Newborn Essentials Shopping List

Getting ready to welcome a new baby into your life is an exciting, yet daunting time “” thank goodness you have nine months to prepare!

Searching for and then purchasing all of the equipment, clothing and supplies for your first baby is a challenge in itself, with so many brands and designs to choose from, it’s enough to send your head spinning.

Here are a list of supplies you will need for your new baby”¦

Make a shopping list. A well thought out shopping list will allow you to keep on track with your purchases.  When making your shopping list, keep your lifestyle and space limitations under consideration. A baby carrier or sling in which baby is kept close to your body and requires next to no storage space may have more appeal than a pram. Talk to other parents to get their opinions on the usefulness of these items, special features to look for, and durability.

Travel Essentials:

• Pram with bassinet or convertible car seat
• Car Seat (or Capsule for the first six months)
• Baby Sling or Carrier
• Nappy Bag
• A few dummies (if you so choose)

Other useful Travel items to have (but aren’t essential):

• Portable cot

Furniture and Equipment

• Bassinet or Cot
• Cot mattress
• Changing table, or dresser that is wide and high enough to comfortably change baby
• Changing pad with safety straps to secure baby while changing
• Dresser
• Comfortable chair for nursing or feeding baby
• Lamp or nightlight

Linen

• 3-6 flannel receiving blankets
• 2-3 fitted cot sheets
• 2-3 cot blankets (waffle weave, fleece or soft quilted)
• 1 – 2 waterproof matress underlays
• 2-3 waterproof changing pads
• 1 waterproof mattress pad
• 3-4 soft baby washcloths
• 5 – 6 swaddle wraps

Changing Supplies:

As you will often be changing your baby in more than one area of your house, it helps to have a set of changing supplies in the baby’s room as well as one in a portable container such as a basket.

• Nappies – if you go disposable – have at least (but no more) two boxes of Newborn size.  Babies grow very very quickly – so if bubs grow out of the newborn nappies, you can usually exchange the unopened box for the next size up at the place of purchase.
• Baby wipes or baby washcloths
• Changing pad
• Nappy rash ointment
• Cotton balls
• Infant Nail Clipper

Feeding Supplies for Baby:

As with the changing supplies, you may find that you are feeding baby in more than one area of the house. An extra set of supplies kept in a portable container will make feeding more convenient.

• Pillow (to support baby and save your arms)
• Nursing pads (if nursing)
• Nipple cream (lanolin based, if nursing)
• Burp cloths or square cloth diapers

If bottle feeding:

• 6 x 120ml bottles with nipple units
• Microwave Steriliser
• Formula of your choice

If using a breast pump:

• Plastic bottles (for storing pumped milk)
• Breast pump.

Health, Safety and First Aid Items to Have on Hand:

• Thermometer (the ones that can be used on the forehead are the easiest to use!)
• Humidifier (for when baby gets a cold)
• Baby Sunscreen
• Medicine dropper
• Baby Monitor
• Infant nail clippers

Essential Supplies for Mummy:

A few things for Mum can be just as essential.  After all – happy wife, happy life!!!!

• 2 -3 soft wire-free nursing bra’s
• Nursing pillow
• 2 – 3 nursing tops
• Nipple Cream
• Nipple Pads
• Nipple Shields if your nipples are seriously sore
• Maternity Pads (x 10)
• 2 x ice packs (for breasts or fanny)

Bathing Supplies:

Until baby’s umbilical cord falls off, which is generally 5-7 days after birth, a sponge bath will be the preferred method of bathing.

• Baby bathtub
• Baby washcloths
• Baby soap
• Soft brush
• Soft towel
• Cotton balls (for cleaning eyes)

Baby Clothing:

The following is a list for a basic baby clothes. Depending upon how often laundry will be done, you may opt to purchase the maximum amount to allow ample clean clothing between laundry days. Although there is no standard sizing in children’s wear, infant garments will often include weight and height ranges as well as the age. For newborns, purchasing a few items in the 0 3-monthnth size and the remaining in the 3 to 6 month size is generally recommended as babies grow quickly.

• 3-6 one-piece sleepers with feet
• 4-6 cotton knit singlets
• 1 beanie or hat (depending upon season)
• 2-3 pairs booties or socks
• 3-6 rompers (one-piece outfits that snap at the crotch)
• 1-3 jumpers
• 2 -3 sets of mittens (so baby doesn’t scratch their face)
• 1-3 tights or pants

Other Products That Might Come in Handy….

There are so many products available now – that aren’t needs, but might just make your life a lot easier.  We recommend:

• A Baby Swing or rocker
• Baby Monitor
• Swimming Nappies
• Sun Shade for the Car Windows
• Colourful mobile for the cot
• Baby Activity Gym