Newborn checklist: The ultimate baby essentials every new parent needs

August 2024 · 15 minute read

Your newborn baby shopping list, from those in the know

There's plenty of things to do when you're expecting a baby, and shopping for your newborn is probably high up on that list. From setting up their nursery to packing your hospital bag, buying baby must-haves can seem overwhelming - and the baby essentials list exhaustive. 

But what do you need? And which baby products can you skip? We're here for you with our ultimate newborn checklist, with products chosen by HELLO! parents who have been there, done that, and here to share their intel with you.

Newborn checklist - top 5 products

A top tip from me, a mum, is to not get swept in things you need. Yes, it's great to be prepared but I'd skip buying those expensive items, like a breast pump or a baby formula prep machine, until you need them. I bought a handheld breast pump to see me through (I didn't end up needing to buy a mechanical breast pump) and I used the ready made formula once my daughter moved onto it, before ordering a prep machine on next day delivery.

Smaller items, like dummies and milk bottles, won't break the bank and might be worth keeping on hand for those just in case moments.

Not surprisingly, it's the less glamorous things you'll find you need immediately; plenty of babygrows, nappies, nappy cream, wipes and muslins (the more the merrier) are some of the most pressing things you'll need, along with a baby monitor, mini first aid kit and baby thermometer.

Moving onto bathtime, get yourself a baby bath, gentle baby bubble bath and shampoo along with a hooded towel. Bedtime calls for a crib or moses basket, sleeping bag, white noise machine and no-scratch mittens are handy little things too.

The big items, like a pram or travel system, are a whole other world and do require quite a bit of research - or at least thought; read our guide to the best prams and pushchairs here, highlighting the different sorts available.

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How I chose the best newborn essentials products

1/21

H&M Babygrows

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You'll need babygrows - and a lot! Buy a few less expensive options in varying sizes, including tiny baby, newborn and up to 1 month. 

Look for ones with feet if your baby is due during the colder months, and there's also zipper styles available, Bonds are one of the most popular.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"I tried a lot of babygrows and most from the high street are fabulous, but my go-to was always H&M. They're not only stylish with cute designs, but wash incredibly, staying soft and cosy even after multiple washes.

"H&M sizing for baby clothes is on the larger size, I'd recommend buying a smaller size if in doubt."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnership Editor

2/21

Proscenic BM300 Baby Monitor, 5’HD Video Baby Monitor

Even though you'll be sleeping next to your baby or have them in your room when they're a newborn, many new parents start to let their baby nap in a room alone once they're a few months old, and a baby monitor is an essential piece of baby kit.

Checking on your little one while they are sleeping has never been easier with the Proscenic BM300 baby monitor. There's no red dot that will disturb baby's sleep during the night and it also features a two-way mic so you can speak to them from the comfort of the sofa.

3/21

SnuzPod4 Bedside Crib

From newborn to six months, your baby is expected to be in the same room as you, as per NHS guidelines, meaning you may want to consider a cot that attaches to your own bed, making night feeding and early morning soothing a little easier.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"This allows you to feel close to your baby without sharing the same bed, and the side panel folds down to make it easy to soothe your little one in the middle of the night."

Danielle Stacey, Online Royal Correspondent

4/21

M&S Pure Cotton Muslin Squares

There cannot be enough muslins in your house when you have a newborn. You'll come to rely on them for everything - and we mean everything. Doubling up as a burp cloth, swaddle, peek a boo playtoy, a light cover...

M&S' three pack of cotton muslins are dubbed as being "great quality" by shoppers and there's multiple colours and patterns to choose from.

5/21

Jellycat Bashful Bunny Musical Pull

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You don't need many toys for a newborn, but a few soft or musical toys are great for them to feel comforted and cosy, especially once they get to the three month mark. 

Jellycat's luxe toys are beautiful for a newborn as a keepsake, and the Bashful Bunny Musical Pull is in soft, beige fur, made from recycled fibres, which can be gently pulled to hear an original Jellycat lullaby. 

It can be attached to a pram, crib or moses basket with its velcro fastening.

6/21

Tommee Tippee GroEgg2 Digital Room Thermometer

early years expert for Munchkin, Danielle Manton-Kelly says: "Before children, the only consideration I had for the temperature was whether or not I needed a cardigan. But the recommended safe temperature for babies is 16-20°C. Keeping your baby’s room at a good temperature can actually reduce the risk of SIDS. Having a room temperature machine can really help parents keep on top of the checks and have that extra peace of mind, which, as a parent, can really help to relieve any added stress.”

