What equipment do you really need to buy for a new baby?

When it comes to thinking about what to buy for a new baby, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed with the range of products that are available.  What’s more, if this is your first baby, you probably don’t know what is really essential or what some of the items are even for.

At the end of the day the needs are not as extensive as the marketing world will tell you. Below is a practical list of items that we would recommend when expecting a baby.

What to buy for a new baby – COPE’s practical list

Below is a practical list of items that we would recommend to buy for a newborn baby.

• Cot/bassinet

• Pram

• Chest of drawers, change table or change area

• Capsule to transport baby in the car – these can be purchased or hired from your local council

• Change mat

• Night light

• Baby monitor (if you are likely to be some distance from where the baby sleeps)

• Muslin wraps/blankets (depending on the time of year)

• Baby bag – to carry nappies, change of clothes. Generally, these include a change mat

• Nappy bin – not essential but handy if a bin is not close by

• Nappies and wipes/facecloths

• Singlets/onesies

• Baby grow-suits

Adding items if and as you need

This is all you will really need to buy for a newborn baby to get started.  Once you have settled in you will work out whether you will need other items like bottles or a breast-pump (which you can buy or hire). 

As the baby grows you may decide that a sling or baby carrier provides another convenient option for transporting the baby.

Buying equipment for such a time-limited period (for a newborn) can be both costly and leave you with items that need to be stored or sold. This is why it can also be useful to look online for second-hand items that people are selling or even giving away as they simply don’t have the space to store it.

Remember, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Try to keep it simple.