Checklist

Newborn essentials: the first six weeks

Here is the secret the baby shops don't advertise: newborns need very little. Somewhere safe to sleep, milk, nappies, clothes, and you. Almost everything else is optional, and a remarkable amount of it can be borrowed or bought second-hand — babies outgrow things before they wear them out.

The two things worth buying new if you possibly can are the cot mattress (it must be firm, flat and waterproof — if you do reuse one, check it's clean, undamaged and hasn't gone soft or saggy) and the car seat, unless it comes from someone you trust who can promise it's never been in an accident.

We've also included the anti-shopping list at the end: things marketed as essential that most families happily live without. Your bank balance can thank us later.

Sleep

A cot, crib or Moses basket in your room The Lullaby Trust advises baby sleeps in the same room as you, day and night naps included, for the first six months.
A firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits with no gaps Firm and completely flat — no raised or cushioned areas. This is the single most important purchase on this list.
Two or three fitted sheets One on, one in the wash, one for the 3am incident.
Lightweight blankets or baby sleeping bags Sleeping bags should be the right size and season rating (tog). Blankets go no higher than the shoulders, tucked in firmly, with baby's feet at the foot of the cot.
That's it — and that's deliberate A safer cot is a clear cot. No pillows, no duvets, no cot bumpers, no pods or nests, no wedges or sleep positioners, no weighted blankets, no soft toys. Bare looks boring; boring is safe.
A room thermometer (optional but handy) Aim for roughly 16–20°C. Cheap ones work exactly as well as fancy ones.

Feeding — whichever way you feed

Muslin squares, more than seems sensible Burp cloth, sun shade, emergency bib, tiny blanket. Universal, whatever your feeding mode.
If breastfeeding: nursing bras and breast pads Lanolin nipple cream is a small purchase many people are very glad of in week one.
If bottle feeding (expressed milk or formula): four to six bottles with newborn teats Start small — babies can be opinionated about teats, so don't buy twelve of one kind on day one.
If bottle feeding: sterilising kit and a bottle brush Cold-water, steam or boiling all work — none is better than the others, so pick whatever suits your kitchen.
If formula feeding: first infant milk First infant milk is the only formula babies need for the first year — the 'hungrier baby' and staged varieties are marketing, not medicine.
A comfortable feeding spot A chair you like, water and snacks within reach. Feeds are long in the early weeks, however you feed — and however you feed is fine by us.

Nappies, changing and clothes

Nappies — expect ten to twelve changes a day at first Don't bulk-buy one size; newborns outgrow them at speed. Reusables are great too, and you can mix and match.
Cotton wool or fragrance-free wipes
Barrier cream for nappy rash
A changing mat On the floor is genuinely the safest spot — a changing table is a nice-to-have, not a need.
About six vests and six sleepsuits Sleepsuits are perfectly good daywear. Nobody is judging a newborn's outfit repetition, least of all the newborn.
A cardigan or two, and a hat for outdoors
A snowsuit or pramsuit for winter babies Take padded suits and coats off before strapping baby into the car seat — thick layers stop the harness working properly.

Out and about

A correctly fitted rear-facing car seat A legal requirement for car travel from the very first journey. New, or second-hand only from someone you trust — never one that's been in an accident.
A pram, or a sling or carrier — or both Both are widely available second-hand. For slings, keep baby's face visible, close enough to kiss, and their chin off their chest.
A changing bag Any bag with pockets is a changing bag if you believe in it.
Rain cover and sun shade for the pram
A blanket for outings

Paperwork and admin (the unglamorous essentials)

Register the birth Within 42 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 21 days in Scotland. You'll need the birth certificate for almost everything that follows.
Register your baby with your GP surgery Don't wait for the first sniffle.
Claim child benefit Worth doing even if a high income means you'd repay some — it protects National Insurance credits.
Keep the red book (or digital ePR) somewhere findable It goes to every midwife, health visitor and GP appointment.
Note your baby's NHS number It arrives by letter and is handy for appointments.

Things you probably don't need yet

Shoes They cannot walk. They know this. The shops know this too, and sell the shoes anyway.
A wipe warmer Room-temperature wipes have never harmed anyone's prospects.
A nappy bin with branded cartridges An ordinary bin, emptied often, does the same job for free.
A baby bath The kitchen sink or a washing-up bowl works beautifully for a newborn.
A changing table The floor is free, and nobody has ever rolled off it.
Special baby towels Any soft, clean towel is a baby towel.
Elaborate cot bedding sets Bumpers, pillows, quilts and matching soft toys look lovely in the catalogue and have no place in a safe cot — see the sleep section above.
Most newborn-size clothing hauls Some babies skip newborn size entirely. Buy a little, then top up once you've met them.