There are thousands of baby products on the market, but these are the newborn essentials our shopping expert has added to her own list
As a first-time mum, or soon to be, I’ve really struggled with all the baby advice I’ve had thrown at me – lovingly, of course. Friends and family members all have lists and ‘must-haves’, and while new mums will appreciate good tips, it’s still overwhelming to think about everything we could possibly need when the baby arrives.
That’s just the mental clutter as well, not even the expense of it all. Once you factor in prams, pumps, sleepsuits and nappies – to name just a few – you’ve racked up quite a tab. After I did the mental maths, I started making a list of the absolute essentials I needed to get started, and settled on the following.
This is my list, of course, so if it’s overwhelming to you, save it for later, or just have a scan of the reviews for the items that you are currently shopping for. But this list comes after plenty of research, so if I’ve saved even one new mum some time and stress, I’ve done my job as a shopping editor well.
The big-spend baby buys
A travel system: iCandy Peach 7 Bundle
Shop it for £1,199
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I will give a full disclaimer here that I was kindly sent this pram system by iCandy, but my review is genuine. I also have quite a few friends who have organically chosen the brand for their first pram, so I know I’m not alone in my thoughts.
Containing a pushchair chassis and seat unit, a carrycot suitable from birth and approved for overnight sleeping, an infant car seat, ISOFIX car seat base and then several accessories including a parasol and cup holder, this pram is an initial splurge but it grows with your family.
It easily switches from a single to a double pram, so if a sibling comes along, you don’t have to start from scratch. There’s even a built-in ride-on board for toddlers who want to hop on and off. The basket is big enough for all your essentials, and the puncture-proof tyres mean you’re not stuck dealing with a flat in the middle of a park. Basically, it’s a pram that thinks of everything.
Personally, I would rather make an initial spend to have a pram that does everything, and includes the carseating, than keep having to buy extra bits as my baby gets older. It’s a peace-of-mind buy I would spend my own money on. As for the pram itself, it wheels smoothly even over rough terrain, and with a bit of practise, I’m finding it easy to get in and out of car boots.
A crib: Snuz SnuzPod 5 Bedside Crib
Shop it for £199.95
I’ve done a full review of this bedside crib, because there was plenty to say about it, but my summary is that it’s the best newborn through to 6-month-old bed option around (that I found, anyway).
The drop-down side is the feature I was really drawn to, making night-time check-ins or feeds less disruptive. You can reach in easily without fully getting out of bed, which, in the early weeks, makes a noticeable difference. The mesh sides also help here, as they keep the space feeling breathable and open, while allowing you to keep an eye on things.
As for the crib’s look, it’s aesthetically pleasing. You can pick it up in a choice of nine shades, including three new ones for spring 2026: Rouge, Chocolate and Olive.
A pump: Elvie Double Breast Pump
Shop it for £499
As someone who has chosen to pump, I know this will be one of the most-used pieces of baby kit I own– which is why it took me so long to decide on a brand before settling on this all-encompassing, double pump. The wearable design means I’m not tied to a chair or tangled in tubes while expressing, as everything sits neatly inside my bra. I also love the thought of being able to control the pump through the app, where I can track milk volume and adjust settings without having to stop what I’m doing.
It automatically switches between stimulation and expression modes, has plenty of intensity options, and there aren’t dozens of fiddly parts to wash afterwards. The double pump bundle comes with everything needed to get started, including bottles, storage lids and different shield sizes, and for me, the convenience alone has made it worth the investment.
Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Pro bottle machine
Shop it for £199.99
If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you won’t need this on your list, but since I’m planning on doing a combination of pumping and formula feeding, this was a buy I felt would pay for itself in terms of cost per use.
This is essentially the coffee machine equivalent of baby bottles. Rather than boiling a kettle, waiting for water to cool and trying to get the temperature right while a baby cries in the background, the machine automates a lot of the process. Using a built-in filtration system, it removes impurities from the water before dispensing the correct amount at the right temperature, preparing a bottle in around 90 seconds.
As someone who loves a gadget, this was on my wishlist pretty early on – and now that I have it, I love it. The digital touchscreen guides you through the process, allows you to select different bottle volumes and takes much of the guesswork out of formula preparation. The latest Nutmeg shade also matches my neutral kitchen nicely. For sleep-deprived parents trying to make a bottle at 3am, I’d seriously suggest looking into this, too.
The medium-spend baby buys
A carrier: Flybaby Baby Carrier
Shop it for £229
I think baby carriers are the newborn item that gets the most amount of Google search time– it did for me, anyway. My ticklist was one that was very comfy for the baby to sit in, one I could easily strap onto myself on my own, and ideally with one hand, and something that looked nice. I settled on Flybaby after seeing a lot of good reviews on parenting forums, and I’m happy I did.
Designed to carry babies from newborn through to toddlerhood, it offers multiple carrying positions and an ergonomic fit for both parent and baby. The soft fabric and minimalist design make it feel less bulky than many traditional carriers, while padded straps and lumbar support help distribute weight more comfortably– something I’m sure my back will thank me for once baby arrives. I’ve given it a proper test and even from my first use, I found it so easy to clip on and off.
