It’s not long until your little one will be arriving, which means it’s time to get stocked up on all those newborn baby essentials. From baby clothes to food and nappy changing must-haves, it can be overwhelming trying to navigate just how much stuff one tiny person needs (and costs!). That's why a newborn baby checklist is a must-have.
A list is key for significant moments like these, which is why we’ve come up with the ultimate checklist for all your newborn essentials. So if you're planning your shopping list for a newborn, or packing your hospital bag, we've rounded up all those items you and your baby really can’t live without, so you can forget about those not-so-important ones.
Baby feeding essentials
Whether you're planning to breastfeed or bottle feed, or do a combination of the two, there are plenty of baby essentials to help you through both night feeds and day feeds. Here are the most important:
• Bottles – (around 2-4 if you're combination feeding, but 6-8 is a good starting point if you're exclusively using baby bottles.) You'll also want to buy a bottle brush and may need replacement teats when your baby is older and needs a faster flow.
• Sterilising equipment – Steam steriliser, microwave steriliser bags, microwave steriliser or cold water steriliser.
• Muslin squares or burp cloths – You'll want a lot of muslin cloths! They're an invaluable tool for mopping up spilt milk, catch reflux spit-ups after burping, and generally wiping up any mess. You can even use them as a lightweight blanket in the pram if needed.
• Nursing bra – A nursing bra is a must for day feeds, while a comfortable bra can help you feel more comfortable at night when your breasts might feel larger than normal.
• Breast pads – You might experience leaking nipples so breast pads can help avoid any marks on your clothes.
• Nipple cream – Depending on baby's latch, you might find some soreness in the early weeks of breastfeeding. If this is the case your midwife or health visitor might suggest using some nipple cream.
If you're bottle feeding, or combination feeding, you'll also need the following baby essentials list.
• Breast pump – This could be a manual or electric breast pump. You might also want to bear in mind that some bottles work best with the same brand pumps.
• Formula - If you're planning to formula feed, you'll need to buy formula and this can varying depending on your baby's age and needs.
Baby nappy changing essentials
If you’re a first time mum, changing your baby’s nappy can be quite a daunting experience. But don’t worry, with our helpful step-by-step guide and these items, you’ll be a nappy changing pro in no time.
• Disposable nappies or reusable nappies – Depending what you're planning to use you'll certainly need baby nappies. You could also consider doing a combination of the two.
• Baby wipes – While you'll need cotton wool at home, when you're out and about you'll need baby wipes for changing your baby
• Changing mat – so baby can lie flat to be changed hygienically wherever you are. You'll probably want a changing mat for home and a travel mat that will fit in your changing bag.
• Nappy rash cream – A barrier cream can help your baby if they're prone to nappy rash.
• Cotton wool – In the early weeks you'll probably be advised to top and tail your baby so you're likely to get through a lot of cotton wool.
• Nappy bags - you may also decide you'd like a nappy bin for at home.
• Changing bag – When you're out and about you'll need something to carry all those baby essentials. You might like to choose a changing bag that clips onto your buggy for ease or a backpack that's easy to carry.
Baby clothing essentials
Who doesn’t love cute baby clothes? After all, you’re going to get through a lot of these as your baby will grow quickly, so it’s important to just buy the newborn essentials in order to keep your bank balance happy. Also consider the time of year your baby is due - there's no point buying a snuggly pram suit in size 0-3 months if they're born in summer for example. Dressing a newborn is simple with our guide and baby essentials checklist below.
• Sleepsuits and babygros – You'll find that your newborn wears little but sleep suits and babygros for the first few weeks so you'll probably need about 6-10 sleepsuits.
• Ten vests or short-sleeved suits – If you're dressing baby in the winter, you'll need some all-in-one vests or short sleeve babygros to wear underneath.
• Cardigans – If it's a little cooler, you might want to buy a baby cardigan or two to.
• Hats – Don't forget a sunhat with a wide brim if they're a summer baby or a warm one for winter babies. Newborn hats can also help keep them warm in those early weeks.
• Scratch mittens – Those little hands are likely to be moving quite a lot and they can scratch themselves so scratch mittens avoid this. You can also buy sleepsuits with built-in mittens if you prefer.
