Your ultimate newborn checklist – best buys for your baby

There is always something a new that parents need for bubba, and a baby bath is one of those items that's a total necessity. The major problem with most baby baths is they take up so much space in your bathroom. But this can be resolved with the Stokke Flexi Bath. 

Fashion and Beauty News Editor Laura Sutcliffe said: "Not only does it look super chic and is designed for baby's comfort, but it actually folds away! So you can easily tidy it up and press it flat after you've used it so no clunky item left in the bathroom. It's amazing for travel too."

When you're half asleep stumbling around in the dark, the last thing you want to do is head to the kitchen to prep a bottle. Tommee Tippee's genius machine creates the perfect formula bottle for you in just two minutes. Sweet dreams indeed.

"An absolute must-have, especially when you're bleary-eyed and trying to feed a hungry baby in the early hours. A fresh bottle at the right temperature in just two minutes - game-changing," Danielle Stacey, Online Royal Correspondent. 

Make sure their sleeping space is the right temperature with an easy-to-use thermometer. This handy device from Purflo changes colour so you know you're good to go.

early years expert for Munchkin, Danielle Manton-Kelly says: "Before children, the only consideration I had for the temperature was whether or not I needed a cardigan. But the recommended safe temperature for babies is 16-20°C. Keeping your baby’s room at a good temperature can actually reduce the risk of SIDS. Having a room temperature machine can really help parents keep on top of the checks and have that extra peace of mind, which, as a parent, can really help to relieve any added stress.”

From newborn to six months, your baby is expected to be in the same room as you, as per NHS guidelines, meaning you may want to consider a cot that attaches to your own bed, making night feeding and early morning soothing a little easier. The Next2Me cot from Chicco is an iconic item that you won’t regret adding to your to-buy list.

Danielle Stacey, Online Royal Correspondent said: "This allows you to feel close to your baby without sharing the same bed, and the side panel folds down to make it easy to soothe your little one in the middle of the night. It features wheels so it can be moved from room to room, and it's super easy to pack away so you can take it on your travels."

Checking on your little one while they are sleeping has never been easier with the Proscenic BM300 baby monitor. There's no red dot that will disturb baby's sleep during the night and it also features a two-way mic so you can speak to them from the comfort of the sofa.

Going hands free while carrying your little one is a game-changer for any new parent. Simply strap them in and you can head out for a walk or put the washing on. Plus, you'll be the envy of the mum club with this cool design from BabyBjorn.

Content Managing Editor Ainhoa Barcelona would recommend: "I soon found that as a newborn, my baby would only sleep on me. While contact napping is lovely and cuddly, some days I just really needed to get things done! The baby carrier was, and still is, essential as it meant I could get on with my day while taking her everywhere, knowing that she was in her favourite place. And the great thing is little ones can face outwards when they're a bit older and enjoy taking in the sights of the world as you walk. I actually used my carrier more than the pram when she was a newborn, as she was more settled that way."

As your new arrival can only see in black and white for the first few months, the monochrome patterns on this Etta Loves sensory strip will help their eyes focus. Plus, the more colourful side is ideal for when they get a little older.

Lovevery play kit subscriptions are a genius way to keep your little one constantly entertained with new toys. You select the age of your child, how often you want to receive kits and go from there. The Looker kit for newborns comes with the cutest sensory mittens, a black-and-white book, a rattle and more. 

"There are so many toys and games out there but what's great about the Lovevery play kits are that they make playtime really fun and creative. The toys are thoughtfully arranged by age and aren't as generic as "6 months plus" for example. The products are fantastic quality and as "chic" as baby toys can be. The only downside is the kits can get a little pricey when you've got a running subscription," as reviewed by Content Managing Editor Ainhoa Barcelona.

Any mum or dad will tell you, travelling light with a newborn in tow is almost impossible. Invest in a good backpack to ace changing on the go. Tiba + Marl have made bags that pass the fashion test but also have a Mary Poppins level of storage. Winner.

When you bring your new bundle of joy home, a Moses basket is the perfect place for them to rest. Keep downstairs for handy nap times. Plus, The Little Green Sheep have rocker and static options so you can choose the perfect one for you.

"A Moses basket was always on my dream list. I can just imagine bringing my bundle of joy home and lying them in this beautiful, beautiful creation. This lovely one from The Little Green Sheep was very easy to put together, and what impressed me most was the quality. Also, how gorgeous does it look in our lounge? Just awaiting baby now for the true test of how fab it is," Rachel Avery, Homes Editor.

If you’re going to try breastfeeding, you may be considering a breast pump purchase for easy expressing. Leading brand Medela have just launched their hands free, wearable pump that’s a real game changer. So ideal for when you’re out and about!

