Shopping for a new baby can be a confusing, not to mention, daunting experience if you’ve never done it before! With hundreds of items available, how do you know which ones you’ll really need and which will turn out to be a waste of money? Of course, you’ll find your own favourites once baby arrives, but here are a few essentials no baby should start life without. 

1. Car Seat

Rear facing car seats are a legal requirement if you plan to take your newborn out and about anywhere in any vehicle. In fact, if you don’t have a rear facing car seat, you won’t be allowed to leave the hospital with your baby. However, what style and model of baby seat you need is your choice. Important factors to consider include; whether your car is Isofix compatible, whether you want a seat that will grow with your child as they move through the stages, and whether you want a baby seat that you can carry your child in, outside of the car. Check out Nuna, Premium Car Seats, Pushchairs, and Baby Gear AU for a range of car seats to suit your needs.

2. Baby’s Bed

Somewhere for your baby to sleep will be the second essential item on your list. There are many options now, from Moses baskets, to bedside cribs, rocking cribs and cot beds. The size of the room your baby is going to be sleeping in will need to be a major consideration in what kind of sleeping arrangements you choose for your child, along with how long you wish your baby to stay in each bed. Moses baskets and bedside cribs are suitable for up to the first four to six months, while a cot bed can last for years. Whatever you choose, ensure it conforms with all the relevant safety standards and advice, and that you invest in a good, brand new, sleep-safe mattress. 

3. Baby Carrier

Being able to carry your baby close to you is a magical experience. Not just for you, but for your baby too. Many parents find that holding their baby in a baby carrier, or wrap, promotes close bonding and a calmer baby. It can also help with sleep as any parent of a newborn will tell you; they fall asleep on your body far more quickly and more happily than anywhere else. A carrier is often seen as an optional extra by parents who have a pram and a cot in the shopping basket, but those parents who do invest in one, often consider it their best buy, and well worth the money. Again, there are plenty of options and designs available, so take your time and do your research. There are even baby carrier libraries where you can try out different carriers before you buy, and get advice on how best to use them. 

4. Changing Bag

You will feel like you’re mobilizing an army when you leave home with your baby. But every one of those items you need to pack for just a couple of hours outside the house will be essential. And where do you store your supplies? In a smart changing bag, that’s where. A good changing bag will have pockets for all your nappies, wet wipes, changing mat, snacks, bibs, bottles, hand sanitizer and of course, your emergency change of clothes for you and the baby. Having a bag ready packed and loaded with everything a new parent will need to manage every possible emergency is so much simpler than trying to get everything together five minutes before you are meant to go out. And reduces the amount of shouting about who should have checked there were spares of everything in the car. Changing bags might be the epitome of practicality, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish too. These days you can find a style for every taste and occasion so you might feel like you’re mobilizing an army every time you leave the house, but you can still look like a glam-puss (at least until you need that emergency change of clothes).

5. Pram / Pushchair / Travel System

And of course, last but definitely not least, you’ll need some wheels for all those adventures you and your baby are going to be taking together. Prams these days come in every shape, design, and configuration. So take your time and narrow down what matters to you. You’ll want to think about how it fits your lifestyle, your car, your budget, and your doorway, as well as how it looks. And don’t forget to factor in practicalities like how much shopping you can fit under the pram, which way you’d like your baby to be facing (inwards, outwards or do you want a pushchair which allows the seat to be fitted either way), and how hard-wearing it is if you’re going to be off-roading with your buggy.

So, there you have it. The five most important baby buys. You’ll, of course, need many other bits and pieces too, but if you have these five in place, whenever your baby makes their arrival, you’ll have what you need to make them feel comfortable and keep them safe.