Preparing for a Baby: What You Actually Need
Quick answer
Preparing for a baby is often much simpler than social media makes it seem. Before your baby arrives, focus on the essentials—a safe place to sleep, a feeding plan, nappies, clothes and a safe way to travel. Most of the "must-have" gadgets can wait until you know what works best for your family.
Preparing for a baby can feel overwhelming
When I was pregnant, it felt like every time I opened social media there was another "newborn must-have" I'd supposedly forgotten.
One person recommended twenty different gadgets. Another insisted I needed an entire nursery before my baby was even born. Before long, preparing for a baby started to feel more like preparing for a major home renovation than welcoming a tiny newborn.
The truth?
Most babies need far less than we're led to believe.
This guide breaks down what genuinely matters in those first few weeks, what you can safely leave until later, and how to prepare for your baby without spending unnecessary money or creating unnecessary stress.
If you're also thinking about birth, my What to Expect Before, During and After Labour guide helps explain what happens before, during and after labour, while my What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag guide covers exactly what you'll need for your hospital stay.
What do you actually need before your baby arrives?
Baby shopping can quickly become overwhelming.
It's easy to feel like you need:
a perfectly decorated nursery
expensive baby gadgets
every "must-have" product
multiple versions of everything
enough supplies for six months
In reality, newborns have very simple needs.
They mainly need:
feeding
somewhere safe to sleep
nappies
clothing
comfort
you
Everything else is simply there to make life a little easier.
Newborn essentials you should buy first
Rather than buying everything at once, I'd focus on the basics that support everyday life.
That usually means:
Somewhere safe for baby to sleep
A feeding setup (breastfeeding, bottle feeding or both)
Nappies and wipes
A few comfortable outfits
A way to safely transport baby
Somewhere practical to change nappies
That's genuinely enough to get started.
If you're planning to breastfeed, my Breastfeeding Basics: Getting Started guide and Newborn Feeding Explained Simply explain what to expect during those first few days.
Once you've chosen where baby will sleep, my Safe Sleep Practices guide explains how to create the safest sleep environment.
What helps: Products I actually used
Maxi-Cosi Iora Air bedside crib.Attaches to the bed, has storage and can rock, which made nights easier.
Doona X Baby car seat & stroller. Not everyone loves it but I found it really convenient. The X reclines.
Boba Bliss Pre-Wrapped Baby Carrier. Feels like a wrap without the complicated tying.
Lansinoh Anti Coli Bottles.Good for breastfed babies if you’re combo feeding, and designed to help reduce colic.
Baby products that can wait
One thing I've learnt is that you don't need to prepare for every possible situation before your baby arrives.
Many parents buy additional products later once they:
understand feeding
learn baby's preferences
settle into a routine
work out what actually makes life easier
Some things that often aren't urgent include:
large toy collections
expensive swings
multiple baby containers
loads of newborn clothes
bottle warmers
extra gadgets
"just in case" purchases
There's nothing wrong with buying these later if you discover they'll genuinely help your family.
By the time you're home with your baby, you'll have a much better idea of what you actually need.
If you're wondering what those early weeks are really like, my Life With a Newborn guide walks through what to realistically expect once baby arrives.
Final thought
Preparing for a baby doesn't have to mean buying everything you see online.
Start with the essentials.
Get the basics organised.
Leave yourself room to learn as you go.
Every baby is different, and you'll quickly discover which products become favourites and which ones stay in the box.
Your baby doesn't need perfection.
They simply need a safe, loving environment—and you.
This isn’t professional advice — just a simple breakdown of what I’ve found helpful.
FAQs
What do you actually need before a baby arrives?
The essentials include a safe place for your baby to sleep, nappies, clothing, a feeding plan, somewhere to change them and a safe way to travel home.
What are the most important newborn essentials?
Newborn essentials include a cot or bedside crib, baby clothes, nappies, wipes, feeding supplies and an appropriate car seat if travelling by car.
What should first-time parents buy before their baby is born?
Start with the basics you'll use every day. Many additional baby products can be bought after birth once you understand your baby's preferences.
Do I need all the expensive baby gadgets?
No. Many families manage perfectly well with just the essentials. Expensive gadgets are optional and often depend on your lifestyle and your baby's individual needs.
What baby items can wait until after birth?
Bottle warmers, baby swings, extra toys, large clothing collections and many "just in case" purchases can often wait until you've settled into life with your newborn.
How many newborn clothes do I need?
Around 6–8 sleepsuits, a similar number of vests and a few hats and cardigans are usually enough to get started, as newborns grow quickly.
Is it better to buy everything before the baby arrives?
Not necessarily. Buying the essentials first and adding extra items later is often more cost-effective and helps avoid purchasing products you may never use.
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