Newborn Essentials Checklist: What to Buy Before Baby Arrives (and What to Skip)
Most newborn shopping lists you’ll find online are basically “buy everything in the catalogue”. Ours isn’t. After two of our team’s kids and a small mountain of returns, here’s what to unpack on day one and what can absolutely wait. Picks below are available on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Halo SleepSack SwaddleSleep | Newborn safe sleep | ★ 4.7 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Aden + Anais Muslin Cloths (6-pack)Feeding | Burp cloth, wipe, sun shade | ★ 4.8 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Skip Hop Moby Smart SlingBath | 0–12 month bath | ★ 4.6 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
BabyBjörn Mini CottonCarrier | First 6 months | ★ 4.5 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Carter’s Bodysuits (5-pack)Clothing | Daily wear | ★ 4.7 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
The honest principles
- Don’t buy a wardrobe in advance. Babies grow erratically. You’ll donate tags-on outfits in three sizes.
- Skip “baby tax” branded versions. White ones at half the price work the same way.
- Borrow before buying high-cost gear. Activity centres, breast pumps and bottle warmers all have low resale value.
- Australian / US safety standards matter most for sleep, feeding and travel. AS/NZS 8005, AS/NZS 1754, ASTM F833 — check these on the listing.
- Buy second-hand for furniture, not for safety gear. Cot frame yes; car seat no.
The picks — reviewed in detail
Halo SleepSack Swaddle
Adjustable sleep-sack-meets-swaddle that lets you transition from arms-in to arms-out without buying a second product. Two of these sees you through the first three months.
Aden + Anais Muslin Cloths (6-pack)
Six muslin cloths is the most-used baby item in the first three months — you’ll burp, wipe, drape and sun-shade with them daily. Don’t bother with anything “designer”.
Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling
Smart Sling supports newborns; removes for the splashing 6–12 month stage. The drainage plug works, the rubber ring underneath grips. Fits most kitchen sinks for the early weeks.
BabyBjörn Mini Cotton
No waist belt (which works better than it sounds in early postpartum), pull a sleeping baby out without unbuckling. Outgrown by ~6 months — think of it as a first-year carrier you’ll replace.
Carter’s Bodysuits (5-pack)
Five short-sleeve bodysuits in newborn or 0–3 month size. That plus six footed sleep suits and you’re kitted for the first month. Don’t buy more in advance — sizes change fast.
Things you can probably wait on
- Baby monitor — if your home is small enough that you can hear baby breathing from the next room, optional.
- Bottle warmer — a jug of warm water from the kettle works fine for the first month.
- Activity centre / baby gym — newborns can’t use them. Wait until 3–4 months.
- High chair — solids start around 6 months. You have time.
- Designer change table — the top of a chest of drawers works perfectly.
What we’d skip
- Cot bumpers (any kind, including “breathable” ones).
- Sleep positioners or wedges. Babies sleep flat on their back, on a firm surface, full stop.
- Loose blankets, doonas or pillows in the sleep space.
- Second-hand car seats without verifiable history. A seat in any crash should be retired.
- Baby walkers with wheels for unsupervised use. See our walker safety guide if you want one.
Baby Domain is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When you buy through links on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’d buy ourselves.
More buying guides from Baby Domain
- Best Baby Bassinets in Australia
- Best Baby Prams & Strollers
- Best Breast Pumps (AU & US)
- Best Smart Baby Monitors
- Best Baby Carriers
- Best Anti-Colic Baby Bottles
- Best Baby Play Gyms
- Best Baby Walkers, Centres & Jumpers
- Best Non-Slip Baby Grip Socks
- Best Bottle Warmers
- Best Bottle Sterilisers
- Best Baby High Chairs
- Best Baby Bath Tubs
- Best White Noise Machines
- Best Baby Thermometers
