The checklist of things you need for a newborn can seem never-ending and if you’re on a tight budget, this might cause extra stress at a time you really don’t need any more.
We’ve asked new parents and experts to separate the new baby essentials from the nice-to-haves, and not-to-haves.
“My top tip is that you shouldn’t go overboard: focus on the essentials initially, as you may get other things as gifts,” says Pamela Mills, an NHS midwife based in Greater Manchester.
Remember that you don’t need everything immediately – especially when your baby is so young. Give yourself a little more time so you have the breathing space to decide what’s useful and what’s not.
It may seem like you need a lot, but you can strip the list down, buy second-hand and borrow what you can - you’ll be surprised how much stuff your friends and family will have squirrelled away (and be relieved to get rid of).
New baby checklist
“A wise lady in a baby shop gave me some great advice when I was pregnant that stuck with me: as long as you’ve got stuff sorted for eating, sleeping and travelling, you’re sorted for when they’re newborn,” says mum Claire.
| What? | Why? |
|---|---|
| Nappies | Disposable or reusable, you’ll need a lot. “Get a nappy bin, or try inexpensive, fragrant nappy sacks,” says Pam. |
| Somewhere for them to sleep | There are few options here including a moses basket or cot but think carefully before you choose something. “You could also use the carrycot part of your pram if you get one. Remember that babies soon outgrow their initial beds,” says Pam. |
| Something to transport them in | Spend time thinking about this also, as it all depends on how you will be travelling, your baby’s needs and your budget. If you do have a car, for example, you might go for a ‘travel system’, which basically means a buggy that you can attach a car seat and carrycot to, though some of these can be expensive. Some parents also like to use slings for the first few weeks, which are great for skin-to-skin contact. |
| Baby clothes | Don’t go overboard – you’ll probably get several outfits as presents. The essentials are vests and sleepsuits – and if your baby is born in autumn or winter, some warmer items. |
| Baby-friendly clothes for you | Think comfort and practicality. You need things that are easy to clean and need little or no ironing. Get yourself a coat with plenty of pockets and a hood, as it’s difficult to push a pram and hold a brolly when it’s raining. And mums: if you're breastfeeding, choose tops and outfits with buttons down the front and get yourself a big headband for all the days you can’t be bothered to wash your hair. |
| Change mats | “If your flat or house has an upstairs, get a simple inexpensive changing mat for upstairs, as well as downstairs to reduce the amount of legwork,” says Pam. Get a folding one for journeys and either a change bag or good rucksack with lots of pockets. |
| Muslin cloths | These have a multitude of uses, including wiping up dribbles. |
| Feeding kit | “Bottles if you choose to bottle feed, a steriliser, and if you are breastfeeding, a good supportive feeding bra and breast pads. Consider hiring a breast pump from your local maternity unit rather than rushing out to buy one that might not get used,” recommends Pam. |
What shouldn't you buy for a new baby? Parents share their stories
Image caption, Teddies
"I ended up being given lot and lots of them.”
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Free ways to entertain your baby
New baby checklists can be helpful, but sometimes the best things in life are free… especially when it comes to communicating with your newborn, says NHS Speech and Language Therapist, Francesca Ellis.
"There are some very snazzy toys on the market that sing and dance, but none of these toys are as good as you and your ability to play and communicate with your baby from day one. From the early days of life your baby will show an interest in your face and try to copy you."
They will also be in tune to your voice and using it is the easiest way to support language development.
No-cost top tips
- Use intonation: make your voice change so that you sound interesting when talking to your baby. Talk to them all about what you’re doing and going to do throughout the day – it gets them used to the sound of you chatting.
- Play ‘ready, steady… go’ games: sounds silly but at even an early age, if you repeat this phrase and use slow pace and intonation your baby will anticipate the ‘GO!’.
- Try peekaboo: smile and then hide your face with your hands and then repeat a few times. It's so simple but great for your baby's development.
- Stick out your tongue: give it a try and see if your baby copies you.
- Eye contact: make sure you’re seeing eye-to-eye whenever you can.
- And remember to SMILE – the simplest, most effective communication for your baby.
