Mumma Bears… no need to look any longer. My Little Photography created a complete list of essential items for your newborns and yourselves! I have made it easier for you to read, categorising all the items. Being a mum of three (and a newborn photographer in Melbourne), I feel the below items are necessary to have when you have a newborn (0 to 3 months old). All the other items that are not on the list, in my opinion, is a “nice to have”.
Where I have mentioned items for your baby such as clothing, blankets, swaddles etc; 100% cotton material is highly recommended, as other materials can irritate their soft and sensitive skin. I would recommend having everything ready, at the latest, one month prior to your due date or caesarean date. This way, you’re calm, organised, and even more ready for your newborn photography session in Melbourne. Happy ticking off lovelies.
H O M E
B A B Y ’ S R O O M
Bassinet (for the first 0 to 4 – 6 months of baby’s life)
Blankets
Camera & Monitor (I found ‘Oricom’ to be a great brand for baby monitors. Specifically, the ‘Secure850 4.3″ Digital Video Baby Monitor with Pan-Tilt Camera’ model)
Chair & Ottoman (ensure the chair is comfortable for you, it does not have to be a rocking chair, however, this is a personal preference)
Change Table (best to get a change table that has storage underneath)
Cot (‘Boori’ cots are solid and look great also)
Dresser / Drawers (if you have a wardrobe with drawers, probably no need for the dresser/drawers)
Mattress – Bassinet & Cot
Mattress Protectors – Bassinet & Cot (ensure they are waterproof)
Nightlight (optional)
Sheets – Bassinet & Cot (ensure you also purchase flannelette sheets for the colder months)
Swaddles / Sleeping Bags (optional)
C L O T H I N G
Beanies (optional)
Bodysuits / Jumpsuits (with zips and with foot covers – makes it quicker and easier. Can’t go wrong with ‘Bonds’ jumpsuits)
Booties (optional)
Bunny Rugs / Wraps
Cardigans (optional)
Jackets (optional)
Mittens
Other Baby Outfits
Singlets
Socks
Sun Hat
Swaddles / Sleepsuits (optional)
C H A N G E T A B L E
Disposable Nappy Bags
Nappies (I found ‘Huggies’ to be the best for both the newborn right through to the toddler ages)
Nappy Bin (optional)
Nappy cream (I found ‘Sudocream’ to be great for their little bottoms)
Wipes – Wet / Wipes – Dry
B A T H T I M E
Baby Body Lotion / Moisturiser (I found ‘QV Moisturising Cream’ and ‘The Baby Goat Skincare Moisturising Lotion’ to work well with my children’s newborn skin)
Baby Wash (I found both ‘QV Gentle Wash’ and ‘The Baby Goat Baby Wash and Shampoo’ to work well with my children’s newborn skin)
Bath
Bath Thermometer (optional)
Bath Toys (optional)
Cotton Wool Balls (for wiping baby’s eyes gently with cooled boiled water)
Face cloth
Hair Comb
Hairbrush
Nail Clippers / Nail Scissors (‘Dreambaby Premium Nail Clippers’ is one I recommend)
Towels with Hood
F E E D I N G
B R E A S T F E E D I N G
Bibs
Bottle Brush
Bottles
Breast Milk Storage Bags (optional – I would just simply use small sandwich seal lock bags and just date them)
Breast pads (I found ‘Pigeon Honeycomb’ to be the most effective for non-leakage and non-irritating)
Breast Pump (‘Medela Swing Maxi Flex 2 Phase Double Electric Breast Pump’ makes life loads easier to express)
Breastfeeding Pillow
Burp Cloths
Nipple Cream (I found ‘Lansinoh’ to be most effective)
Nipple Shields (optional)
Nursing Bras
Steriliser
B O T T L E F E E D I N G
Bibs
Bottle Brush
Bottle Carrier
Bottle Warmer
Bottles
Burp Cloths
Formula (out of all the formulas I have tried with my children, I would always come back to good old ‘S26 Gold Newborn’)
Steriliser
T R A V E L L I N G
