Newborn Shopping List
Written for parents who don’t want an overwhelming amount of baby paraphernalia! Just the basics for the first couple of months, babies grow fast, their needs change and so many items become instantly redundant. This is also a list of items that I personally like, we’re all different and what works for one mum might not be right for another.
For your comfort
Water Bottle
Spillproof Travel Cup
Fairy Lights
Earplugs
Aromatherapy Diffuser & Oil
Hot Water bottle
Buggy Clips
White Noise Machine
You can find a few of my favourites on this amazon list
For Warmth
Your body will do this best. The number you need depends on how frequently you want to do laundry, how quickly you can get them dried.
12 Baby Grows (Sleepsuits); Size: newborn or up to 1 month
12 Bodysuits (Vests); Size: newborn or up to 1 month
Tuppence & Crumble Star Blanket
Cellular Blankets
Snowsuit (for Winter Babies)
For Safety at Home
In the modern world we live in, it can be hard to make sure baby is never put down, it’s useful to have a place you can safely put baby down when needed.
Moses Basket/Next to Me Crib
Fitted sheets x3
For Hygiene
Babies don’t need a bath for the first couple of weeks, avoid cleaning the cord stump as it needs to dry out to fall off.
Muslins/Flannels, you’re going to become a professional wiper-upper!
Nappies sizes are based on baby’s weight.
Size 0 (1-2.5kg, 2-5lbs)
Size 1 (2 -5kg, 5-11lbs)
Size 2 (3-6kg, 7-14lbs)
Wipes
Changing mat
Nappy bags
Cotton Wool Pads
Baby nail file
Bath Support
My personal favourite is the angelcare bath support used within your own bath/shower
Travel
Carrier: Carriers are like jeans, what suits one person may not work for someone else. For the first couple of months I prefer to put babies in my stretchy sling, as they grow I find my structured buckled carrier better. You can hire before you buy using our local sling library; East Surrey Slings, you will be shown how to fit it properly to you and how to ensure baby is safely positioned in the carrier.
Car Seat: finding one that’s compatible with your pushchair can be really helpful when transferring a sleeping baby.
Pushchair: All comes down to personal choice, I highly recommend one with a cupholder accessory and that can be converted from a pram (suitable from birth) to a seat. I loved the mamas and papas armadillo flip xt pushchair with a newborn cocoon and carseat adaptors.
Bag: Spoiler alert, you don’t need a special bag- unless you want one!
Travel Cot: If you plan to travel a lot, most hotels have a travel cot but I really recommend buying a decent thick mattress and fitted sheet for it. This can be useful around the house as a safe space to put your baby, act as a play pen.
Breastfeeding
Footstool- this is my number 1 recommended tool to help with breastfeeding in the laid back position.
IBCLC Practitioner
Cranial Osteopath
Nipple Balm
Silver Cups
Breast Pump- be sure to check your nipple size and make sure you have the right size flange.
Formula feeding
For the first 2 weeks I think it’s easier to use the pre-made infant milk decanted in to bottles. In the long run they work out to be an expensive option. In the first few days, one 200ml bottle may last a day or two. By 3 months they’ll be drinking 4-6 of those a day.
6x Bottles
6x Teats: Size 1
Steriliser tablets & lidded container
Washing up brush
Nuby RapidCool - great for home or travel use
UV Baby Bottle Steriliser Case- great for travel
Things you probably don’t need
This list may be controversial and of course if you want them, go ahead and get them! We live in a world where you can order anything for next day delivery 24 hours a day! If you really need it, you’ll be able to get it. Setting up a nursery will be easier and more effective once you’ve lived with your baby for a few months and you know what you need.
Baby monitor- baby will probably be with you or on you constantly for the first few months.
Cot- baby won’t sleep in their own room until 5-6 months, it may be more useful to have a mattress on the floor in a nursery than a cot so you have a space that you or your partner has somewhere to get restorative sleep so they can step in a help you. I see a lot of cots act a large storage container.
Nursing chair-if you already have a comfortable sofa, you probably don’t need somewhere else to sit. Mastering a safe co-sleeping space means you don’t have to get up to feed in the night anyway.
Wardrobe- I see a lot of crammed drawers and empty hanging space!
Changing dresser- unless it’s easier for you, a changing mat on each floor of your house will save your time and energy.
Toys- your face is more interesting to a baby than any toy you can buy, even when they are old enough they’ll be more interested in real life items to play with- the remote control and keys always being firm favourites!
Books- Head to the library and treat yourself to a coffee on the way and connect with other parents ay the singing sessions they offer.
