The 10 baby essentials every newborn actually needs are: a safe sleep space, something to help your baby settle, a car seat, feeding essentials, nappies and a changing setup, clothing basics, a baby carrier, bath essentials, a health and grooming kit, and a baby monitor. Everything else can wait until you know whether you actually need it.
I've been through the newborn phase three times now, and the list of things I actually used looks very different from the list I thought I needed before my first son arrived. This guide is the honest version. Not everything in the store. Not a registry designed to sell you things. Just what genuinely made those first weeks survivable, and what you can safely skip.
What Are Baby Essentials? A Quick Definition
Baby essentials are the items you need to have ready before your newborn comes home from the hospital. They cover the basics: somewhere safe to sleep, a way to get around, something to feed your baby with, and enough clothing to get through the day. Everything beyond that is either a nice-to-have or something you can buy later once you know your baby's temperament. The most important thing I learnt across three babies? Send your partner out for what you need as the need arises. You do not have to have everything before the birth.
Our Newborn Essentials List: The 10 Things You Actually Need
1. A Safe Sleep Space
A firm, flat sleep surface is the single most important item on this list. For us, that was a bedside crib. Having the baby in arm's reach through the night made feeding and settling so much easier, especially in those first weeks. Whether you choose a bassinet, a crib, or a bedside option, the principles are the same: firm mattress, fitted sheet, nothing loose in the sleep space. Leading paediatric guidelines recommend keeping the sleep space free of loose bedding, pillows, and bumpers. I know it can look sparse. It's supposed to.
What you do not need: special sleep positioners, crib bumpers, decorative pillows, or anything that fills the space. A clear crib is a safe crib. For more on setting up a sleep space that works, our guide on what a smart bassinet actually is and whether you need one is a good starting point.
2. Something to Help Your Baby Settle
This is the category no one talks about enough, and where I have the most to say. With my first son, I spent the first weeks walking laps around the kitchen island with him because he would only sleep in motion. I had no idea that was a completely normal newborn need, and no idea that there was a smarter way to meet it.
Motion soothes newborns because it mimics what they felt in the womb. This is why rocking, bouncing, and movement work when nothing else does. White noise works for the same reason. With my youngest daughter, white noise became essential because her older brothers were not exactly quiet. A white noise machine bought us a lot of otherwise-lost naps.
With my second and third, I also had the Sleepytroll Baby Rocker, which attaches to the stroller and rocks automatically using motion sensors. The difference was significant. Instead of walking for an hour to get the baby settled, I could clip it on and actually sit down. If you are having a second baby especially, this moves from nice-to-have to genuinely necessary. You cannot spend forty-five minutes bouncing a baby to sleep when you have a toddler who also needs you. Our honest guide on whether you actually need a baby rocker goes deeper on this.
3. A Car Seat
Non-negotiable, and one of the few items on this list where buying secondhand requires real caution. Car seats have expiration dates, typically six years from manufacture, and should never be used after any kind of impact, even a minor one. If you buy secondhand, only buy from someone you know and trust, and verify the seat has never been in an accident. Install it before your due date and get the installation checked. Many fire stations or car seat retailers offer this for free.
One thing many parents get wrong: the harness straps should be tight enough that you could hold the car seat upside down without your baby slipping out. If you can pinch the strap fabric between your fingers, it needs to be tighter. Loose harnesses are one of the most common car seat mistakes, and it matters more than most people realise.
4. Feeding Essentials
If you plan to breastfeed: a good nursing pillow, nursing bras, breast pads, and lanolin cream. I used my nursing pillow constantly across all three babies. It is one of the items worth investing in properly.
On the breast pump: you do not necessarily need to buy one before the birth. Check what your national healthcare or insurance covers, as many European plans include this. And if breastfeeding turns out to be more complicated than expected, or if you decide not to continue, you can always send your partner out for formula and bottles. You do not need to stock both in advance. Wait and see what your baby and your body need, then act.
5. Nappies, Wipes, and a Changing Setup
Buy nappies in newborn and size 1, but do not stockpile newborn. Some babies move straight to size 1. For wipes: unscented only. Babies do not need added fragrance near their skin, and scented wipes are a common source of irritation. This applies to lotions and soaps too. Keep it unscented, keep it simple.
On the nappy bin: I tried one and found it more hassle than it was worth. A small bin with a lid and regular emptying works just as well, with less fuss.
A dedicated changing table is not required. A changing mat on top of a dresser works perfectly and saves space.
6. Clothing Basics
Buy less than you think you need, and size up. Babies grow fast, and the adorable newborn outfits often get worn once before the baby has outgrown them. If people ask what to give as a gift, tell them clothing in 3-6 month or 6-12 month sizes. Most parents end up drowning in 0-3 months and short on everything larger.
