Get your hands on our printable free essential nursery items checklist / new baby checklist. Compiled from the experiences of thousands of parents, this is an invaluable list of essential baby goods for your nursery and new baby. See product reviews by parents BEFORE you buy. Remember, this list is compiled by parents - it is not compiled by a store with a vested interest in selling nursery items to you!

The are some essential items that you'll need for the nursery and it is advisable to have the nursery set up well in advance of the expected birth date. This page includes a list of suggested items as well as links to details of where you might obtain these items and current safety standards, which you should consider when buying, hiring or inheriting pre-loved items. Don't go too mad with your shopping - get what you consider to be the essentials, and if you're not sure about an item, maybe hire or borrow. You can always buy other items at a later date when you know what suits you and your baby - they're all different! And don't forget, if you have a baby shower, you may get given lots of useful gifts - in particular, clothing, toys and toiletries.

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• bassinet
• bassinet mattress
• bedding for bassinet (3 undersheets, 3 top sheets, 3 mattress protectors, blankets)
• cot
• cot mattress
• bedding for cot (2 undersheets, 2 top sheets, 2 mattress protectors, blankets)
• monitor

handy link: cot safety checklist

changing & bathing

• change table
• change mat
• basic toiletries (nappy wipes, barrier cream, sorbolene cream, cotton wool,
  cotton buds, nappy disposal bags, soap/bubble bath, shampoo, massage oil)
• newborn nappies (fitted cloth or disposable)
• bath - look for one with a 'plug'
• bath seat - stops baby moving in the bath
• towels, 2 at least
• washers, 2 at least
• water temperature thermometer
• nail scissors
• hairbrush & comb
• muslin squares

handy link: change table safety checklist

general

• comfortable chair for feeding / night-time settling
• nightlight
• mobile
• decor - curtains, pictures, rugs, etc
• chest of drawers for storage
• bouncer chair
• toys
• activity mat
• re-stock your first aid kit
• safety products - when you baby starts moving (stair gates, safety plugs for powerpoints, tap guards, etc)

handy link: bouncer safety checklist

going out

• pram
• sun shade for pram
• baby capsule / car seat
• head support for capsule
• sun shades for car windows
• baby carrier / sling
• nappy-bag with change mat
• portable cot

handy links: pram safety checklist, baby capsules & car seats, nappy bag checklist

feeding equipment
If you are intending to breastfeeding, you'll require very little additional 'equipment'. If feeding is difficult and you find that you do need feeding equipment such as sterilisers, bottles, and formula, these items are readily available in most towns and cities.

• breastpads
• special 'feeding' pillow or 'V' shaped cushion
• 2 bottles (more if you will be bottlefeeding)
• bottle cleaning and sterlising equipment
• highchair (from 6 months +)

If you are intending to breastfeed, you can buy packets containing individual sachets suitable for one-feed. Tins of feed need to be used up within a couple of weeks once opened.

clothing

• bodysuits
• singlets
• growsuits
• sunhat
• warmhat
• jackets, jumpers, cardigans
• socks
• bibs

Clothing is easy to buy afterwards, so just get some essentials like bodysuits and growsuits until after the birth. You won't know the size of the baby until the birth and clothes need to suit the seasons, so buying beforehand can result in some items never seeing the light of day! Clothing is also a popular option for friends and relatives to buy as gifts. Basic clothing for newborns is readily available in nursery stores and clothing stores.

handy link: clothing stores

read product reviews BEFORE you buy
Check out of product reviews section for real-life product experiences of prams, strollers and other baby products.

where to buy
Check our shops directory for a comprehensive list of local and onlines stores throughout Australia selling everything from general nursery & baby products, online pregnancy & baby boutiques and baby clothing stores to safety products, feeding equipment, slings and everything inbetween!

If you are a bargain hunter, try trading online.

If you are having problems locating an item, try the internal site search facility.

where to hire
If you are interested in hiring nursery equipment, check out our list of local nursery equipment and baby capsule hire companies.

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