Even though I don't have babies any more, baby wipes are still essentials in my household! I'm a particular fan of Huggies wipes and stock up whenever I come across any Huggies baby wipes deals.

If you pop over to Wilkinsons, you can pick up packs of either Huggies Pure or Huggies Natural Care Aloe wipes for £1 each - they're usual price is £2.34.

• Click HERE to grab some Huggies Pure baby wipes
• Click HERE to grab some Huggies Natural Care Aloe baby wipes

My children are now 17 and a half, 16 and a half and almost six years old; my eldest son is in the Army, my daughter is currently going through Army selection and Edward is shining his way through school - all of them, and me, are regular baby wipes users.

Jack has discovered they're GREAT for cleaning his block on camp (I kid you not - apparently they remove all sorts of dirt and crud from hard to reach places!); Elise uses them to take make up off and Edward uses them to wipe his hands when we're out and about.

Huggies Pure are billed as being the same as wiping with cotton wool and water and Huggies Natural Care with Aloe contain Aloe and vitamin E which can help prevent, and soothe, nappy rash.

I have no idea whether these Huggies baby wipes deals are available in-store but you can arrange to collect your baby wipe purchases in-store for free.

Happy baby wiping - whatever you use them for!

Tesco are selling this Fisher Price Love U Zoo baby swing for £47.76 - Boots are selling it for £79.99, Play and Mothercare for £84.99 so Tesco is definitely the current place to go!

• Click HERE to take a look at this Fisher Price Love U Zoo baby swing

A baby swing, or chair, of some description is an absolute must in my opinion; if I was ever asked to compile a top 10 list of 'essential baby equipment' then a baby swing, like this Fisher Price Love U Zoo baby swing, would be on it.

Baby swings which boast a ton of features can be huge beasts, but this Fisher Price Love U Zoo baby swing has a compact and lightweight design, so you can easily move it around the house and take away with you.

There are various hanging toys, that rattle, for your baby to reach out for, along with a leaf to pull which activates to songs and two animal sounds.  The seat is nicely padded and can be set to vibrate and/or rock to send your baby gently off to sleep.

The seat padding can be removed and bunged in the washing machine and there's a three-point safety harness too.

Delivery to your home will cost £4.95, or you can arrange to collect your Fisher Price Love U Zoo baby swing in-store for free <---- that sounds like the best option to me!

Thanks to drewdibble at HUKD 

This very time last year Mothercare had some BOGOF deals on baby sleeping bags, they're running the same offer again this year; hurrah!

• Click HERE to take a look at the baby sleeping bag BOGOF deals

As far as I'm concerned, baby sleeping bags are a MUST HAVE baby item - they are such a genius invention and have saved me many hours of missed sleep (does that make sense?) due to not having to keep tucking blankets back in.

In fact my love for baby sleeping bags could, now, be borderline fanaticism.  You see, my eldest children were both born in November and whilst my son slept as still as a statue, his sister was a fidget pants.  Honestly, that child could not (and still can't) stay still for more than two minutes and I was forever up and down during those cold winter nights covering her back up again.

My youngest was born in July and come the winter I was armed with an arsenal of various baby sleeping bags for him and ohhh the joy!

No more tucking in blankets thousands of times a night, changing nappies in the middle of the night was a piece of cake – a quick un-popper of the baby sleeping bag at the business end leaving the top half of baby still snuggly and warm; marvellous.

Prices start at £22.99 and go right up to £39.99.

This Lollicot drop down cot is going to be my Deal of the Day - it's currently available for pre-order with Mothercare for £50 instead of £150, and it looks great.

• Click HERE to take a look at the Lollicot drop down cot

If you're expecting a little boy, already have one and are looking to move them into a cot from a Moses basket, OR perhaps need a second cot that will stay at a grandparent's house, then this Lollicot drop down cot could be just the thing you're after.

It made from wood, painted in a lovely pale china blue, and has a rather cute but subtle tractor with trailers motif on one end.  There are three mattress heights and it has a single-handed drop-side mechanism.

A mattress isn't included - they rarely are, it's so you can choose the type of mattress you want rather than having one imposed on you - and the size you'll need is 120cm x 60cm.

Lollicot drop down cot stock will be arriving with Mothercare on 20 February so you can either collect your Lollicot cot in-store after this date, or wait for it to be delivered to your home for free.

Thanks to HARRIA01 at HUKD

Amazon are selling this Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer for £19.15, at the moment, instead of it's usual £32.99.

