Sleep
- A cot or crib that meets safety standards, with a firm, well-fitting mattress
- Two fitted sheets
- Two baby sleeping bags for the season
- A soft night light
Baby checklist: the essentials for a newborn
A short, practical list sorted by time of day, to equip your home without buying twice.
For the first weeks, six groups of items are enough: a safe place to sleep, a way to feed your baby, bath and changing, a 0 to 3 months wardrobe, an approved way to travel and a care kit. Everything else can wait.
Feeding
- Age-appropriate bottles and teats, or a nursing pillow
- A bottle brush and drying rack
- Cotton bibs and muslins
- A breast pump if needed, to discuss with your midwife
Bath and changing
- A baby bath or bath seat
- A bath thermometer
- A changing table or mat
- Nappies, a gentle cleanser and cotton pads
Clothes 0 to 3 months
- Six to eight bodysuits
- Six sleepsuits
- Two cardigans
- Hat, socks and an outfit for going out, depending on the season
Outings and travel
- An approved newborn car seat, fitted rear-facing
- A stroller or pram
- An ergonomic carrier or sling
- A changing bag
Health and safety
- A medical thermometer
- Saline solution and a nasal aspirator
- The health record and vaccination schedule
- A baby monitor if the room is far away
Three things to check before you buy
The car seat
Choose a seat approved under ECE R129 (i-Size) or R44, suited to the child's height and weight. R129 requires rear-facing travel until at least 15 months.
The sleeping place
Put baby to sleep on their back, on a firm mattress, with no pillow, duvet, bumper or soft toys in the cot.
Second-hand items
A second-hand stroller or cot can be fine. Avoid a second-hand car seat whose history you do not know.
This list is a guide and does not replace advice from your paediatrician or midwife.
Try everything in one place
At the Baby Expo family days, compare strollers, car seats and carriers, and ask professionals your questions.
