There aren’t any set rules around what baby items you should buy first. However, there are some baby items that you’ll need sooner than others. So, it can be handy to start with the items you’ll need to pack in your hospital bag, as well as the basics that baby will need in the first month.

Here, we’ll take a look at exactly what those items are, so you can start getting ready for baby’s grand entrance!

What to think about when deciding what baby items to buy first

When it comes to buying baby essentials, you can start with whatever you like! As long as you have all the basics before baby is born, you won’t be left unprepared.

That said, here are some things to consider if you’re wondering what baby items to buy first:

• What makes you feel most excited? Buying baby items can help to make your pregnancy feel real. So, you could start by buying a few key items that excite you the most.

• What do you have room for? Bigger baby items like bouncers and prams can take up a lot of space. You might prefer to save these until last so you’re not falling over them for the full nine months of pregnancy!

• What do you need soonest? By starting with the items you’ll need soonest, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re not going to be caught out if baby arrives early. Which brings us onto…

If you want to browse baby items but you’re not ready to buy quite yet, remember that you can save any items you like to Moonsift. That way, you’ll have everything in one place ready to go when the time comes. Plus, you can make your collections into a baby registry so your family and friends can help you tick items off too!

Newborn essentials checklist for your hospital bag

The first things your newborn will use are the things you take with you to hospital when you’re ready to have your baby. So, you’ll want to get these sorted as a priority.

Here are the newborn essentials we’d recommend bringing with you:

Baby's Hospital Bag Checklist

☑️ 3 newborn sleepsuits
☑️ 3 newborn vests
☑️ 3 0–3 month sleepsuits
☑️ 3 0–3 month vests
☑️ 1 soft cardigan
☑️ 1 hat
☑️ Scratch mittens
☑️ Booties or socks
☑️ Plenty of diapers
☑️ Wet wipes
☑️ 1 baby blanket
☑️ Muslin squares (for feeding and burping)
☑️ A properly installed infant car seat (for the journey home)
☑️ Formula and bottles (if bottle feeding)

What to pack for your hospital bag

Don’t forget to pack for yourself as well! On top of the basics like toiletries and clothes, you’ll need to include some bits for breastfeeding if that’s how you plan on feeding your baby – for example, breast pads, nursing bras and nipple cream.

Mom’s Hospital Bag Checklist

☑️ Comfortable clothes (including a going-home outfit)
☑️ Nightgown or pajamas (preferably with front access for feeding)
☑️ Robe
☑️ Slippers or cozy socks
☑️ Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, face wipes, shampoo, etc.)
☑️ Hair ties or headband
☑️ Lip balm (hospitals can be dry!)
☑️ Maternity pads or heavy-flow sanitary pads
☑️ A few pairs of comfy, full-coverage underwear
☑️ Breast pads (even if you’re not sure about breastfeeding)
☑️ Nursing bras
☑️ Nipple cream
☑️ Snacks and drinks
☑️ Phone charger (preferably with a long cord)
☑️ ID, insurance info, and hospital paperwork
☑️ Reusable water bottle
☑️ Comfort items (e.g. pillow, headphones, calming playlist)

Phew, that feels like a lot, doesn't it! Once you've got all of the essentials sorted, you're going to be ultra-well prepared for your trip to the hospital.

What are baby necessities for the first month?

In the first month, your baby won’t do much other than sleep, eat and fill their nappy! So, the very first essentials you’ll need can be stripped down to:

➜ Clothes
➜ Car seat
➜ Burp cloths
➜ Bottles, formula, and sterilizer (for bottle-feeding)
➜ Crib or bassinet, mattress, and crib sheets
➜ Blankets
➜ Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
➜ Cotton balls
➜ Stroller, baby carrier, or wrap

What items do babies need regularly?

There are some items your baby will use all the time, and you’ll get through them really quickly. So, it makes sense to stock up on these nice and early. They include:

➜ Burp cloths
➜ Bibs
➜ Crib sheets
➜ Onesies and sleepers
➜ Towels
➜ Diapers

When should I get newborn essentials?

There’s no set timeline for when you should get newborn essentials. It’s all about what feels right to you.

That said, most babies arrive within a week on either side of their expected due date – so, we’d suggest getting at least the basics ready for around week 35 of pregnancy. If you’re expecting twins or other multiples it’s probably worth getting your newborn essentials sorted a bit sooner as your babies have a higher chance of arriving early.

Our guide to when you should start buying baby stuff during pregnancy has some more helpful tips to think about.

If you’re like most people, you probably can’t wait to start buying baby stuff during pregnancy. After all, it’s a great way to make it feel more real. Just remember that you’ll probably receive tons of gifts from your family and friends – either at your baby shower or when baby makes an appearance! So, you don’t want to go overboard and buy everything too early.

With Moonsift, you can browse newborn essentials as early as you want and save any items you like for later. Better still, you can share your collections with family and friends as a baby registry, so that they can tick items off your list for you too.

That way, you won’t have to fork out on everything yourself, and you can avoid getting two (or three!) of the same item (yep, it’s a problem!).

Sign up for your free Moonsift account to get started.