Newborn Baby Checklist
Everything you need or should consider for a newborn baby
I wrote this list to give to expectant mothers I worked with, as a student midwife. Not all of these items are necessary but is a fantastic list of items to consider, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Large items
- Pram
- Moses basket- I recommend this for the first 6 months, for use during the day, you can put the baby in it and move it around the house with you, as you i.e. do the washing up, or sit on the sofa
- Bassinette/ something that stays in the bedroom with you, for 1st 6 months, for use at night time.
- Mattress and bedding for both sets of bed
- Cot for 6 months plus
- Pram- I recommend getting one that doubles as a car seat, and make sure that you practice pushing it around to feel how smooth it feels on different surfaces, and that it is the correct height for you
- Car seat
- Travel cot
- Changing table or changing matt
- Baby monitor
- White noise machine
- Highchair- 5 months plus
Clothes
- Hat
- Socks
- Booties- You won’t need to buy shoes for a little while
- Mittens
- Vest baby grow
- Short sleeve babygrow
- Over-the-top babygrow with long sleeves and legs
- Cardigans
- Trousers
- Pajamas- this also has long sleeves and legs, but also has feet
- Season-appropriate clothes- winter bodysuit or swimsuit/summer hat
- Cloth or reusable depending on your preference
Bath time
- Cotton wool for use when the baby is very young
- A baby bath
Feeding
- Bottles and teets
- Breast pump- Manual to start with as you won’t necessarily need an electric one
- Formula
- Bibs (5 months plus)
Other
- Muslin cloths
- Blankets
- Reusable wipes- If using disposable, buy unscented
- Sling/ carrier
- Teething items
- Playmat
- Doorway bouncer
- A box/basket to store everything needed for changing, so that things are easily on hand. I recommend keeping one upstairs and one downstairs
- Toys (5/6 months plus)
- Soft books
- Cardboard books
I have included books on the list because of a favorite quote of mine “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales” (Einstein).
Toiletries for baby
- Baby nail clippers
- Baby thermometer
- Consider taking a baby-specific first aid course through a reputable provider
For mum
- Nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Maternity pads
- Comfy cotton large knickers
- Nipple cream- If you plan on breastfeeding
Hopefully, this is a good starting point for any expectant parents out there!