There are ten lovely colours to choose from, but I went for the Leo muted leopard print, as it felt chic and timeless.
A bouncer: Mamas & Papas Apollo Bouncer
Shop it for £89
Almost every new mum that I know has said to invest in a baby chair. Some did point out that just a simple strap-in seat for them to sit in and watch you do your chores is enough, but I have that episode of Sex and the City stuck in my head where Samantha babysits a crying baby for Miranda and the newborn will only be calmed with the help of gentle chair vibration, so I went for one that has a gentle bounce and vibrate function.
Designed to soothe and settle little ones, this one combines those two functions with four built-in lullabies, activated via an interactive music book. Safety features include a three-point harness and non-slip feet, while the calming motion helps keep babies relaxed and entertained.
Inglesina Welcome Pod
Shop it for £139
This could be an ‘and/or’ with a bouncer, but I anticipated needing both – and I felt this was an added extra that would really help me in the first few weeks of motherhood. I’ve read that many babies, especially anterior placenta ones, can be soothed by environments that mimic the womb, and this clever pod does just that.
Designed to give the cosy, enclosed feeling babies are used to before birth, this baby nest features compact, supportive sides and an anti-sinking design. Made for supervised downtime (including tummy time), it promises to give babies a comfortable place to settle while gradually adjusting to life outside the womb. You only need to scan a few of the reviews to see the glowing testimonials from new parents who say it’s been worth its weight in gold.
A bottle steriliser: Nuby RapidSterilise Plus
Shop it for £29.99
Even if you’re breastfeeding, you may want to start storing or freezing your milk at some point, so this is a good one to have on your radar. Using UV light rather than steam or water, it kills 99.9% of bacteria in as little as one minute, making it ideal for sterilising feeding essentials quickly at home or on the go. A rechargeable battery gives up to 30 uses per charge, while the compact design, automatic shut-off function and wipe-clean finish make it very practical when you’re in a rush.
A baby monitor: VTech Night Light Baby Monitor
Shop it for £34.99 at Smyths Toys
A reliable baby monitor is an essential, and this one covers all the basics. The parent unit features a 2.8-inch colour screen with digital zoom, alongside two-way talkback, room temperature monitoring and automatic night vision for checking in after dark. It also includes lullabies, soothing sounds and a night light, while the impressive battery life offers up to 19 hours of video streaming or 29 hours in audio-only mode.
A pram rocker: Nuby Jitterbug pram rocker
Shop it for £34.99
Designed to attach to a pram or stroller, it gently rocks the pushchair for you at the touch of a button, helping soothe babies who prefer motion when settling to sleep. The portable design means it can be used on walks, at cafés or in the garden, giving us parents a much-needed break from all the rocking and moving.
A playmat: Mamas & Papas Playmat & Gym
Shop it for £87.20
With its warm neutral colour palette, this play gym blends into your home rather than dominating it – which is good because any new parent I’ve visited has had one out on their floor. More importantly, it’s designed to support early development through a mix of textures, sounds and visual elements to keep little ones engaged, and also includes a tummy time toy with an attached teether.
The smaller-spend baby buys
Sweet Dreamers Ewan the Dream Sheep, £44.99
Don’t underestimate the power of this little toy – it’s a godsend for so many newborn parents. Designed to mimic the comforting sounds and environment of the womb, it combines a soft red glow with a choice of 10 soothing sounds, including real heartbeat and womb recordings. I particularly like the smart cry sensor, which automatically activates when the baby stirs during the night to help resettle them.
JoJo Maman Bebe Changing Mat, £15
I went to JoJo Maman Bebe for a lot of my newborn essentials because it often has sales and also I just love the prints and colour palettes the brand uses. This cute Whimsical Woodland mat is sitting neatly on top of my baby change unit (it’s this one from Smyths Toys, if you’re interested), and it’s great so far.
JoJo Maman Bebe Swaddle with Zip, £22
Featuring a cosy bear print, a secure zip fastening and a roomy leg pocket, it helps babies feel snug and settled without the faff of mastering traditional swaddling techniques at 2am.
JoJo Maman Bebe Rib 1 Tog Baby Sleeping Bag, £28
You may want a thicker tog if your baby will be born outside of the summer months, but I went for this lightweight one that has a zip opening for easy changing.
The essentials
I won’t list where to get all of these as we’ll all have our own favourite supermarkets, but the following are also essentials to list for pick-up before the baby is born.
- Newborn-sized nappies: I will just add on this one that my sister, who has four children, swears by Asda’s own range of Little Angels nappies. She says they’re the only true leak-free ones she found.
- Baby body creams, nappy creams and washcloths
- Nail clippers
- Baby formula (if you’re not breastfeeding)
- Several baby grows and vests (long and short sleeves)
- A few cardigans
- A baby blanket (of course, not for unsupervised sleeping, though)