Skip the fancy dresses and dressy outfits for early weeks. They get spit up on and they are fiddly to put on a newborn. Sleepsuits and bodysuits are what actually get used. And skip the shoes entirely. Babies have no need for shoes before they are walking, and soft footwear restricts the natural movement their feet need to develop properly.
One thing worth thinking about for soft toys and comforters: if you want your baby to bond with a comfort object, choose one in organic cotton rather than synthetic materials. Babies mouth everything, and organic cotton is a simple, sensible choice for something that ends up in their mouth regularly. Buy two of the same one. When it gets lost, and it will, you will be very glad you have a spare.
For more on dressing your baby comfortably, our guide on how to dress your baby for sleep covers the temperature and layering questions most parents have.
7. A Baby Carrier
Used far more than I expected, across all three babies. With my first, the carrier was how I got him to sleep. He needed constant motion, and the carrier meant I could move around and have my hands free at the same time. With my second and third, I used it for transport and settling, and my partner used it at home to calm the baby so I could rest.
One important note: learn how to use a carrier correctly before the baby arrives. There are specific safety guidelines around positioning, airway, and fit that matter especially for newborns. Look for a local babywearing group or a video guide from the carrier manufacturer. It is worth ten minutes of your time before you need it.
8. Bath Essentials
A baby bath or insert, a soft hooded towel, and that's genuinely it. You do not need baby soap. Newborn skin has its own natural protective barrier, and soap, even gentle baby soap, breaks that down unnecessarily. Plain water is enough for most baths in the early months.
The first bath is often not the idyll you picture. My oldest son cried through almost the entire thing. A tip that helped: lay a warm, wet washcloth over the baby's tummy while you wash them so they do not feel cold and exposed. He eventually grew to love the bath, it just took a little time. My youngest daughter loved it from the very first time. Every baby is different, and neither reaction is wrong.
9. A Health and Grooming Kit
A digital thermometer, a nasal aspirator, infant nail scissors or a soft file, and unscented baby-safe skin products if needed. Hospitals usually send you home with some basics, so check what you have before buying. Baby nails grow fast and are surprisingly sharp, so the nail file or scissors get used more than most new parents expect. If your baby has dry skin, skip the heavily marketed lotions. I tried tallow balm with my third and have never gone back. Simple, effective, and free of the long ingredient lists most baby skincare comes with.
10. A Baby Monitor
Useful, but the level of monitor you need depends on your home. In a small apartment you may hear everything without one. In a larger house or if you have a separate nursery, an audio monitor at minimum is worth having. Video monitors are popular but not strictly essential. Buy what fits your setup, not the most expensive option available.
Baby Essentials for the First 3 Months: What Matters Most Early On
Not everything on the list above is equally urgent. Here is how it breaks down.
Before the birth, have ready: car seat (installed), sleep space, basic clothing, feeding basics if you plan to breastfeed, nappies and wipes in newborn and size 1, bath essentials, health kit, baby carrier.
You can buy after the birth if needed: breast pump (check your healthcare coverage first), formula and bottles (wait to see if you need them), additional clothing in larger sizes, white noise machine, a baby rocker or other settling device once you know what your baby needs.
The baby will not care about most of the things on the market. They care about warmth, closeness, food, and feeling safe. The gear exists to support that, not to replace it.
Baby Travel Essentials: What You Actually Need On the Go
Travelling with a newborn is more manageable than it sounds, and less gear-dependent than you might think. The items that genuinely helped us:
A lightweight, foldable stroller. Something compact enough to fit in an overhead locker or car boot without a fight. The Yoyo-style compact strollers are popular for good reason.
A baby carrier. On a plane especially, a carrier is invaluable. It keeps the baby calm and your arms free, far better than trying to hold a baby for three hours on a long-haul flight. This is one of the travel items I would not skip.
Blackout travel blinds. Portable, lightweight, and genuinely useful for getting a baby to sleep in unfamiliar rooms. Hotel curtains are rarely adequate.
The Sleepytroll Baby Rocker travels well too. It attaches to whatever stroller you have, which means you are not starting from scratch in a new environment trying to figure out how to settle your baby.
What Baby Essentials Can You Actually Skip?
This is the section I wish someone had given me before my first.
Skip or wait on:
- Newborn shoes. Babies do not need shoes before they walk. Soft, stretchy socks are fine for warmth. Shoes restrict the natural foot movement that supports development. Save your money.