• Click HERE to take a look at the Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer

If you took my temperature now, I s-w-e-a-r it would read 'minus something' - it was -10C when I got up this morning and I'm freezing!

Okay, so I know I'd be in big trouble if my core temperature was a minus number (a very long time dead, in fact) but having a plus temperature that's too high is also more than a little dangerous.

It's always tempting to say, "if you have babies, or young children, in the house then you should really consider having one of these Braun Thermoscan digital thermometers in the first aid cupboard," but, to be honest, even if you live on your own, or don't have kids, you should have a digital thermometer.

The Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer is the medics' digital thermometer of choice and is about as reliable as you're going to get.  It's easy to use, simple to read and is a non-optional piece of first aid kit as far as I'm concerned.

They're not cheap though, so when you come across a good  Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer deal (like this one!) you should consider taking advantage of it, if you don't already have a digital thermometer.

Thanks to shadow1 at HUKD 

I rather like the look of this black Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair - it's rather funky - and I also like that Kiddicare are selling it for £39.99 rather than the full retail price of £79.99.

• Click HERE to have a look at the Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair

Pushchairs, strollers and travel systems never really 'did it' for me but if I had to chose one today then I'd definitely consider this Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair - it's got all the features you need without all the useless bells and whistles you don't.

It has various reclining positions making the Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair suitable from birth; it comes with a raincover and a shopping basket; it has a five-point safety harness and an adjustable leg rest; it has lockable front wheels (very useful) and ergonomic foam handles.

It weighs just 7.7kg, is easy to fold and has great reviews from existing Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair owners...

"This buggy was real value for money! The wheels are swivel which is great for a cheaper buggy and its easy to open and close. Lies back fully for when asleep. Great little buggy."

"Bought this for the grandparents who child mind my 10 month baby as previous pram was bulky and heavy and liked it so much kept it - really light weight but very plush. Love it love it."

As your Obaby Atlas Scribbles pushchair is over £30, Kiddicare will deliver it to your home for free.

Thanks to lifeisgood1 at HUKD

Play win the trophy for having the lowest selling price for this Fisher Price - Friendly First Bouncer at the moment, £21.99 instead of £35.99.  The other usual suspects are selling for between £27 and full price, so Play are definitely the place to go if you're in the market for a bouncy chair for your baby.

• Click HERE to bounce over to Play

If you're already a little way down the parenthood path you'll already know how invaluable a bouncing baby chair/rocker chair/call them what you will is - babies love motion and a bouncing baby chair like this Fisher Price - Friendly First Bouncer will come to your rescue on more than one occasion.

You know, thinking about it, if I could work out how many hours my three children spent in their bouncy chairs - awake and asleep - and could work it out against the cost, then I can guarantee they'd work out to be one of the most value for money items of baby equipment bought.

This Fisher Price - Friendly First Bouncer has a soft padded seat, which is machine washable, and a removable toy bar to keep your baby amused whilst awake and they've got fed up of watching you potter around.  It also has a vibration setting that will help soothe your baby when they desperately want to sleep but, for some reason, insist on fending off the Land of Nod until the bitter end.

There's no delivery charges to pay with Play, so £21.99 for this Fisher Price - Friendly First Bouncer is all you need to pay.

Thanks to madj1muk at HUKD

It's very strange talking about lots of sales before we're even done with Christmas Day! But, if you're expecting a baby, already have one, and fancy being an early bird then you might want to pop over to Kiddicare and see whether they've got anything of interest for you.

• Click HERE to go and mooch around the Kiddicare sale

There are cots for the nursery, one has been reduced down to £39.99 from £129.99.  If you need a cot for travelling then the Sleep Tight travel cot has been reduced down from £52 to £25.

If you're getting ready for a new arrival then you might be interested in the Avent Newborn Starter Set, which you can pick up for just £10 instead of the usual £25.

For travel outside of the car, this Quinny Senzz stroller looks to be a pretty good deal to me - it's usual retail price is £255 but Kiddicare are letting them go for £99.90.

Then there are car seats, high chairs and travel systems to choose from and with Kiddicare holding umpteen 'So and so' Retailers of the Year awards you can rest assured you're in safe hands.

Thanks to setdosa at HUKD

Amazon are currently selling this Fisher Price Luv U Zoo baby swing and seat for £59.49 instead of the full £84.99.

• Click HERE to take a look at the Fisher Price Luv U Zoo baby swing and seat

If you're expecting a baby soon then firstly, congratulations!, secondly if you haven't got a baby seat or swing yet then you might want to take a quick look at this Fisher Price Luv U Zoo seat.

