Where do you begin? When you’re pregnant you will gets lots of advice from friends and family which can start to feel confusing and endless. So we have put together a guide from essential items to nice to have. From the bigger items like pushchairs to the small items like cotton wool, you can use the checklist as a guide to ensure you have everything you need before your special day arrives.
Think about when you need to buy these and also how you will be feeling, for example shopping for the bigger items in the later stages will be more difficult than in you second trimester. Think about your budget it is easy to let your emotions take over the buying decision and remember you can use our Payment Plan to help spread the cost during your pregnancy. Ultimately it is your baby list so use this as a guide and create your own list.
What To Buy – The Essentials
Nursery
- Moses basket or crib or cot or cot bed
- New mattress
- Baby monitor (+ batteries if needed)
- 2-4 fitted sheets
- 2-4 top sheets
- 2-3 blankets or 1-2 baby sleeping bags
Out & About
- Group 0, Group 0+, or Group 0+/1 car seat – if you don’t drive check with your hospital if baby can leave hospital without a car seat
- Pushchair suitable from birth
- Changing bag – including nappies, spare clothes, baby wipes (from 2 weeks)
Nappy Changing & Bathing
- Nappies, newborn size, either disposable or reusable
- Nappy cream (from 2 weeks)
- Talcum Powder
- Baby liquid soap / baby shampoo
- Cotton wool
- Nappy bags/sacks
- Baby Towel
- Bath Thermometer
Breastfeeding
- 3 nursing bras
- Nipple cream
- Breast pads
- Muslin squares/wraps, for discrete public feeding and burping
Bottle Feeding
- 6 feeding bottles
- 6 teats, slow flow
- Steriliser
- Infant formula, if you’re not expressing
- Muslin squares/wraps, for burping
Clothing
- 5-7 sleep suits
- 5-7 long-sleeve bodysuits
- 5-7 sleeveless or short-sleeve bodysuits or vests
- 5-7 newborn bibs
- 3 pairs socks
- 3 pairs baggies/booties
- 2-3 pairs scratch mitts
- 2-3 hats
- 2-3 cardigans
- Jacket with hood or pram suit
Shopping for your baby needn’t be confusing but does need a little planning, so the next list we’ve created is ‘useful’ items, they aren’t absolutely vital for all families. You might be on a tight budget or they don’t fit with your parenting preferences.
Baby Items Which Are Very Useful
Nursery
- Room thermometer, if your baby monitor doesn’t have one
- Baby rocker or bouncer
- Playmat
Getting Around
- Cosytoes
- Baby carrier or sling
- Baby toys
Nappy Changing and Bathing
- Changing bag and mat
- Baby wipes
- Baby nail scissors
- Nappy bucket (reusable nappies)
- Baby bath or non-slip bathing mat
- 2-3 flannel cloths
Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Nipple shields
- Breast pump
- Breast milk storage bottles
- Steriliser
- 2-3 sleep bras
Bottle Feeding
- Breast pump, for express/combine feeding.
- Breast milk storage bottles, for express/combine feeding.
Depending on your budget – there are plenty of baby products that are nice extras. While they do have a use, they’re not essentials. You can always add these to your wish list or baby shower gifts lists.
The Nice To Have
Nursery
- Swing
- Cot mobile
Getting Around
- Pushchair Toys
- Pushchair parasol
Nappy Changing and Bathing
- Top & tail bowl
- Baby brush and comb set
Feeding
- Bottle warmer
Clothing
- Baby outfits