Most of the baby items are SO cute, but which ones are really useful and practical?
Expecting a baby can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
I totally understand the stress and feeling overwhelmed is quite normal!
Before we had our first baby, my partner and I were very overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that we would potentially buy for our baby.
Even if you are invited to a baby shower and you feel lost about the gift you want to buy, in this list you can find a variety of useful gifts for different budgets.
I’ll guide you through the list of all the must have items for newborn babies and help you reduce your stress.
This post is all about the must have baby items that all new parents need. I will include the bare minimum of items that all first-time parents find useful.
Let’s get started!
1. Clothes for the first months
It’s better to start buying 0-3 months clothes for your unborn baby. Either you have a dryer or not, remember not to buy many newborn clothes as it can be outgrown very quickly.
My advice? Go for zips and adjustable clothes. I know we all want to buy super cute clothes for the first photos and it’s great if you do so. But you can’t imagine how hard is to dress a newborn. So don’t forget to buy practical clothes as well as they will make your life easier.
This set is a great gift as it contains long-sleeved shirts, pair of pants, romper, bodysuit, cap, pair of gloves (to avoid scratching), two bibs, bath towel and socks.
2. Muslin baby swaddle blankets & cloths
A muslin baby swaddle blanket can be used as nursing cover, stroller cover, receiving blanket, burp cloth, tummy time blanket and so much more. You can find lovely patterns like this set with florals and leaves patterns by Life Tree shop.
Personally, I used them a lot for swaddling. Swaddling babies makes them feel secure and cosy as it simulates the womb experience. This means better sleep for babies and parents. There are online videos for you to learn how to swaddle your bub step by step. You can see the way I used to swaddle my little one on this video.
If you find it quite tricky and you prefer a swaddle sack, then this sack by Embe is a great option for you. It has flexible sizing that grows with your baby. Patented technology offers five different positions for your little one depending on the season and room’s temperature. Also, it has a secure zipper and you can change your infant’s nappy without unswaddling!
These multi-purpose baby muslin washcloths are organic and ultra soft. Some parents call them burp cloths, others call them baby wipes. No matter what you call them, the only thing I’m sure about is that new parents use many of these cloths on a daily basis for their newborns.
3. Consumable items
These items could be wipes, nappy creams and nappies. Don’t stress if nappies are big for the bub, as they will be definitely used later on.
In case you want to buy nappies as a gift, it’s better to check with the parents if they will use cloth nappies like these ones by Just Peachy.
I’d definitely buy natural products for washing babies’ blankets and clothes like this one by Kids Bliss.
Personally I love all Mustela products from foam shampoo for babies and body lotion to mosturising oil for massage. They are delicately scented with Mustela’s iconic fragrance and they are Paraben, Phthalate and Phenoxyethanol free.
4. Baby grooming kit
In this baby grooming kit you have everything that you need to keep your baby well-groomed and healthy at all times! It includes a baby special comb and a brush, baby special clippers and scissors, a finger toothbrush and a nail file.
I love this grooming kit, because it also includes a thermometer and a nasal aspirator. Don’t worry if you have a few of those already, all parents know how useful these are and how often we use them.
5. Change mat
New parents need to make sure they have a practical changing area, so they can make nappy change time nice and easy. Nappy changing happens every couple of hours or less the first months. Buying a change mat is important, so you can change bub’s nappy easily either that happens on a sturdy baseboard like a chest of drawers, a bed or on the floor. It is important for the parents to find a place around the house that is convenient for them according to their height and their needs.
A foam change mat is an item that parents will use for the first years. This mat comes with a change mat cover which can save you lots of time and make changing time more comfortable for bubs. Also, an on the go change mat is essential, when you are out and about with your little one.
6. Camera & monitor
When did I realise that I should get a baby monitor? When my partner and I were checking on our precious one, while asleep every 10 minutes and we would wake him up stepping on our squeaky wood floor… All jokes aside, a baby monitor gives a peace of mind during the day, even if your newborn sleeps in your room. Also, you can use it for the following months and years, when your child will sleep in another room.
Vtech Video Monitor BM2700 is still working just fine for us! You can get it on a good price and it has all the features you need. You can talk to your baby through the parent’s unit, you can see the room’s temperature and get notifications if it’s too high or too low and it works within a long range comparing to other monitors. It is not High Definition, but it is quite clear and instant without any delays. This monitor is operated by battery, but it also comes with an adapter to plug it in. There is no need for Internet connection, so it is also great for traveling.
Also, baby monitor Hello Baby has, also, similar features and it gets good reviews. Privacy is guaranteed as no Wi-Fi or app pairing is required. It has 5 inches color screen and wide view and smart features. For example, two-way audio conversation, 8 available lullabies in parent unit and room temperature monitoring function. When the baby is crying, the monitor screen automatically turns on and you get a visual alert. When it’s off, it’s still monitoring your baby in the background and saving power.
