Baby Essentials

Top 10 Baby Essentials

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We want to help take the stress out of having a newborn, so here's our list of Baby Essentials to have ready before your new arrival gets home. Our list brings together everything you'll need for your new arrival, from feeding and changing to sleep, bath time and everyday clothing. Though we don't stock all of these items (e.g. Car Seats), we've included those items as we believe they're essential!

 1.  Sleepsuits & Babygrows

So, firstly, what is a sleepsuit?

A baby sleepsuit is a one-piece outfit designed to keep babies warm, comfortable and fully covered. It combines a top and trousers into a single garment, usually with built-in feet (footed sleepsuits) and popper or zip fastenings running down the front and legs to make nappy changes quick and easy.

Despite the name, sleepsuits aren't just for bedtime—they're one of the most popular everyday outfits for newborns and young babies because they're soft, practical and comfortable enough for sleeping, playing and relaxing.

Babygrows are essentially the same as sleepsuits, and generally the 2 terms mean the same thing.

 2. Moses Baskets or Bedside Cot

A Moses basket is a lightweight, portable sleeping basket for newborn babies. Smaller than a bedside crib, it's easy to move around the home, allowing your baby to sleep safely nearby during the day before transitioning to a cot as they grow.

A bedside cot is a small baby cot that attaches securely alongside your bed, giving your newborn a safe, separate sleeping space while keeping them close during the night. Larger and more permanent than a Moses basket, bedside cots are ideal for night-time feeds and can typically be used for the first few months

3. Car Seats

A baby car seat is essential for bringing your newborn home safely from hospital and for every journey thereafter. Suitable from birth, infant car seats are designed to protect your baby while travelling and must be fitted correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions. As your child grows, they'll move through different stages of car seats based on their height, weight and age.

A car seat is definitely something worth getting professional opinions on and worth going to a physical store as many stores will allow you bring a show room seat outside of the shop to test the seat in your own car.

4. Feeding Essentials

One of the biggest questions for new parents is how they'll feed their baby. While you may not know exactly what will work best until your little one arrives, it's a good idea to be prepared. Whether you're planning to breastfeed, bottle feed or a combination of both, having a few feeding essentials ready can make those first few weeks a little less stressful.

Some feeding essentials to consider include:

• Baby Bottles
• Bottle brush
• Steriliser
• Bibs
• Muslin cloths
• Nursing pillow (if breastfeeding)
• Highchair (from around 6 months)
• Baby bowls, plates, cutlery (from around 6 months)

5. Bath Time Essentials

Bath time is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your baby, but you'll also find yourself changing nappies several times a day. Having a dedicated space and the right essentials ready before your little one arrives can make both routines much easier.

• Baby bath or bath support
• Hooded baby towels
• Soft washcloths and sponges
• Bath toys (for when they're a little older)
• Changing mat
• Nappies
• Nappy cream
• Baby wipes or cotton wool
• Changing bag for days out

6. Baby Bedding Essentials

Once you've chosen where your baby will sleep, it's time to think about the bedding you'll need. Having a few cot fitted sheets, cellular blankets and mattress protectors on hand will help keep your baby comfortable and make those inevitable middle-of-the-night changes much easier. As your little one grows, you can simply update their bedding to suit the next stage.

• Fitted cot sheets
• Cellular blankets
• Baby Blankets
• Mattress protectors
• Cot Mattresses