The moment the nesting instinct kicks in, it brings a mix of pure excitement and mild panic. With thousands of products on the market—from high-tech monitors to endless pram choices—it is easy to feel overwhelmed. What do you actually need for your baby, and what is just nice to have? To help you navigate the noise, we have compiled the ultimate New Mum Checklist. Whether you are packing your hospital bag, setting up the nursery, or preparing for your first trip out with a newborn, this guide breaks down the absolute essentials for every stage of the journey.
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1. The Hospital Bag (Ready by Week 36)
The general rule of thumb? Have your bags packed and by the door by week 36. Babies run on their own schedule, and the last thing you want to do whilst timing contractions is hunt for your toothbrush! We recommend packing two separate bags (or using packing cubes to separate items): one for you and one for your new arrival.
For Mum: Comfort is Queen Labour and the first few hours postpartum are physically demanding. Your priority here is loose, breathable clothing and items that aid recovery.
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Labour Gown or Nightwear: Choose a button-down nightie or a loose t-shirt. If you plan to breastfeed, ensure it has easy access for those first moments of skin-to-skin contact.
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Toiletries: Hospitals can be very dry environments (and "gas and air" can dry your mouth out), so a good lip balm is an absolute must-have.
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Postpartum Recovery Kit: This is the most overlooked category but the most essential for your comfort. Pack plenty of high-absorbency maternity pads (standard sanitary towels won't cut it), disposable maternity briefs, and a peri-bottle for gentle soothing after birth.
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Shop our full range of Postpartum essentials here.
For Baby: The First Outfit Your baby’s first outfit is a special milestone, but practicality is key.
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Clothing: Pack 2-3 bodysuits (vests) and 2-3 sleepsuits. It is worth packing a mix of "Newborn" and "0-3 Months" sizes, just in case your little one is larger than expected.
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Warmth: A soft cotton hat is vital for regulating their temperature immediately after birth.
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The Going-Home Blanket: A breathable cellular blanket is the safest option for wrapping your baby up for the trip to the car.
The Crucial Step: The Car Seat While it won't fit in your bag, this is the one item you cannot leave the hospital without. Hospital policy strictly dictates that you must have a functioning, safe car seat to discharge your baby.
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Ensure you have a Group 0+ Infant Car Seat installed in your vehicle before your due date.
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Top Tip: Practice clicking the seat in and out of the car (or the ISOFIX base) a few times before the big day—you don’t want to be fumbling with instructions in the hospital car park!
2. Getting Around: Travel Essentials
Whether it is your maiden voyage home from the hospital or a simple trip to the shops, getting from A to B changes significantly once a baby arrives. Safety is the top priority, but convenience is a close second. Here is what you need to get moving with confidence.
The Car Seat: Your Safety Priority As mentioned above, you cannot travel without a car seat. For newborns, you will need a Group 0+ Infant Carrier. These seats are designed to be rear-facing and feature a handle, allowing you to carry your sleeping baby from the house to the car without waking them.
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Why choose ISOFIX? While you can secure most seats using a seatbelt, we highly recommend investing in a bundle that includes an ISOSIX Base. This base stays permanently anchored to your car's isofix points. You simply "click" the car seat in and out. It’s faster, easier, and crucially, it drastically reduces the risk of incorrect installation.
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Check out our range of Infant Car Seats here.
Choosing Your Wheels: Travel System or Compact? The pram market is vast, but your choice generally boils down to your lifestyle:
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The Travel System: This is the most popular choice for new parents. A Travel System is mostly a 3-in-1 bundle that includes the frame, a carrycot (for lie-flat sleeping), and the car seat. They are robust, offer ultimate flexibility for transferring baby from car to street.
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The Compact Stroller: If you live in a city apartment, use public transport often, or have a small car boot, a Compact & Cabin Approved Stroller might be better. These are lightweight, fold down in seconds, and take up minimal space.
Don't Forget the Accessories: In the UK, the weather is rarely predictable! To ensure you can get fresh air year-round, there are two key accessories you shouldn't skip:
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Rain Cover: Many pushchairs come with one, but double-check! You do not want to be caught in a downpour without one.
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Footmuff: Think of this as a sleeping bag for your pushchair. A fleece-lined footmuff keeps your baby cosy and warm during winter walks, meaning you don't have to worry about loose blankets falling off or getting caught in the wheels.
