Baby lists tend to be long because they are written to sell things. This one is sorted by when you actually need each item, so you can spread the cost and avoid buying things twice.
Needed before you come home
- An approved car seat, correctly installed. You cannot leave hospital without one. Fit it a few weeks before the due date, not the night before.
- A safe place to sleep. A bassinet or a cot with a firm, well-fitting mattress, a protector and a few fitted sheets.
- Nappies and wipes. A starter supply. Do not stockpile newborn size, because some babies skip it quickly.
- Clothing. Six to eight bodysuits, six sleepsuits, a few singlets, socks and a hat for outdoors. Buy sparingly in newborn size.
- Wraps. Four to six muslin wraps. The most useful item on this list, and the cheapest.
- Sleeping bags in a TOG suited to the season.
- Feeding equipment appropriate to how you plan to feed. If bottle feeding, bottles, teats and a steriliser.
- A change surface at a height that does not wreck your back, with everything within arm's reach.
Needed within the first weeks
- A pram suited to your boot and your footpaths
- A baby bath or bath support
- A nappy bag, or any bag you already own
- A thermometer
- Nail scissors or a file
- Extra bedding, because laundry will not keep pace
Can wait until you know your baby
- A carrier, since fit is personal and worth trying with the baby you actually have
- A high chair, which is not needed until around six months
- Toys, because newborns are not short of stimulation
- A baby monitor, which is unnecessary while room sharing
- A change table, if a chest of drawers will do the job
Commonly bought, rarely used
- Newborn shoes. They fall off and serve no purpose.
- Cot bumpers, pillows and quilts. These should not be in a cot at all.
- Nappy stackers and decorative baskets. Pretty, quickly abandoned.
- Bottle sets bought before you know which teat suits. Start with two.
- Large quantities of 0000 clothing. Some babies never fit it.
Where package deals help
Cot, mattress, pram and car seat together are usually the largest single outlay. Buying them as a package generally costs less than buying separately, and removes the compatibility guesswork between pram and capsule. It only saves money if you wanted every item in the package, so check the contents rather than the headline discount.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start buying?
Many Australian families start seriously around 28 to 32 weeks, with the car seat and sleep space first. Setting up a nursery at 38 weeks is no fun.
How much does it cost to set up?
It varies enormously depending on whether you buy new, accept hand-me-downs, or use packages. The fixed costs are the car seat, cot, mattress and pram. Almost everything else is flexible.
What is safe to accept second-hand?
Clothing, wraps and most furniture are fine if in good condition. Mattresses and car seats are the two to be careful with, and cots should be checked against current standards.
Plan it in one visit
Bring your car and boot measurements to our Peakhurst showroom and we can work through the list with you.
General information only. For safe sleep guidance see Red Nose Australia; for product safety see Product Safety Australia (ACCC).