- Baby walker. Not recommended. They are associated with developmental concerns and have been restricted or banned in several countries. Skip entirely.
- Nappy bin. Sounds useful, becomes a hassle. A small bin with a lid and regular emptying does the job without the fuss.
- Crib bumpers, sleep positioners, and decorative pillows. Not safe, not necessary. Clear the sleep space.
- Baby bathrobe. Lovely in theory. In practice, a hooded towel does the same job and is easier to manage with a slippery newborn.
- Fancy newborn outfits. They get one outing, if that. Focus on sleepsuits and bodysuits instead.
Worth considering, depending on your situation:
- Baby gate. Not necessary from day one, but useful once you have crawling or older siblings. Buy when you need it, not before.
- High chair. Not needed for months, but a chair that brings baby up to table height is lovely once solids start. Worth buying when the time comes rather than storing it before.
- A baby gym or floor nest. Once your baby starts having alert, wakeful periods, you need somewhere safe to put them down that is not your arms. A simple baby gym or soft floor nest gives you a hands-free moment and gives baby something to look at and reach for. Not essential from day one, but becomes useful faster than most people expect.
The Complete Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist
Here is everything in one place. Save it, send it to someone buying you a gift, or use it as a registry reference.
Sleep
- Firm, flat sleep surface (bassinet, crib, or bedside crib)
- Fitted sheets (2-3)
- White noise machine (optional but useful)
- Sleepytroll Baby Rocker (especially for second babies or babies who need motion to settle)
Getting Around
- Infant car seat (installed before birth)
- Stroller
- Baby carrier
Feeding
- Nursing pillow
- Nursing bras and breast pads (if breastfeeding)
- Lanolin cream (if breastfeeding)
- Breast pump (check healthcare coverage; can buy after birth)
- Bottles and formula (buy if needed)
Nappies and Changing
- Nappies in newborn and size 1
- Unscented wipes
- Changing mat
- Nappy cream
Clothing
- Sleepsuits and bodysuits (in 0-3 and 3-6 month sizes)
- Soft socks
- One warm layer (seasonal)
- Organic cotton comfort object (buy two)
Bath
- Baby bath or insert
- Hooded towel (x2)
- No soap needed, plain water is enough
Health and Grooming
- Digital thermometer
- Nasal aspirator
- Baby nail file or soft scissors
- Tallow balm or unscented moisturiser for dry skin
At Home
- Baby monitor
As a mum of three, the one thing I would add that is not on any list: be willing to buy things as you discover you need them. Your baby will tell you what matters. You just have to be paying attention.
FAQ: Baby Essentials
What are the main baby essentials?
The main baby essentials are a safe sleep space, something to help your baby settle, an infant car seat, feeding supplies, nappies and a changing setup, basic clothing, a baby carrier, bath items, a health and grooming kit, and a baby monitor. These ten categories cover everything a newborn genuinely needs in the first three months. Everything else can be bought as the need becomes clear.
What are 10 things babies need?
1. A safe, firm sleep surface
2. A way to settle (motion, white noise, or both)
3. An infant car seat
4. Feeding essentials (nursing supplies or formula and bottles)
5. Nappies and unscented wipes
6. Basic clothing in the right sizes
7. A baby carrier
8. Bath essentials
9. A health and grooming kit
10. A baby monitor
What do you actually need to buy for a new baby?
Before the birth, focus on the non-negotiables: a car seat installed and ready, a sleep space set up, basic clothing in newborn and 0-3 month sizes, nappies and unscented wipes, feeding supplies, a carrier, and a health kit. Everything else can be bought after the birth once you know what your baby actually needs. Send your partner out for what you discover you're missing. That is what partners are for, and it works better than trying to anticipate everything in advance.
Do I really need a baby monitor?
It depends on your home. In a small apartment where you can hear everything, a monitor is optional. In a larger home with a separate nursery, an audio monitor at minimum is worth having. A video monitor is useful but not essential. Buy what suits your layout, not the most expensive model.
Is a baby carrier a newborn essential?
Yes, for most families. A carrier keeps the baby close and calm while freeing your hands, which matters enormously in the early weeks. It is particularly useful during the witching hour, for settling a baby who needs motion, and for travel. Just make sure you learn the correct positioning for newborns before using it. There are safety guidelines around airway and fit that are worth knowing.
Every baby is different, and every family's list will look slightly different too. But if you have the ten categories covered, you are ready. The rest is improvisation, and you will get good at that faster than you think.
Ready to set up your newborn's sleep space before the birth? Discover how the Sleepytroll Baby Rocker Gen 2 fits your existing bassinet, crib, or stroller, and why so many second-time parents say it changed everything.