If your due date is just around the corner - it means it’s time to get stocked up on all those newborn essentials. From baby clothes to nappy changing must-haves, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out just how much stuff one tiny person needs (and costs!)

A list is key for significant moments like these, which is why we’ve come up with the ultimate checklist for all your newborn essentials.  We have gathered all the necessities for you and your newborn so you don't have to worry about the less essential items. In this blog, we'll talk about:

• Baby Nursery Essentials
• Baby Sleep Essentials
• Baby Change Essentials
• Baby Bath Essentials
• Baby Feeding Essentials
• Baby Clothing Essentials
• On-the-Go Essentials Checklist
• Baby Health and Safety Checklist

Baby Nursery Essentials

If you do decide to have a nursery for your baby, as well as some decor ideas, you’ll want to get it stocked up with these items:

• A Crib For Baby To Sleep

We recommend the Shnuggle Air Crib which gives your little one a safe, close and cosy place to sleep. Not to be confused with cheaper cribs, the Shnuggle Air Crib is made from a beautiful wooden frame to match your other bedroom furniture. It is designed to last and grow with you baby with the option to convert your crib into a stylish cot with our Cot Conversion Kit. 

• Mattress
• Fitted sheets for crib
• Baby blankets
• Moses basket/crib this is a great investment for when baby is little and needs to stay with you for the first six months. You can also look at our Moses Basket and stand meaning it can be portable, and transformed into a rocker.  Some choose a moses basket instead of a crib for its lightweight design and ability to move it around the house with you.  It can also be a more cost effective purchase as it is a little less expensive than a crib.  Some expectant parents purchase both a crib for night sleeps and moses basket day naps.
• Sheets for your moses basket, or consider waterproof sheets (in case of accidents!)
• Baby sleeping Bag

Baby Sleep Essentials

For the past few months your little one has been living and growing in the cosy yet cramped environment of your womb. It’s a tough one to top, but since your baby will be sleeping a lot during their first few months with you, it only makes sense to make sure their sleeping space is as cosy, safe and comfy. Look into purchasing things like:

• Baby monitor
• Night light and Room Thermometer

We recommend the Shnuggle Moonlight, the sleep friendly portable Night Light for babies and toddlers. Offering the perfect glow for newborn night feeds or the bedside light as baby grows.  With dual parent and child modes, a room temperature sensing dock and unique design, Moonlight is a must have for all new parents.

• Crib or moses basket

Keeps your baby conveniently close for nighttime feedings.

• Glider or rocking chair 
• Soothing crib accessories, such as a mobile

Designed to relax your baby with heartbeat sounds, music, vibrations, and more.

Baby Change Essentials

Here is a comprehensive list of the essential items you’ll need for changing your baby’s nappy:

• Changing table
• Changing mat

We recommend the Shnuggle Squishy Changing Mat, which fits perfectly on top of your changing table or dresser or can be used on it's own anywhere around the home or when traveling. 

• Nappies
• Wipes
• Barrier cream
• Nappy bin

The Shnuggle Eco-Touch Nappy Bin, designed to create an effortless change time with a fuss free, odour locking 'drop and go' system, so the focus never shifts from baby.   The dual-seal odour airlock keeps unwanted odours trapped inside, even when the outer lid is open.  For extra peace of mind, everyday touch points have been treated with an anti-bacterial additive.

• Nappy Bin Liners

The Shnuggle Better Bag Nappy Liners have been designed for use with the Shnuggle Eco-Touch Nappy Bin. 100% biodegradable, our Better Bag Bin Liners offer a kinder choice of bin liner, generating less carbon emissions and less plastic as well as helping to trap odours inside. Designed top trap in odours and perfect for every situation, from pee to Poonami®.

Baby Bath Essentials

Here is a list of the essential items you’ll need for bathing your newborn baby:

• Baby bath or bath positioner

The award winning Shnuggle Baby Bath is designed to make bath time less stressful for parents and fun for baby.  Suitable from newborn, the clever bum bump "newborn support" helps support even the tiniest baby in an upright position, offering a more enjoyable and comfortable bath time for babies right up to 12+ months. We also recommend the Shnuggle Bath Stand, which safely raises your Shnuggle Baby Bath to waist height, taking the backache out of bath time and making it easier to bath baby.  Suitable up until approximately 6 months old.

