FIRST-TIME MUM’S BABY SHOPPING LIST: THE ESSENTIALS YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO BUY BEFORE BIRTH (2023)

Are you a first-time mum-to-be (or dad-to-be) looking for a shopping list that just tells you straight what you actually need to buy? Well, you’ve landed in the right place because I’ve curated a baby shopping list of the essentials you need before the birth of your baby.

I’ve based the list on my own experiences, and from comparing notes with other first-time mums, it’s literally insider information from mums who have been there and done it.

I’ve revisited every purchase and evaluated its usefulness and how much it was actually used. Oh, the fun I’ve had reminiscing!

I’ve included my top brand and product recommendations, along with the best places to buy them.

I’ve highlighted the true essentials, the surprising hits, the not-so-needed buys, and the wish-I-had-known-sooner items.

THE AT-A-GLANCE BABY SHOPPING LIST OF ESSENTIALS

Here is an at-a-glance list of all the essential baby stuff you need to have ready for the arrival of your first baby.

Need a printable version? Scroll to the end of the post to find out how to download a free PDF Baby Shopping List.

I’ve also put together a full baby shopping guide, which follows on from this list, with lots of information on why you need each item and the best products to buy.

1. SLEEP ESSENTIALS

1. Bedside crib (with detachable Moses basket)
2. Crib sheets
3. White noise machine
4. Blackout blind
5. Swaddle sacks or blankets
6. Video monitor

2. NURSERY NECESSITIES

1. Bedside crib (with detachable Moses basket)
2. Crib sheets
3. White noise machine
4. Blackout blind
5. Swaddle sacks or blankets
6. Video monitor

3. NAPPY SHOPPING LIST

1. Size 1 disposable nappies
2. Nappy cream
3. Nappy bin
4. Nappy bags
5. Wipes
6. Changing mat
7. Reusable nappies (aim for 12-18 nappies)
8. Reusable nappy liners

4. USEFUL TRAVEL EQUIPMENT

1. Convertible stroller system
2. Car seat
3. Baby carrier or baby wrap
4. Changing bag

5. ESSENTIAL FEEDING EQUIPMENT

1. Baby bottles
2. Steriliser
3. Breast pump
4. Nursing pillow
5. Formula
6. Nursing bras
7. Breast pads
8. Burp cloths
9. Highchair

6. KEEPING BABY SAFE AND AMUSED

1. Baby bouncer seat
2. Baby gym

7. BATHING AND HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS

1. Hooded towels
2. Washcloths
3. Baby shampoo and body wash
4. Baby lotion
5. Baby bath support

8. BABY CLOTHES BASICS

1. Short-sleeved onesies
2. Long-sleeved onesies
3. Ankle socks
4. Sock-Ons (utter sanity-saving genius!)
5. Snowsuit (for cooler months)
6. Baby beenie hats

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE ESSENTIALS YOU NEED BEFORE YOUR NEW BABY ARRIVES

Want to know more about what to buy and why? Here is a complete guide to shopping for your first baby, everything you need to know in one useful guide to becoming a well-prepared first-time mum.

1. SLEEP ESSENTIALS

Sleep is everything when you have a newborn! For you and your baby. So having the means to get your baby to sleep and stay asleep is vital. 

One of the big things my husband and I found really helpful was creating a womb-like experience for our baby daughter; somewhere cosy for her to sleep, something cosy and reassuringly womb-like to wear, womb-like noises and total darkness. 

With this in mind, here is a list of the six baby sleep essentials I believe you need to have ready for when you bring your newborn home:

1. Bedside crib (with detachable Moses basket)
2. Crib sheets
3. White noise machine
4. Blackout blind
5. Swaddle sacks or blankets
6. Video monitor

And here’s a little more detail about each of these items, along with my recommendation for the best products to buy.

2. CRIB SHEETS

It’s a good idea to have a couple of sets of crib sheets so you don’t ever get caught out (especially useful in the middle of the night!).

3. WHITE NOISE MACHINE

White noise machines things are AMAZING. They remind your baby of being in the womb, which is such a great way to get them to go to sleep and stay asleep.

There are many white noise machines to choose from. Just make sure to choose one that is specifically for babies to make sure that the sound levels are suitable for delicate baby ears.

My preference is always going to be for Ewan The Dream Sheep, not least because he is so darned cute!

4. BLACKOUT BLIND

A black-out blind is a total no-brainer essential, especially in the lighter summer months. It is the perfect partner for a white noise machine for creating a womb-like environment for your baby to get a lovely, cosy sleep.