As far as I'm concerned a baby swing/baby seat is an absolutely essential piece of newborn baby kit, you very quickly find out that they love motion and that you can't carry them around for every single second of the day.

The Fisher Price Luv U Zoo baby swing and seat is also going to be great for you if you're short on space, or don't want something huge dominating your house, as it folds up when you don't need it.

It has various swing and music functions and can be adjusted to the size of your baby right from the day they're born, the cover is machine washable and you can convert the swing to a seat when you need it to be static.

If you want this in time for Christmas you're going to have to pay for delivery now, the last day for first class option is today and for express delivery you've got until the 23rd December.

Happy Christmas swinging!

A digital thermometer, like this Braun Thermoscan, isn't an optional piece of parenthood kit, as far as I'm concerned, it's necessary and non-negotiable - you can't have children or babies in the house and NOT have something to measure their temperatures with.

• Click HERE to have a look at the Braun Thermoscan Digital Thermometer

It was one of the very first pieces of baby equipment I purchased way back when, and if I had to work out how much it cost me to buy versus how many times its been used then it would work out to be an absolute bargain - if you get my drift.

The Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer is the digital thermometer of GP choice, it's also the one used on the majority of hospitals too so, before my first son was born 17 years ago, this is the digital thermometer that I bought.

This Braun Thermoscan digital thermometer is quick and easy to use and is pretty much as accurate as you're going to get but they're not usually cheap; the usual retail price is around the £40 mark - Amazon's previous price was £39.99 but, at the moment, they're selling them for £24.99 instead.

All the usual Amazon delivery malarkey applies - if you don't want your Braun Thermoscan Electronic Thermometer super quick then choose the SuperSaver delivery option and pay nothing for postage BUT, if you want it to be with you in time for Christmas using SuperSaver delivery then you need to order it by the close of play tomorrow (Sunday 18).

If you're an expectant parent, or know one, then it'll be worthwhile taking a look at this Tommee Tippee feeding and sterilising set; it's been reduced from £120 down to £60.

• Click HERE to go over to Mothercare

I read an article a while ago stating that first time parents in the UK spend on average £4000 on their first child during pregnancy and the first year. £4000!

It makes sense, to save money where you can and buy things all in one go as a set - not only does it save you money, it takes the stress away from having to faff around picking up lots of bits and pieces.

This Tommee Tippee feeding and sterilising set comes with everything you'll need to get started, whether you're planning on bottle or breastfeeding; here's what you get:

• 1x Electric Steriliser
• 1x Electric Bottle warmer
• 2x Insulated bottle bag
• 4x 260 ml bottles
• 4x 150ml bottles
• Closer to Nature Bottle Brush
• 6x Milk powder dispenser
• 2x medium flow teats
• 1x pure soother
• 1x teat tongs

I've written about this Graco Baby Delight Swing before - it was £39.99 before at Smyths Toys and is once again, it was more expensive everywhere else before and still is - Amazon and Kiddicare are both selling it for £47, it's £59.99 with Boots and Tesco Direct.

• Click HERE to grab your own Graco Baby Delight Swing

If you've already had a baby then you'll know how soothing motion can be for your baby, so anything that rocks, bounces or swings is an absolute must, in my humble parenting opinion.

Rockers and baby chairs that bounce are all well and good but there are times when you can't sit and be the rocking mechanism all day long, which is where something like this Graco Baby Delight swing can come to the rescue as it does the swinging for you.

It's suitable from birth and comes with a detachable padded toy bar with two soft toys.  It features a 5-point safety harness, three reclining positions and has two swing speeds.

The padded seat cover is removable and machine washable and the Graco Baby Delight swing is compact enough to make it portable enough to move around the house or take out and about with you.

It requires two C size 2 batteries, which aren't included, but delivery is free; hurrah!

Thanks to Mrs.Z at HUKD

If there's a baby on the way in your family, then you might be interested in these two deals currently up for grabs at Amazon.

The Philips Avent Complete Bottlefeeding system has been reduced from £120 down to £83.99 and the Philips Avent Complete Breastfeeding system is now £120 instead of £200.

• Click HERE to for the Bottlefeeding system
• Click HERE for the Breastfeeding system

It doesn't matter which way you go - breast or bottle - you really won't go wrong with one of these Philips Avent Complete feeding sets.

They both contain everything you're going to need to feed your baby.

