Newborn essentials checklist, what you really need for the first 6 weeks
A practical newborn checklist for the first 6 weeks. What you really need for sleep, feeding, nappies and health, and what you can safely skip.
In this article
For the first 6 weeks, a newborn really needs a safe place to sleep, a way to feed, nappies and wipes, a few simple clothes, a car seat if you drive, and a reliable thermometer. Almost everything else is optional, and a lot of it can wait until you know what your baby actually likes. This checklist splits the essentials from the nice-to-haves and the things most parents end up never using.
The early weeks are about sleep, feeding and getting to know each other. Buying less at the start leaves you more money and space for what you discover you need later.
What do I actually need for a newborn?
Here is the short version, grouped by what you will be doing all day.
Sleep
- A cot, crib or Moses basket with a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress
- Two or three fitted sheets for that mattress
- A couple of baby sleeping bags (sleep sacks) of the right size and warmth for your room, or simple cellular blankets tucked in firmly at shoulder height with baby's feet at the foot of the cot
Keep the sleep space clear: no pillows, bumpers, duvets or soft toys. Our guide to safe sleep basics explains the current advice in detail.
Wearable sleep sack
Keeps baby warm without loose blankets in the cot. Check the TOG for your room.
Feeding
- If breastfeeding: a few nursing bras, breast pads, and something comfortable to sit in. A pillow can help but is not essential.
- If formula feeding: first infant formula, around six bottles and teats, a bottle brush, and a way to sterilise (a steriliser, or boiling, depending on your setup).
- A stack of muslin cloths. You cannot have too many.
Nappies and changing
- Newborn or size 1 nappies (diapers). Newborns go through a lot of them each day.
- Water wipes or cotton wool and warm water for the first weeks
- A barrier cream for nappy rash
- A changing mat. It can live on the floor, the bed or a dresser top.
Newborn and size 1 nappies
A bulk box costs less per nappy than the small packs. Newborns use 8 to 12 a day.
Clothes
- 6 to 8 bodysuits (vests)
- 6 to 8 sleepsuits with poppers or zips
- A couple of soft hats for going out in cooler weather
- A cardigan or jacket and some socks
Buy some newborn size and some 0 to 3 months. Many babies skip newborn sizes within a few weeks, and some never fit them at all.
Getting about
- A rear-facing car seat that suits your car, if you will travel by car. In many places hospitals expect you to have one before you drive home.
- A pram or pushchair suitable from birth, or a soft carrier, or both.
Health and care
- A digital thermometer. Ask your pharmacist which type suits a newborn.
- Baby nail file or clippers
- A gentle, fragrance-free wash, or just water for the first weeks
- A soft towel
Digital baby thermometer
A thermometer you trust matters more than any app. Ask your pharmacist which type suits your baby's age.
What newborn items can I skip?
These are the things many parents buy, then barely use. None of them are needed in the first 6 weeks:
- Cot bumpers, pillows and positioners. These are not recommended in a baby's sleep space.
- Baby shoes. Babies who are not walking do not need them.
- A wipe warmer. Room temperature wipes are fine.
- Lots of newborn outfits. Bodysuits and sleepsuits are what you will actually use.
- A huge toy collection. Your face and voice are the best entertainment right now.
- Expensive changing tables. A mat on a safe, low surface works just as well.
- Fancy bath products. Water is enough for most newborns, especially in the early weeks.
What should I buy later instead of now?
Some things are useful, just not yet. Waiting means you can choose based on your real baby, not an imagined one.
- High chair, bibs and spoons. You will need these from around 6 months when you start solids.
- Baby gates and socket covers. Not needed until your baby is rolling and crawling.
- A bigger cot. If you start with a Moses basket, you have a few months before the cot.
- Activity gym and toys. Lovely from a few weeks onwards, but not urgent.
- A breast pump. Many mums only need one if they are going back to work or want someone else to do a feed. Some hospitals or clinics can advise on hiring one.
- Teething toys. Teeth usually appear months later.
How many nappies does a newborn use?
A lot. Newborns commonly go through 8 to 12 nappies a day, sometimes more. That is why it is worth buying a bigger box rather than small packs, but not too many in newborn size, as babies grow out of them quickly. Our monthly baby essentials list covers the items you will keep rebuying and some simple ways to spend less on them.
What should I keep track of in the first weeks?
In the early weeks, midwives and health visitors often ask how many feeds and wet or dirty nappies your baby has had, and they will weigh your baby. Writing this down on a sleep-deprived night is harder than it sounds, so many parents use their phone.
Baby Growth Tracker Pro has a daily care log where you can record feeds, nappies, sleep and temperature in one tap, and a growth chart for weight based on WHO standards. It also has a vaccine schedule planner for Portugal, the UK, the US and WHO, plus reminders. It works offline and does not need an account. See the Baby Growth Tracker page for more.
If you have any worries about your newborn's feeding, weight or temperature, please talk to your midwife, health visitor, doctor or paediatrician. This checklist is a practical guide, not medical advice.
A quick printable list
If you just want the essentials in one place, this is it:
- Safe sleep space, firm flat mattress, fitted sheets
- Baby sleeping bags or cellular blankets
- Feeding kit for breast or bottle, plus muslins
- Nappies, wipes, barrier cream, changing mat
- Bodysuits, sleepsuits, hat, cardigan, socks
- Car seat and pram or carrier
- Digital thermometer, nail file, soft towel
You can find all the categories above in our baby shop, organised by what you will use them for.
Frequently asked questions
How many baby clothes do I need for the first 6 weeks?
Around 6 to 8 bodysuits and 6 to 8 sleepsuits is plenty for most families, plus a hat and a cardigan. If you do laundry less often, add a few more.
Do I need a baby bath?
No. Many parents bathe newborns in a clean sink or with a sponge bath, or in the big bath with an adult. A baby bath is handy but optional.
Is a baby monitor essential?
Not for everyone. Current advice is for your baby to sleep in the same room as you for the first 6 months, so many parents do not need a monitor in the early weeks.
When should I start buying baby things?
Many parents start in the second trimester and finish the essentials by around 36 weeks. Leave the nice-to-haves until after the birth.
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