"Mum life is the ultimate juggle, so a device that allows you to multitask is essential and that is where hands free pumping comes in super handy for breastfeeding mums allowing you to express without being restricted. I would recommend a Medela breast pump for their high quality and built in technology that mimics the natural rhythm of a baby's sucking during breastfeeding which makes for more effective milk expression. The Medela Freestyle Hands Free Pump gets a thumbs up from me for being easy to use and clean, lightweight, portable and comfortable to wear," said Midwife Pip Davies.

Any new parent will warn you, the number of nappies and wipes you’ll require will be obscene. Get ahead of the game with this amazing starter pack from Emma Bunton’s baby brand.

"I've decided to stockpile wipes and nappies as I countdown to my baby's arrival as everyone tells me you can never have too many. My friend admitted these Kit & Kin nappies are a higher price point but assured me you do get what you pay for. I think this kind of bundle would be ideal as a practical baby shower gift and for busy mums and dads a subscription service is available so you never run out," Rachel Avery, Homes Editor

A compact pushchair that folds easily making it ideal for busy city life popping in and out of the boot. Plus, the carseat is one-of-a-kind with a built-in ISOFIX system making parents' lives easier. 

Rachel Avery, Homes Editor said: "As a first-time mum-to-be I'm very new to the world of prams, buggies and travel bundles and it has been quite overwhelming! All I knew is that I wanted an option that wasn't too heavy and bulky so I can pop it up easily and swiftly. The Nuna Pipa URBN bundle caught my eye while browsing John Lewis because it looks nice AND it's practical. What's really unique about the car seat is that you don't need the bulky ISOFIX base, so you can totally take it in a taxi or a friend's car with ease. Game changing!"

Duvets and quilts are not recommended for newborns, as per the NHS guidelines, so you may want to keep little cherub cosy with a sleeping bag for them to snooze in. This oh-so adorable ‘sheeping’ bag has our vote. Cuteness overload!

"Baby sleeping bags are a complete game-changer - they keep your baby warm and snug and mean no covers are kicked off in the night. They are also really safe and the design is super easy for getting little one in and out. I used them for daytime naps and at night with my babies. I loved that they come in different togs for hot weather and cold nights," said Parenting Editor Sophie Hamilton.

"Many parents choose to use sleeping bags for their baby instead of blankets, the key things to note are to carefully follow individual product recommendations on the correct weight or age of the baby for a bag and to use an appropriate tog bag for the room temperature. When a correct size and tog bag is used sleeping bags are a great safer sleeping tool and they should always be used instead of blankets and never as well as," advises Midwife Pip Davies.

Baby slings are ideal for tiny newborns who like to be close to someone. Wrap them up and you'll be able to get on with your daily tasks while the snooze soundly. This five-star wrap is easy to tie solo which is a major game-changer for anyone solo parenting. 

Keep your baby nice and cosy during naps and outings in the pram with this super-soft sherpa sleeping bag.

Mum-of-three Gemma Mases is the owner of 1 + in the Family and she explains: "The Newborn furry nest is one of our iconic pieces from the newborn collection. We consider it is the perfect baby gift for keeping your baby, warm, cosy and comfortable in and outside of the home. A combination of our furry and warm fabric with a matching inside extra soft lining fabric. It opens easily with big buttons in the front and can be used up to six months.

"I'm expecting my first baby in November so I'm thinking about lots of things to keep them nice and warm. This thick nest will be perfect for those crips winter days when I still want to take the pram out for a spin," Rachel Avery, Homes Editor.

An essential buy that’s there for when you need it as your child grows up. Plasters, bandages and even bravery stickers!

Your little one's skin will be super sensitive when they are born so you have to be careful about creams and lotions. AVEENO® is kind, natural and a hit with parents. Stock up or add to your baby shower wish list.

Parenting Editor Sophie Hamilton: "I love using Aveeno products on my children's skin. My daughter suffers from milk eczema and we find the Aveeno bath wash and moisturiser so sensitive on her skin. I used the baby moisturiser on both my children as babies and it was always so gentle." 

The world of prams and pushchairs can seem rather overwhelming to new parents as there are so many to choose from. Our advice would be a travel system as that usually comes in a bundle, ticking multiple to-buy items off the list in one go. This affordable Ickle Bubba option comes with everything from a carrycot that your little one will go in from birth to the car seat and even a changing backpack, footwarmer and raincover.