Baby Bag / Nappy Bag with all the essentials (I have owned several baby bags since having my first bub and I must say, hands down ‘Hannah & Henry’ baby bags are the best! They are not only stylish but also very spacious and have lots of different pockets to store all our babies’ items. They are durable, sturdy and their leather exterior allows them to also be weatherproof. I have the ‘Classic Nappy Backpack’)
Baby Carrier (Cannot go wrong with a ‘Baby Bjorn’ carrier)
Blanket for Pram / Stroller
Car Capsule – Newborn to 6 months old (optional)
Car Seat that allows for rear and forward facing – Newborn to 4 years old (‘Britax Safe-n-Sound’ are very safe car seats)
Car Window Shade (ensure its UV protected)
Dummy / Pacifier
Mirror – Rearward Facing (‘Kmart – Car Travel Accessories Kit’ includes a great mirror. All the other items aren’t really relevant that’s included in the pack but for only $20, its worth having this particular mirror)
Portacot (optional)
Pram / Stroller
Rain Cover for Pram / Stroller (optional)
Toys for car seat – eg. small music mobile (optional)
Toys for Pram / Stroller (optional)
P L A Y T I M E
Books (both hard small books and the soft squeaky books)
Baby Gym (optional)
Baby Swing (optional)
Bouncer / Rocker (optional)
Cuddly / Soft Toys
Play Mat
Rattles
Teethers
O T H E R
Book a Maternity & Newborn Photographer in Melbourne – My Little Photography by far the best in Melbourne for capturing both bump and baby.
Apply for birth certificate with ‘Births, Deaths and Marriages’
Add baby on private health insurance before birth (if you have private health insurance)
Apply for any Centrelink entitlements (best to apply before baby is born – these departments can generally take their time with these things)
H O S P I T A L
F O R M U M
Travel bag / Carry-on Luggage with wheels: -
Clothes – comfortable
Dressing Gown
Entertainment – iPod / Small Speakers Phone for Music, iPod / Phone / Small Speakers Charger, Books / Magazines to Read
Maternity Bras
Medical Records – Blood Group, Medicare Card, Health Insurance Card
Pyjamas / Nightwear
Shoes – comfortable
Slippers / Thongs
Snacks (you may be waiting a while…)
Socks
Underwear – comfortable (I found ‘Bonds’ high waisted to be super comfy)
Toiletries bag: –
Breast pads (I found ‘Pigeon Honeycomb’ to be the most effective for non-leakage and non-irritating)
Hairbrush
Hairdryer
Headbands / Hair ties / Clips
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Face Cloth / Towel (optional)
Facial Cleanser
Facial Moisturiser
Facial – other day and night creams you use
Maternity Pads
Nipple Cream (I found ‘Lansinoh’ to be most effective)
Nipple Shields (optional – if breastfeeding)
F O R B A B Y
Baby Bag / Nappy Bag with all the essentials (I have owned several baby bags since having my first bub and I must say, hands down ‘Hannah & Henry’ baby bags are the best! They are not only stylish but also very spacious and have lots of different pockets to store all our babies’ items. They are durable, sturdy and their leather exterior allows them too also be weatherproof. I have the ‘Classic Nappy Backpack’)
Blanket/s
Bibs
Bunny Rugs / Wraps
Burping Cloths (optional)
Clothing – Bodysuits / Jumpsuits (with zips and with foot covers – makes it quicker and easier)
Hats / Beanies
Mittens
Singlets
Swaddles / Sleepsuits (optional)
Socks / booties (optional)
Dummy / Pacifier
Toiletries bag: –
(optional – generally the hospital will provide the below items however if some mums prefer to use their own)
Wipes – Wet / Wipes – Dry
Nappies (I found ‘Huggies’ to be the best for both the newborn and toddler ages)
Nappy cream (I found ‘Sudocream’ to be great for their little bottoms)
Bottle Feeding: –
(if you have decided not to breast feed)
Bottle brush
Bottles – sterilized
Formula (out of all the formulas I have tried with my children, I would always come back to good old ‘S26 Gold Newborn’)
