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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAThese are the newborn essentials all soon-to-be parents should have on their shopping lists – from prams to pumps
13:01, 01 Jun 2026Updated 11:45, 15 Jul 2026
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As a first-time mum-to-be, I've quickly learnt that everyone has advice when it comes to babies. Friends, family members and even acquaintances all seem to have their own list of newborn essentials and must-have buys. While every recommendation is well-intentioned, trying to work out what you actually need before your baby arrives can feel seriously overwhelming.
Then there's the cost. Before you've even met your little one, you're looking at prams, cribs, breast pumps, sleepsuits, nappies and countless other baby purchases. The total can add up surprisingly quickly. After doing some serious budgeting, I decided to strip things back and focus on the products I genuinely thought would make life easier during those first few months.
Of course, this is simply my list. Every parent, baby and budget is different, so take what works for you and leave the rest. But after months of research, endless review-reading and plenty of recommendations from other parents, these are the products that made the cut.
The big-spend baby buysA travel system: iCandy Peach 7 BundleFull transparency: I was gifted this travel system by iCandy to review, but my opinions are entirely my own. In fact, several of my friends had already chosen the Peach as their first pram long before I became pregnant, so I'd heard plenty of praise before trying it myself.
Yes, it's an investment purchase, but it's one that genuinely grows with your family. The bundle includes a pushchair chassis and seat unit, a carrycot suitable from birth and approved for overnight sleeping, an infant car seat, ISOFIX base and a range of practical accessories including a cup holder and parasol.
What impressed me most is how future-proof it feels. It converts from a single to a double pram if another baby comes along, features an integrated ride-on board for older siblings and has a huge basket underneath that easily fits everything you'll need for a day out. The puncture-proof tyres are another bonus, especially if you're regularly walking on uneven paths or park trails.
Personally, I'd rather invest in a system that does everything from the outset than continuously buy additional pieces as my child grows. It's one of those purchases that feels expensive initially but could save money further down the line. As for everyday use, I've found it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, even on rougher terrain, and with a bit of practice, folding it into the car boot becomes second nature.
A crib: SnüzPod 5 Bedside CribI've already written a full review of the SnüzPod 5, but if I had to summarise it in one sentence, I'd say it's the best bedside crib I came across during my search.
The standout feature for me is the drop-down side, which makes night feeds and check-ins feel much less disruptive. In those early newborn weeks, being able to reach your baby without fully getting out of bed is a small feature that makes a big difference.
The mesh sides help create an airy, breathable sleeping space while allowing you to keep a close eye on your little one throughout the night. It's also one of the more stylish bedside cribs available, with nine different colourways to choose from, including the new Rouge, Chocolate and Olive shades.
A pump: Elvie Double Breast PumpAs someone planning to pump, I knew this would likely become one of the most-used items in my baby arsenal, which is why I spent so long researching different options before choosing the Elvie Double Pump.
Its biggest selling point is the wearable design. Rather than being attached to tubes and wires, everything fits discreetly inside your bra, allowing you to move around freely while expressing. For me, that convenience alone felt worth paying extra for.
I also love that the accompanying app allows you to track milk output and adjust settings remotely without interrupting what you're doing. The pump automatically switches between stimulation and expression modes, offers multiple intensity levels and doesn't involve an overwhelming number of parts to clean afterwards.
The bundle includes everything needed to get started, including bottles, storage lids and multiple shield sizes, making it a comprehensive package for anyone planning to pump regularly.
A travel cot: Baby Elegance Air2 Travel CotI spend a lot of time at my family home on the south coast, so I know it's worth me investing in a good travel cot to keep there – and to take away on trips when she's a little older. This one is lightweight and quick to put up, and it folds away neatly into a compact carry bag, so it's easy to pop in the car without taking up loads of space.
The breathable mesh sides help keep little ones comfortable, while the cosy mattress means they'll have a familiar place to sleep wherever you are. It can even double up as a safe play space during the day, making it a handy travel essential.
Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep ProIf you're exclusively breastfeeding, this won't be essential. However, as I'm planning to combination feed with both pumped milk and formula, it quickly became one of the products at the top of my wishlist.
Think of it as a coffee machine for baby bottles. Rather than boiling the kettle and waiting for water to cool while your baby becomes increasingly impatient, the machine handles the process for you, preparing a bottle at the correct temperature in around 90 seconds.
Using a built-in filtration system, it purifies the water before dispensing the exact amount required, taking much of the stress and guesswork out of formula preparation.
As someone who loves a gadget, I've been genuinely impressed with how simple it is to use. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, bottle sizes are easy to customise and, perhaps most importantly, I can already see how useful it will be during those inevitable middle-of-the-night feeds. The fact it comes in a stylish Nutmeg colour that suits my kitchen is just an added bonus.
The medium-spend baby buysA carrier: Flybaby Baby CarrierIf there's one baby product I spent far too many hours researching, it was a carrier. Every parent seems to have a different recommendation, and after falling down countless parenting forums and TikTok reviews, I ended up with a fairly specific checklist. I wanted something comfortable for baby, easy enough to put on by myself and, ideally, something that didn't look overly bulky.
The Flybaby carrier ticked every box. Suitable from newborn through to toddlerhood, it offers several carrying positions and has an ergonomic design that supports both parent and baby. What stood out to me straight away was how soft the fabric felt compared to some of the more structured styles I'd looked at.
