Newborn essentials 2026: your ultimate baby checklist

It’s fair to say that babies need stuff – and a fair amount of it too. Whilst some may want to start preparing for their new arrival from day one after a positive pregnancy test, it can be hard to know where to start. Some of the lists of newborn essentials shared online can be pretty extensive – including everything from the best baby toys and best pushchairs to the best cribs and best baby bouncers – but often, the vast majority of the items shared are simply ‘nice to haves’ rather than things you really need.

Just as we do with our top buyers' guides, from the best pregnancy pillows to the best infant car seats, we've scoured the Mumsnet forums - home to largest online network of UK parents- to find the the newborn baby essentials they rank as exactly that: essential.

The following items are the real must-have items for the first few months with your new baby, as well as optional extras that many Mumsnet users rate and recommended.

From baby clothes to health essentials, as well as products for feeding, travel and sleep, here are the newborn baby essentials that you really need to have on your list. And, if you're expecting more than one bundle of joy, be sure to check out our guide covering what to buy for twins according to Mumsnetters.

Baby health essentials

Stocking up on baby health essentials before their arrival will give you peace of mind

It’s helpful to have the right health essentials ready in preparation for your baby's eight-week vaccinations or if your little one happens to become unwell. Your health visitor might offer some recommendations, but a baby thermometer can be great for peace of mind, allowing you to quickly and easily identify if your baby has a fever without disturbing them.

Babies are often born with incredibly long nails, and as such, they need some occasional grooming with a good pair of baby nail clippers to prevent them from scratching their faces too.

• Thermometer (stick thermometers are recommended for newborns)

• Nail clippers or trimmers

• Baby paracetamol (e.g Calpol Infant can be used from 2 months+)

• Baby toothbrush (you won't need to use until their first tooth comes through - usually between five to seven months, but it's handy this stored away ready for use)

• Teethers to help soothe sore gums

What Mumsnet users say

"Braun in-ear. Had it for over a decade. A good thermometer is essential - I can’t tell by feel if my child is 37.5 or 39: and if fever going up or down. Was essential in convincing Dr over the phone my DS had scarlet fever (which they absolutely did)." Bendysnap

"One of the best gifts I got was a package with colic drops, things for a blocked nose etc as for some reason I never considered things like colic or a cold and only realised they were needed at 2am." runbackhome

"Things that were useful for us were chemical free wipes, ear thermometer and baby nail clippers. I still use the clippers for me 9 years on as I find they leave a smoother nail edge!" 11NigelTufnel

Related: If your baby is struggling with a cold, choosing a good baby nasal aspirator can help to relieve their symptoms.

Baby feeding essentials

There are plenty of products designed to help you with your feeding journey

Whether breastfeeding, bottle feeding or a combination of the two, feeding a newborn can be pretty exhausting. To make your life easier, it’s recommended you have a good supply of baby feeding essentials to get you started.

Babies bring up milk a lot in those early newborn days, so of all the feeding essentials, a steady supply of muslins for mopping up milk possets should be at the top of your list.

If you’re combination feeding, it may take a bit of time to find the perfect bottle for your baby, so don’t be afraid to try out a few brands before investing in a full set. Look out for helpful anti-colic features which can prevent your baby from taking on too much air as they feed.

• Muslins/burp cloths x 10

• Bottles and accessories such as bottle brushes (if bottle feeding) x 8

• Steriliser (if bottle feeding)

• Nursing bras (if breastfeeding)

• Breast pads (if breastfeeding)

• Nipple cream (optional if breastfeeding)

• Breast pump (optional if breastfeeding)

What Mumsnet users say

"Loads and loads of muslin cloths! 😄 Congrats on your new wee one!" YesYesAllGood

"Bibs and muslins - you will go through so many bibs when they start teething and drooling everywhere. And you always always need muslins for sick etc." Richie23

"A Haakaa (or similar) silicone hand pump is REALLY useful if you breastfeed, for catching letdowns and for if you get a clogged duct." shellshapes

Read next: Encourage your baby’s development early with our pick of the best sensory toys for babies, including plenty of picks newborns will love.