• Washcloth
• Body Wash and Shampoo
• Baby Bath Brush

The Shnuggle Baby Bath Brush gently massages baby’s head to brush away cradle cap, cleanse, and shampoo. Designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, the super soft feel of the brush against baby’s skin helps to calm and soothe at bathtime. 

• Baby Wash Cloths

The Shnuggle Wash Cloths, also known as flannels, are made from a bamboo and cotton blend to provide extra softness against baby’s skin. The washcloths come boxed in a set of 3 and perfectly sized for baby.  

• Rinsing cup or bath jug

The Shnuggle Washy Bath Jug is the perfect bathtime accessory for all ages.  Create happy bathtimes with Washy, the clever rinsing bath jug from Shnuggle.  Designed with a soft rim to gently rest against the contour of baby's head, helping to direct water away from sensitive little eyes. 

• Bath kneeler 

This is a cushy mat for you to kneel on and save your knees while you give your baby a bath! 

• Baby Bath Themometer

The Shnuggle Pebbly Bath Themometer  is pre-set with the perfect baby water temperature and uses an ‘easy to read’ heart light to tell you when the temperature is just right. It uses a super accurate sensor to measure the water 5 times per second and quickly tells you what you need to know. 

• Baby Towel
• Baby Lotion
• Wearable Baby Towel

The Shnuggle Wearable Baby Towel keeps you dry and your hands free to concentrate on baby, for a stress free and cosy bathtime. The wearable design frees up both hands to lift baby from the bath and wrap them in the towel with ease. 

• Bath Toys 

The Shnuggle Wishy Bath Toy is perfect for little hands and curious minds.  Wishy features a soft light and texture to support newborn sensory development and with three parts to pull apart, play and connect, is the perfect bath toy to support co-ordination and play as baby grows.  Perfect for little hands and curious minds.

Baby Feeding Essentials

Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed, there’s a whole bunch of baby things you’ll need to help you through mealtimes. Here’s the most important:

• Muslin cloths (you'll want a lot of these!)
• Nursing bra
• Breast pads
• Bottles/teats/bottle brush if not breastfeeding (around 8-10)
• Bibs (around 4-8)
• Breast pump (manual/hand or electric)
• Sterilising equipment
• Nipple cream
• Sleep bra

Baby Clothing Essentials

Shopping for new baby clothes is a lot of joy, especially if it's your first child. Who can resist those precious little baby outfits? Despite their cuteness, certain babies' clothing is more useful for them to wear and is genuinely necessary. Here is a list of clothing essentials:

• Baby grows
• Sleepsuits
• Cardigans
• A jacket/snowsuit
• Knitted hat/sun hat
• Socks
• Scratch mitts
• A few nice day outfits

On-the-Go Essentials Checklist

You might be surprised by how much you need when you take your newborn out. Here is a checklist of all the gear you might need when you’re out and about with your baby: 

• Car seat. 
• Pushchair and/or pram
• Baby carrier
• Nappy changing bag
• Sunshade for car windows
• Portable changing mat
• Nappy disposal bags
• Rain cover
• Baby blankets

Baby Health and Safety Checklist

In order to prevent injuries and accidents as well as in case you need to check your child's temperature, it is a good idea to keep a few basic health and safety supplies at home. Although nothing in your first aid kit can replace the healing power of your "make-it-better kiss," here are some essential products to keep on hand just in case:

• First-aid kit
• Nasal aspirator
• Baby nail scissors or clippers
• Soft-bristled hairbrush
• Sunscreen
• Gentle detergent
• Babyproofing accessories
• Thermometer 
• Baby pain relief

To summarise…

Although getting ready for a baby can be a tonne of pressure, it can't compare to the enjoyment you'll have once the baby is really here. There is so much to anticipate!

Read our latest blog: How To Bath A Baby: Your Newborn's First Bath.