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Browse our essential Pushchair Accessories to weather-proof your ride.
3. The Nursery Setup: Sleep & Furniture
Creating a nursery is one of the most enjoyable parts of pregnancy, but beyond the cute colour schemes, functionality and safety are paramount. You want a space that is calm for sleep but practical for the endless cycle of feeding and changing.
The Furniture: Cot or Cot Bed? The centrepiece of the room is, of course, the bed. You generally have two choices:
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The Standard Cot: Smaller (usually 60x120cm), making it ideal for compact rooms or keeping in your bedroom for the first six months.
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The Cot Bed: Slightly larger (70x140cm), these are a fantastic long-term investment. Once your baby outgrows the cot stage, the sides can be removed to transform it into a junior bed, lasting them up to age 4 or 5.
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Top Tip: To keep the room organised, consider a Nursery Furniture Set. These 2 or 3-piece bundles typically include the cot, a wardrobe, and a dresser/changer, ensuring you have ample storage for all those tiny outfits.
The Mattress: The Most Important Purchase It might not be the most exciting purchase, but the mattress is arguably the most important for safety.
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Firm & Flat: According to safe sleep guidelines, a baby mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof. It should not sag.
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New is Best: It is strongly recommended to buy a new Mattress for every baby. This ensures the foam hasn't lost its density and eliminates any risk of bacteria from previous use.
Safe Sleep Bedding Gone are the days of duvets and pillows for newborns (which are unsafe for under-1s). Modern parents rely on smarter solutions:
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Baby Sleeping Bags: These are wearable blankets that prevent your baby from kicking their covers off and getting cold. They come in different "Togs" (warmth ratings) so you can dress your baby appropriately for the season.
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Sheets & Blankets: If you prefer traditional bedding, use fitted sheets and breathable Cellular Blankets. Remember the "feet to foot" rule: place your baby with their feet at the foot of the cot so they can't wriggle down under the covers.
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Explore our full range of Baby Bedding.
Tech for Peace of Mind Once your baby moves into their own room (usually around 6 months), anxiety levels can rise. A reliable Baby Monitor is essential.
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Video vs. Audio: While audio monitors work well, many parents prefer Video Monitors with night vision. Being able to glance at the screen to see your baby breathing or settling themselves back to sleep prevents you from rushing in and accidentally waking them up!
4. Feeding Station: Breast or Bottle?
Whether you plan to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or combine the two, feeding will take up a huge portion of your day (and night!). Being prepared with the right equipment can turn a stressful 3 a.m. wake-up call into a calm bonding moment.
If You Are Breastfeeding While breastfeeding is natural, it is also a learned skill for both you and your baby. Having the right tools on hand can solve common challenges before they start.
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Breast Pumps: Even if you plan to nurse exclusively, a pump is invaluable for relieving engorgement or building a milk stash so a partner can help with feeds. An Electric Breast Pump is best for regular use, while a Manual Pump is perfect for occasional expression on the go.
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Care for You: Sore nipples are common in the early days. Stock up on high-quality nipple balm and plenty of Breast Pads to protect your clothes from leaks.
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Browse our supportive Breastfeeding Essentials.
If You Are Bottle Feeding Hygiene and convenience are the top priorities here. You want to be able to prepare a bottle safely and quickly, especially when you have a hungry, crying baby.
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Bottles & Teats: We recommend starting with Anti-Colic Bottles. These are designed with special vents to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows, which helps prevent trapped wind and discomfort.
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Sterilising: Baby immune systems are delicate, so sterilising is non-negotiable for the first year. Electric Sterilisers use steam to kill 99.9% of bacteria in minutes.
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The Game Changer: Ask any parent about the Formula Prep Machine. It filters water and dispenses a fresh feed at body temperature in under two minutes—an absolute lifesaver for night feeds.
Setting Up the "Zone" Regardless of how you feed, you need a comfortable station.
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Muslins: You can never have enough. Buy packs of Bibs & Muslins to mop up milk spills and protect your shoulder during burping.
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Support: Holding a baby for hours can take a toll on your back. A Nursing Pillow lifts the baby to the correct height, improving the latch and saving your posture.
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The Chair: Finally, don't underestimate the value of a good Nursing & Rocking Chair. You will be spending a lot of time sitting here, so choose one with good lumbar support and a gentle rocking motion to help soothe the baby back to sleep.
