Newborn Baby Checklist: What Do You Really Need Before Baby Arrives?

Preparing for a new baby is exciting, but figuring out what you actually need can quickly become overwhelming.

There are endless lists of baby products online, and if this is your first baby, it can be difficult to tell the genuine essentials from the things that can wait until later.

That’s why we created the Babyonline Newborn Baby Checklist — a practical checklist for New Zealand parents covering the everyday essentials you may want to organise before your baby arrives.

View our Newborn Baby Checklist

You can use the checklist online while you shop, or download the free PDF and work through it at your own pace.

When should you start buying baby essentials?

You don't need to buy everything as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

Many parents start researching the bigger items during the second trimester and gradually organise the essentials as their due date gets closer.

It can help to prioritise the things you'll need immediately after your baby is born — somewhere safe for baby to sleep, nappies and changing supplies, basic clothing, feeding essentials and an appropriate child restraint for the trip home.

Other items can often be added once you know what works best for you and your baby.

Our newborn baby checklist lets you work through each area separately, so preparing for baby feels a little more manageable.

1. Nappies and changing essentials

One thing you can be fairly certain about: newborn babies need plenty of nappy changes.

Your changing setup doesn't have to be complicated. Start with the basics:

• Newborn or appropriately sized nappies

• Baby wipes

• Nappy rash cream

• Changing mat or changing pad

• Nappy disposal bags

You may also want a nappy bag or backpack so you can keep nappies, wipes, spare clothes and other changing essentials together when you're away from home.

It can be tempting to buy a huge quantity of one nappy size before baby arrives, but babies grow at different rates. Having enough to get started and buying more once you know the size and style that suits your baby can be more practical.

Shop nappies and changing essentials

2. Bath time and baby skincare

Newborn bath time can be kept simple too.

Useful items to have ready include a baby bath, soft washcloths and towels, along with gentle baby bath and skincare products.

Our checklist includes:

• Baby bath

• Hooded towels

• Face washcloths

• Baby soap and shampoo

• Baby moisturiser

You don't necessarily need every possible bath accessory before your baby is born. Start with the basics and add other products as you discover what works for your family.

3. Health and grooming essentials

A few small baby-care products are worth having at home before they're suddenly needed.

Our newborn checklist includes everyday items such as:

• Baby nail clippers

• Nasal aspirator

• Baby hair brush

• Baby skincare products

• Thermometer

Keep your baby's healthcare items somewhere easy for adults to find but safely out of children's reach.

For medical or health advice about your newborn, always speak with your midwife, Well Child Tamariki Ora provider, pharmacist or healthcare professional.

4. Feeding essentials

What you need for feeding will depend on whether you breastfeed, express, formula feed, bottle feed, or use a combination.

For bottle feeding or expressed milk, useful items can include:

• Bottles

• Bottle brush

• Sterilising equipment

• Milk storage bags

• Bibs

A bottle warmer can also be convenient for some families, although it isn't an essential for everyone.

If you plan to formula feed, talk with your midwife or healthcare professional about safe preparation and feeding practices.

5. Breastfeeding essentials

You don't need to purchase every breastfeeding product before you know what you'll actually use.

Some items many parents like having available include:

• Nursing pads

• Nipple cream

• Nursing pillow

• Breast pump

• Milk storage supplies

Products such as nipple shields are generally best chosen when needed and with appropriate breastfeeding support.

Your feeding journey may also change after baby arrives, so think of your newborn checklist as a starting point rather than a set of rules.

6. Newborn baby clothes

Tiny outfits are very hard to resist, but newborn wardrobes don't need to be enormous.

Babies tend to need comfortable clothes that are easy to change — often several times a day.

Depending on the season in New Zealand, you might prepare:

• Bodysuits or onesies

• Sleepwear

• Socks

• Swaddles or wraps

• Appropriate layers for the weather

Because babies can grow through newborn sizes surprisingly quickly, consider buying a mixture of newborn and slightly larger sizes rather than stocking up heavily on the smallest size.

7. Sleep and nursery essentials

You don't need a perfectly decorated nursery before your baby arrives.

The priority is creating an appropriate, safe sleep space.

New Zealand safe-sleep guidance recommends that babies have their own sleep space with a firm, flat and well-fitting mattress and that baby sleeps in the same room as their parent or caregiver for the first six months.

When choosing a cot or bassinet, make safety and suitability your first consideration rather than decorative accessories.

Basic sleep and nursery purchases may include:

• Bassinet, Moses basket or cot

• Suitable mattress

• Mattress protector

• Fitted sheets

• Appropriate baby sleepwear

Avoid filling baby's sleep space with decorative cushions, pillows, toys or cot bumpers.

For the latest safe-sleep recommendations, follow New Zealand guidance from organisations such as Whānau Āwhina Plunket and Healthify.

8. Getting out and about with your newborn

A few larger purchases are worth researching well before your due date.

Infant car seat or capsule

An appropriate child restraint is one of the essentials you'll need from baby's first car journey.

Choose an approved restraint that is suitable for your baby's size and your vehicle, install it according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure you understand how to secure your baby correctly before your due date.

Pram or stroller

Think about where you'll actually use your stroller.

Do you mainly walk around the neighbourhood? Need something compact for the car? Have another young child? Regularly use rougher paths?

The best stroller isn't necessarily the one with the longest feature list — it's the one that suits your family's everyday life.

Baby carrier

A baby carrier or wrap can also be useful when you want baby close while keeping your hands relatively free. Make sure the carrier is suitable for your baby's age and size and follow its fitting and positioning instructions carefully.

Other useful travel items can include a nappy bag, stroller accessories and a portable sleep option for appropriate situations.

9. Don't forget the new mum

Preparing for a baby can become so focused on the newborn that it's easy to forget the person who has just given birth.

Your own comfort and recovery matter too.

Depending on your circumstances, you may want to organise:

• Maternity or postpartum pads

• Comfortable maternity or nursing bras

• Breast pads

• Comfortable clothing

• Nursing pillow

• Postpartum support products

Having these things organised beforehand can mean one less thing to think about during those first days at home.

What don't you need to buy before baby arrives?

This may be just as important as deciding what to buy.

You don't need to own every baby product before your due date.

Some items depend heavily on your baby, your feeding choices, your home and your lifestyle. Products that one parent considers indispensable may barely be used by another.

Start with the essentials, then add things when you discover a genuine need for them.

It can save money, reduce clutter and make preparing for baby considerably less overwhelming.

Use our free Newborn Baby Checklist

Rather than trying to remember everything yourself, we've put the main categories together in one place.

The Babyonline Newborn Baby Checklist covers:

• Nappies and changing

• Bath time and skincare

• Health and grooming

• Feeding

• Breastfeeding

• Baby clothing

• Sleep and nursery

• Car seats, strollers and getting out

• Essentials for mum

You can check items off online, jump directly to the relevant baby-product categories, or download the free PDF checklist to keep.

VIEW THE FREE NEWBORN BABY CHECKLIST →

Preparing for a new baby doesn't have to mean buying everything at once. Start with what you'll genuinely need, take your time with the bigger decisions and build from there as you learn what works for you and your baby.

Babyonline has been helping New Zealand families find affordable baby essentials for years. Shop online or visit us at 16 Gabador Place, Mt Wellington, Auckland.

This article provides general shopping information only. For advice about pregnancy, newborn health, feeding or safe sleep, speak with your midwife or healthcare professional and refer to current New Zealand health and safety guidance.