Compiling a baby checklist can be a daunting experience. Especially if it's the first time you're doing it. How can such a tiny person, need so much stuff? Yes, having a baby is one of the most exciting moments of your whole life – but it comes around quick and suddenly, you're counting down the days until you pack your hospital bag.
Not all parents and babies are the same, so it can help to ask yourself a few questions before you start shopping. For instance: Will I solely breast feed? What type of birth plan would I like? Just how many nappies will we actually need to buy?
To take the stress out of things, GLAMOUR's mamas-to-be have shared their edit of their ultimate baby checklist after a whole lot of research (and tapping up recommendations from fellow mums, dads, co-workers and friends). So whether you're expecting your first baby or your third, here's everything you might want and need, alongside some luxury like-to-haves to look forward to in those early days.
1. Baby Bedroom:
- Cot
- Moses basket
- Sheets
- Wardrobe
- Chest of drawers
- Nursing chair
- Baby monitor
- Night light
- Musical mobile
- White noise machine
- Cuddly toys
- Room thermometer
- Travel cot
Decorating your baby's room can be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your little one, with Pinterest providing all the inspiration. There are some adorable, more traditional pink and blue schemes, or neutral pieces to see you through the first few years of their life.
It's worth noting that for the first 12 months after your baby is born, the only bedding you will actually need is a fitted bed sheet and a baby sleeping bag or swaddle – a comfortable alternative that'll keep your baby safe and cosy, while keeping the rest of the mattress free from anything else.
As for monitors, for a mum-approved camera that doesn't require wifi (which can be a safety concern), the Momcozy Smart Monitor is a favourite.
What we're shopping:
2. Baby Clothes:
- Sleep-suit
- Short sleeve bodysuit
- Long sleeve bodysuit
- Cardigans
- Jacket
- Pramsuit
- Hat
- Mittens
- Socks
- Booties
- Sleep bags
- Dummy
- Sun hat
- Swaddle
- Dressing gown
Babies grow quickly, so it's a good idea to buy a few different sizes of clothes before they're actually here. Your newborn baby might not necessarily fit into newborn sized clothes – it's only really applicable if they're between 5-8 pounds. So, if you have a feeling your baby might be bigger, don't splurge on newborn size straight away.
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3. Day-To-Day:
- Pushchair and carry cot bundle
- Baby rocker
- Changing bag
- Changing mat
- Nappies
- Baby wipes
- Nappy bags
- Nappy rash cream
- Monitor sock
- Play mat
- Baby bouncer
- Baby carrier
- Teething toys
Certain items can help to make your day that little bit easier – and new-mum life slightly less stressful/daunting. Of course two of the biggest items are the buggy and car seat. Our Senior Beauty Editor, Elle, says “I did a looooooooot of research to decide on the best pram and the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew is the ultimate multi-tasker. The bassinet is sleep-safe approved for your little one to snooze in and the all-terrain wheels keep things comfy and low-impact whether you’re whizzing over grass or cobbles.”
If you want something light and little, she loves the Stokke Yoyo3 newborn stroller. “For a nimble city pram, or for travelling, it's unbeatable. It’s compact enough to fit in an overhead aeroplane locker and lightweight enough to lift up and down tube steps without the need for a chiropractor. Plus, you can change out the colours and seats easily as your baby grows,” she says.
Meanwhile, our commerce photo editor, Neamh, notes “buying a bundle pushchair and carrycot set can take the stress out of making multiple decisions and can grow with you as your baby does. The Peach 7 from iCandy is great for this. Thule is also a great choice for those one handed manoeuvres.”
As for the car seat, “the Cybex Cloud T i-Size has won so many awards for its next-level safety which is what won me over and I love that the semi-recline and lie-flat feature give more safe and comfortable positions for your baby,” says Elle. “Besides this is the chicest you’ll ever see a car seat look. It comes in a range of colours and fabrics and, with the right adaptors, you can clip it onto your buggy wheels for quick outings.”
To keep your baby close (and allow you to do tasks without holding your little one) a baby carrier is a game-changer. For something a little bougier, with extra style kudos, Elle loves the Artipoppe carriers. “They're a hands-free way of getting in extra cuddles and skin-to-skin with bub, and it looks ridiculously stylish while you’re at it,” she says. Or, for when you need to put your baby in a safe space, the BabyBjörn bouncers are cult for a reason. The Bouncer Bliss is lightweight enough to move around the house, whether you want bub to have somewhere soft and safe in the bathroom with you while you shower, or in the living room while you get some admin done. Plus it comes in a range of fabrics and colours.
Another great invention is the Owlet Dream Sock, which provides real-time monitoring of pulse rate, oxygen levels, sleep patterns and so many more features, all from the app.
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4. Bathing:
- Hooded towels
- Washcloth
- Thermometer
- Bath toys
- Nail file
- Body wash
- Bath seat
- Hair brush
- Cotton wool
- Muslin
Bath time is one of the perfect opportunities to help bond with your baby; not only does it get them used to being in water but it also provides sensory development that helps their brain to really focus and pay attention. It acts as the perfect downtime for settling them before bed, too.
What we're shopping:
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5. Feeding:
- Breast pump
- Formula
- Breast pads
- Pregnancy/feeding pillow
- Milk storage bags
- Bottles
- Teats
- Bibs
- Bottle brush
- Muslins
- Steriliser
- Nipple cream
- Nipple covers
- Bottle warmer
- Bottle prep machine
- High chair
- Dinner set
Whether you're planning on breast feeding or not, it's a good idea to have a backup just in case – it can sometimes take three days for your milk supply to come in, and a hands-free breast pump can allow your partner/family to help with the feeding times, too. Both our editors love the Elvie electric pump, which you can slip inside your bra and track through your phone to see real-time milk volume and control the intensity.
If you do plan on breastfeeding, wear nipple cups for two weeks after the baby is born, even if you're not sore, to help reduce irritation. If you plan on bottle-feeding, a sterilising machine can do the heavy-lifting while you're adjusting to mum-life.
Last but not least, and certainly something you won't need for a while: a highchair to see you through their weaning phase. Stokke have exactly that with additional components from newborn to adulthood with their Tripp Trapp high chair.
What we're shopping:
6. New Mum:
- Pyjamas
- Slippers
- Dressing gown
- Body wash
- Face wash
- Moisturiser
- Body oil
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Water bottle
- Knickers
- Pads
- Nursing bra
- Socks
- Hand-held fan
- Loungewear
- Post birth perineal wash bottle - trust me!
- Lip balm
- Hair brush
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Hair clip
- Hair bands
For outfits, “given how much time you’re going to spend in bed, recovering and nursing in those early days, having a soft pair of pjs to look forward to is the ultimate luxury. I already have Skims sleep set in black and have lived in them throughout my pregnancy, so I know I’ll get a load of wear out of another set,” says Elle.
What we're shopping:
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