Newborn Essentials: What You Actually Need

From baby clothing to sleeping supplies and nappies, discover everything you desperately need when a newborn is on the way.

 

Your newborn baby will soon be on its way, and you’re terrified of being underprepared. How do you prepare for the arrival - what do you need to buy before the due date happens?! It’s all very hectic and confusing, which often results in you buying a load of stuff that you don’t actually need while forgetting some of the essentials. 

Fear not, this guide will clear everything up. From luxury baby clothing to a host of other key items, you’ll soon see exactly what you need to prepare for a newborn. And if you’re looking to buy baby shower gifts for someone who’s expecting, then this guide also applies to you! It’ll ensure you get them something that genuinely helps, rather than filling up their house with unwanted baby toys. 

So, let’s get started with an obvious one…

Comfortable & Safe Baby Clothing

Don’t overbuy when it comes to baby clothes; they’ll grow quicker than you expect, so for newborns, you should prioritise three key things: 

• Comfort

• Safety

• Quality

You need high-quality baby clothes that don’t fray or rip as your little one wriggles around, though they also need to be non-itchy and safe for a newborn to wear. Our luxury bamboo sleepsuits are perfect for this: they’re soft, suitable for sensitive skin and designed to cradle a little one so they feel at ease. 

Newborns mainly need sleep suits as they spend most of their time in a crib or being held gently, so it’s not always worth buying loads of different outfits. Wait until they’ve grown a bit before you spend money on all of that stuff. You could also do with some soft hats to protect their head and keep them warm during outdoor walks. Our lovely white bear hat is a great choice here - it’s both stylish and practical, which makes it an excellent baby shower gift. 

Sleeping Essentials

You’re, naturally, worried about bringing your newborn home and dealing with sleepless nights. You’ve heard the stories from other parents, and it’s true that you may have to handle a baby who doesn’t want to sleep at all. It is one of the most difficult parts of being a parent, though the right sleep preparation could encourage your little one to sleep a bit better at night. 

It begins with a good sleeping environment, which should include: 

• A high-quality crib that’s specifically designed for newborns

• A firm mattress with a waterproof cover

• The NHS recommends at least 4 fitted sheets

• Additional sheets and a cellular blanket

Of course, you should set this up in a dark, quiet room so your baby has no distractions and can fall asleep easily. It’s always worth setting up a baby monitor to keep an eye on how they’re doing - video monitors are usually very good these days, so you always feel like you’re right there with your newborn. 

The most important thing is to avoid laying down any duvets or pillows in your newborn’s crib; they cause safety risks - all you need are the sheets and a cellular blanket on the mattress. If you’re looking for something extra soft and luxurious, our bear muslin blanket is the perfect accompaniment for your newborn’s crib. 

Alongside all of the above, be sure you get your hands on a good portable crib that you can carry with you wherever you go. Newborns aren’t very social beings, and they will sleep whenever they feel like it, so it helps to have somewhere for them to lie down and shut their eyes during the day. 

A Nappy Changing Kit

Ah nappies, every parent’s dream. It’s the thing you’re probably looking forward to the least as a new parent, but you’ll make life a lot easier by gathering all the essentials for the ultimate nappy changing kit. Key things to buy involve: 

• Plenty of nappies - you can go for disposable ones or pick premium, reusable cloth ones if you wish

• A comfortable and high-quality changing mat to bring with you everywhere

• Very gentle, non-scented nappy wipes

• A barrier cream to prevent nappy rash - Emma’s Diary recommends Sudocrem

You’ll also need a bag to fit all of this in and carry with you whenever you leave the house with your newborn. For nappy changes at home, consider setting up a nappy changing station in the baby’s room. It makes the whole process easier to deal with when you have a dedicated space to handle nappy changes. 

Those of you looking for baby shower gifts should always consider nappies or something to do with nappy changing - new parents can never have enough nappy stuff! 

Feeding Products

If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll need to get a selection of quality nursing bras and breast pads to help you stay comfortable during this time. A good nipple cream will go a long way while you’re at it - and if you plan on bottle feeding with your breast milk, then a high-quality breast pump is a must. 

 

For those who prefer to bottle feed, make sure you get a set of bottles and baby-friendly teats, plus sterilising equipment to keep everything sanitary - along with the bottles of formula as well. 

Bathing Time

Don’t forget to prepare for your baby’s first bath. You need a dedicated baby bath for this - or you could use a small bowl, plus some baby-safe towels that need to be super soft and not rough at all. You’ll find some amazing baby grooming or care kits out there that make for fantastic gifts; they include essential things like baby nail clippers, soft brushes and so on. 

 

Most importantly, be sure you have baby-safe shampoo and body wash. Don’t use the same stuff you put on yourself as a baby’s skin is way more sensitive. It’s usually always best to wash your newborn with a soft cloth or your hands - don’t use sponges, loofas or anything else like that as it can damage their skin. 

 

There are, as you can imagine, many other things you may need to buy before a newborn arrives, but these are the absolute essentials. They’ll ensure you can prepare for your baby and give them the most comfortable start to life.