Baby toiletry essentials

Stocking up on items like nappies and baby wipes during pregnancy helps you prepare

Whilst you don’t need to purchase huge quantities, it’s important to have baby toiletry essentials ready for your baby’s arrival, helping keep them clean and comfortable through both day and night.

Newborn babies need changing around ten to twelve times a day, so having a supply of newborn nappies, along with reusable cloths or (ideally) plastic-free baby wipes is a great place to start. Whilst it’s nice to stock up, remember that babies progress through nappy sizes pretty quickly, so don’t be tempted to overbuy.

When it comes to keeping your baby clean, simple topping and tailing are sufficient at first, before incorporating a full bath time into your normal routine. It’s important to remember that initially, cleaning with water only is perfectly acceptable due to your baby’s sensitive skin. Dermatologically tested washes and the best baby shampoo can be added later if you wish to use them.

Many Mumsnet users also found a bath support made their lives much easier, minimising some of the anxieties around washing their baby.

• Nappies

• Baby wipes or reusable cloths

• Nappy rash cream or barrier cream

• Baby moisturiser (dermatologically tested for use with babies)

• Baby body wash/shampoo (optional) - plus, while by no means necessary, the best bath toys can be a great distraction while you are washing them

• Baby bath or bath support

• Changing mat (optional but recommended)

• Cuddle robe or hooded towel (optional but recommended)

What Mumsnet users say

"Nappies; wipes, Sudocreme naturals nappy cream." Luxell934

"Ooh one of the best presents we got (or most used anyway!) was a little nappy caddy for by the sofa downstairs. I filled it with nappies, wipes, cream etc and then didn’t need to be running upstairs every five minutes cause it was all there in one set place." IggOrEgg

Related: The best cribs and co-sleepers for newborns

Newborn clothes essentials

Everyone loves shopping for adorable baby clothes, but it’s easy to go a little overboard

Before you blow the budget on a wide range of super cute outfits and accessories, it’s important to remember that babies grow incredibly quickly.

During those newborn days, it’s important to focus on comfort and practicality, opting for easy-change cotton bodysuits, vests and babygrows that are gentle on sensitive skin. Start with a small selection (around eight of each works well) as you can easily add more once you know the weight and size of your baby. It’s also worth investing in a gentle detergent to ensure laundered clothes don’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.

• Sleepsuits x 8

• Bodysuits x 8

• Vests x 8

• Baby grows x 8 (ideally with integrated feet and mittens)

• Outdoor hat/sun hat x 2 (a UV-protected sun hat for summer or a warm hat in winter)

• Cardigans or jackets x 3 (to use as layers for warmth and remove as required)

• 5-10 pairs of baby socks or booties

• Baby mittens (optional)

• Pramsuit (optional dependent on season)

What Mumsnet users say

"Make sure clothes/babygrows have poppers on or zips. I had some lovely ones gifted with buttons etc and they are hard to undo and get on. Go for practicality, they go through lots a day." RB05

"Plenty of bigger clothes. DS would fit something one day and be bursting out of it the next. Don't go mad with swaddle blankets and wraps. DS hated them. Zipped sleep suits are great." Denimdenimdenim

Read next: Don’t miss our round-up of the best tummy time toys, including plenty of options for newborns

Baby sleep and nursery essentials

There's lots of products available designed to give you peace of mind as your baby sleeps

Experts recommend that you sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDs, so you’ll need to invest in a cot, crib or Moses basket that allows you to keep them close by in your bedroom at night. You'll also need to buy a mattress and fitted sheets separately (no need for any other bedding) to make sure the cot or crib is supportive and comfortable for your baby.

A Moses basket or carry cot can provide a more portable option for daytime naps, whilst a bedside crib can be a huge help for those relentless overnight feeds.

Whilst optional, a baby monitor can be great for peace of mind once your baby moves into their own room or nursery, allowing you to check on them remotely without disturbing the peace.

