Navigating the world of baby essentials can be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. We have gathered here products that might be needed during the first weeks/months with a newborn. You can definitely manage with less, and it also depends on your needs and preferences. There are things that are truly necessary and things that simply make your life more comfortable. For some things, the need may become clear later, and then you can acquire them. Actually, what a baby needs most is the care, closeness, feeding, and diaper changing from their parents. Everything else is a bonus.
Bathing and Hygiene
- Bath & baby bath seat
- Bath thermometer - suitable temperature is 36-38 degrees
- Soft washing glove - good for washing folds
- 2 hooded bath towels
- Nail clippers - blunt-ended
- Soft hairbrush
- Shampoo - use maximum of 1 time per week
- Cleansing wash gel
- Bath oil - for dry skin or frequent bathing
- Nurturing body cream/lotion (if needed)
Baby care products should be natural and fragrance-free, designed for baby's delicate skin. - Wet wipes - for diaper changes on the go
- Diaper cream / zinc cream - for diaper rash and diaper dermatitis
- Cotton pads - for cleaning eyes
- Long-handled cotton swabs - for daily navel care
Diapering
- 2-3 packs of disposable newborn-sized diapers or reusable cloth diapers
It is not recommended to buy too many diapers in advance, because you never know which brand's products will suit your baby. If your baby develops an allergy to diapers, try using products from another brand.
- Changing pad / changing table
- Disposable underpads
Pharmacy items
- Nose aspirator + saline solution for nasal cleaning
- Destilled water /NaCl - for eye cleaning
- Vitamin D
- Calendula tincture for umbilical cord cleaning
- Paracetamol (if necessary, consulting with a doctor)
- Digital thermometer
Transportation and mobility
- Baby wrap or carrier
- Stroller + rain cover/mosquito net
- Diaper bag / big mom-bag
- Car seat
- Baby monitor
- Babynest/Sleepcarrier with handles - for transition your sleeping baby effortlessly from crib to stroller and ensuring uninterrupted nap time during all your adventures
Sleep
- Pacifiers (TRY-IT 3-pack & glow pacifiers)
- Sleep aid - Moonie pink noise humming bears and bunnies, which also functions as a night lamp and cry detector
- Babynest
- Baby cot and/or crib
- Mattress
- 2 thinner e.g. muslin baby blankets
- Thicker blanket e.g. merino wool baby blanket
- Swaddle blanket e.g bamboo - read more about swaddling a baby
- Sleeping gown (1 bamboo and 1 merino wool) - the baby feels safer in it and cannot pull the blanket off during sleep, and the blanket cannot cover the face. When choosing a sleeping bag, consider room temperature.
- 1-2 fitted sheets for the mattress
- Mattress protector
- Crib bumpers (if desired, consider the potential risks).
Feeding
- 6-8 Muslin cloths for wiping mouth
- Breast pump (if needed)
- Baby bottle & bottle nipples (if desired or necessary)
- Bottle brush
- Nursing pillow
Clothes
Be modest with clothing acquisition. Although baby clothes are adorable and the temptation to buy more is great, babies grow quickly and the period of using smaller sizes is quite short. Before purchasing, also check the gifts provided by your city, county, or hospital for the birth of the child, as baby packages may already contain baby clothes. Baby clothes are also certainly given as gifts by visitors. However, we recommend stocking up on basic clothing items so you can focus on your baby and yourself after childbirth.
It is often advised to avoit purchasing the smallest size altogether, but it is much more enjoyable to deal with a baby when they are not drowning in clothes. Knowledge of the expected weight of the baby, which you can get from your midwife, can also be helpful in choosing the size numbers. The most classic size for newborn clothes is 50-56. It is reasonable to also acquire baby clothes in size 62. This size can usually be worn for a longer period.
Prefer natural materials that are suitable for the baby's delicate skin - OEKO-TEX® or GOTS certified cotton, bamboo, merino wool, merino silk. The latter help babies regulate body temperature better than cotton.
Many parents do not see the need for tops and opt for bodysuits and onesies instead. If you're interested in using tops, opting for wrap-style ones can be a good choice.
- 2-3 tops size 50-56
- 2-3 tops size 62
- 4-6 bodies size 50-56
- 4-6 bodies size 62
Depending on the season, combine short and long-sleeved bodysuits. Even a summer baby needs long-sleeved bodysuits.
Prefer pants with a wide soft waistband- 2-3 pairs size 50-56
- 2-3 pairs size 62
Consider including at least one bodysuit-pants set in merino-silk (a blend of merino wool and silk). This material effectively regulates body temperature, providing warmth in winter, keeping cool in summer, and is also suitable for managing fever, aiding in maintaining a comfortable body temperature.
Prefer sleepers with two-way zippers that don't need to be completely taken off for diaper changes. Many use primarily one-piece sleepers instead of tops/bodysuits/pants in the first few weeks of life, which are more convenient to use. Adjust the number of sleepers according to your preferences.- 2-3 size 50-56
- 2-3 size 62
- Socks - size 15/16
- 2-3 pairs
For head circumference 35-37 cm (newborn 0-1 month) and 38-40 cm (1-3 months)
- 2 light cotton/silk hats
- 1 thicker hat for colder days
- Cardigan or jacket - size 56 and/or 62
- 1 light wool/wool-silk/cotton
- 1 thicker jacket
- Gloves
Thin cotton gloves - protect newborns from scratching their delicate skin.
- 2-3 bandana bibs
Having multiple bandana bibs on hand means you can quickly change them when they get soiled, reducing the frequency of changing the baby's entire outfit due to spit-up or drooling.
- Outdoor clothing according to the season
Summer
- Cardigan/jacket
- Light hat
- Thin outdoor overall
Winter
- Wool/silk body and pants
- Wool cardigan/jacket or overall for second layer
- Thick merino wool overall or winter suit
- Warm hat
- Gloves and booties (depends whether the overall has fold-over mittens and enclosed feet)
- Footmuff for the stroller
When selecting a baby overall, consider whether it provides extra room for layering and whether it tends to run larger or smaller in size. The sizing of baby clothing can vary significantly between different manufacturers. Based on that, you can decide whether to opt for size 50, 56, or 62.
Toys & Activity
- Bouncer
- Crib mobile
- Activity blanket or play mat and play arch
- Rattles
- Teething rings
-
Black and white contrast picture book
Browse here all baby toys.
Also, check the hospital bag checklist and self-care essentials for the mother during the forth trimester.