7. Bath tub, seat and stand
Nevertheless, you might not need a bath or a stand the first while, if you have a laundry or kitchen sink that you can use for bathing your newborn the first weeks. Moreover, some parents prefer to buy a bath, but they place it on the kitchen bench in order to give their infant a bath. No matter what your decision is, you can give your newborn a bath in any room of your house as long as it is warm, clean and safe and you prepare it accordingly.
Personally, I used InfaSecure Deluxe S4 Bath Stand, InfaSecure Easi Drain Bath and InfaSecure Terri Bath Support and Pillow. This bath has layback and upright positions, in-built soap trays and it includes drain tube to empty it easily. You might not need support for your newborn as you can hold your bub using one arm, but you will definitely need it the following months. The towel rack and the storage shelf on the bath stand helped us to have everything we needed within arm’s reach no matter where we would do our bub’s bath. These are all items you can easily find second hand from friends as we did. And you know what? We are still using this bath for our toddler in the shower, as we don’t need to waste much water and he is enjoying his bath!
If you’d like to learn more about bathing a newborn, visit Raising Children Network.
8. White noise machine + black out curtain = LIFESAVER!
According to Raising Children Network, dim light and consistent noise levels might help babies and children go to sleep and stay asleep.
White noise can blocks out household noise and heartbeat settings may be comforting for newborns as they simulate womb experience. You can find online videos with white noise, if you want to put them on for your child, however this white noise machine is compact and portable for travel and walks. It includes 6 relaxing and soothing nature sounds and it can be used with batteries or an charging adapter. Also, it has an auto-off timer. The same reliable website remind us that “if you use a device to produce soft music, white noise or rain sounds, place it well away from your baby’s ears and keep the volume low”.
Also, using blackout blinds to make the room darker can help babies to sleep easier. BUT newborns do not produce sleep hormones yet. As a result we want to keep days light and nights dark. Once they start producing sleep hormones (around 8 to 12 weeks), they need dark room to sleep well. Therefore, black out curtains are not a necessity the first weeks and you might not need them at all, if you have installed blinds at your house. I personally ordered online Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Portable Blackout Blind that is easy to use at home or when you travel. These blinds have suction cups, they are adjustable and lightweight.
9. First aid kit & first aid course
I’m fortunate to refresh my basic first aid knowledge yearly as it is mandatory for educators and teachers in my state. The first aid courses has helped me a lot to be a confident mum even with my first child. I do believe that this knowledge has had an impact not only on my parenting in general but also the feeding approach (Baby-Led Weaning) I implemented when my child started solids.
Tiny hearts is a rapidly grown business that was created by two sisters based in Melbourne. They educate and empower parents and caregivers to act with confidence in a first-aid emergency with their little ones. They provide public and private courses in cities around Australia as well as online. Also, they sell online first aid kits, thermometers and medication, dehydration and allergy food trackers that can be so helpful to keep you on track and avoid mistakes for your bub’s health and safety.
Apart from the thermometer that is included in the grooming kit, I’d also buy another reliable thermometer like this Ritalia forehead and ear thermometer. Believe me, I have three and I use them all! I need to note here that axillary digital thermometer is preferred for babies under 3 months. Remote ear thermometers (or tympanic thermometers) are preferred for babies older than 3 months -if ears are big enough-.
If you’d like to read more about children’s temperature and how to use a thermometer, have a look at this article by Raising Children Network.
10. Carrier
Ok, this is not an essential item since day one, so don’t stress if you don’t have already a carrier. BUT I cannot emphasise enough how useful you will find carriers for first months and -why not- years. Also, they are beneficial for babies’ development as it can be used for skin to skin. Putting babies in carries can help them to calm down as they can feel, smell and listen to their mum’s heartbeat. They are also great for bonding with their dads.
There is a variety of carriers and slings for young babies. I highly recommend Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier for infants 8-32 pounds. It offers four different ways to carry your baby (facing in narrow seat for newborns, facing in wide seat for older babies, facing out narrow seat for babies with head control and back carry wide seat for older babies and toddlers). It includes wonder cover 2-in 1 bib to protect your carrier and clothes. Also, Beco Gemini and Infantino Carry On Carrier are very popular.
I need to note here that framed baby carriers are recommended for babies older than 4 months. If you’d like to read more about safety around carriers and slings, you can visit this website.
11. Feeding pillow & armchair
Personally I ordered online a pregnancy and feeding pillow, while I was pregnant. However, I was quite disappointed as it was bulky and it was not practical or suitable for my height. Signorelli explains in an useful article about choosing the right nursing pillow that mother’s breast size, body size, birth, and prior feeding experience can help to determine into the best nursing pillow for the mother.
