfaces, such as a restaurant highchair.

How much: £6.45
Where from: www.thenappylady.co.uk, tel: 0845 456 2441.

6. JoJo Maman Bebe fleece blanket

These blankets are great for travelling. Sure they can act as blankets but they are also great to plonk down anywhere your baby needs a familiar mini-environment. Place them down on a not-very-clean looking carpet at someone’s house or at the baby clinic, they can also act as impromptu changing mats if you get caught short. Then shove them in the wash at 40 degrees.

How much: £15.99, available in pink, blue or yellow. Order ref: A2773.

Where from: JoJo Maman Bebe, tel: 0870 241 0560, www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

7. Buggy Snuggle

Babies are forever kicking off their blankets and the pram-equilvalent of the baby sleeping blanket, is these. Essential if you don’t want to spend your entire time stopping and re-tucking your babydoll in. The cow-print is my favourite and the great thing about it is that it can make even a rubbish pushchair look good.

How much: £49
Where from: tel: 01869 340 694 for your nearest stockist, www.buggysnuggle.com

8. Muji aluminium keyrings

These are not designed for babies – do should never be used if safety is an issue - but they are excellent if you need to clip anything to anything. I use two of the large size to clip my bag to our pram handles, but they could also be used to keep a toy attached to your buggy, or if you attach some loops to it - a blanket. They have a myriad of uses and are in smart aluminium.

How much: £2.95 small; £3.95 large.
Where from: Muji branches nationwide, mail order and enquiries: 020 7323 2208, www.muji.co.uk

9. Boden Towelling Zip-Through

I love love love towelling. See, this is bright baby wear done well. Nothing pastel-y or wishy washy but good strong colours and graphic patterns. These are great for the beach when the sun goes in and have matching pants! Glorious.

How much: £22 sizes 6months – 3 years
Where from: Boden, tel: 0845 6775000, www.boden.co.uk

10. Cuddle stars/cuddle suits

Fleecey all in ones are great to bung your baby into for warmth but they are remarkably difficult to find at this time of year as all the ‘baby collections’ are full of spring things. These are available year round and they are great for your baby to wear in the buggy/sling. A word of warning, most of the fabrics used are the very antithesis of stylish but pick carefully and you can get something nice. And the cuddle stars (for babies up to 4 months) are adorable.

How much: £11.99 for Cuddlestars, £15.99 for Cuddlesuits plus P&P. Suits available in three sizes from approx 18lbs-29lbs.
Where from: www.cuddleup.co.uk email: info@cuddleup.co.uk , tel: 01506 852154.

Feeding/changing

1. Changing mats

Finding a remotely stylish changing mat was my biggest headache whilst preparing for baby Barbieri to land. They are all ghastly and plastic. The most you can hope for is a plain white padded version which is neither portable nor entirely practical (you can’t wash it). Then I found this. It’s 100% cotton, so soft on baby’s bottom, but with a polyurethane waterproof inner layer so wetness doesn’t go through. It’s anti-bacterial, formaldehyde free, you can wash it up to 95 degrees and tumble dry it. It folds up small so highly portable, and was also, gloriously, the cheapest changing mat I found so you can afford to have more than one. It isn’t very padded however so on a hard surface you will need more cushioning.

How much: £7.65 (50cm x 70cm) order no: E-02-MAT.

Where from: www.thenappylady.co.uk, tel: 0845 456 2441.

2. Moltex Oko eco-disposable nappies

These nappies do not bio-degrade but they are still the most environmentally-friendly disposable available and have won countless awards. They are bleach free – which makes them a beige colour I rather like (also a big talking point, I’ve lost count of the number of people who ask me where they are from), and contain minimal chemicals and wetness absorbing gel. Yet don’t for one second think this means compromise in fucntion. They are brilliant, and have never leaked. The downside is that they are not cheap.

How much: from £11 per packet of 52 minis. In four sizes mini/midi/maxi/junior to fit from 3-25 kilos.

Where from: The Nappy Lady as before; www.spiritofnature.co.uk; www.naturebotts.co.uk; www.smilechild.co.uk

3. Motherease Unbleached Onesize real nappies

If anyone had told me that I’d end up using real nappies I’d have choked on my Martini. But. A lot has changed in the world of cloth nappies and it’s not about terry squares and safety pins anymore. These Canadian nappies are brilliant in every way. They look great, they fit really well, are extremely easy to use with their popper-system and they work. No spills, no leaks (use with ‘plastic pants’ over the top), no chemicals next to your baby’s skin (unlike with disposables), no great big landfill just lovely soft towelling. Poo goes down the toilet – where it belongs – the nappy goes in the washing machine. It’s about ten second more work than using yukky disposables. Make life easy for yourself and use the Moltex for days out and you can look Mother Nature in the face.

