Editor’s note: This article also contains affiliate links, so we earn a small commission if you choose to buy ‒ at no extra cost to you. Happy shopping!
Feeling a bit overwhelmed about which baby essentials to get sorted before your babe arrives?
No need to fret, our handy checklist has got you covered.
Popping out for some pre-baby shopping trips is a crucial part of preparing for your newest family member.
Who wants to be busy assembling a crib while trying to juggle a newborn, right?
But you may have noticed that there’s a stark contrast between the mega-lists of so-called baby must-haves that people insist you need to buy and the actual essential items you’ll truly require.
Now, the baby items you simply can’t do without will be specific to your own family’s needs, but we reckon there are a few key essentials that you’ll genuinely find indispensable.
And if you’re worried about the financial aspect of purchasing all these crucial baby bits, why not add them to your baby registry for your upcoming baby shower?
It’s a great way to spread the cost and get some help from your loved ones.
So let’s get into it.
In this article: 📝
- What must I buy for a newborn baby?
- When should I start buying baby stuff during pregnancy?
- Full baby products checklist
- What not to buy for a newborn baby?
What must I buy for a newborn baby?
When you bring home your precious babe, it’s all about ensuring their comfort, keeping them fresh, and settling into your new family routine.
Exciting times ahead!
In our humble opinion, the very first item on your baby checklist should be a secure spot to lay your little one down, so you can catch some much-needed rest as well.
After all, sleep is a precious commodity for new mums!
But what else should you consider as essential?
Let us guide you through the must-have items to keep your baby snug, nourished, and happy.
Nursery essentials
As you get ready for the imminent arrival of your babe, it’s natural to start planning for a nursery that’s both snug and practical.
From a crib to a changing table, there are a few essentials to ponder over.
1. Crib
You may lean towards opting for a compact bassinet or jump straight to a roomier crib ‒ it’s entirely up to you and what suits you and your family.
Whichever you decide, there are a few essential items you’ll need to ensure a cosy sleeping environment for your babe.
- A new, firm crib mattress that fits the frame
- 2-3 waterproof mattress covers
- 4 fitted crib sheets
- Some light blankets or a sleeping sack (use whichever your baby prefers, but not both, as they could overheat).
2. Changing table
A true lifesaver for your poor back, mama!
Not to mention, it’s the perfect spot to keep all your nappy-changing supplies right within reach, so no trekking around to find the essentials in your time of need.
3. Nappy bin
Not a complete essential, but it can help with the nappy-changing process.
New baby smell? Yes, please.
Dirty nappy smell? No thanks.
4. Baby monitor
Baby monitors are a must-have for new mums ‒ it gives you peace of mind knowing that you can keep an eye on your babe even when you’re not in the same room.
You can relax knowing that you can always check on your baby without having to get out of bed or leave the room ‒ a lifesaver during those first few months!
If you’re not sure which baby monitor to choose, one of our Peanut mums’ favourites is the Dreamsense Smart Baby Monitor by Tommee Tippee, which comes with an HD night-vision camera that detects everything that’s going on around baby.
And we mean everything ‒ sound, humidity, temperature, and light.
Then, with your parent pod (a discreet hub that you can put next to your bed or wherever you are) and the baby sleep tracker smart app, you’ll be sent notifications of changes in baby’s sleeping environment, so you can tell what’s woken them up and why.
Plus, if baby wakes up because things got too noisy or they were startled awake, you can talk to them using the two-way talk feature, play one of their pre-set lullabies, or pre-record an audio message to soothe baby back to sleep.
And even better, you can record videos and take photos using the baby monitor camera, for those precious moments.
Pretty impressive for a baby monitor!
5. Baby jumpers, rocker, or play mat
Okay, this one might not be considered a ‘must-have’ to some mums, but to many others, it’s a necessity.
A safe, comfy baby jumper can keep your babe entertained for those moments when you need some time to yourself ‒ showers, eating, or even just resting your arms.
6. Baby sleep aid
White noise machines and lullaby soothers are a staple for mums whose babies need a little extra help getting to sleep.
If you need some help choosing the best one, our top pick are the Ollie the Owl & Pip the Panda Sleep Aids by Tommee Tippee.
They come with six sounds and lullabies, a dimmable nightlight, and CrySensor technology, which helps soothe baby if they wake up in the middle of the night.
Plus, they’re cute cuddly toys, too, so they’re the perfect sleeping companion for your babe.
Essentials for keeping cosy
Now the nursery basics are in place, how about baby’s clothing essentials?
7. Clothes
First up, the fun part ‒ dressing up baby!