I would be confident buying one of the two pillows below even before birth. I believe Boppy Nursing Pillow is amazing for breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Also, it can be used for tummy time and sitting support, when babies learn to sit up. Moreover, Luna Lullaby Nursing Pillow receive very good reviews, there are many beautiful options on covers that can be washed and it can be used just as a comfortable cushion later on!
In regards to nursing armchairs, don’t rush to buy an armchair as you might already have one! I had not realised how important they are before my bub was born. The most important thing about a feeding armchair is to have good support for your back and both arms. You will spend many hours feeding and hugging your little one on this armchair. For me this IKEA armchair with cushions worked well for my bub’s feeds and it provided good support for the neck as well. There is also a footstool available! We are still using this nice armchair to read bedtime stories with my toddler.
12. Cot, co sleeper or bassinet
I’ve tried them all. My advice is to buy a good cot and put next to your bed. This means that it is the right height for your own bed and mattress and you can secure it tying the frames together. First, you can place it next to your bed w and a while later, you can move it to your bub’s room. There are also cots that you can convert to toddlers bed or nursery sofa months or years later!
From my experience as an early childhood educator, who has worked in many centres, I believe buying a cot that is adjustable to 2 or 3 base heights with a dropside is ideal in order to avoid back issues. Also, you might want to check the size of the cot and ensure that it fits through standard doors. Cots with four wheels (and brakes) is preferable not only if you want to move it often around the house, but also if your baby sleeps easier when you rock the cot.
A cot that stands out for me for its innovative 5 in 1 design is Riya 5 in 1 Cot. In addition, Eden Compact Cot has wheels with brakes, 2 positional base heights and fits through standard door.
13. Car seat or baby capsule
Personally I’m glad I didn’t buy a brand new capsule as I didn’t need one for my ‘covid’ baby. However, if you’re often traveling and driving around, a capsule will be very practical. Also, if you have older children, it will a must have item as it will be convenient for pick-ups and drop-offs, shopping and getting your children around for activities.
To sum things up, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of various car seats and capsules and decide what works better for your family. No matter what your decision is though, Maxi-Cosi is a popular and trusted car seat brand that I would go for.
I need to emphasize here that the general recommendation is that parents should remove babies from car seats and capsules at least every 2 hours as they may slump their head forward blocking their windpipe. If you would like to learn more about children’s sleep safety and download free resources and factsheets, visit Red Nose website. Red Nose is Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep and safer pregnancy advice.
14. Pram
In regards to prams for newborns, parents have the following options:
- bassinets
- car seats that convert to pram seats with the right adaptors
- capsules that are compatible with prams
- strollers with seats that fully recline to a flat surface.
I need to note here that bassinets are made to meet newborn babies’ needs, they are safe and usually suitable for babies from birth up to the age of around 6 months. All prams must meet mandatory standards. However, considering that parents need to take bubs out of the capsule and car seat at least every 2 hours, I believe bassinets are the best option for newborns.
Many parents agree that Redsbaby Jive and BabyZen Yoyo are great prams! Also, Bugaboo Donkey 3 Duo Pram or as they call it ‘side by side sibling pram’ get really good reviews. Personally, I bought online rover2019 and we didn’t regret it at all!
Nevertheless, when we talk about the best pram, we need to consider many factors. These include pram weight, compactness, storage, safety, age recommendation, recline and functional extras. Moreover, even the parents’ height, car boot size or their thoughts of a second child can define the best pram option for them. So, take your time and shop around before you make up your mind!
Items that you were expecting to see in this list, but you didn’t…
- Bottles, steriliser and breast pumps: these are only needed, if mum pumps and parents give breast milk with a bottle or feed the infant with formula. I would recommend asking friends to keep them for you in case you need them. Also, you can check where you can buy them easily and do so, when you know that you need them for sure. Hospitals usually provide these for the first days, if needed. But I know many parents, who bought them and never used them!
- Baby bags: new parents might already have bags that they can put all their on-the-go essentials. The bottle cooler compartment, which baby bags have, is useful only if parents feed baby with bottles. Nevertheless, it can be a nice gift!
->If you would like to create a baby wishlist ta share with family and friends, here is the perfect place for you to do it! There are hundreds of thousands of products to choose from and you have a full 30 days to return most items purchased from your wishlist. You might get a free welcome gift as well! Have fun!
Many baby items are not needed as soon as a baby is born.
That could give time to first-time parents to shop around, find second-hand items and find out what their real needs are.
This post was all about newborn baby essentials.
We suggest that you buy the must have items first, if you want to avoid the accumulation of useless baby stuff.
Then, you can buy the rest, as you go depending on the needs of your family.
…And, last but not least, don’t forget your memory book…!!