We used our blackout curtain endlessly until our daughter was several years old. It is also a complete life-saver (or night-saver!) when you are away from home.

5. SWADDLE SACKS OR WRAPS

Swaddle sacks or wraps are another essential for your womb-like armoury!! I vote for swaddle sacks or wraps over swaddling blankets because babies still seem to be able to wriggle out of swaddling blankets.

Swaddle sacks and wraps are like turning your baby into a tortilla pocket!

Make sure to read up on safety guidelines for swaddling before you give it a go.

6. VIDEO MONITOR

The trend is to have a video baby monitor rather than just an audio monitor, so you can see and hear your baby during their nap times and then later on when they are in their own room. However, there is a new kid on the baby monitoring block…

The Cubo AI Plus is the very latest baby monitor on the market. It goes beyond being simply an audio-video smart baby monitor; it actually uses AI to help keep your baby safe!

Here is a quick overview of its main features:

AI-Driven Alerts: It provides proactive alerts for high-risk situations like the baby’s face being covered, potential rollovers, or if the baby crosses a set danger zone. These real-time warnings help to ensure your baby’s safety.

Sleep Analytics: Cubo Ai Plus offers detailed sleep analytics to help you understand and improve your baby’s sleep patterns over time.

Image Quality: With 1080p HD video quality, night vision, and a 135-degree wide-angle lens, you’ll get a clear and comprehensive view of your baby’s crib at any time of the day or night.

Two-way Audio: This feature allows you to hear your baby and soothe them with your voice, even from a distance.

Smart Home Compatibility: The Cubo Ai Plus integrates well with smart home systems, allowing you to control the monitor with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

Privacy and Security: The monitor offers a high standard of digital security and encryption to protect your privacy and data.

2. NURSERY NECESSITIES

We started off with our baby daughter sleeping in our room at night, which is in line with guidelines that say it’s safest for a baby to sleep in the same room as its parent/s for the first six months. 

However, we also set up a nursery for her, which she transitioned into once she was old enough. We also transitioned her from swaddling sacks to sleeping bags as soon as she started wriggling.

A cotbed is a major outlay, and you could potentially wait until your baby is older to buy it, but once you are in the throes of parenting a baby, you might be glad of having already bought a cotbed and having it set up.

1. Cotbed
2. Cotbed mattress
3. Cotbed waterproof mattress protector
4. Cotbed sheets
5. Sleeping bags

Here is a little look at some of the best-selling nursery essentials to buy.

1. COTBED

There are a gazillion different cotbeds to choose from. You want to make sure that the one you buy is sturdy and built to last – the idea of a cotbed is that it will serve you for several years, so you want them to be comfortable years for your baby as they grow.

2. COTBED MATTRESS

We put a lot of thought into buying a natural, breathable crib mattress. It felt right to make sure we were putting out daughter on a natural surface free from potentially harmful chemicals.

This is the PurFlo breathable mattress that we had for our daughter on her cotbed. It has won numerous awards.

The Purflo mattress has a 3D mesh structure and hollow core that enables superior breathability and temperature regulation, helping to reduce the risk of overheating.

The mattress can. be washed at 60 degrees, the temperature needed to kill dust mites, ensuring a hygienic sleeping environment.

It also features an Amicor Pure hypoallergenic layer, which means it is brilliant for toddlers and kids with allergies or asthma.

3. COTBED WATERPROOF MATTRESS PROTECTOR

You will absolutely need to have a waterproof mattress protector for your cotbed mattress. Ideally, you want one that is breathable and hypoallergenic but also pleasant to sleep on.

ClevaMama mattress protectors are all of these things and more. They are 100% waterproof and have a breathable internal membrane that blocks any liquid. They are ultra-sort, made from cotton, they are hypoallergenic to protect against mites and pollen and other allergens. They have deep skirts so that once they are on, they stay on. They are machine washable and tumble-drier safe for easy laundering.

4. COTBED FITTED SHEETS

Ideally, you need to have a couple of sets of fitted sheets that are both breathable and comfortable. These SilentNight sheets are just the ticket.

5. BABY SLEEPING BAGS

Once your baby can wriggle around, you should stop using swaddling and upgrade them to a baby sleeping bag.

3. NAPPY SHOPPING LIST

There are ecological pros and cons to both disposable nappies/diapers and reusable nappies/diapers. So I suggest you go with what you feel most comfortable with. We went with disposable nappies, and I am really happy with the choice we made.

1. Size 1 disposable nappies
2. Nappy cream
3. Nappy bin
4. Nappy bags
5. Wipes
6. Changing mat
7. Reusable nappies (aim for 12-18)
8. Reusable nappy liners

Here are some of the best-selling nappies and nappy-related kit for babies.

