Baby essentials

1. Bassinet, sheets, blankets, mattress, and mattress protectors

Some people put their baby straight into a cot, while others prefer to use a bassinet (which is sort of like a basket). Some bassinets come on wheels which is handy for moving the baby from room to room with you.

A handy tip is to get two bassinet mattresses so that you have a spare on if (and when) your baby wets theirs.

There’s no need to buy special bassinet blankets, just fold up the ones you plan to use for the cot and they’ll do nicely.

2. Cot, cot sheets, blankets, mattress, and mattress protectors

When you’re ready and your baby is getting too big for the bassinet, you can move them into a cot in your room or their own room.

It’s always a good idea to have a few spare sets of linen and blankets for the cot in case your baby is sick on them or wets through their clothes. Keep a set all in one place for those middle of the night bed changes.

3. Wraps

Some babies love to be wrapped before they go to sleep, so invest in a few muslin cloths or wraps of your choosing. You can also use wraps as a light blanket in the capsule or pram, as a handy cloth for mopping up baby vomit, or if you want to keep the sun off your baby when you’re out in the pram.

4. Cloth nappies for burp cloths

After you feed your baby you’ll need to burp them, and this is where you might get a little bit of dribble, a mini spew, or a massive vomit. These protect you and your shoulder. Keep some in your nappy bag and you’ll find they have loads of uses (such as an impromptu change table on the grass).

5. Bottles, teats, bottle brush, formula (if using)

You may have decided to breastfeed but it can be handy to have some bottles at home in case you decide to express milk or offer formula at any point.

6. Baby lotion and bath wash

Your baby doesn’t need anything too fancy, but we love Aussie brands such as Moo Goo (get this from the chemist) which use all natural ingredients. After their bath you can rub some lotion into their skin, and some little ones enjoy a bit of a light massage to help them sleep.

7. Cotton buds

You can use these to clean your baby’s nose or eyes, or even to keep their belly button area clean while it heals.

8. Face washers and towels  

While they don’t need special linen, it’s nice to have a few soft fluffy towels for baby to use if you don’t already have some on hand.

9. Nappies

Rather than stocking up on newborn nappies, it’s best to just grab one box of newborn nappies and one box of the small infant nappies. Some babies outgrow the newborn nappies very quickly, and some never fit into them at all.

10. Wipes and nappy bags

You can really never have enough wipes. Besides being great for nappy changes, you can also use them around the house for quick clean ups, and for cleaning the dashboard of your car (just saying). You’ll also need some nappy bags, which are just the little plastic bags that you put dirty nappies in before binning them.

11. Nappy rash cream

Grab a little tub of paw paw lotion or Sudocrem to have on hand in case your baby gets a sore red bottom.

12. Change table

You can either get a free-standing change table, or one with drawers, or just put a foam change mat with sides on it on top of some drawers.

13. Onesies, socks and singlets

People are very generous when you have a baby, so don’t stock up too much on clothing. Just for peace of mind, having 5 onesies, 5 singlets and 5 pairs of socks on hand should be perfect.

14. Hats

You’ll need a sunhat or a woollen hat depending on the season they’re born in.

15. Pram

Once you’re ready to leave the comfortable surrounds of home you’ll need a pram to get your baby around. Getting some fresh air daily (and fresh coffee) can be great for your sanity, as well as your health.

Not only is it a required mode of transport, the pram can be helpful for some babies who have trouble getting to sleep. They seem unable to resist the gentle rock of the pram.

Be sure you can fold it and that your new pram fits into the boot of your car before you buy it – most shops will let you take it out to the car to do a practice run.

Talk to friends and family for tips on choosing a pram. It’s a very personal choice so take a few for a test drive around the shops (even if you end up buying it online or second hand).

16. Baby capsule or convertible car seat

Buy or hire these, depending on your needs. Some prams have an attachment so that you can clip your baby capsule in and out of the car and into the pram without getting the baby out. Genius.

19. Change mat

Many nappy bags come with one of these, but if not just get a plastic mat to keep in there for nappy changing when there isn’t a change table available.

20. Nipple cream

In the early days of feeding you can get sore red nipples, so a soothing cream can bring some relief.

21. Breast pads 

As you settle in to breastfeeding if you choose to do so, you might find that you leak some milk. You can get reusable or disposable breast pads to put into your bra to keep you dry.

22. Sanitary pads

Grab a few packets as there is a good chance you will need them for around 6 weeks.

23. Baby paracetamol

Keep a bottle on hand for the first time your baby has a fever or is ill. Check the label as there are some that are better suited to the younger baby.

24. Baby nail clippers

To avoid baby scratching you or themselves keep their nails in check by using baby clippers.