Newborn Checklist: What to Buy Before Baby Arrives
Before your baby arrives, organise a safe place to sleep, a rear-facing car seat if you travel by car, nappies, a small set of clothes and the feeding supplies you expect to use. Everything else can be bought, borrowed or hired as you discover what helps your family. You do not need a fully decorated nursery or a cupboard full of gadgets.
Updated October 2026
This newborn checklist separates the first-week essentials from things that can wait. The suggested quantities are practical starting points, not rules: adjust them for your washing routine, climate, storage space and budget.
Newborn checklist: what to organise first
| Area | Ready before birth | Can usually wait |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep | Safe cot or bassinet, suitable firm flat mattress and fitted sheets | Nursery styling, a separate nursery room |
| Travel | Approved rear-facing child restraint if travelling by car | Extra travel gadgets |
| Nappies | Small supply of nappies, wipes or washcloths, change mat | Bulk cartons and specialised storage |
| Clothes | A small rotation of jumpsuits, bodysuits and season-appropriate layers | Shoes, dress-up outfits and lots of one size |
| Feeding | Supplies for your intended feeding method and a support contact | Large bottle collections or a pump before you know your needs |
| Bath and care | Soft towels, washcloths and a suitable thermometer | A cupboard full of toiletries |
| For mum | Maternity pads, comfortable clothes, meals and practical help | A perfect household routine |
For a broader overview of equipment you can buy, borrow or hire, see Raising Children Network’s new baby checklist. Use the hospital’s own instructions alongside our hospital bag checklist when packing for birth.
1. Set up a safe sleep space
Start with where your baby will sleep, rather than how the room will look. Choose a safe cot or bassinet, assemble it according to the instructions and use the mattress specified for that product. Add fitted sheets that stay snug. Keep a spare sheet where you can reach it during a night-time change.
Red Nose recommends placing baby on their back for every sleep, with their head and face uncovered, on a firm, flat mattress. Baby should sleep in their own safe sleep space in the same room as a parent or caregiver for at least the first six months. Keep the sleep space free of pillows, cot bumpers, doonas, soft toys and loose or bulky bedding.
If using a sleeping bag, choose one that fits securely around the neck and chest, has no hood and leaves the arms free, following Red Nose advice and the product’s sizing instructions. Keep hats for appropriate outdoor use; leave baby’s head uncovered for sleep. Ask your midwife or maternal and child health nurse to show you safe bedding or wrapping if you are unsure.
The ACCC household cots guide explains the current safety requirements, including new mandatory standards that took effect on 19 January 2026. For a second-hand cot, check recalls, current standards, all parts and assembly instructions. Avoid homemade modifications and extra mattresses or padding.
2. Buy a small, washable wardrobe
As an initial shopping list, consider six to eight jumpsuits or bodysuits in total, a few extra layers for cool weather and some socks if the outfits do not cover baby’s feet. Choose clothes that make nappy changes straightforward and open widely enough to dress your baby gently. You can add more if washing takes longer than expected.
Split the first purchases across a couple of likely sizes. Newborn sizing varies between brands, and babies vary too. Wash clothes before use, keep receipts for unopened items and avoid filling a drawer with outfits that might fit for only a short time. Everyday cotton clothes are easier to rotate than special outfits with complicated fastenings.
3. Prepare for nappy changes
- A small pack of newborn nappies, or reusable nappies with the covers and washing arrangements they need.
- Unscented wipes or soft washcloths and water.
- A washable change mat and a spare cover or towel.
- Barrier cream if recommended for your baby, plus a convenient place for clean clothes.
- A bag for used nappies when out, stored away from children.
Try the fit before buying large cartons. A changing table is optional; a mat on the floor can be a practical choice. Put everything within reach before you start and keep one hand on your baby if using a raised surface. Never leave them there while you fetch supplies.
An ordinary roomy bag can carry nappies, a change of clothes and feeding supplies. For more storage options, our nappy bag guide explains what features to compare. Buy for the trips you actually make, rather than every possible outing.