1. DISPOSABLE NAPPIES

2. NAPPY CREAM

3. NAPPY BIN

Now, this Ubbi odour-locking nappy disposal bin is just brilliant because you don’t need to buy individual nappy sacks for it. You can just use any regular rubbish bags. That’s a BIG MONEY and TIME SAVER right there!!!

I wish, wish, wish we had had one of these. Our nappy bin needed its own cassettes of nappy sacks, and when it was getting full, it gave off an aroma that wasn’t the best.

4. NAPPY BAGS

5. NAPPY WIPES

6. CHANGING MAT

The nappy changing is one area where you can really cut back on costs… by not spending out on an expensive nappy changing unit.

We managed very well by just using a nappy changing pad on either our bed or on the floor of the nursery.

Just make sure you go for a contoured pad to keep your baby safely on it, and never leave your baby unattended on it.

7. REUSABLE CLOTH NAPPIES

8. NAPPY LINERS

4. TRAVEL EQUIPMENT LIST

1. Convertible stroller system
2. Car seat
3. Baby carrier or baby wrap
4. Changing bag

Walking out of the hospital as new parents with your baby for the first time is one of the strangest feelings in the world ever!! We were eternally grateful that we’d taken the time to fit the car seat in the car way ahead of the birth. But even so, we drove home at around 10 miles per hour because we were so struck by how much responsibility we now had to keep our baby daughter safe!!

Here’s a list of the stuff we found essential for travelling around with our daughter in her first weeks and months.

1. CONVERTIBLE STROLLER SYSTEM

Much as it is lovely to have your baby snuggled into your chest, there are times when you will be thankful for having a stroller you can use.

One of the most cost-effective ways to buy a stroller is to choose one that converts from a flatbed to a stroller, so you can use it from birth through to the toddler years.

The BabyZen YoYo2 is incredibly popular, and with good reason. Watch the video and see how brilliant this slick, well-designed stroller system is.

2. BABY CAR SEAT

The baby car seat is one of the most important baby items you will ever buy. You literally need one to be allowed to bring your baby home by car or taxi.

We had a Maxi Cosi Pebble, and though this was a few years back now, the Pebble is still one of the most popular baby car seats around.

Maxi Cosi is known for its great safety record, which is just the reassurance you need when you’re putting the safety of your baby in a car seat. 

The car seat is compatible with all the major travel systems and pushchair brands, and it can be fixed into your car with an Isofix base or seat belt. 

3. BABY CARRIER/BABY WRAP

We started off with a front baby carrier, which is a fairly structured piece of kit and my husband loved carrying our baby daughter in it.

We started off with a front baby carrier, which is a fairly structured piece of kit and my husband loved carrying our baby daughter in it. 

Although my husband loved using the baby carrier, I yearned after having a baby sling because I wanted to feel that my daughter was as snuggled in as possible on me. 

So I did also end up buying a baby sling, which I totally and utterly loved using. My baby daughter felt so much more snuggled into me than she did in the carrier, which was great for comforting her and a lovely experience for me.

5. FEEDING EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS

You may plan to breastfeed your baby, or you may plan to formula-feed your baby. Until your baby is born, there is no certainty about how you will actually feed your baby. 

For example, I planned to breastfeed but ended up combination feeding (breastfeeding and formula feeding) for a year. 

So you want to be prepared rather than having to rush around panic-buying feeding equipment if breastfeeding isn’t working out or going as well as hoped.

Top tip: Don’t go buying a bunch of bottles until you know for sure how you’ll feed your baby. But it is a good idea to have a couple of baby bottles ready for your newborn, at the very least, as it takes the pressure off, and that can only be a good thing if you’re starting to breastfeed for the first time. 

1. Baby bottles
2. Steriliser
3. Breast pump
4. Nursing pillow
5. Formula
6. Nursing bras
7. Breast pads
8. Burp cloths
9. Highchair

So here is a list of some of the best-sellers that you might like to buy.

1. BABY BOTTLES

There is a lot of talk about bottle-feeding confusing babies. I had no problem at all feeding my baby daughter from the bottle and breastfeeding her. It wasn’t what I had planned to do, but due to circumstance, it is what I did do, and you know what? My baby thrived on being combination fed, and she’s a super healthy, happy child.

Go for bottles with newborn nipples that mimic breastfeeding, like the original Closer To Nature breast-like bottle by Tomee Tippee. 

2. STERILISER

I suggest you buy a microwave steam steriliser because they are true space savers, and it’s also much cheaper than buying a whole big baby steriliser set that sits looking ugly and takes up precious space on your kitchen worktop.