I've already given it a few practice runs and found it surprisingly simple to clip on and adjust by myself, which was a huge selling point. The padded shoulder straps and lumbar support also make it feel like something I'll be grateful for once I'm carrying around a rapidly growing baby.
There are ten colourways available, but I chose the Leo muted leopard print because it feels stylish without being overly trend-led.
A bouncer: Mamas & Papas Apollo BouncerOne thing nearly every mum I've spoken to has recommended is having somewhere safe to put your baby down during the day. Whether you're making lunch, folding washing or just attempting to drink a hot cup of tea, having an extra pair of hands in the form of a baby seat sounds invaluable.
I could have gone for a very basic option, but I kept thinking about that famous Sex and the City episode where Samantha discovers a vibrating chair is the only thing that will settle Miranda's baby. Whether that's realistic or not, it definitely influenced my decision.
The Apollo combines gentle bouncing and vibration settings with four built-in lullabies, helping soothe little ones when they need a bit of distraction. It also has practical safety features including a three-point harness and non-slip feet, giving me extra peace of mind.
Inglesina Welcome PodThis is one of those purchases that probably falls into the "nice-to-have" category rather than the absolute essentials, but I could see it becoming incredibly useful during those early newborn weeks.
The idea behind the Welcome Pod is simple: it creates a snug, womb-like environment to help babies adjust to life outside the comfort of your bump. As someone who has spent months reading about newborn sleep and soothing techniques, that instantly appealed to me.
The supportive sides and anti-sinking design create a cosy spot for supervised downtime, whether that's relaxing beside you on the sofa or spending time on their tummy during wake windows. It has also earned rave reviews from countless parents who claim it became one of their most-used baby products.
A bottle steriliser: Nuby RapidSterilise PlusEven if breastfeeding is your plan, there may come a point where you want to store expressed milk, introduce bottles or sterilise dummies, which is why I wanted a steriliser that was quick and easy to use.
The Nuby RapidSterilise Plus uses UV technology rather than steam, killing 99.9% of bacteria in as little as one minute. What I particularly like is how compact it is compared to some of the larger countertop sterilisers.
The rechargeable battery offers up to 30 uses per charge, making it practical for travel or simply moving around the house. For under £30, it felt like one of the more affordable additions to my list.
A baby monitor: VTech Night Light Baby MonitorShop it for £34.99 at Smyths Toys
You can spend hundreds on baby monitors, but after reading countless reviews, I realised I didn't necessarily need every bell and whistle available. This VTech model covers all the basics brilliantly. It features a colour screen with digital zoom, two-way talkback, room temperature monitoring and automatic night vision, allowing you to keep an eye on your baby day or night.
There are also built-in lullabies, soothing sounds and a night light, while the battery life is particularly impressive. For the price, it offers everything I'd want from a monitor without stretching the budget unnecessarily.
A pram rocker:If there's one thing experienced parents seem universally exhausted by, it's endless rocking.
The Nuby Jitterbug is designed to do some of that work for you, attaching directly to a pram or stroller and gently rocking it at the touch of a button. Whether you're grabbing a coffee, sitting in the garden or enjoying a lunch out, it provides a helping hand when your baby needs motion to settle.
Anything that potentially gives tired parents a few extra minutes of peace sounds like money well spent to me.
A playmat: Mamas & Papas Playmat & GymEvery new parent I know seems to have a play gym permanently set up somewhere in their living room, so this was always going to make its way onto my shopping list.
I particularly liked this one because the neutral colour palette feels more grown-up than some of the brighter alternatives. While aesthetics aren't the most important thing when shopping for baby products, if something is going to live on your floor for months, it's nice when it blends in with the rest of your home.
The hanging toys, different textures and sensory features are all designed to encourage development and engagement, while the included tummy-time toy and teether offer additional ways to keep little ones entertained.
The smaller-spend baby buysSweet Dreamers Ewan the Dream SheepDon't let the cute appearance fool you — this little sheep has almost cult status among parents.
Designed to recreate the familiar sounds babies hear in the womb, Ewan combines soothing noises with a gentle red glow to create a calming sleep environment. It even includes real heartbeat and womb recordings, which many parents swear by.
The clever cry sensor is my favourite feature. If your baby stirs during the night, it automatically activates to help soothe them back to sleep without you needing to intervene straight away.
JoJo Maman Bébé Changing MatI bought quite a few newborn essentials from JoJo Maman Bébé because I love the brand's playful prints and soft colour palettes.
This Whimsical Woodland changing mat now sits on top of my changing unit and has already become one of my favourite nursery purchases. It's practical, easy to wipe clean and looks much nicer than many of the plain alternatives I came across during my search.
JoJo Maman Bébé Zip SwaddleI'll be honest: traditional swaddling looks far more complicated than social media makes it appear.
That's why I was immediately drawn to this zip-up version. Rather than wrestling with blankets in the middle of the night, you simply zip your baby in and go.
The cosy bear print is adorable, while the roomy design allows for comfortable movement without compromising that snug, secure feeling many newborns love.
JoJo Maman Bébé Ribbed 1 Tog Sleeping BagAs my baby is due during the warmer months, I opted for a lightweight 1 tog sleeping bag rather than a heavier winter version.
The zip opening makes overnight nappy changes easier, and I like that it removes the worry of blankets becoming tangled during sleep. If you're expecting a winter baby, I'd simply recommend choosing a higher tog option.
The true essentialsWhile the products above are the items I've personally researched and chosen, there are a few basics every parent will want to stock up on before baby arrives.