Buying for a baby (and their Mumma)

Sep 11, 2024

5 min read

If you're in the process of setting up a baby shower registry (eg. myregistry), shopping for yourself, or looking for ideas for a baby shower gift, I have you covered! I have compiled a list of essential items as well as desired ones, along with helpful tips and links to products.

The 'Basics'

Car (don't forget Dads car too)

Car seat: I'd recommend looking for an 'extended rear facing (ERF)' seat, so you can have your baby rear facing (safest) as long as (legally) possible. Britax Graphene is a popular choice (it's compact too), and Infasecure Attain is another similar product.
There's different variations such as whether it has isofix (if your car has isofix, it's easier for install than a seatbelt, but both options are just as safe), and different colours/material options
Car Seat Mirrors (simple mirror vs fancy camera/video)
Capsule: consider whether you need one. Baby is only in them for about 6months. They're handy, but not essential - unless you have multiple children, then they are very handy. Tip: You can hire them which will save you $$

Pram

Consider things like if you want a double pram option, good basket space, its weight, how it maneuvers, size. I love my Uppababy Vista (double pram). Friends also love bugaboo.

Nappy Bag

I highly recommend the functionality of a backpack style nappy bag I quite like my oioi nappy bag.

Something 'nice' but not necessarily 'needed'

Pram seat covers. I treated myself at harmonyj for ours
Pram blankets
Pram accessories: coffee cup holder, snack tray
I refused to pay the ridiculous prices for branded accessories, and my universal coffee cup (and phone) holder does just fine!

Sleep

Baby monitor
White noise machine (portable option too)
Red light (red light doesn't inhibit melatonin, so use for visibility during overnight feeds)
Sleep suits/swaddles
I splurged & love my snugglehoney blanket/swaddles

Tip: As a sleep consultant, an old school, snug swaddle/muslin wrap is 100% what I recommend to get the full calming/sleep benefit from 'swaddling', but as a Mum I appreciate the convenience of a zip. A good start is ergococoon (option to to do arms out, and it's snug with arms tucked right in), or a velcro swaddle to get the most snug fit.

Cot & Bassinet

Mattresses
Sheets (check correct size)
Mattress protectors (check correct size)

Tip: get multiple sheets/protectors & have layers on the cot to allow for quick changes overnight (sheet/protector/sheet/protector)

Avoid unsafe sleep products such as cot bumpers, dokatots, loose blankets/bedding, mattress padding, sleep positioners/pillows/head shapers.

Just because it’s sold here, unfortunately doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Something 'nice' but not necessarily 'needed'

Feeding/rocking nursery chair
A sleep & settling session with a sleep consultant! I'm a tad biased, but what better gift for parents of a newborn than SLEEP. There's so much you can learn, and it's infinitely easier to take in information before you're sleep deprived with a newborn! I know before I had my first, I didn't know what a wake window was, overtired vs undertired, or the real benefits of a good SNUG swaddle.

Baby Hygiene

Bum

Nappies, wipes & bum cream:
Tip: get a few brands but don't stock up too much on any particular brand - you'll probably find one brand 'fits' or 'works' better than another, and your baby might be sensitive to some
Change table or silicone change mat (my kmart one is great, or leander)
On-the-go change mat

Bath

Baby bath or baby bath seat
Baby soap/ shampoo/ moisturiser (gaia or QV are great)
Baby hooded towels & wash cloths

Health/First Aid

Nail clippers (snail nail or electric baby nail file)
Nose aspirator
Baby panadol
Baby FESS
Thermometer (VICKS has a good digital under arm one)
Terry towels (vomit cloths!)

Something 'nice' but not necessarily 'needed'

Cradle cap cream (moo goo is great)
Nappy bin + refills
Nappy caddy (to be honest, I'd argue this is 'needed').
Cute little outfits Tip: Go for bigger sizes (and consider what season it will be when the clothes fit; if they're born in Summer, then at 6 months it'll be winter). Best & Less are great for premmie size outfits

Mumma bear

TENS machine Tip: if you're planning to have multiple children (and want to use a TENS machine for labour), consider buying a TENS machine rather than hiring; it could be more cost effective (plus you can share with friends too).

Recovery

Maternity Pads
Disposable underwear (you can use this at the same time as maternity pads if you need, just trust me)
Flushable wet wipes (trust me again)
Peri bottle (THIS! Just trust me)
Big water bottle, panadol & nurofen
Heat pack (pregnancy, labour & after pains)

Boobs

Hydrogel breast discs (Rite Aid)
Breast Pads (disposable vs re-usable)
Nipple Cream

Comfort

Maternity/feeding PJs (buttons for feeding)
Feeding bras
Feeding singlets (eg target actually use bra sizes, ripe)
Dressing gown
Massage voucher (pregnancy or postnatal)
Post c-section friendly briefs (eg. bonds)
Shaping shorts for (non-clinical) post-partum compression (eg. kmart)

Something 'nice' but not necessarily 'needed'

Re-usable maternity ice/gel packs & sleeves (eg. body ice)
A sleep & settling session with a sleep consultant! I'm a tad biased, but what better gift for a mumma than SLEEP
Coffee machine ;)
Silverettes
Pre-cooked, frozen meals (eg. dinner ladies)

Dadda

Masculine nappy bag

Feeding

Bottles (eg avent)
Tip: Get a variety incase baby is fussy. Try get ones that will match with your breast pump (they're not all compatible)
Bottle brush
Steriliser (electric vs microwave vs microwave pouches vs good old stove top)
Bottle warmer
Dummies (variety incase baby is fussy)

Expressing

Milk storage bags (eg. medela)
?Pump (last time I looked, spectra is a winner, but also $$)
?Manual pump (especially when you go out)
Tip: Speak to a lactation consultant to decide what's best for you. Chances are you may not need a pump. You've also got the option of hiring one.

Mumma

Feeding pillow

Something 'nice' but not necessarily 'needed'

Dummy clips
A consult with a lactation consultant
Formula making machine

Play

Baby carrier (ergoomni 360 for good support, can also get a light weight cloth like one for around the house when they're little)
Play mat (?foam option especially if they have hard floors)
Splash mat/picnic rug (eg. rudie nudie)
Tip: useful for nappy free time, messy play, picnics, beach trips
Baby proofing essentials (furniture anchors, cupboard/draw/cabinet latches, baby gates, outlet covers, corner guards, fireplace bumper)

Toys

Teethers (eg. WILD Ozzy) Tip: Banana teether - recommended by osteo to also support tongue strength/mobility to help prepare for solids
Black/white developmental toys/books
Picture books
Walker
O-Ball (also recommended by my osteo - great first toy as it's light, easy to grip & makes noise)
Building blocks
Play gym