How much: approx £7.25 will fit from birth to toddler (approx 6-32lbs)

Where from: UK distributor: www.earthlets.co.uk, tel: 01825 873301, also available from The Nappy Lady as before

4. Ikea high chair

There are two to look out for. The Antilop is made of plastic but is suitably stylish, fantastically cheap and practical (you can use it in the garden, and it can be hosed down after use!) option. So cheap you can have one in various rooms/at grandma’s. The Blames is more stylish but also more expensive and made of birch – although the tray is plastic. Simple, functional and inexpensive: what baby-furniture should be all about.

How much: Blames £35, Antilop £11.50
Where from: Branches of Ikea nationwide, www.ikea.co.uk

5. Baby Food Mill

Forget your blenders and choppers. Boil up baby’s fruit, veg, whatever and then get those biceps working by passing it through a good old fashioned moulin which will not only puree but get rid of pips, stringy bits and lumps at the same time (so no need for separate sieving). It’s great for travelling abroad (no need to worry about electricity to make it work, plus it’s small), it comes apart easily and goes into the dishwasher. And it’s in lovely stainless steel and has a use beyond mere weaning.

How much: £15.95 ref: 24800

Where from: Urchin tel: 0870 720 0709, www.urchin.co.uk

6. Bibs

I’ve scoured the baby shops for good bibs and these are the best. They are really soft – and stay soft, have have popper fastening which better than Velcro which gets caught on everything in the wash but much quicker than ties. They are also fairly big and thick enough to absorb quite a bit. They wash incredibly well and are pure and simple: a rabbit-free zone.

How much: £6 for 3, ref: T784703
Where from: branches of Marks and Spencer nationwide, tel: 0845 302 1234.

Pic contact: Michelle Stern on 020 7268 1234.

7. Organic changing mat

Okay, this mat does have rabbits on it but they are in line drawings which makes it look old fashioned, so it’s okay. This, with the plain white changing mat (xx) on top is the perfect combination. The cover and filling are made of 100% organic cotton and it’s washable at 60 degrees (however with the Nappy Lady changing mat on top you won’t need to wash it very often!)

How much: £37.99, 75cm x85cm, order ref: MAT002
Where from: Green Baby, tel: 0870 2406894, www.greenbaby.co.uk

8. Nature nappy bags

Nappy bags are invariably a) plastic b) scented with a smell that is horrible and synthetic c) come in awful peachy colours. These nappy bags are much better. For one they are blissfully unscented, two they are completely biodegradable as they are based on natural starch. And no peachiness in sight.

How much: £1.59
Where from: branches of Waitrose, enqs: 0800 188 884

9. Jall laundry bag

These are so cheap and so portable, you can have one all over the place. Excellent by the changing station to chuck dirty clothes into, but they also make great toy-tidies or clean-clothes storage. They come in white or eye-popping turquoise, on a steel frame and fold flat. Fabulous.

How much: £2.50
Where from: Ikea branches nationwide, www.ikea.co.uk

10. Owo Wallchanger

If you’re really short of space or you really don’t want a free-standing baby-changer, this is something to consider. When not in use it folds into itself and looks like a big wooden egg – very sleek. You open it out to change the baby on a padded change mat. It has two shelves for storage. It won’t be big enough for all you need but great if you need something you can tuck out of the way or as a second ‘downstairs’ baby changer.

How much: £225
Where from: Naturalmat, 99 Talbot Road, London W11, tel: 7985 0474, www.naturalmat.com

Bed/Bath time

1. Phillips Digital Baby monitor

This monitor is one of the most expensive on the market, but it’s the best there is. True it doesn’t tell the temperature like some others do but the reception (surely the main point of a baby-monitor) is crystal clear. There is no interference – very important if you live in a house with things like cordless phones which can cause crackle on other monitors. The parent unit is very small and easy to carry around, you can talk to baby (’shut up!’)without having to go into the nursery and when it’s no longer need to monitor your precious bundle, you can use it as an in-house intercom, or for use from shed to house – great to avoid having to shout yourself hoarse.

How much: £119
Where from: branches of John Lewis nationwide, tel: 020 7629 7711, online at www.johnlewis.com (web ref: 230172089)

2. Bath seat

My boyfriend – a style fascist – insisted we bathe our daughter in the kitchen sink for ages until I confronted him as to why and he confessed that plastic baby baths (invariably in blue) that sit in the adult bath, scared him. When he first saw this his reaction was ‘Gosh it’s like a beautiful piece of sculpture’. And it is. It really doesn’t look out of place in the most minimalist of grown-up bathrooms, and although it is made of plastic it’s white, so it’s forgiven. And of course it’s fantastically useful.

