Must-Have Baby Essentials: The Ultimate Checklist for New Parents
Welcoming a newborn into the world is a magical experience, but it can also be overwhelming for new parents trying to figure out what they truly need. There are a lot of baby checklists online that tell you what type and how many baby clothes to buy. My goal is to tell you about my best baby items that make your life easier and are practical on top of things you already need to buy. You don’t have to buy all of these things, but they have made my life easier with a new baby. These recommendations come from my extensive research, my experience of using all these items, and most importantly, invaluable insights from the parents of my baby patients. All the items I recommend in this article have been bought and used by me. Nothing has been given to me for free.
To make your life easier, here’s a list of essential gadgets to help you care for your baby efficiently and easily. Links to recommended products are included to help you shop smarter!
Feeding Essentials for Newborns
What are the best feeding essentials for a newborn?
Discover the must-have feeding tools to simplify feeding time and keep your baby healthy.
Steriliser
Electric Steriliser: Ideal for homes without a microwave, electric sterilisers are reliable and easy to use.
Portable UV Steriliser: Perfect for on-the-go parents. These compact devices sterilise items without water in just three minutes. The Nuby Portable UV Steriliser is a brilliant choice for its compact design and efficiency.
Breastfeeding Aids
Ladybugs: These small devices collect milk from the non-feeding side, fitting comfortably into a nursing bra. They’re discreet and easy to use. A set of 2 is recommended.
Haakaa Pump: If you’d like a manual pump, the Haakaa is a great option. It's like a manual pump. It’s simple to use and doesn’t require any power source.
Electric Pump: There are lots of brands from wearable to large hospital-grade pumps that you can hire. We have used Medela and highly recommend it. This is their budget option. The hospital-grade double pump can be rented here for around £49 per month, we've used this and nothing comes close to this- absolutely brilliant!
Nursing Pillow
A nursing pillow is a lifesaver for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding sessions. It provides support for your baby while reducing strain on your back and arms.
Why Use One?: It helps position your baby at the correct height, ensuring a comfortable feeding experience for both of you.
Top Picks: Look for adjustable or multi-purpose options that can be used as your baby grows, such as a tummy time support pillow.
Formula Prep Machine
If you’re planning to use formula, a prep machine can simplify the process, especially during nighttime feeds.
Benefits: These machines quickly prepare formula bottles at the perfect temperature, saving you time and effort.
Top Picks: Look for models with features like sterilising options and adjustable temperature settings for convenience and safety.
Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is an excellent addition to your feeding setup, ensuring your baby’s milk is heated evenly and to the right temperature.
Why Use One?: It saves time and removes the guesswork of manually checking temperatures. While it’s always good to double-check the temperature on your wrist for reassurance, a good warmer eliminates constant monitoring.
Top Pick: The Tommee Tippee Bottle Warmer fits bottles from different brands and heats milk quickly and efficiently. I the wireless one as it's more portable, but this wired one also defrosts pouches as well as bottles.
Sleep and Comfort Essentials
What are the best sleep solutions for babies?
Learn about tools and gadgets that promote better sleep for your baby and peace of mind for parents.
Next-to-Me Crib
A next-to-me crib allows your baby to sleep safely by your side, making nighttime feeds and comforting easier.
Safety Tip: Always follow safe sleeping guidelines from the Lullaby Trust to ensure your baby’s safety.
White Noise Machine
White noise can help soothe your baby and improve their sleep. Having two machines ensures convenience:
Bedroom Machine: A plug-in white noise machine for consistent use in your baby’s room.
Wireless Machine: Portable options are great for the car and pram, providing comfort wherever you go.
Are white noise machines safe for babies?
Place the sound machine at least 7 feet (200 centimetres) away from your baby’s crib, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
Keep the volume below 50 decibels to protect your baby’s hearing, except when they are crying. In that case, the volume should be louder than the crying to help soothe them but turned down as soon as they stop.
White noise machines can mimic womb sounds, soothe your baby, and act as a sleep association. They can also drown out external noise, which is particularly helpful in smaller houses or noisy environments.
Use the free NIOSH app to measure sound levels for safety.
Sleeping Bags
Love to Dream Brand: These sleeping bags promote a hip-healthy position for your baby while allowing them to feel snug and secure. They’re particularly beneficial for newborns who enjoy being swaddled.
Swaddling Benefits: Swaddling makes babies feel snug and secure, helping them sleep better. It can reduce the startle reflex, which is a natural mechanism that ensures babies respond to sudden stimuli. The startle reflex often wakes babies up, and swaddling helps minimize this disruption.