The Philips Avent Complete Bottlefeeding system includes an electric steam steriliser, bottle warmer, thermabag, bottles, teats, milk storage cups, a bottle brush and all sorts - it really is a great way to painlessly navigate your way through the minefield of what baby feeding kit to buy.

The Philips Avent Complete Breastfeeding system includes some of the same items - bottles and teats etc - but also comes with a microwave steriliser, an electric breast pump, breast pads, breast shells and some breast-care creams.

Both these items are Amazon Deals of the Week, so the prices I've quoted are guaranteed until at least 11.59pm Sunday night (that's this coming Sunday, 9 October).

This Vicks Fever Insight Speed Read Thermometer is a bit of a bargain if

a) Amazon leave the price alone for a while or

b) You get there first, if they don't.

The current price is just £3.43, whereas the usual price is £12.99.

• Click HERE to speed over to Amazon

Having a thermometer instantly to hand is necessary when you have babies and children in the house; it's NOT an optional piece of kit.

Temperatures can rise FAST and the implications can be serious.

When my eldest was little, his temperature soared so fast his body shut down and he had a febrile convulsion.  It was the middle of the night, I called out our GP and we were rushed to the hospital so they could rule out, or in, meningitis; it was nothing short of terrifying.

Since then I've been a bit of a temperature 'fan' - the moment anyone complains of not feeling so well they get their temperature measured and I keep a very close eye on them.

There are lots of digital thermometers on the market - please don't use mercury ones - and prices can vary massively.

If you don't want, or aren't in a position, to spend the best part of £50 on a digital thermometer then consider this Vicks Fever Insight Speed Read one instead.

It takes accurate readings within ±0.1°C, features a coloured backlight and displays digital numbers in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

It takes readings in around eight seconds, which reduces contact time and minimises discomfort, has a memory function so you can track temperature changes and measurements can be taken in three different ways: oral, underarm or rectal.

Thanks to papago14 at HUKD

I had something very similar to this Baby Boum reversible polar fleece car seat and pram blanket when my youngest was little, and it was one of the BEST baby purchases I've ever made.

• Click HERE to snuggle up to this deal

If you haven't heard the weather forecast for the rest of the year, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news - apparently, the temperatures are going to plummet and the snow will start from next month, with December through to February being brutally cold with lots of snow.

Now is the time to plan ahead and make sure you have all the warm winter essentials ready and waiting to do battle with the elements

This Baby Boum polar fleece car seat and pram blanket is, essentially, a blanket with holes in all the right places so that car seat/pram/push chair straps can pass through them.

Your child then sits, or lays, on top of the blanket, you strap them in as normal and then wrap the rest of the blanket over them to keep them warm and cosy.

No more blankets flying off in the wind, no more having to try and take coats off sleeping babies when you’re going in and out of shops – hot inside but cold outside, all you do is unwrap the blanket when you go in and wrap up again when you go out; absolute genius.

This is an Amazon Deal of the Week, so the reduced £34.99 price is guaranteed until 11.59pm this coming Sunday (the usual price £49.99).

If you're looking for baby fleece blankets, get yourself over to Tesco now and grab a couple; Tesco are selling them for £1.50 instead of £3.00.

• Click HERE to snuggle up to this deal at Tesco

I put the heating on early this morning; I've been resisting up until now, but it was decidedly chilly first thing.

If you're expecting a winter baby then you're going to need a fair few blankets; I know this from experience as the Teenagers were both born in November.

These white fleece baby blankets from Tesco measure 90cm x 70cm - big enough for moses baskets, cribs, car seats or just wrapping baby up when they're in your arms.

You might think that white isn't a very practical colour but newborns aren't in the habit of rolling around in the mud, and as the blankets are easy, and quick, to wash and dry - whether it's in the tumble dryer or over a radiator - white isn't a problem.

Home delivery by Tesco costs £5, so don't bother with that (unless you're buying lots of other things too, to make it worthwhile) collect them in-store for free instead.

Thanks to andywedge at HUKD

I've written about this Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature complete starter kit before; I'm always happy to tell you about it again because I think it's such a good deal.

• Click HERE to get closer to this deal

Now, Amazon are selling the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature complete starter kit for £64.99 reduced, they say, from £99.99.  Babies R Us are also selling it for £64.99 but they state the original price as being £129.99.

Whatever the original price is/was one thing that can't be disputed are the positive reviews the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature starter set continues to receive:

"Brought this when it was on half price offer and I'm so pleased we did. This is a well known brand and so any extras you may need are easily found. The additions in this set are great, bottle warmer is very handy, the two carriers for keeping bottles warm are brilliant and will be much used."