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"There's not a parent I know that didn't have this room thermometer - it's one of the easiest to use on the market, showing different colours if the room temperature is too cold, perfect and too hot."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor

7/21

The Little Green Sheep Organic Knitted Moses Basket & Mattress

When you bring your new bundle of joy home, a Moses basket is the perfect place for them to rest. Keep downstairs for handy nap times, and choose from static or rocker versions.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"A Moses basket was always on my dream list. I can just imagine bringing my bundle of joy home and lying them in this beautiful, beautiful creation. This lovely one from The Little Green Sheep was very easy to put together, and what impressed me most was the quality. Also, how gorgeous does it look in a lounge?"

Rachel Avery, Homes Editor

8/21

Silentnight Safe Nights Baby Sleeping Bag

Duvets and quilts are not recommended for newborns, as per the NHS guidelines, so you may want to keep little cherub cosy with a sleeping bag for them to snooze in.

"Many parents choose to use sleeping bags for their baby instead of blankets, the key things to note are to carefully follow individual product recommendations on the correct weight or age of the baby for a bag and to use an appropriate tog bag for the room temperature. When a correct size and tog bag is used sleeping bags are a great safer sleeping tool and they should always be used instead of blankets and never as well as," advises Midwife Pip Davies.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Baby sleeping bags are a complete game-changer - they keep your baby warm and snug and mean no covers are kicked off in the night. They are also really safe and the design is super easy for getting little one in and out. I used them for daytime naps and at night with my babies. I loved that they come in different togs for hot weather and cold nights."

Sophie Hamilton, Parenting Editor

9/21

Sweet Dreamers Ewan The Dream Sheep White Noise Machine

A white noise machine is ideal for creating the perfect environment for your baby to get some peaceful sleep. Many of them are portable too, meaning you can take it on the go.  

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Ewan was our nap and bedtime saviour! The cute, cuddly sheep has a selection of soothing sounds, including mum's womb and heartbeat, along with three other noises. His soft pink night light glow mimics the womb environment and best of all, there's a 20-minute timer with automatic shut off so you don't have to worry about disturbing your baby to turn it off.

"We took Ewan everywhere with us, including trips to the grandparents and even in the car."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor

10/21

Kit & Kin Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Starter Pack Bundle

Any new parent will warn you, the number of nappies and wipes you’ll require will be obscene. Get ahead of the game before their arrival by bulk buying before they're here.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"I decided to stockpile wipes and nappies before my baby's arrival as everyone told me you can never have too many. 

"My friend admitted these Kit & Kin nappies are a higher price point but assured me you do get what you pay for. I think this kind of bundle would be ideal as a practical baby shower gift and for busy mums and dads a subscription service is available so you never run out."

Rachel Avery, Homes Editor

11/21

Korbell Nappy Bin

Not the cutest or the most glamorous item on the list, but we think this will be the biggest godsend.  

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Not everyone has a nappy bin, and you may prefer to use your bathroom or kitchen bin, but I found my Korbell bin an absolute must-have. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it really does seal away any bad odours and the continuous liner means it's that little bit more eco-friendly. When you're changing up to ten nappies a day, it really is worth investing in a good nappy bin." 

Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor

12/21

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

If you’re going to try breastfeeding, you may be considering a breast pump purchase for easy expressing. There are manual and electrical to choose from, with manual breast pumps being a cheaper option but electrical much quicker.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"I was kindly gifted a Medela Electric Pump which ended up sitting in its box, as I used this Haaka manual pump instead. I breastfed for around two months and found this handheld pump enough for me, and it was easy to take on the go too."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnership Editor

13/21

Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Steriliser and Dryer Advanced

Whether you're starting on formula or moving on after breastfeeding, you'll have to become well acquainted with a steriliser. You can pop dummies into one, as well as bottles.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Sterilising is one of the banes of parenthood with endless bottles to wash, sterilise and dry, which is why I streamlined the process with this one-step wonder. It also has a big enough capacity for breast pump parts, very handy."

Rachel Avery, Homes Editor

14/21

Braun ThermoScan 3 Ear Thermometer

A thermometer is an essential piece of baby kit. There's more types than you realise, from in the mouth to in-ear to forehead.

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Five years on from my daughter being a newborn and we still rely on the Braun in-ear thermometer on sick days. It's reassuringly quick, super easy to read and much easier - and more accurate - than others."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor

15/21

Doona X Car Seat

A car seat will probably be one of the must-buy items on your newborn checklist, especially if you plan on driving home or taking a taxi from the hospital. 