5. Bathing, Changing & Hygiene
Here is a statistic that might surprise you: you will change approximately 2,500 nappies in your baby’s first year alone! Since you will be spending a significant amount of time cleaning and caring for your little one, it makes sense to set up stations that are hygienic, organised, and easy to use.
The Changing Station You don't need a dedicated room, but you do need a dedicated spot.
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The Mat: A good Changing Mat is essential. Look for one with raised sides (often called a wedge mat) to stop your baby rolling off, and ensure the surface is wipe-clean. Fabric covers look nice, but waterproof is practical!
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Nappy Disposal: To keep your nursery smelling fresh rather than funky, an odour-locking Nappy Bin is a game-changer. These bins twist and wrap each nappy individually to seal away germs and smells, saving you constant trips to the outside wheelie bin.
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Storage: Keep a supply of wipes, nappy cream, and fresh nappies within arm's reach of the mat so you never have to leave your baby unattended.
Bath Time Basics Newborns are surprisingly slippery when wet! While you can wash them in the sink, a dedicated baby bath makes the process safer and more relaxing.
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The Tub: A standalone Baby Bath or a bath support that sits inside your family tub allows you to have both hands free to wash and play.
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Staying Warm: Babies lose heat quickly. Have a Hooded Towel ready and waiting. The hood keeps their head warm the moment you lift them out of the water, making the transition from warm bath to changing mat much happier.
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Water Temperature: Always check the water isn't too hot. A elbow test works, but a digital bath thermometer gives you total certainty.
The Medicine Cabinet (Be Prepared) The golden rule of parenting: don't wait until 2 a.m. when your baby feels hot to wonder if you have a thermometer. Buy your Health & Wellness kit before the baby arrives.
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Digital Thermometer: This is essential for monitoring your baby's health. An under-arm or ear thermometer is standard, but a non-contact forehead thermometer is brilliant for checking a sleeping baby without waking them.
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Grooming: Those tiny fingernails grow fast and can be sharp! A specialized Grooming Kit with round-tipped scissors or a baby nail file will prevent accidental scratches.
6. Bonding & Play
When we think of "toys," we often think of toddlers building blocks or riding scooters. But for a newborn, play is less about activity and more about connection and sensory development. The best "toy" your baby has is your face, but there are a few key items that support their growth and help you bond.
Babywearing: The Ultimate Bond One of the most practical tools for a new parent is a baby carrier. In the "fourth trimester" (those first three months), babies crave the closeness and heartbeat they knew in the womb.
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Hands-Free Freedom: Using a Baby Carrier or Sling allows you to get things done—whether that’s making a sandwich or going for a walk—while keeping your baby soothed and secure.
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Which one to choose? Stretchy wraps are wonderfully soft and snug for newborns, while structured buckle carriers offer excellent support for longer walks as your baby gets heavier.
Visual Development: High Contrast Did you know that newborns can't see past 30cm and struggle to distinguish colours? This is why you will often see "black and white" toys recommended.
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Sensory Play: High-contrast images help stimulate your baby's optic nerve and brain development. Look for Newborn Sensory Toys like monochrome flashcards or soft books with bold patterns. These are perfect for capturing their attention during alert windows.
The Importance of Tummy Time You will hear your health visitor talk about "tummy time" a lot. It is crucial for strengthening your baby's neck, shoulder, and back muscles, which prepares them for rolling and crawling later on.
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Play Gyms: A padded Play Gym or Activity Mat is the perfect stage for this. Look for mats with overhead arches and hanging toys. Even if they can't reach them yet, staring at the dangling shapes encourages them to lift their head and engage their core.
Conclusion: You’ve Got This
Looking at a checklist like this can sometimes feel like a mountain to climb. But remember, you don’t need to buy everything the moment the test turns positive. Parenting is a journey, not a sprint.
Focus on the "Big Ticket" items first—your car seat, pram, and sleeping space—and the hospital bag essentials. Everything else can be gathered as you get to know your baby and discover what works best for your family. The most important thing your baby needs is you; the rest is just there to make the job a little easier.
We are here to support you every step of the way, offering only the safest, highest-quality gear for your peace of mind.
Ready to start ticking off your list? Visit our store to browse our full collection of here and find everything you need for bump, birth, and beyond in one place.