3. BREAST PUMP

I had a manual breast pump, but if I did it all over again, I would go for an electric breast pump.

The Elvie has a cult-like following with mums, it is wire and tube free and fits discreetly into your bra, and it is ultra quiet, so you can literally pump from anywhere. 

It does come with a hefty price tag, so if you think this is the breast pump for you, it could well be something to add to your Amazon Baby Wishlist. 

4. NURSING PILLOW

I made so much use of my breastfeeding pillow, a feeding pillow makes it so much easier to get your baby into a good position to feed and makes it so much more comfortable for you. 

5. BABY FORMULA

One of my most important tips is to buy some baby formula. Even if you have your heart set on breastfeeding your baby, it takes the pressure off. 

I am eternally grateful that we had some formula to hand in the hospital, as we had a tricky start to breastfeeding.

Once I got going with breastfeeding, I still used to use formula at times. I started off with Aptamil but then switched to the HIPP Organic formula. 

6. NURSING BRAS

Make sure to get measured before you buy your maternity bras, it is really important to give your breasts the correct support.

7. NURSING PADS

Nursing pads are one of those items you don’t realise you actually need – until you actually need them to soak up your breast milk!

8. BURP CLOTHS

Burp cloths are an absolute essential. You find yourself using them for so much more than burp cloths too!

9. HIGHCHAIR

We had the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair in natural wood, and it really does last from the baby days right up to adulthood if you want it to, though we sold it on once our daughter started primary school, as she then felt she was far too grown-up to be using it!

There are a bunch of accessories you can buy for the Tripp Trapp, including a newborn insert set, so you really can make use of it from the early days of parenthood.

6. KEEPING BABY SAFE AND AMUSED

Much as sleep is a big focus, it’s also important to be prepared for keeping your baby safe and amused during his or her waking hours.

 If you’re feeling tired or need to get stuff done, the waking hours can feel very long at times. I think it’s pretty much essential to have a baby seat, and it’s an added bonus to have an activity mat as well. Both of these will keep your baby safe and stimulated during their waking hours.

1. Baby bouncer seat
2. Baby gym

Here are a couple of absolute classics you might like to buy.

1. BABY BOUNCER SEAT

We had this Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer chair, and our daughter absolutely loved it. She would kick her little legs in absolute delight for ages.

2. BABY GYM

7. BATHING AND HEALTH SHOPPING LIST

There is a lot of debate over whether you actually need a baby bath, but my vote is firmly that you do. Unless you go for a baby bath support, which is the item I am going to add to the must-have baby shopping list. 

In short, you want baby bathtime to be as safe and easy as possible. So you will really value having either a baby bath or a baby bath support when you’re tired and wrestling a wet, wriggly baby. 

I found it useful to have a couple of baby towels with hoods and a stack of baby washcloths. Plus, baby shampoo, baby wash and baby lotion. Please don’t buy talc; it’s really not good for your baby in so many ways. 

1. Hooded towels
2. Washcloths
3. Baby shampoo and body wash
4. Baby lotion
5. Baby bath support

Here are a few suggestions of best-selling things you can buy for bathing your baby.

1. HOODED TOWELS

2. WASHCLOTHS

3. BABY SHAMPOO AND BODY WASH

4. BABY LOTION

5. BABY BATH SUPPORT

8. NEWBORN BABY CLOTHES NECESSITIES

I’m going to stick to the absolute newborn baby clothing necessities here. You will no doubt get bought gorgeous baby clothes as gifts – and find yourself buying a ton of gorgeous baby outfits as well once your baby is actually born and you know what will suit them. 

So here are the absolute necessities that you need for your newborn baby clothing necessities.

Tip: Go for 0-3 months rather than newborn size, because your baby will grow out of newborn size SOOOO quickly!!

1. Short-sleeved onesies
2. Long-sleeved onesies
3. Ankle socks
4. Sock-ons
5. Snowsuit (for cooler months)
6. Baby beenie hats

There are so many briliant baby clothes out there I’m not going to make any suggestions, with the exception of Sock-Ons which I do believe are actual genius.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR NEWBORN BABY SHOPPING

There’s a lot to think about when you’re having a baby and quite a few baby things to buy before the birth. So it’s worth taking some time to plan how you are going to shop for the baby. 

Here is a list of some useful things for first-time mums to consider that will help you plan your baby shopping better.

WHEN SHOULD YOU START BUYING THINGS FOR YOUR BABY?