There are so many products on the market but the number one recommended rule is not to buy a car seat that is second-hand because you may not know for sure if it's been involved in an accident and therefore is not fit for purpose.

A car seat is a big investment buy, but one brand that is particularly popular among new parents is Doona, which earlier this year launched its newest version, Doona X. Unlike other car seats, a Doona has foldable wheels, which means it can go from car seat mode to stroller mode in seconds, so there's no need to pack a buggy in your boot when you're out and about.

The Doona X, which comes in Dusty Sage, Ocean Blue, and Nitro Black, has three recline positions including a near flat lie (or full recline) mode, making it a comfortable ride for your little one. It's suitable for infants from 40 to 85cm in height and up to 13 kg in weight.

And for when your newborn isn't quite so little, they'll have plenty of fun sitting up in the brand's Liki Trike. The latest model, suitable from ten months to three years, is the smallest folding trike on the market and can easily fit in the boot of a car or can be folded down to go in a plane's overhead bin. 

HELLO! Tried and Tested:

"The Doona is one of my most recommended life-saving, newborn products. As a car seat, it's super easy to install, and can convert into a stroller in seconds, which means if your baby is napping in the car, you can easily leave them in the Doona when you get to your destination and unfold the wheels, turning the car seat into a mini buggy. So no risky transfers needed, ever!

"We used our Doona until our daughter was around 15 months old and always took it on holiday, so there was never any need to hire a car seat or worry about getting a taxi but then not having a car seat to put her in.

"Because it's so nifty and small too, I would often use it as my regular buggy when she was a newborn, to pop to the shops or get on public transport. It's so much lighter and easier to carry, especially if you're travelling alone."

Ainhoa Barcelona, Content Managing Editor

16/21

Mini First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is an essential buy that’s there for when you need it as your child grows up. 

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"Just having this in the cupboard made me feel easier about any bumps, scrapes or grazes my newborn had. We still take it out and about with us on days out or holidays five years on."

Carla Challis, Commerce Partnership Editor

17/21

Angelcare Baby Bath Support

A baby bath is an essential, and there's so many to choose from it can be overwhelming! Experts often suggest bath supports are some of the safest, as they have drainage holes and should be placed in a small amount of water. Many have suction pads to stop them slipping around a tub, and cradle the baby's head with ergonomic support.

Angelcare's baby bath gets top reviews for ease, comfort and safety. It can be easily placed in the bath, and offers support to the baby's head so you can be hands-free to play and wash baby.

There's a soft layer too, that the baby lays on, which warms up quickly so it's nice and cosy for your bubs.

18/21

Aveeno Baby Dermexa Bundle

Your little one's skin will be super sensitive when they are born so you have to be careful about creams and lotions. AVEENO® is kind, natural and a hit with parents.  

HELLO! Tried & Tested

"I love using Aveeno products on my children's skin. My daughter suffers from milk eczema and we find the Aveeno bath wash and moisturiser so sensitive on her skin. I used the baby moisturiser on both my children as babies and it was always so gentle."  

Sophie Hamilton, Parenting Editor

19/21

The White Company Hooded Towel

Keep your newborn snuggly post-bath with a hooded towel. You can wrap them up super cosy, and keep their head warm too.

The White Company's hooded towel is an adorable addition to your baby's bathtime routine. With an embroidered elephant and super soft cotton material, it'll keep your little one snug and happy.

20/21

Munchkin Bluetooth Swing

Being able to have some time hands-free to do the washing up or make a cuppa is a new parents' dream and a baby swing allows your little one to be safe, secure and entertained all in one go.  

This nifty device can be operated with a remote and will play lullabies to soothe them as they gently get rocked.

Danielle Manton-Kelly says: "Leaning into the use of baby swings in order to free the cuddling arms of tired parents can be game changing in allowing parents to get stuff done! This swing emulates a parent's loving arms, safely holding the baby in a lie-flat position while offering soothing sounds and music via bluetooth. The peace of mind knowing the baby is content and safe, offers a mental and physical freedom that finally makes a newborn/home/work life balance possible."

21/21

Tiba + Marl Elwood Backpack Changing Bag

Any mum or dad will tell you, travelling light with a newborn in tow is almost impossible. Invest in a good backpack to ace changing on the go.

Tiba + Marl have made bags that pass the fashion test but also have a Mary Poppins level of storage. Winner.

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