4. Match feeding supplies to your plans
If you plan to breastfeed, comfortable bras, breast pads if needed and a relaxed place to sit may be enough to begin. Keep water and snacks nearby for yourself. A pump is useful for some families, but it is not automatically an essential purchase before birth. Talk with your midwife about situations where expressing might help; our breast pump guide can help if you decide you need one.
For regular bottle-feeding, Raising Children Network suggests four to six large bottles and several teats. Add a dedicated bottle brush and a way to clean and sterilise the equipment. Its cleaning and sterilising guide explains boiling, chemical and steam methods, so you can choose a suitable routine without assuming an electric appliance is required.
If using infant formula, ask your midwife or child health nurse for help choosing and preparing it, then follow the instructions on the tin exactly. Keep a few washable cloths for spills. Buy feeding extras gradually once you know what your baby accepts and what your household can manage.
A bottle warmer is a convenience purchase that can wait. If you later want one, compare cleaning and compatibility in our bottle warmer guide. High chairs, bowls, spoons and fruit feeders belong on a later list, not among newborn feeding essentials. A food feeder is not a newborn dummy.
5. Keep bathing and health supplies simple
Gather a couple of soft towels, washcloths and a stable place to bath your baby. A separate baby bath can be handy, but a safe, clean sink is another option. Raising Children Network’s newborn bathing guide says two or three baths a week are usually enough, with gentle cleaning between baths. Use mild cleanser only if needed.
Keep your hands and eyes on your baby throughout the bath. A bath seat does not replace supervision, and an older sibling should not be left in charge. Have the towel and clean nappy ready before putting baby in the water; if you need to leave, take baby with you.
Have a thermometer suitable for your baby’s age and learn how to use it. Our baby thermometer guide explains the different types. Healthdirect’s fever guidance says a baby aged three months or younger with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs immediate assessment at an emergency department. Call 000 for difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness or a seizure.
Store your GP, midwife and local child health service contact details somewhere easy to find. Ask them before buying medicines or supplements for a newborn. You can keep a basic first-aid kit for the household without stocking treatments your baby may never need.
6. Plan transport before the first trip home
If travelling by car, arrange an approved rear-facing child restraint that meets AS/NZS 1754 and have it installed before birth. Raising Children Network recommends professional installation. Follow the restraint’s instructions for fit and harness adjustment. Our Australian baby car seat guide is a starting point for comparing options, not a substitute for a fitting check.
A pram or baby carrier can be chosen around your home, transport and walking plans. You may not need both immediately. Check newborn suitability and instructions before use, and practise adjusting the equipment before the first outing. Save accessories until you have used the basic setup.
7. Prepare the household and look after mum
Add maternity pads, comfortable underwear and easy meals to the list. Restock ordinary household items such as toilet paper and laundry detergent. Ask visitors for specific help: bringing dinner, taking an older child to school or doing a load of washing is often more useful than another outfit.
Write down who can help if you need rest or feeding support. You do not need to plan every day, but a few reliable contacts make the first weeks easier. Our getting ready before baby arrives guide has more ideas for organising home life.
Frequently asked questions
What does a newborn really need on day one?
A safe sleep space, suitable clothes, nappies, feeding care and safe transport if travelling by car. Your baby also needs adults who can respond to them and access help when needed. Start there; toys, nursery decor and most appliances can wait.
When should I start buying baby essentials?
Choose a pace that suits your budget and pregnancy. Prioritise items needing assembly, fitting or delivery, then organise a modest supply of everyday basics. There is no single correct shopping week, and you can delegate purchases if preparing early feels uncomfortable.
Do I need both a cot and a bassinet?
No. You need a suitable safe sleep space from birth. A bassinet may be convenient while baby is small, but check its age, weight and development limits and plan the next sleep space before those limits are reached.
Can I buy newborn essentials second-hand?
Clothes and some equipment can be good second-hand purchases. Check condition, instructions, missing parts and recalls first. Give extra attention to sleep equipment and child restraints; a low price is not enough if you cannot establish that the item is safe and suitable.
How many newborn nappies and clothes should I stock up on?
Start with a small nappy supply and a manageable clothing rotation, then top up after you know your baby’s size and your laundry rhythm. Keeping a little budget aside for later is often more useful than buying several cartons of one size.