Even though finding out you are pregnant can be one of the most joyous moments in your life, I would suggest you pace yourself before rushing to buy lots of stuff for your baby and the nursery. Maybe satisfy your urge to spend by buying yourself some first-trimester of pregnancy must-haves.

There are several things you should take into consideration before you start your baby shopping:

1. TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE

Unless you found out late, you have several months between finding out you are pregnant and giving birth.

2. 12 WEEKS

Consider waiting until you have passed the 12-week point and had your first scan. Maybe satisfy your short-term shopping cravings by putting together your baby registry/wish list? 

3. GENDER

I’m massively pro gender-neutral baby clothes and toys. However, if you know you are going to find out the gender of your baby ahead of the birth, you might well be better off buying certain things on your shopping list until after the big reveal. 

4. BABY SHOWER

If someone is throwing you a baby shower it would be good to sign up to a baby registry and then do your own shopping once you’ve had the shower. Baby showers usually take place between month six and month eight. So consider the timing that works best for you. 

5. AIM FOR DONE BY 8 MONTHS

It’s a good idea to have bought the most important baby things you need to buy before the birth of your baby by the time you are 8 months pregnant. There are several reasons for this:

• You will be at your heaviest and most tired by this point
• A due date is a rough estimate, your baby might come early
• It will keep your stress levels down and you can focus on buying the more fun stuff

As a side note, it’s also a good idea to have your hospital bag prepped and packed by eight months too. I’ve got a post on the hospital bag essentials to include for you, your new baby and the baby’s daddy/birthing partner.

6. MONEY SAVING

Depending on the time of year your baby is due, there might be some good opportunities to buy the big baby stuff and save money. 

I’m thinking Black Friday, the January sales and summer sales. It’s a good idea to have a budget drawn up and then you can plan on buying something if you find it with a big saving. 

Talking of money-saving, here are some great tips on how to save money on buying stuff for your new baby. 

Related: The best baby registries guide

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR BABY SHOPPING

Here are some great tips on things for first time mums to bear mind before you start putting together your newborn baby shopping list.

1. PLAN BEFORE YOU SHOP ONLINE

Online shopping is SO easy, and I wholeheartedly embrace it. However, it isn’t always the best way to save money, especially if you end up filling up your cart to get free delivery! Sometimes a well-planned shopping trip will save you money. 

2. NAPPY SAVINGS

Nappies are a big expense. Your baby is likely to be using them until sometime between 18 months (super early in my book) and 3 years old. Of course, some kids need them for longer. Whilst buying your first packet of nappies will be a thrill, buying your fiftieth will be less so! 

Some parents like to nappy stockpile ahead of the baby’s arrival. This way, they can home in on the best deals.

Remember to hold onto your receipts if you do this, as you won’t know for sure that the nappies you’ve bought work well for your baby until your baby is using them. 

The other way to go about it is to ALWAYS LOOK FOR DEALS rather than just buy through the same retailer. There is always somewhere that will have a discount running. 

3. BUY MULTI-PURPOSE BABY STUFF

You can’t do this with everything, but here are a few ideas:

1. Baby crib that converts into a toddler bed
2. The Stokke Tripp Trapp baby seat is an amazing piece of kit, as it can be adapted as your baby becomes and toddler and on into childhood. 
3. Baby travel system – can fit a baby car seat, will support your baby lying down and later when they are sitting up. 

4. CHANGE UP YOUR WASHING AND GROOMING ESSENTIALS

The most important thing when washing and bathing your baby is to make sure the products you use are as simple and free from nasties as possible.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy everything, especially for a baby. If you don’t already, consider swapping your everyday shower gel, face wash, and shampoo for gentle, organic, chemical-free products that everyone in the household can use. 

5. BORROW RATHER THAN BUY

There are some nice-to-haves like a moses basket, that your baby will be in for a matter of weeks. Ask a friend for one to borrow or have as a hand-me-down, then pass on the favour when you’re done with it. 

I really hope this list of baby essentials has helped you put together a baby shopping list that means you are ready for the arrival of your newborn baby with plenty of energy to spare for making the most of the first few days, weeks and months with your precious new baby.

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE PDF VERSION OF THE LIST OF BABY THINGS FOR FIRST-TIME MUMS TO BUY

QUICK CHECKLIST OF BABY THINGS TO BUY BEFORE BIRTH

Here is an at-a-glance list of all the baby things to buy before birth in case you simply want to start getting your head around all the things you need to buy. I’ve popped it into a printable, so if you keep scrolling down you can grab a copy of to download and print.

MORE USEFUL BABY AND NEW MUM CONTENT

I’ve got a growing list of new mom and baby posts, so take a look and see if there is anything else I can help you with. 

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