Newborn Essentials: What I'm buying for our first baby

Being a new mum is so exciting, but it's also so overwhelming. When I first found out I was pregnant I was so excited to buy tiny baby clothes, bed linen, toys, the bassinet... you name it.

However, I couldn't find a clear a concise list of what I actually needed in terms of sizes, number of items, essentials etc.

Now if we are being honest nothing is really essential to a baby unless it is clothing, food, a safe place to sleep and love.

Everything else is a beautiful luxury.

I'm going to be sharing what I am personally putting down on my list and what I've been recommended by other mums and carers

Clothing:

• 2-5 00000 zip footed onesies (just to have in case your baby is smaller, you never know)

• 8-12 newborn/0000 zip footed sleepers

• 10-15 newborn/0000 sleeveless onesies

• 5 newborn/0000 singlets

• 2 newborn/0000 jumpers (depending on what season baby is born in)

• 2-5 newborn/0000 long sleeve tops

• 2-5 newborn/0000 pants/leggings

• 1 newborn - 3-month-old winter sleepsuit (if the baby is born in winter maybe get 2-3)

• 1 newborn - 3-month-old sleepsuit for warmer months

• 2-5 beanies newborn

• 5 pairs of socks newborn

Feeding:

• breast pump {I'm getting both a manual (Hakka) and an electric (medulla)}

• reuseable breast pads (10-30 pack)

• nipple butter

• 15-30 burp cloths (I'm using the old fashioned cloth nappy as mine)

• 5 bibs

• 2-5 packs of newborn bottles (I'm hoping to combination feed, you will need more if you're planning on formula or pump)

• 1 can of formula (again I'm hoping to breastfeed, maybe get 2-3 if formula feeding)

• milk storage bags

• nipple shield

• colostrum storage

• glider chair (essential for me)

• nursing pillow

• bottle cleaners for teets

• drying rack for bottles and dummies

Sleeping:

• cot

• cot mattress

• 3 mattress protectors for the cot

• co-sleeper bassinet

• 5 bassinet sheets

• 3 bassinet mattress protectors

• baby monitor

• sound machine/light

Changing:

• nappy change mat

• 2-5 towels or changing mat covers

• 1 box of newborn nappies size 3-6kg

• 12-24 cloth nappies (this is a personal choice if you're deciding to cloth nappy)

• 5 pack of wipes

• nappy rash cream

Bathing:

• baby bath or bath support

• 2-5 baby bath towels

• 2-5 face washers

• baby body wash

• massage oil

Health:

• baby thermometer

• 0-6 month panadol

• baby newborn probiotic

• nail clippers

• baby syringe

• vitamin D drops

• hairbrush

• snot sucker

Travel:

• pram

• capsule with pram attachments

• extra capsule base for second car

• 1-3 baby wrap carriers

• 1 structured baby carrier (ergo baby)

• nappy bag/nappy pouch

• travel change mat

• sunshade for car windows

Activity:

• bouncer/swing

• activity mat

• books with black and white or high contrast images

• 3-4 toys designed for the age group

Sanitation:

• nappy bucket for soaking reuseable nappies

• natural and sensitive clothing wash

• natural cleaning products

• nappy bin

I hope this helps you and gives you some guidance.

Remember this is my personal list and I've taken this from recommendations as well as from my experience as a nanny for newborns for the past 4 years.

Remember that second hand items like cots, bassinets, prams and rocking chairs are a great option!

Love Ruby x