Preparing for a new arrival can be overwhelming - especially for first-time parents-to-be! But in fact, there are only a few 'essential' items you'll need to have ready for your new baby.

Most things can be bought afterwards - when you know more about your baby (like the sex and the size) and your own parenting style.

We've enlisted the help of our valuable Bub Hub members to compile this guide to Newborn Essentials

Sleeping

Unless you plan to co-sleep you will need the following items:

• Cot
  
• Cot mattress
  
• Cot sheet set x 2
  
• Blankets/swaddles/wraps x 3

Handy links: Cot Safety Checklist, SIDS Safe Sleeping Guidelines

Changing/Bathing

You can always bath your baby in the sink or the laundry tub, or you could take a shower with her. And you only need a towel and a bench/floor/bed to change a nappy. If you do want to make things a bit easier on your back you will need the following items:

• Baby bath - one with a "plug" will make life easier
  
• Change table
  
• Towels x 3
  
• Facewashers x 3
  
• Nappies (if you're using disposables get just one large pack to start, in case your baby grows out of them fast)
  
• Terry cloth nappies - have a few on hand as spew rags, or to put under baby on the change table.
  
• Basic toiletries - nappy wipes, cotton wool balls, cotton buds, a good nappy rash cream

Handy links: Change Table Safety Checklist, Choosing the Perfect Cloth Nappy
 
Going out

In the early months you might do without a pram, prefering to carry baby in a carrier or sling. But a good-quality pram, one that converts into a stroller for a toddler will be something you might need eventually.

• Baby carrier/sling
  
• Pram (look for one with a sunshade)
  
• Baby capsule/carseat

Handy links: Prams safety checklist, Car Seat and Baby Capsule Safety Checklist, Read pram and stroller reviews, Read carseat reviews

Dressing Baby

There is no need to buy many clothes before bub arrives. Just have a few necessities on hand, then go shopping once you know what size and sex your baby is. Otherwise you could end up with a heap of cute 0000 outfits that never see the light of day. Also, it pays to be practical. Sure little baby jeans and T-shirts are cute but they aren't comfortable and you won't get much use out of them, especially in the smaller sizes. Keep in mind that people will usually buy clothes as gifts too.

• Singlets x 5 (or, even better, singlet suits - as they don't ride up!)
  
• Short-sleeved bodysuits x 5 (can be used under clothes in winter)
  
• Long-sleeved growsuits x 5 (you'll still need one or two even if your baby is born in summer)
  
• Socks x 3

Handy link: Find a local baby clothing shop 

Feeding Baby

If you're planning on breastfeeding, you won't need much in the way of equipment. If things don't go as planned then you'll find that feeding equipment (sterilisers, bottles, formula) will be readily available in most towns and cities. If you want to have just-in-case formula you can buy packets with individual sachets as tins of feed need to be used within a certain time period once opened.

• Breastpads (cloth can be a money saver)
  
• 2 bottles, more if you're bottlefeeding, and bottle-cleaning equipment
  
• A special 'feeding' pillow or a 'V' shaped cushion

Handy link: Find a shop selling feeding pillows, Breastfeeding: A Learned Skill,  Read breast pump reviews

Useful (but not essential, if you're on a budget)

• Mattress protectors (one for your bed as well!)
  
• Bassinette (+ bassinette sheets x 2)
  
• Digital ear thermometer
  
• Baby monitor
  
• Nail scissors/clippers
  
• Sleeping bag
  
• Nappy bag with a change mat
  
• Sunshades for car windows
  
• Portable cot
  
• Beanies, mittens (if you're having a winter bub)
  
• Breastpump (if you want to try giving bub the occassional bottle of EBM)
  
• Playmat for tummy time
  
• Dummies
  
• Baby powder/baby soap/baby sorbolene 

A massive thanks to the following BubHubbers who helped to compile this guide: shabbychook, Kimnus, Atizmum, JesseBear, NikkiTapscott, zultbear, SpunkyMonkeyandSupermansMum, swimmingupstream, SorensMum and all our Facebook friends who helped out too!

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