But how many baby clothes do you actually need for a newborn?
Here’s a breakdown:
- 5-8 onesies, trousers, dresses, vests, and tops
- 3 pairs of pyjamas or sleep sacks
- 2-4 cardigans
- 2-3 hats
- 8-10 bibs
- 1-3 special outfits (even if you have nothing planned, just because!)
- 1 coat
- Winter and summer essentials, depending on what time of year they’re born
It’s also worth getting some newborn sizes and 0-3 months in advance, because it’s hard to tell what will fit them before they’re here!
Top Peanut tip: Get a baby clothes rental subscription, like Bundlee.
You can get all the clothes baby will need from birth to 24 months when you need them, saving space, money, and the environment (thanks, fast fashion).
In fact, new parents save an average of £1,000 in baby’s first year with Bundlee!
8. Blankets
Blankets are a multitasking essential baby product every parent needs!
Keep baby cosy at night, use them as emergency burp cloths, or lay them down for impromptu playtime.
9. Burp cloths
You’ll want these within arms reach at all times, mama.
Trust us, you don’t want to be caught short.
So stocking up on 8-14 burp cloths is best.
10. Nappies
You don’t need us to tell you that your future will involve a lot of nappy changing.
Baby will probably get through about 70 nappies per week, which works out at about 280-300 nappies per month.
So getting your hands on 300 nappies before baby arrives is a good idea, to be prepared.
Or, if you want to save some serious dollar while boosting your sustainability cred, how about opting for cloth nappies?
The top pick from the Peanut Community is the eco nappies by EcoNaps, they’re plastic neutral (right down to the packaging), come in cute designs, and they’re easy to use. Wins all ’round!
11. Nappy wipes
Along with your nappies, you’ll want nappy wipes, to keep baby clean, fresh, and happy.
Baby essentials for feeding
Whether you’re breastfeeding, opting for formula, or both, you’ll need some baby feeding supplies.
But what do you need, exactly?
12. Bottles
A must for pumping and formula-feeding mums, it’s worth asking other mums what they recommend ‒ although every baby is different, so it might take a few tests to see what works best for your babe.
Our pick? Something that mimics mama’s nipples, so baby can get an easier latch, like the Tommee Tippee bottles (they’re also self-sterilising in the microwave to speed up the whole process).
And if you’re formula feeding, we highly recommend the Perfect Prep™ Day & Night — it makes a bottle of formula at the ideal temperature in just two minutes!
13. Breastfeeding supplies
We’re talking nursing bras, nipple cream, muslin cloths for warm and cold compresses, and breast pads.
Even if you’re planning on pumping, things can still get uncomfortable, so it’s worth being prepared.
14. Breast pump
Whether you prefer a hand pump or an electric one is totally up to you, but breast pumps can work wonders for preventing clogged ducts and mastitis.
If you’re after a comfy breast pump you can use hands-free, we love the Made for Me In-Bra Wearable Breast Pump, so you can pump on-the-go!
Baby products for the bathroom
Got to keep baby squeaky clean!
And bathtime doesn’t have to be daunting, especially with a little prep and the right baby bathtime products.
15. Baby bath products
Luckily, our friends at Childs Farm have an award-winning, dermatologist and paediatrician-approved baby range formulated for the most delicate skin (even dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin), using natural and naturally derived, soothing, and sustainably sourced ingredients.
It’s all about building routines from a young age, so a bedtime routine is a must, even for newborns ‒ to help them sleep and so you can get some much-needed rest, mama!
It begins with tangerine-scented bubbles in a warm bath, then a clean with their gentle baby wash, and finally, a relaxing massage with their best-selling baby moisturiser.
Trust us: it’s better than a lullaby at sending your babe off to a restful sleep.
16. Bath thermometer
Pretty self-explanatory ‒ to make sure the water’s not too hot or too cold for your babe.
17. Soft hairbrush
Not really for brushing baby’s hair to get rid of knots ‒ a soft-bristled hairbrush is more to soothe baby and reduce cradle cap.
18. Nail scissors or a baby nail file
Those newborn nails can get pretty sharp ‒ for both you and baby.
19. Something to unblock their nose
Babies can’t exactly blow their own nose.
And stuffy noses are, unfortunately, part and parcel of newborn life.
So a bulb syringe or electronic nose suction pump is another must-have.
20. Thermometer
Another sad but true part of newborn life ‒ getting sick.
More often than not, babies just get a cough or a cold, but it’s worth having a thermometer to check their temperature to see if they have a fever.
If baby does have a temperature, check in with your doctor.
Baby travel essentials
It’s hard, but getting out of the house with baby as soon as you feel ready can work wonders for your mental health and for baby’s development.
So having everything that you need to get up and get out is essential.
21. Pram
There are lots of prams and strollers on the market, each with its own benefits and features, so it’s up to you to choose what’s best for you and your family.
Some things to consider when picking your perfect pram:
- How much storage does it have?
- How much space does it take up?
- Can you fold it up?
- Are the wheels right for you? Can they go over the right terrain where you’d want to take baby?
- Do you want a pram/car seat/carrier combo?
- How much does it weigh? Can you easily carry it with baby in your other arm?
For our Peanut mums, there’s a clear winner when it comes to prams: the Bugaboo Dragonfly.
It ticks all the boxes ‒ foldable, compact, lightweight (you can pick it up with one hand!), modular (so it’s easy to fix ‒ not that you’ll need to), with precision steering and full suspension, so baby can sleep soundly while you traverse cobbled paths.
And for all you eco-mums out there, you can rest easy, too, knowing that the Bugaboo Dragonfly is made with bio-based materials, reducing their carbon footprint by 21%.
An easy pick!
22. Baby carrier
Why settle for cramped elevators when you can breeze through the crowds with a fabric wrap or a structured carrier?
It’s like having your own VIP entrance everywhere you go!
And here’s the best part: these carriers aren’t just for outings.
They pull double duty at home when your babe insists on being in your arms all the time.
It’s the ultimate hands-free solution for busy parents who need to get things done without sacrificing cuddle time.
23. Nappy changing bag
Not just for nappy changing essentials ‒ for everything you’ll need when out and about with baby.
You don’t have to choose between style and substance anymore, either ‒ there are lots of nappy changing bags that look good and fit everything you need when you’re on the go with your babe.
24. Car seat
Something you’ll definitely need before baby arrives ‒ it’s worth getting familiar with putting your car seat in and out of your car, as well as strapping in baby-shaped things (dolls and bags of flour can be pretty good substitutes to get used to!).
When should I start buying baby stuff during pregnancy?
Whenever you feel like it!
Some mums dive headfirst into baby item shopping the moment they get the happy news, while others prefer to wait until they’re sporting a baby bump.
It’s entirely your choice.
But if you’ve got a baby shower on the horizon, it might be worth waiting until after the party to take stock of what’s left on your baby shopping list.
That way, you can avoid ending up with doubles or a mountain of onesies.
Full baby products checklist
Now for the full run-down if you’re in a rush:
- Crib
- Changing table
- Nappy bin
- Baby monitor
- Baby jumper, rocker, or play mat
- Baby sleep aid
- 5-8 onesies, trousers, dresses, vests, and tops
- 3 pairs of pyjamas
- 2-4 cardigans or jumpers
- 2-3 hats
- 8-10 bibs
- 1-3 special outfits
- 1 coat
- Winter and summer baby clothing, as needed
- Blankets
- Burp clothes
- Nappies ‒ enough for the first month, around 300
- Nappy wipes
- Bottles
- Nursing bras
- Nipple cream
- Breast pads
- Breast pump (manual or electric)
- Baby bath products ‒ including gentle baby wash, baby moisturiser, and (why not?) baby bubbles
- Bath thermometer
- Soft hairbrush
- Nail scissors or baby nail file
- Nose unblocker (like a bulb syringe)
- Thermometer
- Pram
- Baby carrier
- Nappy changing bag
- Car seat
To make things easier, Tommee Tippee have created essential baby bundles ‒ for bottle feeding, breastfeeding, baby sleep, nappy disposal, and even weaning, when your babe is ready.
A great addition to your baby registry!
What not to buy for a newborn baby?
So what doesn’t baby need rightaway?
Well, here are some things you can do without for now:
- All the clothes. You don’t need a whole wardrobe for the first few months.
- Shoes for newborns. They’re not going to be walking just yet.
- High chair. Another big big of furniture they won’t be using till they’re ready.
- Baby food. It’ll be a few more months until they’re ready to eat something other than breast milk or formula.
- Baby socks. They’ll spend half the time on the floor as baby discovers their feet.
- Baby towels. Regular towels, or evern hand towels, should work just fine.
- Baby wipe warmer. You can always put your wipes in the sun or on the radiator to warm them up, if you really want to. But cold wipes won’t do any damage to baby.
From the cutest onesies to the handiest gadgets, that’s all for the must-have baby products you need for your newborn.
Remember, parenting is a team sport, and you’ve got a whole squad of fellow mums cheering you on from the sidelines.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
We’ve all been there, and we’re here to remind you that you’re doing an incredible job.
You’ve got this, mama!