Essentials for newborn

hoohaal · 2025-08-30T10:19:50+00:00

What would you say are the essentials for a newborn? Trying not to buy a load of stuff that I don’t need!! So I’m thinking: next 2 me crib & bedding etc pram carseat Moses basket bouncer chair a play mat for tummy time?? baby carrier wrap basic clothing - vests, sleepsuits, pramsuit, hats (winter baby) sleeping bags dummies breastfeeding pillow baby monitor baby bath & products, towel etc Anything else obvious that I have missed? I do have 2 other children but I can’t remember what I need!!

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DappledThings · 30/08/2025 11:30

Nappies!
Blankets for home, car, pram, sling
I never used a breastfeeding pillow either so I wouldn't bother buying one specially unless you already have it.

Someone will come on and say you need 5000 muslins but I never used the ones I had much.

DappledThings · 30/08/2025 11:31

I never had a separate Moses basket either. Just used the carrycot attachment from the pram.

Caspianberg · 30/08/2025 11:34

I wouldn’t bother with next to me and a Moses basket tbh. Both do same job.
I had a next to me and in future I would get a Moses basket instead as movable so easier to use downstairs/ office/ garden. I like the snuz basket

Superscientist · 30/08/2025 12:06

Some things are person dependent. My daughter was 2 for example before we bought a baby monitor. In our old house we didn't need a monitor to here her due to the layout. Once we moved house we did but by this point the cheapest basic audio speaker fitted our needs.

I'd start with the basics you need for the first few weeks and have some ideas about what you might want to get afterwards. I had a reflux baby who never did any tummy time on the floor. If she was on the floor we just a large muslin or blanket.

I didn't have a moses basket but did have a small travel cot which was multi-purpose and was a place for sleeping down stairs, a play pen and a travel cot when visiting family.

We didn't use any bath products until she was about 2

We used loads of muslins but have 3 packets of unopened bibs we got as gifts and never used.

There's very few things that can't be ordered next day or within a few days even things we bought second hand on eBay.

LaTable · 30/08/2025 14:45

So as pp said, depends in the person.
Personally some items on your list I wouldn't get as a basic.

Next to me crib or moses, one or the other (I only used moses as I can move it around the house to keep from older kids accidentally jumping and falling on them)

Pram for me absolutely unnecessary as we go from car to sling to car to home. But if you live urban and don't need to drive 30 minutes to get to any sort of utility then a pram is useful

Sleeping bag - we used blankets as we have a surplus and they don't need sizing as they grow

Play mat - blanket on the tiles and naff all on the carpets

Dummies - I'd rather chew my own arm off (but again, personal pref)

Baby monitor - realistically, how big and sound proof is your house? I used a sound only ine but that was because we lived in a house with 2 foot of brick outside walls and I was out in the garden doing chores when they napped

Feeding pillow - I just used regular pillows, depends how basic and money saving you want to be if you see it as a necessity

Bath products - never bought anything specific for baby, used gentle soap after 6 months and our regular towels

Muslims I did use a lot of but only had 10

Reusable breast pads were a must for me for the first 4 months

As was a milk catcher for the side not being drunk from for the first couple of months otherwise I would literally just soak things

Investing in a good water bottle was a must for the dry mouth breastfeeding stage

And less clothes than you probably think too haha but that's because I've always got a load on every other day with having the other children

Amuseaboosh · 31/08/2025 10:44

LaTable · 30/08/2025 14:45

So as pp said, depends in the person.
Personally some items on your list I wouldn't get as a basic.