• Moses basket or carrycot

• Bedside crib, cot or portable bassinet

• Mattress

• Fitted sheets

• Cellular blankets

• Baby sleeping bags/swaddles

• Baby monitor (optional)

What Mumsnet users say

"Sleeping bag (for when they're a LITTLE bit bigger, maybe not straight away) so much easier than a blanket and cosy too!" Suchardchoccy

Baby travel essentials

Look at a travel system that is suitable for your needs and lifestyle

It’s crucial that you have suitable products to keep your baby safe and comfortable during travel. If you have a car, a high-quality group 0/0+ rearward-facing car seat is an absolute must, as you won't be able to leave the hospital without one.

You can then opt for a travel system (where the baby car seat can be attached directly to the pushchair) or a lightweight buggy which can be used from birth in the lie-flat position. Travel systems can also be used with a carrycot, which can be a helpful sleep solution for babies whilst you’re out and about.

If you do a lot of walking, a baby carrier or sling is a great alternative to a stroller, especially for getting things done around the house while keeping your little one close by.

• Group 0/0+ rearward-facing car seat

• Pushchair or travel system

• Carrycot for travel system (optional)

• Baby carrier/sling (optional)

• Changing bag (optional)

What Mumsnet users say

"Get a car seat. You might not drive but you will most likely use cars frequently - taxi home from the hospital for a start." Needmorelego

Related: Best prams for newborn babies, according to parents

Nice-to-have baby items

It's easy to convince yourself you want everything, but a lot of things you may not necessarily need

Whilst the additional items below aren’t essential, they all come down to personal choice. Many Mumsnet users have rated and recommended these products as being helpful, valuable or useful products to use with their newborn, whether that's out and about or in the comfort of their own home, which is why several also made the list for the best baby gifts according to Mumsnetters.

• Sunshade for car window

• Blackout blinds for nursery

• Changing unit/table

• Nursing pillow

• Room thermometer

• Play mat or playpen

• Bouncer

Read next: See our pick of the best toys for newborns, as recommended by parents

When should I start buying baby stuff?

The truth is, there is no ‘right time’ to buy baby stuff - some prefer to be organised and buy products well in advance, whilst others feel more comfortable waiting until their baby has arrived safely.

As a general rule, it’s good to start ticking off some of the essentials when you reach the second trimester, that way if your baby was to arrive early, you have at least the bare essentials to allow you to bring them home safely. Most babies arrive between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy, but during those later weeks, you may not have the energy to be traipsing around stores to test out car seats and pushchairs.

Here are some other things to consider when working through that baby essentials checklist:

• Are you having a baby shower? - Friends and family love buying gifts for new babies, so before you go crazy buying yet another adorable baby grow, consider how many you’re likely to receive as gifts. It’s so common for parents to end up with loads of 0-3 baby grows that never get a chance to be worn. Consider creating a list of items so people can gift without duplication.

• Do you know the gender of your baby? - Whilst there are plenty of unisex baby products, you may prefer to wait until you know your baby’s gender before purchasing items such as nursery decor and baby clothing.

• How big is your baby going to be? - Your scans are only a prediction, so again, exert caution before committing to too many items in a small size. Your baby may be bigger (or smaller) than the estimate, so if you do buy, keep those tags on for a while in case you need to exchange them.

• What’s your budget? - Buying everything you need for your baby at once can be expensive, so spreading out the purchases throughout your pregnancy can help manage the financial impact.

• Look out for the sales - When buying bigger ticket items such as car seats, pushchairs or cribs, consider the timing of your purchases. Look out for January sales, Black Friday deals or clearance lines, as you can easily save a big discount on the RRP.

About Tesco

At Tesco, we understand that parenting is full of joyful moments – and a few challenges too. That’s why we’re committed to making things a little easier for families, with great value, trusted quality, and thoughtful services all in one place. From nappies to nutrition, and everything in between, we’re here to support you every step of the way – because we know that every little help makes a big difference for you and your little one.

About the authors

Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a focus on product reviews and round-ups.

After a three-year stint on Gransnet's editorial team, Natasha joined Mumsnet in 2021, and has since carved out a specialism in all things home, lifestyle and baby. Her work has also featured in national publications including The i Paper and Stylist Magazine.

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum-of-two, she knows all too well how much things can cost as a family. So, she's fully invested in finding the best products for families that are affordable and long-lasting.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.

Read next: Newborn essentials according to Mumsnet users