How much: £12.50
Where from: branches of John Lewis nationwide, tel: 020 7629 7711, online at www.johnlewis.com (web ref: 230178167)

3. Combi-sleeper

Baby sleeping bags are a wonderful, wonderful, invention. But they are invariably covered in farmyard animals or with scenes of small creatures going into space. The Combi-sleeper has no such adornments and it’s also the most versatile. It consists of two layers which you can use separately or together and the sleeves unzip so you effectively have three sleeping bags in one ranging from approx 1.5 (inner bag alone) to 4 tog (inner and outer bag). The quality is superb, this really is the Rolls Royce of sleeping bags. The drag is that you have to wash it at 30 degrees and it’s not tumble-dryable.

How much: £49 for 80cm (up to 12 months); £58.50 for 110 cm (12-approx 40 months).

Where from: Naturalmat, 99 Talbot Road, London W11 tel: 020 7985 0474.

4. John Lewis fleece blankets

I do adore these blankets. They are wonderfully simple, lovely and soft and although I like the pure white version they also come in other colours – lilac, lime, aqua, lemon or blue - but all are beautifully subtle. Edged in satin ribbon you can chuck them in the washing machine. The cot sized one (155cm X 130cm) is also perfect for adults to use to snuggle in front of the TV with, so they will have a long, long life.

How much: pram size (100cm x 75cm), £8.95 cot size: £16.50

Where from: John Lewis branches nationwide, tel: 020 7629 7711, www.johnlewis.com

5. Boots digital nursery thermometer

The subject of the temperature will become a hot topic once your baby is born (the ideal temperature for the nursery is 18 degrees, overheating has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome). This thermometer is excellent. For one you can tie it to the cot so it can tell you EXACTLY how hot or cold it is in the cot, but the real super-dupa thing about it is that it records the highest/lowest temperature so you can see if your baby is subjected to arctic/tropical conditions during the night. Afterwards you can use it to regulate fridge/wine cellar temperature.

How much: £10.50

Where from: Boots branches nationwide, enqs: 0845 0708 090, online from www.boots.com

6. Oregon Scientific Projecting with Barometer

We already had one of these but it has become unexpectedly worth its weight in gold. It projects the time (and temperature) onto the ceiling which is ESSENTIAL when you are a new parent and wake up in the middle of the night and don’t know if it’s night or day. No fumbling around for the alarm clock you just gaze, bleary eyed, up at the ceiling and there it is. This also comes with a remote sensor that, traditionally, you’d place outside but you could feasibly hang it in the cot, in which case you could instantly see the nursery temperature, too.

How much: £59.99, style no: BAR338P

Where from: selected department stores nationwide, enqs: 01628 580154, www.oregonscientific.com

Pic contact: http://www.oregonscientific.co.uk/product.asp?c=1&s=3&p=20

Or contact marketing dept on above number.

7. Naturalmat mattress

These mattresses are lovely. They are made of entirely natural fibres – coir, lambswool, mohair etc, which I think is nice for a baby mattress. But they really come into their own if you’re using an unusual shape cot (perhaps your own, old one) because they can make to measure. And you can do the whole thing over the internet/phone which is bliss, let me tell you (baby shops scare me).

How much: from £95 for UK Cot size

Where from: Naturalmat, 99 Talbot Road, London W11, tel: 020 7985 0474; www.naturalmat.com

8. Tomy Starlight Dreamshow

There is nothing remotely stylish about this. It’s a horrible colour, plastic and projects nausea-inducing cute teddies onto the ceiling. However, it’s invaluable at instilling a Pavlovian response in your child that it’s time for shut eye. It plays three tunes (which personally I find really rather nice), has a 5 or 10 minute timer and the slide show is great for babies as they seem fascinated with shadows.

How much: £12.99

Where from: Argos and nursery stores nationwide, enqs: 02380 662600.

9. Bedside Cot

If you’re looking for a relatively cheap but good-looking cot, this is it. It’s made of beechwood rather than the awful yellowy pine a lot of cots are made from. It’s about as simple as cots get but it has two useful features. First the height adjusts to 18 different positions – vital if you’re breast feeding as you can keep your baby on the same level as your bed (the side is removable) second it has castors so you can move it around easily.

How much: £149 without mattress (takes mattrers measureing 120cm x 60cm), order ref: A3986.

Where from: JoJo Maman Bebe, tel: 0870 241 0560, www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

10. Samsonite Pop-Up Baby bed

I wish they did these for adults, this cot folds up to the size of a large dinner plate, then you open it up and it pops into shape. The mattress isn’t suitable for long-term use but for a weekend away or nap-times at a friend’s house, this little cot is invaluable. It has loops to hang familiar toys from, an iinsect screen and sun hood. Suitable from birth-approx 6 months (until your baby can sit up).

How much: Cream order no: JB102, £34.95; blue, JB101 29.95.

Where from: Bump to 3, tel: 0870 6060276, www.bumpto3.com