Next to me crib or moses, one or the other (I only used moses as I can move it around the house to keep from older kids accidentally jumping and falling on them)

Pram for me absolutely unnecessary as we go from car to sling to car to home. But if you live urban and don't need to drive 30 minutes to get to any sort of utility then a pram is useful

Sleeping bag - we used blankets as we have a surplus and they don't need sizing as they grow

Play mat - blanket on the tiles and naff all on the carpets

Dummies - I'd rather chew my own arm off (but again, personal pref)

Baby monitor - realistically, how big and sound proof is your house? I used a sound only ine but that was because we lived in a house with 2 foot of brick outside walls and I was out in the garden doing chores when they napped

Feeding pillow - I just used regular pillows, depends how basic and money saving you want to be if you see it as a necessity

Bath products - never bought anything specific for baby, used gentle soap after 6 months and our regular towels

Muslims I did use a lot of but only had 10

Reusable breast pads were a must for me for the first 4 months

As was a milk catcher for the side not being drunk from for the first couple of months otherwise I would literally just soak things

Investing in a good water bottle was a must for the dry mouth breastfeeding stage

And less clothes than you probably think too haha but that's because I've always got a load on every other day with having the other children

Please tell me you meant musliNs and not muslims 😂😂😂

Sunnyscribe · 31/08/2025 11:15

That sounds good, nothing too excessive.

I got all that with first baby (didn't breastfeed though so no pillow).

The stuff I didn't end up using for 2nd baby:
Next to me (just Co slept)
Moses basket (slept in bassinet in pram)
Bath stuff - I didn't use any products just water and would just take them in the bath with me.

Mh67 · 31/08/2025 12:16

Surprisingly my biggest waste of money was a pram. Back then you couldn't take them upright on a bus (we don't drive ) they had to be folded too much hassle so I used a baby sling. Think baby was in pram maybe 2 to 3 times.

JustADayDreamBeliever · 31/08/2025 12:20

My 2nd baby was born big so we loved our Moses basket, but at 10 weeks he has really grown out of it. I didn't breastfeed so can't comment. But for me:
Muslins
Carrier
Pram
Car seat
Baby bath
Vests
Sleepsuits
Nappies
Wipes
Infacol
Thermometer
Blankets
Piano floor mat
Bouncer

PlanetOtter · 31/08/2025 12:26

Wait to see if you need a breastfeeding pillow. It’s not something I’ve ever felt the need for in 4+ years total of feeding.

CommissarySushi · 31/08/2025 12:29

Electric nail file! Or nail scissors/clippers, if you're braver and have a steadier hand than me.

alizee21g · 31/08/2025 12:58

Nipple cream and breast pads. Everything else looks good to me. Nappies and wipes. Some things it's impossible to know whether you will need or not as it depends on the child - I've had the most beautiful swinging crib for my 2nd that ended up being used as laundry storage😆 she slept with us until about 1 year old and then moved onto normal cot. I wish I had next to me crib at that point.

JRM17 · 31/08/2025 13:09

You don't need dummies, FFS babies learn to self soothe if they aren't introduced to rubbish they can become dependent on. Also a next to me crib is not essential at all a normal moses basket and cot are fine. MAM bottles are the best out there if you arent/can't breastfeed. If u are able to kneel by ur bath then a baby bath also isn't essential, save money and buy a travel system rather than a separate pram and car seat. Most babies will fit in a baby carrier/car seat till at least 6mo.

LaTable · 31/08/2025 13:11

Amuseaboosh · 31/08/2025 10:44

Please tell me you meant musliNs and not muslims 😂😂😂

Show quote history

Bloody auto correct! 😅😅🤣🤣

ForUmberFinch · 31/08/2025 13:13

You don’t need a next to me cot, a Moses basket, bouncer chair (sure fire way to impede development of not used properly) or dummies. You don’t need a breastfeeding pillow until you know that’s what you are doing and even then I never used one. Clothes, a few bottles and a safe sleep space is more than sufficient. Anything else can be bought as it is needed.

Orangemouse25 · 31/08/2025 13:34

Some sort of colic drops, I used dentinox ones. I brought a baby rocking chair, the tomy one, which you can alter so it lies back when newborn and is also a toddler chair. No need for a moses basket then! I also wouldn't use a next to me crib, unless you can't get full size cot in your room!

