The ULTIMATE Newborn Baby Essential List
7-8 minute read
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time parent, welcoming a newborn into the world is an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) time. But fear not! We’ve got you covered with our essential newborn baby list - along with some of our favourite products from Gigil to help you create a organised and stylish start to the newborn life.
Looking at this list below might seem quite overwhelming thinking about how much you need to buy, but do take into account that everyone wont need ALL of these items, it might depend on the time of year or what feeding method you choose. Plus, I might have added a few in there that are optional. Just know that whatever you choose to do or buy is you doing your best for your baby, and a happy, healthy and safe baby is the number one priority.
Bedroom Essentials
- Cot and firm flat mattress
- Wardrobe and drawers
- Changing station with changing mat
- Blinds and curtains (blackout ideally)
- Storage baskets / laundry baskets
- Nursing chair - rocking/glider chair is a bonus
- Baby monitor
- Nappy bin
- Cot mobile
- White noise machine
Clothing Essentials
Depending on the time of the year your little one is due, these essentials might not be needed for everyone straight away.
- Babygrows/sleepsuits - I would say at least 8 to save you doing the never ending laundry that soon builds up quickly, but then not too many as they grow so fast and it will only increase your laundry pile even more. You can always buy more once they arrive if you feel you need it.
- Short sleeved vests x8
- Long sleeved vests x5
- Rompers - summertime
- Thin Cardigan x2
- Thicker jacket/cardigan x1 (maybe 2 if you want a backup)
- Socks
- Booties
- Baby mittens (optional - to be honest, Ava or Francesca never kept theirs on, I found using the babygrows with built in mittens worked best)
- Pramsuit - Remember not to put a baby in a car seat with a pramsuit/snowsuit on - they are very easy to overheat in. Always just use a thin cardigan and cover with a blanket. If you are then walking outside with a car seat, the safest thing would be to take them out and then put a jacket on for outside. Yes its a lot of faffing about but safety comes first as cars get warm very quickly.
- Sunhats / Winter hats / hat for in hospital when born
Sleeping Essentials
-
Safe sleeping space - cot/moses basket
Please research into co-sleeping safely if this is your choice of sleep space - Mattress
- Fitted sheets x3
- Cellular blankets x2
- Swaddles
- There is no need for comforters at this age due to the risk of SIDs
- There is also no reason to buy crib bumpers - they look pretty but are not safe.
- Sleeping bags - this is a whole other topic to go into, see below.
Sleeping Bags
There is so much choice now when it comes to sleeping bags. You can get ones that swaddle their arms upwards, downwards or no arms at all. We have always used the standard ones with no arms in, but I have always wanted to try the ones with arms in as it is supposed to help them with their startle reflex that you will notice in the first 12 weeks especially, where they startle themselves in their sleep and this can wake them up.
You can then get all the different tog ratings for the sleeping bags which is important to make note of so they are sleeping comfortably and safely. I can’t think of how many times I had to google the right tog and what clothing for different temperatures in the room so it is worth keeping a note somewhere. You can find different information in different places but according to the NHS the different togs should be used in the following room temperatures:
Commercial sleeping bags have the following tog ratings:
- 2.5 tog: for use all year and for standard room temperatures of 16 to 20C (61 to 69F)
- 1.0 tog: for use in warmer weather and in warmer rooms of 20 to 24C (69-to 73F)
- 0.5 tog: for use in hot weather and warm room temperatures of 24 to 27C (73 to 80F)
For example, Francesca was born in December. I have 2.5 tog x2 and 1.0tog x2 - only using the 1.0tog one for when she has a high temperature. Always best to have 2 of each tog in case they are sick or leak.
Dress your baby appropriately underneath the sleeping bag also depending on the temperature, sometimes a vest and baby grow is required, sometimes just a long sleeved vest, even just a nappy in the extreme summers we sometimes get, but you can find more information on this online.
Baby Blankets
If you use baby blankets instead of a sleeping bag, lie your baby on their back with their feet nearest the foot of the cot or Moses basket. This prevents any loose bedding covering their face when they wriggle around.
A cellular cotton blanket is best as they allow your baby to keep warm but allows air flow. The blanket should be tucked in firmly, no higher than the shoulders, and not doubled over as this can cause overheating.
Feeding Essentials
This one might differ for some people depending on whether breastfeeding/bottle feeding/combi feeding.
- Bibs - lots!
- Muslins - We tend to use the Gigil Swaddle as our go to. It is huge and perfect for those projectile vomits - it has saved our beige fabric sofa numerous times!!
