Newborn Baby Essentials Buying Guide

All expectant parents will know the process of getting organised before the arrival of your little one can be incredibly stressful.

All expectant parents will know the process of getting organised before the arrival of your little one can be incredibly stressful. Particularly when buying newborn baby essentials, with so many different baby products on the market today, from feeding utensils to baby monitors, it can be hard to know what you really need and what is simply regarded as an 'extra' - particularly when you are on a tight budget.

As a result, you may be wondering what to buy for a new baby? Read on for OnBuy's rundown of everything you need in our baby buying guide...

New baby essentials checklist:

Clothing

Buying clothes for your newborn can be extremely exciting, but as a parent, it is easy to over-do it and buy too many. Remember, this isn't necessary, as babies are often changed multiple times throughout the day and are prone to getting mucky.

It is advisable to purchase the following newborn baby essentials:

Body suits (around 8)
Vests (around 6)
Socks
Sleeping bag
Scratch mitts
A soft hat
Blankets

Once you've picked out these essentials for your baby boy or baby girl, it is up to you whether you want to add other items of clothing to the collection, such as cardigans, jumpers or dresses.

Credit: Kseniia Perminova / Shutterstock

Changing A Nappy

It may seem daunting at first, but it won't take long for you to get the knack for changing a baby's nappy. As with anything in life, having all the necessary items ready from the get-go should make it a little easier.

Some of the new baby essentials for changing nappies include:

Nappies - Newborn babies will need their nappies changed around 12 times a day - ensure you buy enough to get you through the first few days. If you are planning to use reusable nappies, it is advisable to buy at least 15 so you aren't running low if you get behind on washing.
Baby wipes - Wipes are useful not only useful for nappy changes, so it's well worth stocking up.
A changing mat or changing table
Nappy cream

Nappy bins may also be a good idea, to keep smells at bay, but it is by no means essential, as it is certainly possible to simply leave the nappies in an outside bin instead.

Credit: FamVeld / Shutterstock

Feeding

However you choose to feed your baby, whether it be breast or bottle, it is important to be as comfortable as possible - for both Mum and baby. The equipment you may need varies depending on which method you go for, here are our top baby essentials for feeding:

If you are breastfeeding, you will need:

Comfort support pillow (usually V-shaped)
Breast pump
Breast pads
Nursing bras
Cream

If you are bottle feeding your little one:

Bottles
A range of bottle teats (to help find the one baby likes best)
Sterilising kit

Credit: Alena Ozerova / Shutterstock

Sleeping

According to the NHS, it is advisable for the baby to sleep in your room for the first 6 months; after this they can move into their own room. To start with, a lightweight Moses basket is ideal, but if they are going straight into a cot, you will need specific bedding.

The following are essential for a new baby:

Moses basket or cot
A waterproof mattress protector
Fitted sheets
Cellular blankets
You may also want to get a hanging mobile

Top tip: It is worth doubling up on bedding layers when you make your baby's bed. If baby gets their bedding dirty during the night, simply remove the top layer and put them back into bed.

Credit: Trendsetter Images / Shutterstock

Safety

It's best to baby-proof your home before your little one arrives, to make sure it's a safe place for them to stay. This may include getting your home in ship-shape by completing any building work that may need to be done or getting the heating system fixed. But, most importantly, whilst they are a newborn, you should be appropriately monitoring them, especially when you aren't in the same room.

You may want to think about purchasing the following new baby essentials:

When your little one begins crawling, you should ramp up the safety precautions in your home. Think about adding cupboard and window catches, furniture corner protectors and plug socket covers, for example.

Credit: Vladimir Badaev / Shutterstock

Bath Time

To make bath time an easy ride for both you and your tot - avoiding any tears - it is important to make your baby feel as comfortable as possible. To begin with, bath time simply entails water and a sponge, so no baby bath accessories or bath toys are required when they are newborn, so this can be purchased at a later date.

Here are a list of things you will need for your new baby:

Credit: Halfpoint / Shutterstock

Prams

At the earliest opportunity, you'll want to get out and show your baby the world and introduce them to new sounds, smells and environments. When looking to purchase a pram, there are a number of things to consider, for example newborn's must lie completely flat to aid their spinal development and support their head and neck. Therefore, think about looking for a pram that can completely recline, but has the ability to cater for your little one as they age.

In addition, you may want to think about adding accessories to your pram too, like a changing bag, a wind or rain covers and footmuffs. It is definitely worth picking up some car or pram toys to make trips out less of a chore for you and your little one.

Credit: Ravil Sayfullin / Shutterstock

Car Seats

It is a good idea to purchase your baby's car seat before they make an appearance, as the last thing you need is the stress of wondering how you're going to get home in the hospital car park.

New-borns need group "0+", which typically lasts until your child is 12 months old. Alternatively, you could purchase the "0+/1" which lasts until they're around four years old.

Remember, when positioning your car seat, it should be rear-facing and carry your baby in a horizontal position. Some of the best car seats on the market come as part of a travel set, which is often highly cost-effective too.

Credit: Garnet Photo / Shutterstock

Toys

As well as providing hours of fun for your baby, playing with toys also help them to develop key skills, by stimulating the brain at an early age. The NHS recommends playing with water and reading to your baby, to encourage development and improve your relationship.

Here are a few items you can add to your new baby shopping list: