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The ultimate baby essentials shopping guide

Jan 17, 202320 min read

Becoming a parent for the first time was so exciting. There’s the joy of feeling your baby grow, sharing the news with your family and friends, and of course shopping for your first baby items.


For some reason, the product I was most excited about purchasing was our pram (I think it was my inner child getting excited to be a ‘real’ mum, with a real pram haha…) Once we hit the 12-week mark, it was one of the first items I ticked off our list and is by far one of my favourite purchases.


Some other items I purchased early on included our bassinet, cot, nursing chair and car seat. However, once you buy the most common things that we all know we need, the shopping experience can quickly become overwhelming as there is so much uncertainty around what products you actually need. For me, this led to purchasing everything I think we needed because I had no idea what to expect or plan for. E.g. I planned to breastfeed but I didn’t know whether I’d be able to, so I bought bottles, a breast pump, a steriliser and milk warmer just in case we needed it…now we’re 5 months in and I still haven’t used any of those items.


Everyone's journey will be different but as new mums, we are easily targeted with marketing that encourages us to buy absolutely everything and the truth is, we really don’t need it!


In this shopping guide, I share my baby essentials along with optional items that you could hold off purchasing until you need them with the hope that it will ease some of the stress and uncertainty when it comes to preparing for your beautiful baby.


Essential Baby Products Items I recommend purchasing before your baby is born.

1. Pram My pick: Babybee ROVER3

Do your research, read reviews and choose a pram that works for you. There are so many prams on the market, with the majority costing over $2000. After a lot of comparing I purchased our pram from Babybee, an online Melbourne-based brand that offered everything I wanted, with excellent reviews for a fraction of the price. We went with the ROVER3 (bassinet & stroller set), the pram has an adjustable handlebar, extra large basket, easy-to-use foot brake, folds up easily and included amazing accessories such as the bassinet mattress, handlebar bag, UV cover and rain cover at no additional cost. Babybee also provides excellent video-guided instructions for assembly and offers free returns so you can test drive it at home. We purchased our rover3 on sale for $800 and it’s by far one of our best purchases.


2. Bassinet


My pick: Babybee Pod


After test-driving our pram at home and absolutely loving it, I decided to purchase our bassinet from Babybee. Finding a bassinet that suited the aesthetic of our home was so tough, so when Babybee launched its beautiful bassinet and bedside sleeper, I knew it was perfect!


The price was once again unbeatable and it included everything we needed for no additional cost.


3. Car Seat



There are way too many options when choosing a car seat. We opted for the Britax Safe N Sound Graphene Convertible Car Seat which was recommended by family and friends.


We installed ours at 36 weeks and then booked a free child car restraint inspection in our local neighbourhood.


4. Nursing Chair



As I am small in height I needed to find a nursing chair that wasn’t too big and allowed my feet to touch the ground while feeding. I chose a beautiful rocking chair from Adairs, it’s super cute, comfortable and matched my home interiors perfectly.


5. Clothes Dryer



This is more of a luxury item and not a necessity, but it’s undoubtedly saved us time and allowed us to utilise our small living space. With the number of clothes, bibs and towels you will go through, it’s an investment that will give back immediately.

6. Cot



A cot isn’t something your baby will use straight away, however, the nursery is a room I recommend setting up and organising prior to giving birth so you have the time to enjoy the process.


I wanted a cot that met all the safety standards, could convert to a toddler bed and matched the overall aesthetic of our nursery. Although the range at West Elm is a little more pricey, I think it’s an essential baby product that is worth a little more investment.


7. Cot Mattress My pick: Baby Rest DuoCore Bamboo Cot Mattress


Deciding on a mattress was as overwhelming as choosing a car seat, there were so many options and it’s hard to know which one is going to be most comfortable for your child. It’s best to choose a cot mattress that can be flipped, with a side suited for babies and a side suited for toddlers.


Although West Elm had a mattress available for purchase with the cot, I couldn’t justify the price. After some research, we went with the Baby Rest DuoCore Bamboo Cot Mattress and we purchased ours from Baby Direct as we had one in our local area.


8. Drawers



IKEA has an amazing range of affordable chests of drawers. We chose the Hemnes design as the size suited our space best. West Elm also had a chest of drawers that matched our cot, however, like the mattress I couldn’t justify the price, especially when I was able to find a well-matched one at IKEA for a fraction of the price.


9. Drawer Organisers



These drawer dividers are the best and allow you to organise your little ones' drawers as you need. With the box set including a variety of sizes, you have options to separate different items. The long box also fits a row of nappies perfectly, which makes re-stocking easy.


10. Wardrobe Dividers



One of the best decisions I made when organising the nursery was choosing to hang all clothing in the wardrobe, including singlets and onesies. This made changes so easy, especially at night, without having to look through stacks of clothes in the drawer to find what I wanted. The wooden wardrobe dividers from Wild Pine Laser’s store on Etsy made organising the wardrobe even better, as I was able to group the sizes easily.


11. Hangers



Perfect size hangers for all your baby’s clothes and they will fit their clothes for years to come without needing to buy a bigger size. They are also super affordable for a pack of 10, as you will need a lot.


I also bought some decorative wooden hangers from IKEA for a couple of items I wanted to hang and display on our FLISAT wall storage that we styled in the nursery.


12. Moveable Caddy



This is a great way to have a collection of all the items you need for you and your baby on the go in the house. You can fill it with nappies, wipes, barrier cream, burp cloths, breast pump, bottles, recovery items, water and snacks. Keep it with you in the nursery, living room or bedroom and know that everything you need is in arms reach. Being on wheels, you can also move it around easily with one hand.


13. Nappy Bin



If you take my advice to buy anything, let it be this! The Tommee Tippee nappy bin is by far one of the best baby products we purchased.


It stores around 2-3 days' worth of nappies for us, doesn’t smell and makes disposing of nappies simple and easy.


14. Sleeping Bag



I had no idea the difference the right sleeping bag would make when it came to getting your baby to sleep independently in their bassinet.


Initially, I had opted for the Ergopouch swaddles, however, we soon learnt that Ruby loved to have her arms up to sleep. The Love To Dream range was perfect and made sleeping through the night possible.


We started Ruby in a 1.0 TOG, however, it will be based on the season they're born in and the temperature of your home at night. Both Ergopouch and Love To Dream provide information about the TOG system and how to dress your baby accordingly online. I’ve provided the Ergopouch TOG rating guide below for your convenience.


Ergopouch TOG rating guide

15. Newborn Dummy



I initially purchased a range of dummies from BIBS, however, they were too big for Ruby during her newborn stage. We quickly found smaller dummies that were the perfect size to help soothe her. They also came in a sterilising box for easy cleaning and transport.


16. Nappy Bag



The perfect nappy bag that includes all the functionality and features you need for a day out with your baby. The Vanchi Emmy backpack is reasonably priced, made with premium vegan leather and designed to look and feel good on.


17. Washable Playmat



Everyone needs this mat in their life (with or without a baby haha). I bought this for Ruby, but I didn’t realise how much I would love it! It’s so soft and comfy that it makes playing on the floor more enjoyable for both bub and mum. I also love using it for my own exercise, pilates and stretching. You can find several types of these mats on the market, I went with Harlow & Co as their designs and colour options suited our home decor.


18. Cotton Playmat



I recommend a second playmat that can be moved around the house or taken out with you. You may be at a location where you don’t necessarily want to place your baby on the floor, so this type of playmat is a great solution. Snuggly Jacks range is machine washable, drys quickly and is available in designs to match their sheet range, allowing you to match everything if your little one's nursery.


19. Change Mat



There is a wide range of change mats on the market, however, I didn’t believe it was necessary to spend $70 plus on an item that was going to get dirty on a regular basis. The Kmart change mat isn’t aesthetically pleasing by all means but it’s easy to clean, comfortable for your little one and has a high edge to keep them safe.


You can buy covers for your change mat, Snuggly Jacks has a range that suits both change mats and bassinet mattresses which is a great double use of them. I found using a cover on my change mat inefficient though and instead started using puppy training pads, this was a big help when little accidents happened at change time.


20. Puppy Pads



Such a great way to minimise your cleaning if little accidents occur when changing your baby’s nappy. Place one on your change mat or use it when out and about on your portable change mat. It soaks up wee straight away and helps to avoid numerous outfit changes.


21. Nappies



Huggies nappies were our go-to and they are great. If you have an extra little bub you can get premmie-sized nappies, which I wish I knew earlier as the newborn size were very big for Ruby when she was born.


We subscribed to an auto-delivery every two weeks with Amazon and this not only saves us 10% but removed the hassle of purchasing nappies on a regular basis.


22. Baby Wipes



Growing up with sensitive skin I wanted to be careful about what I used on Ruby’s skin. I chose to give the Coles CUB range a try instead of Huggies and I’m so glad I did as they have been amazing. They are also a fraction of the price and with the number of wipes you go through, it’s a saving you will definitely appreciate.


23. Baby Barrier Cream



I grew up using Ego’s QV range and my skin is better for it, so it was only natural that it was my go-to brand when purchasing my baby’s skincare products.


24. Disposable Nappy Bags



Cost-effective and easy way to dispose of nappies on the go.


25. Baby Bath



Easy to use bathtub for the newborn stage. It provides you with the confidence to wash your baby in a comfortable and safe area of your home.


26. Bath Seat



After the newborn stage, we started bathing Ruby in our bathtub with a bath support seat. I’ve found this setup so much more enjoyable for Ruby, as she can splash around. It also enables us to use both hands which makes bath time much easier.

27. Bath Jug



Such a great way to introduce water over your baby’s head. Designed so the water avoids the eye area and runs straight through the hair, making bath time more comfortable and enjoyable.


28. Baby Wash



After growing up with eczema, I wanted to do my best to help minimise Ruby’s chances of having it. When Ruby was around 2 weeks old, I began adding QV baby bath oil to her bath water and washing her hair and body with QV baby gentle wash to help maintain the moisture in her skin.


As Ruby has gotten older she has started showing signs of dry skin and this routine has definitely helped manage it.


29. Moisturiser



Along with the above bath routine, I have also moisturised Ruby’s body every day, especially after a bath. I use the QV baby moisturising cream over the lotion as it is more hydrating and lasts longer on her skin.


30. Baby Brush My pick: Green Sprouts Baby Brush


I love this brush! Soft and delicate so that you can use it every day to smooth and style your baby’s hair. It makes such a difference after their bath or sleep.


31. Baby Carrier



Get both your hands back while holding your baby close, it’s the absolute best. It took a while to get Ruby comfortable with using the carrier but with persistence she now loves it as much as we do. With four baby-wearing positions, you can provide your baby with the comfort they need. Use it for housework, when cooking, trying to work, going on walks or simply relieving your arms.


32. White Noise Machine



The Nodiee sleep assist is so much more than just a white noise machine. It provides 34 soothing sounds, a touch panel light control with adjustable brightness, various night light colours including red, an optional timer, can be used plugged in or portable and comes with an app that allows you to control all features remotely. It looks great on your bedside table and with the numerous features I can see it being used for years to come.


33. Laundry Basket



With the number of clothes you will go through I found it easier to have a separate laundry basket. As I washed Ruby’s clothes with a baby detergent It saved me time organising each wash and ensured I only put a wash on when the basket was full.


34. Washing Detergent



It’s recommended to wash your baby’s clothes in a detergent that is gentle on their skin. I chose the Pigeon brand based on reviews and the fact that I love their bottle range. I’ve been using this detergent since Ruby was born and it hasn’t caused any issues.


35. Double Zipper Onesies



Double-zipper onesies are all Ruby wore in the early weeks of her newborn life and these Bonds ones were my favourite. The two-way zip allows you to change your baby quickly and without needing to completely undress them. They are super soft, have fold-over cuffs for their hands and feet and a protective zip cover to keep the baby’s face safe.


If you want a wondersuit that is a little warmer I recommend the Bonds Poodlette Zip Wondersuit.


If the newborn size is too big, I recommend the Bonds Original Poodelette Wondersuit as they come in 00000, which is what we needed to start Ruby in initially.


36. Layers



I absolutely love the BIG W Dymples organic baby range for all Ruby’s basics. They are soft, wash well, keep their shape, have a button closure and sizing starts at 00000.


Wherever you choose to buy your baby basics from my number one recommendation is to make sure they have a button closure as it’s more comfortable, keeps the nappy extra snug and makes for easier nappy changes.


37. Bibs



You will need more bibs than you think, by 3 months Ruby was drooling non-stop and we were replacing her bibs every couple of hours. Use the early months to try different brands before stocking up on your favourite.


My preferred choice was Target’s organic cotton jersey bibs, as they are soft, absorb well, fasten at the side of the neck instead of behind and came in a variety of cute colours. We now have around 20 of this style and it allows me to replace her bibs frequently without worrying about not having enough available.


Velcro bibs are easier to take off a sleeping baby over buttoned bibs, however, velcro bibs are more annoying to wash and dry as they stick to each other. To avoid velcro bibs sticking to other clothes, wash and dry them in a wash bag.


During the wash, the bibs can roll up into a ball, so if you’re planning on using a dryer I recommend taking them out of the wash bag, giving them a shake and placing them back into the wash bag before placing them into the dryer; this allows them to dry better. Keep in mind that when using a dryer for velcro bibs the velcro will become less adhesive over time.


38. Burping Cloths



Spit-ups and chucks will occur and having a larger burp cloth that covers the shoulder/arm that you’re carrying them on will make such a difference. This 12-pack of cotton terry nappies from Kmart is perfect and having this many on hand is exactly what you need. I keep one with me in the living room and bedroom, as well as one in my nappy bag at all times.


39. Baby Monitor



For many reasons, this is such a great baby monitor. The quality of the video, especially during the night is amazing, you can see everything incredibly clearly. You can watch your baby from your smartphone, and be alerted when they cry, roll or cover their face. It automatically captures sweet memories for you that you can easily save to your camera roll and comes with various stand and mount options.


40. Baby Blankets



Blankets aren’t needed when they sleep, but I love having a blanket for the pram or if we’re just chilling on the couch together. Both these blankets are super cute, soft and wash well.


41. Baby Towels



The Bubba Blue range is great and I absolutely love the hooded towel design, as it keeps them extra cosy after a bath. We have 3 on rotation, they are super soft, absorbent and wash well.


42. Face Washers



Face washers are great to have on hand for a quick wipe down, washing their body in the bath or gently cleaning their face. I went with the bamboo range so they were extra soft and delicate on her skin.


43. Thermometer



I absolutely love this thermometer, it has made it super easy and comfortable to take Ruby’s temperature when needed. It has a fast reading and provides a colour-coded display of green, yellow and red so you don’t have the stress of interpreting the reading.


To maintain hygiene and protect the thermometer from damage, we use the Braun thermoscan lens filter with every reading.


44. Mattress Protectors



Protect all mattresses from little accidents with a mattress protector. I’m sure any brand you choose will be good, we chose this particular mattress protector as it was available from the store we bought the mattress from. As Ruby isn’t sleeping in her cot yet I haven’t been able to test the quality as yet.


You may need a mattress protector for your bassinet, our particular bassinet came with the mattress and protector included.


45. Fitted Bassinet and Cot Sheets


My pick: Snuggly Jacks Fitted Cot & Bassinet Sheets


Snuggly Jacks stock beautiful fitted sheets for both cots and bassinets in a range of designs and colours. I love gingham and this is where I got all my gingham baby items for the nursery. The fit has been perfect and they wash and dry without any issues.


46. Baby Food and Sleep Tracker



Tracking your baby’s routine is a tedious task but it has been a game changer for understanding Ruby’s schedule. I started tracking Ruby’s sleep, feeds and nappies at 1 week old (the first week I just focused on getting into the flow of things naturally without the pressure of tracking everything).


In the first 6-weeks, your days will blend into one and the Huckleberry App took away the need to remember everything in my head. Being able to use the app to recall when her last poo or wee was, how long she fed for, which boob she last fed on or when her last sleep was, made such a difference to the flow of our day. It was also great when you had your midwife appointments and they’d ask you questions about their routine.


You can also track their growth measurements, medicine, temperature, pumping and activities. All of these features are completely free to use.


After 4 weeks I stopped tracking her nappies, however, still today at 5 months old I continue to track her feeds and sleep. It helps me feel in control and takes the guesswork out of wondering if she’s had enough food or sleep for the day.


As she starts solids soon, I will also be able to track her food intake and keep notes on what we have or haven’t introduced which is going to be extremely helpful.


47. Baby Cotton Buds



Perfect for carefully cleaning their little ears and noses.


48. Cotton Balls



Perfect for keeping their belly buttons clean and dry before their umbilical cord falls off. I also use them to clean her neck, eyes and face if I’m wanting something super soft and delicate.


49. Nail Buffer



Forget about using little nail clippers, these nail buffers are a gentle and worry-free way to care for your baby’s nails. I started using ours with Ruby when she was only a couple of weeks old and now I can easily use it without it bothering her.


50. Black & White Cloth Book



We love to buy lots of toys for our babies but most of them won’t be played with until they are a few months old.


My number one recommendation for the early months is a black and white book, preferably made out of cloth so it’s soft for your baby to touch and play with.


Black and white are the first colours babies initially see and this type of book helps to develop their eyesight and engage their senses.

 

Optional Baby Products Items I recommend purchasing before your baby is born.


1. Dummy



These are the dummies we purchased prior to Ruby being born. They were too big for Ruby initially and now at 5 months old she’s never used a dummy. It’s definitely a product I would hold off buying until you’re certain you need them.


2. Activity Playmat



We loved our Jhett & Co playmat as it was a safe and comfortable way for Ruby to play on her back and have tummy time. However, I found that she outgrew it quite quickly and we ended up selling it after 4 months of use.


I initially chose the Jhett & Co playmat as they were available in neutral tones to suit our home decor. However, If I were to buy an activity playmat again I would opt for something like the Fisher Price kick and play piano gym instead as it’s more interactive and gives them room to grow.


Since selling our Jhett & Co playmat, we’ve purchased the Kmart activity gym which we hang different toys on and place on her washable playmat which she loves to play on.


3. Cradle Cap Brush



Not all babies will have cradle cap, however, Ruby did and this little silicon brush helped manage it. I simply used it when washing her hair to gently scrub off any flaky skin. After consistent use of the brush and care of her scalp, it cleared up completely after 4 and a half months.


4. Rocker


My pick: Nuna LEAF


The rocker is something Ruby has grown to love and it now gives us time to do little things around the house hands-free. I find it extremely useful when cooking or taking a shower. However, I don’t think it’s a necessity and it’s definitely an item I would hold off purchasing until you’re certain you need it.


5. Breastpump



A very expensive item that I wish I held off purchasing. If you’re planning to breastfeed exclusively, I’d suggest waiting before purchasing a breast pump because I’ve never used mine. Even when my breasts got engorged, I ended up hand expressing as it was easier and wasn’t something I needed to do for long.


6. Bottles



I purchased bottles just in case we needed them and again they are something I haven’t had to use yet. I recommend researching your ideal bottles and being ready to purchase them if and when you need them.


7. Steriliser



Another big item we purchased and never used. Once again I recommend researching your ideal steriliser and purchasing it when you need one.


When purchasing a steriliser I recommend buying one that sterilises and dries. Our steriliser required air drying afterwards and I feel that made the sterilisation process less efficient.


8. Bottle Warmer



Just like our breast pump, bottles and steriliser, our bottle warmer wasn’t needed and it’s another item I suggest holding off purchasing until you’re ready.


This particular bottle warmer was great as it warmed bottles and pouches.


9. Milk Storage Bags



I used these storage bags a couple of times when I hand-expressed, as I didn’t want to waste any milk. They were easy to use and took up little space when stored in the freezer.


10. Formula



Unsure if I’d be able to breastfeed successfully I purchased a box of formula sachets to have on hand. I purchased sachets as I knew tubs of formula didn’t last long once opened and I didn’t want to waste any.


Although I haven’t used formula with Ruby, I felt at ease knowing I had some available. I suggest doing some research to find your preferred formula and having a small amount on hand if it’s needed.


11. Breastfeeding Pillow



Before having Ruby I assumed my breastfeeding pillow would be one of my most used items, I was wrong. I tried to use it, but I found it more comfortable and easier to control Ruby’s latch when holding her in my arms. Ruby is currently 5 months old and I haven’t used my breastfeeding pillow once.


I will still hold onto it in case I require it as she gets bigger, however, it’s definitely an item you can hold off purchasing until you decide if it’s needed.


12. Nipple Cream



In my early days of breastfeeding, my nipples were a little sensitive so I purchased this nipple butter which was recommended to me by my lactation consultant.


Before it arrived in the mail my nipples had already settled by themselves. If my nipples continued to be sore I think this nipple butter would have been great, however, I just continued to moisturise my nipples with some of my breast milk and that managed any discomfort for me.


13. Nipple Shields



Perfect to assist with breastfeeding if your nipples become too sore. I never had to use them, but these were my pick if they were needed.


14. Nipple Soother



A great way to help relieve and heal your nipples between feeds. I never had to use them, but these were my pick if they were needed.


15. Swaddles



Ruby didn’t like being swaddled as she preferred her hands up so I didn’t end up using these as intended. The jersey swaddle ended up being useful for the car, if it was cold I would tuck it over her legs in the car seat to keep her extra warm. I used the muslin swaddles as a cover on her pram.


16. Haakaa



I purchased this to catch any let-downs while feeding, however, it never seemed to be an issue for me so I didn’t end up using it. I recommend this design though as it suctioned on for a hands-free experience.


17. Nasal Spray and Aspirator



During the newborn stage their little noses can become so congested and saline was recommended to provide some relief. We just sprayed it into the nostril and left it without using the aspirator. However, seek advice from your doctor for recommended use.


18. First Aid Kit



Tiny Hearts recently released their first aid kits. I think it’s important to have a first kit available at home in case of emergencies and this particular one has been created by paramedics.


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