• Gentle laundry detergent and fabric conditioner - Your baby's delicate skin is likely to be quite sensitive so a gentle laundry detergent should avoid any reactions.
• Pram suit - If it's cold outside you'll need a pram suit to keep them warm when you're out and about.
• A few pairs of socks - While it's likely they won't need these for the early weeks if they're in sleep suits, a few pairs of baby socks will be helpful when they start wearing proper outfits.
Baby bath time essentials
Bath time is brilliant for a little bonding with your baby, just don’t be tempted to get too bogged down in bath toys until they're a bit older and able to play. Here’s exactly what you need:
• Baby bath - A baby bath means you don't have to fill the whole bath tub for a little person so can save time as well as making it safer.
• Hairbrush - While they might not have much hair, a soft-bristled brush can help loosen cradle cap if they have it.
• Bath thermometer - Baby's bath water needs to be cooler than you might have it so a bath thermometer can take the guesswork out of this.
• Gentle baby bath soap – A newborn doesn't need soap, just water but you might want to get a gentle soap for when they're a little older.
• Baby sponge or washcloth – To gently clean baby when you're just using water, a washcloth or baby sponge can come in useful
• Baby towel – A baby towel is a lovely way to wrap them up and keep their heads warm when they're just out of the bath.
Baby sleep essentials
Top of the newborn baby essentials is somewhere for them to sleep, even if it might not feel as though they're doing much of it in the early months!
• Next to me crib or cot – For the first 6 months the Lullaby Trust recommend that baby sleeps in the same room as you, so it depends on the space you have available whether you opt for a cot or a next to me bedside crib.
• A mattress - Cot mattresses come in various sizes, depending whether your baby is in a cot, a bassinet or a cot bed.
• Baby bedding – including waterproof mattress cover and sheets
• Sleeping bags or swaddle blankets – Again, this will come down to preference, both for you and your baby. Some babies like to be swaddled, others prefer to be able to move their arms in a sleeping bag.
• Baby monitor - Once baby moves into its own room, you'll want to have a baby monitor to allow you to hear them in the night. There's a huge range, so you can choose between video, audio, app-based and all manner of extras.
Baby gear essentials
When you’re out and about on the move with your baby, whether that be in the car or by foot, you’ll want to make sure they’re comfy and secure. Some key items are:
• Car seat – You might want to consider a car seat that fits with your buggy as a whole travel system and our guide to choosing a travel system should help.
• Travel system – While leaving the house might seem tough in those early weeks, a travel system will make it so much easier. You may want a travel system that includes a bassinet for the first 6 months, and a seat for when they're older and as mentioned above, your car seat can also form part of this to make it easy to transfer from car to pram or pushchair.
• Sling or baby carrier – If your baby likes to be held, a sling or baby carrier will allow you to get jobs done around the house while keep them close to you.
• A baby blanket – When you're out and about, a baby blanket can help keep little ones cosy when they're in the pram
Baby health essentials
Your baby getting sick is probably every parent's worst nightmare, so if it does happen you’ll want to make sure you can help them quickly. With these essentials your little one will hopefully be on the way to feeling better in no time:
• First aid kit – You can put a first aid kit together yourself or buy one off the shelf to save time.
• Nail scissors – It's no parent's favourite job but those little nails will need cutting so a pair of baby nail scissors or clippers will make this a less scary job!
• Baby thermometer – If they feel a little warm you'll want to know just what their temperature is with a baby thermometer. These mean you can give an accurate reading to your doctor or health visitor if you're worried.
• Infant Calpol – it's a good idea to have some on hand to give them after their 8 week jabs.
Added extras
Bathtime:
Nursery:
• Swaddle
Feeding:
• Dummies
• High chair - You won't need this straight away but once they're sitting up they might like to sit and watch you in the kitchen, and get used to the seat in time for weaning!
Out and about:
• Snowsuit
• Pram hand muffs (a great one for winter)
Playtime:
• Play mat
• Toys
Our baby essentials checklist
You can print this checklist out or save it to your notes for your baby essentials shopping trip:
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.