CommissarySushi · 31/08/2025 13:39

JRM17 · 31/08/2025 13:09

You don't need dummies, FFS babies learn to self soothe if they aren't introduced to rubbish they can become dependent on. Also a next to me crib is not essential at all a normal moses basket and cot are fine. MAM bottles are the best out there if you arent/can't breastfeed. If u are able to kneel by ur bath then a baby bath also isn't essential, save money and buy a travel system rather than a separate pram and car seat. Most babies will fit in a baby carrier/car seat till at least 6mo.

Dummies are fine to use, if you want to. They also reduce the risk of SIDS.

DappledThings · 31/08/2025 13:40

ForUmberFinch · 31/08/2025 13:13

You don’t need a next to me cot, a Moses basket, bouncer chair (sure fire way to impede development of not used properly) or dummies. You don’t need a breastfeeding pillow until you know that’s what you are doing and even then I never used one. Clothes, a few bottles and a safe sleep space is more than sufficient. Anything else can be bought as it is needed.

Bottles aren't required either though unless you know that's what you're doing, same as anything to do with breastfeeding.

There's basically nothing that's genuinely essential other than clothes, nappies and somewhere to sleep.

vixen996 · 31/08/2025 14:32

Nipple cream
reuseable breast pads
good bf bras
decent sized water bottle for the bf thirst!

UmberDog · 31/08/2025 15:39

I would wait to buy a baby carrier/wrap and go to your local sling clinic when the baby is born so you can try a few on and see what you like. I wasted £100 on a well known brand that I HATED and wasn't supportive enough for me. I recommend this to everyone now

Gaminggeek · 31/08/2025 16:45

In this same position right now, trying to think back to what I actually ended up using with my older 2.
A lot of people are saying don’t bother with the next to me, but personally I’ve got one again this time because my daughter (2nd child) loved hers and was very dependent on wanting to sleep near me but I wasn’t wanting to co sleep due to my epilepsy so this was a life saver.
we have also got a play mat, travel system (found one where the carry cot transforms into the main seat when ready rather than needing separate parts).
still need to get/ probably will get

A pack of Muslins
MAM bottles and steriliser (again due to my epilepsy I opt not to breast feed).
nappies
milk
a few basic essential clothes to start with and buy more when needed after birth.
blanket/ bedding/ footmuff
carrier
breast pads
baby bath (we only have a shower in our house)
We will probably get a bouncer, but it’s not essential.

I found I built up after my others were born, but I think I started with a lot more unnecessary stuff too which I want to avoid this time. You can easily buy something if you find you need it later on.

Original poster

hoohaal · 31/08/2025 17:15

Thanks all!! Will write these suggestions down.

Appreciate the next 2 me, Moses basket etc sounds excessive but I found the Moses basket amazing for carrying my previous babies around the house while I cleaned etc.

I will be sleeping in a single bed for the first few months and have epilepsy, so would like to get the next 2 me crib again so the baby is safe but also close to me and easy to pick up in the night.

Pram also essential as I like going for walks. I find baby attached to me non-stop really suffocating. Not sure if I’m allowed to admit that, but it sends me doolally with a baby stuck to me flat out 🙈.

Thanks so much for suggestions x

OP posts:

Original poster

hoohaal · 31/08/2025 17:15

What do we think to a nappy bin?

OP posts:

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 31/08/2025 17:47

Hats and scratch mittens and almond oil for nappy changes

Superscientist · 31/08/2025 19:16

hoohaal · 31/08/2025 17:15

Thanks all!! Will write these suggestions down.

Appreciate the next 2 me, Moses basket etc sounds excessive but I found the Moses basket amazing for carrying my previous babies around the house while I cleaned etc.

I will be sleeping in a single bed for the first few months and have epilepsy, so would like to get the next 2 me crib again so the baby is safe but also close to me and easy to pick up in the night.

Pram also essential as I like going for walks. I find baby attached to me non-stop really suffocating. Not sure if I’m allowed to admit that, but it sends me doolally with a baby stuck to me flat out 🙈.

Thanks so much for suggestions x

Completely ok to admit that!
I got totally touched out with my daughter unfortunately she didn't get the memo and was a high needs baby and in my arms 23h a day and I was ready to tear my skin off by the time my partner got home from work!