Baby's First Months: Essential Items for New Parents
Preparing for the arrival of your little one is one of the most exciting yet stressful times for any parent.
You’ll find yourself faced with lots of questions, like ‘How many of these should I buy?’ and ‘Do I really need that?’
To answer all your pressing questions, we’ve compiled our must-haves for any new parent into a handy newborn shopping list.
1. The Nursery
Setting up a cozy nursery provides the perfect backdrop for sleeping, feeding, and plenty of cuddles. The key things your nursery needs are places for your baby to sleep, be fed and changed, and somewhere to store all their items. Besides the basics, items such as a crib mobile, bouncer, and age-appropriate toys will provide your little one with fun and stimulation.
Nursery essential items:
- Crib or bassinet for baby's sleep.
- Changing table or mat for diaper changes.
- Feeding chair or glider.
- Storage solutions like shelves and drawers.
- Optional extras: crib mobile, baby bouncer, age-appropriate toys.
2. Clothing and Accessories
Since babies have a talent for getting messy and needing frequent outfit changes, onesies and singlets will be near the top of your newborn must-haves checklist. Onesie singlets that pull over the nappy with a stud connector at the bottom are particularly helpful for making change times easier. Onesies are also designed to go over the nappy and are available in both short and long sleeves. Buy a few of each in different styles so you can determine which works best for you and your baby.
The right baby bag will help you stay organised when you’re on the go with your little one. Arrived’s range of stunning baby bags allows you to keep all your essentials in one place and keep your hands free for bub. Best of all, the gorgeous designs mean you don’t have to sacrifice your style! Baby bag accessories such as pouches and pram clips are handy companions to your baby bag and allow for easy access to baby essentials such as bottles, dummies, and toys.
Baby bag bundles are the ultimate accessory for new parents and include everything you need to stay organised on the go without compromising your style. Best of all, buying a bundle is cheaper than buying each bag separately and your wallet will thank you!
Clothing and accessories essential items:
- Onesies and bodysuits for easy outfit changes.
- Baby bag for carrying essentials on the go.
- Accessories like pouches and pram clips for organisation.
- Baby bag bundles for cost-effective options.
3. Feeding Essentials
Settling into a feeding schedule can be a tricky time for new parents. Luckily, having the right equipment can help make the process easier. A rocking chair is a popular choice for new parents as it provides a comfortable place to sit during feeding and the rocking motion helps soothe the baby. A nursing pillow also makes feeding easier and more comfortable, whether you’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding.
Feeding essentials items:
- Nursing chair or rocking chair.
- Nursing pillow for added comfort.
- Bottle warmer if bottle-feeding.
- Burp cloths for messes.
4. Health and Grooming
A thermometer is important to have on hand at all times so you can catch and treat any fevers fast. There are multiple types of thermometers including ear, underarm and no-contact which range in price. Generally, no-contact thermometers are the priciest. However, they’re handy for taking baby’s temperature without disturbing them while they’re asleep.
Nail scissors and a brush and comb set will keep your little one looking and feeling their best. Not only does regularly brushing your baby’s hair promote hair growth, but it can also be a relaxing experience for your baby and give the two of you an opportunity to bond.
Health and Grooming essentials items:
- Thermometer (ear, forehead, or no-contact).
- Nail clippers or baby-safe scissors.
- Hairbrush and comb set.
- Baby-friendly skin care products.
5. Comfort and Entertainment
Since young babies still have blurry eyesight, toys with bright colours and bold patterns are the best choice. During their first few months, babies will also enjoy exploring different textures and you can provide them with toys such as soft toys, rattles, and cloth books with fun textures on the pages. Just remember to hold the book close, as newborns can only see about 20-30cm in front of their eyes.
Comfort and entertainment essentials items:
- Brightly colored, high-contrast toys.
- Soft plush toys for cuddling.
- Rattles and teething toys.
- Interactive cloth books with textures.
6. Mum's Essentials
Besides all the essentials you need for a newborn, don’t forget Mum! It can be tricky to know what to get a new mum, particularly when you don’t know what she already has. Luckily, you can play it safe by getting her a gift voucher so she can choose whatever she wants. Arrived offers gift vouchers for $50, $100 and $200 so Mum can choose her favourites from our stunning range of bags and accessories.
Mum's essentials items:
- Gift vouchers for shopping convenience.
- A range of gift voucher denominations.
- Stylish bags and accessories for new moms.
- Consider personal care items or relaxation gifts for mom.
Preparing for the arrival of your little one? Explore our guide on 'How to Choose the Best Nappy Bag for Your Lifestyle' to find the perfect baby bag for your parenting journey and start shopping for baby essentials today! Explore our selection of stylish baby bags for new parents.