If you’re an expectant mum and dad and are having trouble working out how many bottles you're going to need then sets like this will be your knight in shining steam steriliser!

It comes with:

Tommee Tippee teats are designed to make the breast to bottle switch uneventful, so that their bottles can be used for expressed breast milk too.

And just to top off a great package, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature complete starter kit is BPA free; marvellous.

Thanks to Dcontrol at HUKD

You can't beat a good travel cot deal; if you pop over to Tesco you'll be able to pick up a simple Hauck travel cot, in charcoal colours, for £20.21.

• Click HERE to travel over to Tesco

One day I'm going to write my 'Top 10 Essential Baby Items' list and a travel cot will be one of the things listed on it.

Unless you're planning to stay at home with your baby every single night until they're old enough to sleep in a proper bed, you're going to need a travel cot.

Travel cots make going away on holiday so much easier - trust me, you REALLY don't want to rely on cots provided by some sleeping establishments! - and it also means your baby can stay away from home without you...like at their grandparent's house overnight.

My mum was always more than happy to babysit as long as the kids went and stayed with her; I was MORE than happy with that too and my travel cots got a lot of use as a result.

They can be a little pricey though and it’s easy to get sucked into the little extra bits and pieces that manufacturers will have you believe are essential; you don’t NEED the hanging toys or the 'plays 10 popular nursery rhymes' and flashing lights feature; honestly, you don’t.

This is why I really like this Hauck travel cot - it's nice and simple, does everything you need it to do and nothing else.  As a result, the price is a sensible one that won't break the bank.

It’s suitable from birth until 14kgs, all folds down and comes in its own carry bag, the sides are mesh so you can see through to the inside and your baby can see through to the outside.

The published price on the Tesco website is £26.95, to bring it down to £20.21 just enter code - TD-HGNM - to your basket at the checkout and arrange for free collection in-store to avoid OTT home delivery charges.

Thanks to andywedge at HUKD

The Argos eBay Outlet are selling a basic bouncing baby chair for £5.99, so if you're looking for something simple and very cost effective you might want to take a look-see.

• Click HERE to bounce over to the eBay outlet

This bouncing baby chair is a tried and tested design; dare I say 'classic' as it's exactly the same as the one my mum bounced me in when I was a baby!

I'm a big fan of bouncing baby chairs, it doesn't matter if they are fancy-schmancy with padded this, that and the other or plain and simple with no frills or batteries required.

Babies love motion and there ARE times when you just need to put them down and provide some bouncing movement hands free; this bouncing baby chair is more than fit for that particular job.

It's suitable from birth until your baby is about 9kgs or can sit up on their own; no more bouncing baby chair for them after that because they could sit up and topple themselves out or over.

It's brand new and comes with a 12 month Argos warranty; the cover is machine washable and the frame has non-slip feet, so there'll be no gradual scooting across laminate floors as they bounce in their bouncing baby chair.

Express delivery is £1.99 and I urge you to get in quick with this; most items up for grabs with the Argos eBay outlet sell out FAST.

Thanks to inamar at HUKD

Tesco Direct are selling this Hauck Travel Cot for £26.95.

Prices seem to depend on what colour you're buying, this is a charcoal one (which is exclusive to Tesco by the way) but if you wanted to buy a 'silver grey' one then it would cost you £59.99.

• Click HERE to travel over to Tesco Direct

Having had three children I can safely say that there are only a few things that I would put on a 'must have' baby/toddler items list; a travel cot is one of them.

Even if you don't intend to go away on family holidays or stay away from home with your baby (which you might not), it's entirely likely that your baby will stay away from home without you.

My mum was most responsive to babysitting requests as long as the babies stayed at HER house and, I have to say, I was most responsive to that too *grin*

Travel cots can be a little bit pricey and it’s easy to get sucked into the little extra bits and pieces that manufacturers will have you believe are essential; but you don’t NEED the hanging toys, the bit that plays 10 of the most popular nursery rhymes or flashing lights; honestly, you don’t.

This Hauck travel cot is nice and simple, does what it needs to do and only has what it needs to have, and at this price you could even get two and keep one at the grandparents house full time.

It's suitable from birth until 14kgs, all folds down and comes in its own carry bag, the sides are mesh so you can see through to the inside and your baby can see through to the outside.

You can collect it in-store for free from your nearest Tesco or pay £4.95 for home delivery.

Thanks to sarah2004 at HUKD