Bottle feeding
- Bottles x 6
- Extra teats in the next size up
- Formula Milk
- Ready made formula - this can be handy to have for when a bottle is needed superfast, out and about or for in the hospital when they are born. I was also advised that sometimes a ready made bottle can help slightly with constipation every now and again.
- Steriliser - there are multiple options for sterilisers, some bottles are even designed to be sterilised in the microwave.
- Prep Machine (optional)
- Nuby Rapidcool - this was a godsend for us out and about getting your bottle to the perfect temperature in minutes
- Flask - for keeping boiling water for formula in for night time or whilst out.
- Baby bottle brush - for cleaning
- Formula powder box - for taking formula out and about already measured to the correct scoops
- Dummy’s (optional)
Breast feeding
- Breast Pads
- Nipple cream
- Syringes to collect colostrum - I just searched for colostrum syringes on Amazon (this can be started from around 37 weeks pregnant but please research into colostrum harvesting if you are doing this and discuss with midwife)
- Nursing Bras
- Nursing pillow
- Nursing friendly tops
- Breast pump - handsfree ones are amazing - I had manual and electric the first time and the handsfree one with my second baby and wish I had invested in the handsfree one the first time, but the others do work just as well.
- Milk storage bags
- Nursing cover (optional - whatever you’re comfortable with)
- Gel packs (optional but can be AMAZING when you’re engorged and sore).
- Nipple shields - these aren't essential as such but might be essential for some to help protect bleeding and cracked nipples from being damaged any further. They come in different sizes so finding the right size is important.
6 months +
- Bowls
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Meal set
- Coverall bibs
- Silicone food-catcher bibs
Nappy Changing Essentials
- Nappy Caddy - First thing needed to keep all your essentials in once place. I’ve always had a drawer stocked up with all of the essentials listed below, but then I fill up the caddy with these essentials and use as my go to. It makes it easier to grab them and also move the caddy around the house if need be. Our bestselling caddy is aesthetically pleasing and a brilliant size for keeping everything together (it even fits Francesca in - without the dividers)
- Nappy Pouch - Perfect for on the go! Fits in a couple of nappies, a pack of travel wipes, spare babygrow and travel size Sudocrem. Before every nappy change I always grab the changing mat and pouch out of the bag before getting Francesca out of her pram/car seat/highchair and then I am all set ready to go with everything in one hand without having to juggle everything, along with stopping her rolling off the changing table.
- Changing Mat - These come included in all of our changing bags sold, however if you would like an extra one to keep in the caddy or anywhere then these can also be bought separately.
- Nappies - depending on the size of the baby - we bought size 0 and 1 to start with but Francesca didn't fit in size 0 as this was for below 6lbs and she was 9lbs when she was born! Size 1 is a good size to bulk buy in, although you might want to wait to bulk buy until you know what brand you will definitely be using and whether your baby works with this brand well.
- Wipes of your choosing - huge amount of options out there
- Cotton wool - for times wipes might not be sensitive enough or doing a top to toe clean.
- Nappy cream
- Hand sanitiser - for you of course
On-the-go Essentials
- Car seat
- Pram or 3-in-1 travel system pram (car seat included)
- Sling (please note not to put a baby in a snowsuit/pramsuit in a sling due to chance of overheating and the incorrect position it makes them sit in)
- Changing bag - we focus on the practicality whilst also keeping you looking stylish
- Buggy Organiser - basically a mini version of our changing bags - perfect for quick trips out, walks in the park and to the coffee shop, a doctors trip or supermarket etc. Clip on to your pram or wear over your shoulder and you’re ready to go.
- Travel Cot - our 3-in-1 travel cot is coming soon!!
- Snoozeshade - summertime
Health and Bathing Essentials
- Bathtub
- Soap suitable from birth - unperfumed is recommended from 4-6 weeks and just water prior to this
- Baby lotion
- Hooded towels
- Washcloths
- Bath thermometer
- Nail clippers
- Thermometer
- Coconut oil - can be good for cradle cap and dry skin - or you can get cradle cap shampoos
- Baby brush
- Nasal aspirator
- Calpol
Equipment/Playtime Essentials
- Baby swing/bouncer
- Play mat
- Tummy time pillow (or could use nursing pillow)
- Pram/ Car seat toys
- Black and White books or flashcards
- Everyday items can be great for baby playtime - BBC has some great baby and toddler activities you can follow usually using everyday household items
