Baby basics - equipment

You don’t need much at the start – just focus on getting the basics in place, such as clothes, nappies, feeding equipment, blankets and a cot or Moses basket. It is recommended that the baby should sleep in your room with you for the first six months, so you don’t have to finish the nursery straight away.

If poring over catalogues and window shopping are really your thing, remember that you don’t need to buy all the items on stores’ baby lists, only use them as a guide. Accept any hands-me-downs from relatives and friends who had a baby - the only items that are best bought new are the cot mattress and the car seat, the first because of hygiene reasons, the second because it might have been involved in an accident or have cracks or deteriorations you can’t see.

If friends and relations are open to suggestions, ask for items you need for the first three months – the last thing you want is to end up with a wardrobe full of newborn clothes that will be outgrown in a matter of weeks.

Home baby basics include:

• Moses basket or cot with good quality mattress
• baby monitor
• soft blankets or baby sleeping bag
• bath and toiletries (baby body wash, shampoo and small scissors for cutting nails, a soft baby brush)
• thermometer for bath and room
• cotton wool
• wipes (unscented is best)
• towels and soft cloths like muslin squares.
• blackout curtains for bedroom (darkness will help your baby sleep in Summer months or during the day when they need a nap)
• nappies (aim for around six nappies per day in the first 6-12 weeks) and cotton wool (in the early days it’s best to use wipes for when you are out and about)
• nappy disposer (or you can use a bathroom bin with lid)
• nappy changing unit (optional but better for your back rather than using a padded changing mat on the floor)
• muslin cloths (these are useful for mopping up spills and are so soft they can be used on your baby’s skin, such as drying their bottom after a nappy change)
• bibs
• high chair (suitable from six months, but there are models for younger babies)
• swing or bouncer (optional but great for fussy or colicky babies)

Breastfeeding baby basics include:

• nursing bras
• breast pads or shells
• lanolin-based cream for sore nipples
• If expressing, a breast pump (electric is preferable for frequent expressing, manual is fine for occasional expressing). You will also need storage bottles and/or freezer bags, plus feeding equipment used for bottlefeeding.

Bottlefeeding baby basics include (breast milk and/or formula):

• four to six bottles with age appropriate teats (slow flow teats for young babies)
• Steri-bottles (optional - these are disposable, sterilised bottles for when out and about)
• microwave/electric steriliser or sterilising tablets and container
• bottle cooler
• thermos flask (to contain hot water for making bottle)

Out and about baby basics include:

• travel system (this includes the pram and car seat, but you can buy them separately). Make sure all pram accessories are included such as a foot muff for winter, plus sun shade and rain cover
• baby carrier or sling (optional)
• changing bag with portable mat, nappies, nappy bags and wipes.