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, 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. 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 draws, 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 – ‘My Little Photography’ by far the best in Melbourne
* Apply for birth certificate with ‘Birth, 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’)