Both a sunshade and a sleep aid, the SnoozeShade is the accessory you'll see on a lot of buggies – most likely with a sleeping baby underneath! It's designed to make your pram even more sleep friendly as it's essentially a portable blackout blind. The mesh fabric is ultra-breathable and lets air flow freely, unlike a muslin or blanket which can cause your baby to overheat. Plus, the sneak-a-peek zip makes it easy to check on your sleeping baby without disturbing them.  

Content Managing Editor Ainhoa Barcelona said: "Before becoming a mum, I never quite realised how much my baby's nap schedule would dictate whether it would be a good or a bad day. So any product that ensures she sleeps well is a must-buy in my books! The SnoozeShade is an absolute life-saver when it comes to napping on the go. I use it for all of my baby's pram naps when we're out and about as it creates the same dark and cosy environment as when she's doing a cot nap at home. It's easy to attach to any buggy and folds away compactly, plus it provides UV protection. It's the kind of product I wish I'd designed on mat leave and taken to Dragons' Den. It's simple yet genius." 

Not the cutest or the most glamorous item on the list, but we think this will be the biggest godsend. A Korbell nappy bin with ‘whisper lid’ that won’t make noise in the middle of the night and a tamper-proof lid for any inquisitive toddlers.

"Not everyone has a nappy bin, and you may prefer to use your bathroom or kitchen bin, but I found my Korbell bin an absolute must-have. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it really does seal away any bad odours and the continuous liner means it's that little bit more eco-friendly. When you're changing up to ten nappies a day, it really is worth investing in a good nappy bin," Content Managing Editor Ainhoa Barcelona

A white noise machine is ideal for creating the perfect environment for your baby to get some peaceful sleep. Many of them are portable too, meaning you can take it on the go. 

Content Managing Editor Ainhoa Barcelona said: "Anything that will help my baby sleep will always be worth buying, and the Dreamegg white noise machine has been an absolute life-saver. I use it all the time as it effectively blocks out any other noise. It's small and portable so I can hook it onto the buggy for when my baby is napping on the go, plus it has a child lock on it in case she fiddles with it. It also plugs into the mains and has a rechargeable battery, so can play all night for overnight sleep. It's the most effective sleep aid I've found!"

Being able to have some time hands-free to do the washing up or make a cuppa is a new parents' dream and a baby swing allows your little one to be safe, secure and entertained all in one go. This nifty device can be operated with a remote and will play lullabies to soothe them as they gently get rocked.

Danielle Manton-Kelly says: “Leaning into the use of baby swings in order to free the cuddling arms of tired parents can be game changing in allowing parents to get stuff done! This Munchkin swing emulates a parent's loving arms, safely holding the baby in a lie-flat position while offering soothing sounds and music via bluetooth. The peace of mind knowing the baby is content and safe, offers a mental and physical freedom that finally makes a newborn/home/work life balance possible.”

It can be easy to get swept up buying lots of toys and activities for your baby that they may quickly lose interest in or outgrow, which is not only damaging for your bank balance (and the cause of clutter in your home), but also the environment.

Which is where a Whirli toy swap subscription is such a great idea; sign up for your choice of monthly subscription value and you will be assigned tokens to exchange for your choice of over 1,000 toys suitable for little ones from newborn to eight. You can keep the toys for as long as you want, then return when you're finished with them to exchange for something different. You can even rent baby essentials such as strollers and high chairs. Genius!

"After acquiring a lot of clutter and short-lived toys with my first child, I was looking for ways to be more eco-friendly and sustainable with my second, so I thought Whirli was perfect. A subscription would make a great gift for new parents to save them space and cash from the get-go, the only tough part so far has been narrowing down which toys to choose first," Chloe Best, Lifestyle Features Editor.

A safe and soft place for your little one to start to learn to play that's covered in exciting sensory designs to keep them engaged. Also ideal for tummy time, with a lift up mirror and various discovery flaps!

As new parents you may not think about a high chair until your baby is weening, but with the amazing Stokke Steps Chair and bouncer add-on, it can be used for your newborn, to sit them up at the table at mealtimes. The adjustable frame means it will grow with your little one, eventually turning into a handy stool.

Whether you're starting on formula or moving on after breastfeeding, you'll have to become well acquainted with a steriliser. There are lots on the market, but this genius Baby Breeza even dries up to eight bottles at a time!

"I've heard that sterilising is one of the banes of parenthood with endless bottles to wash, sterilise and dry, which is why I'm looking forward to streamlining the process with this one-step wonder. It also has a big enough capacity for breast pump parts so that will come in very handy," Rachel Avery, Homes Editor. 

Did you know you should clean your baby's mouth from when they are born? This adorable bunny-shaped mouth cleaner from MAM is the perfect way to blitz bacteria in your newborn's mouth before you move onto a toothbrush when their teeth come in.