Why Use Sleeping Bags?: They prevent your baby from kicking off blankets, reducing the risk of getting cold during sleep. Unlike traditional swaddles, sleeping bags like Love to Dream don’t come undone, making them more practical and safe. Always follow the Lullaby Trust's safe sleeping guidelines.
Baby Bath
Bath time can be a fun bonding experience with the right tools.
Aquascale Baby Bath: This innovative bath comes with an inbuilt thermometer and weighing scales, helping you monitor both the water temperature and your baby’s weight. However, it’s still recommended to use a separate thermometer to ensure the water temperature is consistent throughout.
Budget-Friendly Option: If you prefer a simpler setup, the Nuby Baby Bath is a great alternative. Pair it with a Nuby Thermometer to ensure your baby’s bathwater is always at the perfect temperature.
On-the-Go Essentials
What are the best travel essentials for parents?
Stay prepared and comfortable with these baby travel items.
Stretchy Wrap Sling
Babywearing is a wonderful way to keep your newborn baby close while having your hands free. A stretchy wrap sling is an ideal baby carrier for your little one as it provides a cocoon-like environment that mimics the womb. It's also my favourite way to carry my little one.
Benefits: Newborns love the closeness during their “fourth trimester.” These slings are perfect for naps and allow you to multitask.
Top Picks: The CuddleBug has a one-way stretch and is a bit of a thicker fabric which makes it warm for walks, while the Izmi Wrap has a two-way stretch fabric and is a bit thinner. You might want to try both to figure out which you like. The best place to try is at a local Sling Library. Always follow the TICKS guidelines for safe babywearing.
Car Seat Mirror
A car seat mirror is an essential for keeping an eye on your baby while driving.
Benefits: It allows you to check on your baby safely without turning around while driving.
Top Picks: Look for shatterproof mirrors with adjustable angles for better visibility. I have the one with light, useful while driving in the evenings.
Organisation and Monitoring
How can I stay organised with a newborn?
Set up your home for efficiency with these essential organisational tools.
Nappy Caddy
Organising your nappy-changing essentials is a game-changer.
Compact Caddy: Choose one with multiple slots and pockets for items like nappies, wipes, and creams. I recommend having two nappy stations: one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
Setup Tips: Layer your changing mat with waterproof washable liners and incontinence pads. I find the changing mat too cold to use without the liners and the incontinence pads are incredibly useful to dispose of when you have accidents (which you 100% will). This setup keeps the mat clean and makes cleanup quick and hassle-free. I also suggest having two changing mats, one for each floor of your home.
Baby Monitor
Keeping an eye on your baby when you’re not in the same room is essential. You might think, you don't need this with a newborn as they are sleeping in the same room, but during the day, you might want to put them to sleep and get things done around the house and this gives you peace of mind. The Nanit Baby Monitor is my favourite- we take it everywhere.
Why Nanit?: It offers accurate motion and sound alerts and can play video and sound in the background while you use your phone for other tasks.
Pro Tip: Start with a floor stand instead of wall-mounting the monitor. It’s versatile and convenient, especially if your crib placement changes. The baby usually starts sleeping in your room first and then moves into their own room. Gives you the peace of mind to keep an eye on your baby from anywhere.
Other Considerations
What should I consider when buying dummies for a newborn?
Make informed choices with this guide to selecting and using dummies.
Dummies
This tip comes from my patient who is an orthodontist. If you’re planning to use dummies, opt for orthodontic designs that are better for your baby’s oral development.
Why Orthodontic?: These dummies are shaped to support the natural development of your baby’s palate, teeth, and gums.
Pro Tip: Replace dummies regularly and ensure they’re sterilised to maintain hygiene.
Final Thoughts
These essential items and gadgets are designed to make your parenting journey smoother and more enjoyable. Investing in the right tools can save you time, reduce stress, and help you focus on what matters most – bonding with your baby.
PS: If you’ve found this helpful, share it with someone you know who’s expecting or has just had a baby. If any of the links don't work, please contact me and I will do my best to help you.
DISCLAIMER: The content (the video, description, links, and comments) is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is intended for general educational purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Always seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before trying any items or recommendations contained in this content. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.
Dr. Mo is a registered member of the statutory body, the General Chiropractic Council in the UK, and the Scottish Chiropractic Association. He holds accredited chiropractic qualifications to the Master's level and uses the courtesy title of "Dr," though he does not hold a general medical qualification.
Some of the links provided may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase them, at no additional cost to you.
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