Newborn essentials checklist: what you actually need for your first baby

Let’s be honest, preparing for a baby can feel like wading through a mountain of “must-haves.” But what do you really need? We’ve created a straightforward checklist of newborn essentials for the first six months, based on our editors’ experience, to help you avoid overspending and focus on the joy of new parenthood.

Baby clothes: 

Resist the urge to buy every adorable outfit you see! Newborns grow at lightning speed, and you’ll quickly learn which sizes and styles work best. Instead, focus on the essentials for those first few weeks.

Sleep & Comfort: Baby grows (also known as sleepsuits or footed pyjamas) are your best friend. Aim for 8-10 to start. Opt for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, and consider a mix of short-sleeved and long-sleeved options depending on the season. Look for features like two-way zippers for easy diaper changes.

Layering Essentials: Stock up on 5-7 soft cotton vests (bodysuits) for layering. These help regulate your baby’s temperature. A couple of lightweight cardigans or zip-up sweaters are also handy for cooler moments.

Head & Toes: Newborn hats are crucial for keeping your baby warm, especially in those early days. Choose soft, snug-fitting hats. Don’t forget a few pairs of soft socks or booties to keep tiny toes cosy.

Seasonal Considerations: If your baby is born in winter, a warm coat or snowsuit is a must-have for outings. Choose one that’s easy to put on and take off, and ensure it’s properly sized for a newborn.

Nappies & changing

Get ready for frequent nappy changes! Newborns can require changing anywhere from 10 to 15 times a day, so stocking up on newborn-sized nappies is crucial. Plan for at least a two-week supply to start. To make changes easier, especially in the early days, consider setting up changing stations in key areas of your home. Many parents find having two caddies, one upstairs and one downstairs, incredibly helpful.

While a dedicated changing mat is a common suggestion, it’s not strictly essential. Some parents find it easier to change their baby on their lap or another soft surface. Experiment to see what works best for you. Regardless of your chosen surface, you’ll need:

• Barrier Cream: Protect your baby’s delicate skin with a quality barrier cream to prevent diaper rash.
• Disposable Wipes: Stock up on gentle, fragrance-free disposable wipes for quick and easy clean-ups.

Feeding

If you are breastfeeding, you probably won’t need any equipment, just some bibs and a nursing bra (buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size in case buying before newborn) and breast pads (disposable or washable). If you plan to express milk for your partner to help with the feeds, you will need a breast pump, bottles and milk storing containers.

For formula feeding you will need bottles, teats and brushes, a quality steriliser, baby formula and a thermal bottle carrier. When bottle feeding you will need to burp the baby so lots of bibs and burping cloths will come in handy.

One thing that all our mums recommend is muslin swaddles, they come in super useful from swaddling baby for a restful sleep (no-one told me about that pesky moro reflux that wakes them up!) to mopping up milk spills and posseting to covering baby (babies like to have a layer over them to sleep, even when it’s sweltering outside), muslin swaddles are a parent’s best friend.

Nursery: 

Until your baby is six months old, the NHS recommends that they should sleep in the same room as you. Choosing what your baby sleeps in really depends on your personal circumstances, you might decide to go straight to cot or have them sleep in a crib or moses basket so you can move this downstairs with ease during the day. 

Cribs and moses baskets can be used up until around three to four months old, depending on the baby’s weight and how alert they are at three months. Some parents recommend having a separate moses basket for downstairs during the day, but this is completely a personal choice. You will also need a suitable mattress, at least 3 to 4 fitted sheets and a cellular blanket or a sleeping bag.  

The Chicco Next2Me Forever Bedside Crib is a standout choice for parents seeking a versatile and long-lasting sleeping solution. This crib distinguishes itself with its innovative design, adapting to your child’s needs from newborn to toddler. Its unique three-in-one functionality allows it to be used as a side-sleeping crib, a standalone crib, and eventually, a floor bed, ensuring years of comfortable and safe sleep. The adjustable height and retractable side panel provide seamless bedside attachment, facilitating easy nighttime access for parents. Designed with both comfort and longevity in mind, the Chicco Next2Me Forever offers a secure and adaptable sleeping environment that grows with your child, making it a valuable investment for any family.

• Next to me crib, or moses basket
• Mattress (to fit above)
• At least 4 fitted sheets
• Cellular blanket or sleeping bag

Check out the NHS guide for cot safety advice here.

Bath time: 

For bathtime, it really  depends on your personal preference or what space you have in your home. You can either get a separate baby bath or a newborn support that you can use in your main bath if you have limited space. You will also need some washcloths or sponges suitable for newborns, baby soap or cleanser, baby soft-bristle hairbrush and soft-hooded towels. The Nuby Newborn Baby Bath Support comes highly recommended by our editors.

• Baby bath or newborn bath support
• Cotton washcloths or sponges
• Newborn towels (not essential, you can use any towels)
• Mild baby wash or cleanser
• Soft bristle hairbrush

Travel: 

Navigating city life with a newborn demands a stroller that’s both adaptable and compact. Before investing, consider your daily routines and transportation needs. City Sights™ Compact Modular Stroller excels in urban environments, offering a seamless transition from newborn to toddler with its lay-flat option, essential sun shade, and included rain cover. All-terrain wheels and suspension mean more paths and sidewalks to roam, while the reversible seat lets your child see everything, in any direction, along the way. Its modular design allows for effortless customisation, and when paired with a compatible car seat, it creates a convenient travel system, simplifying those car-to-street transitions.

Its modular design allows for effortless customisation, and when paired with a compatible car seat, it creates a convenient travel system, simplifying those car-to-street transitions.

For families who frequently travel by car, the Graco Turn2Me Grow i-Size 360° Rotating Car Seat is an exceptional choice, offering both convenience and long-term safety from birth up to approximately twelve years old. This car seat’s standout feature is its 360° rotation, making it incredibly easy to get your child in and out of the car, reducing strain on your back and simplifying the process.

Designed with safety as a priority, the Turn2Me Grow i-Size boasts advanced side impact protection and meets the latest i-Size safety standards, providing optimal protection in the event of a collision. Its adjustable headrest and harness ensure a comfortable and secure fit as your child grows, making it a reliable and versatile car seat for years to come.

• Pushchair 
• Car seat (if you have a car)
• Carrycot
• Baby changing bag

Baby Safety: 

Although not technically an essential item, baby monitors are really useful to have for newborn babies, especially if it’s your first. A lot of first time parents we’ve spoken to have said that having that added safety measure in place puts their mind at ease. 

One that comes highly recommended by our lifestyle editor Claire, is the CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Camera

It’s an award-winning smart baby monitor which comes with its own app! You’ll receive phone notifications whenever your baby’s is covered, when they roll over and even when they cough, and don’t worry, it’s CTIA Cybersecurity Certified which means it meets globally recognised industry standards for keeping your data safe and secure.

The actual camera display is incredibly clear with high definition images even at night. It also comes with mobile, floor and cot stands, or you can simply mount it to your wall, so all angles are covered. The app even lets you capture photos from the camera and share with up to 8 family members. It actually covers an incredible amount of things including body temperature and sleep analytics and danger zone detection for when your baby or toddlers wanders into pre-designated zones. Amazingly it also has a lullaby schedule and music therapy playlist!

Here are some of our editor recommended products:

Read next: top tips for new mums, from actual mums.