The ultimate baby checklist

Getting ready to welcome a new addition? Here’s all you’ll need, from muslins to monitors and more

Feeling like there are a thousand things you need to get ready before your baby arrives? It can be daunting but, with our baby checklist, you’ll have all the essentials covered. Our top tip is to start early, spacing out your shopping to make things easier on your bank balance (and your sanity).

For an extra helping hand, book a free appointment with one of our All Things Baby experts online or in-store to run through all the necessities, giving you more time to think about important things such as baby names...

A bedside crib The NHS recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months. A bedside crib is designed to fit next to your bed, making it super helpful for night feeds. During the day, a Moses basket or DockATot pod can be handy for keeping your little one near you for naps.

Cot or cotbed Babies grow out of their bedside crib by about six months old, at which point they can move into a cot or cotbed. What’s the difference? A cotbed is slightly larger than a standard cot and has removable sides, meaning it can be transformed into a toddler bed later. If you’re reusing a cot you’ve used previously, it is recommended that you buy a new mattress for your newborn.

Fitted cot sheets You’ll be changing bedding a lot in the early days, so have at least four or five fitted cot sheets, and don’t forget the all-important waterproof mattress protector. 

Blankets Stock up on blankets and baby bedding, but remember; no pillows, quilts or duvets until your little one hits 12 months. Cellular blankets can be safely layered, allowing air to circulate and helping to regulate your baby’s temperature.

Sleeping bags and swaddles Swaddling a baby can give them the same cocooned feeling they experienced in the womb. Alternatively, you can opt for a sleeping bag; choose the thickness based on the season – the lower the tog, the lighter the sleeping bag.

Nighttime accessories A room thermometer, white noise or lullaby machine and night light are all handy baby bedroom gadgets. For peace of mind, a video baby monitor is great. The new generation of smart baby monitors link up to an app that allows you to monitor information like heart rate and oxygen levels.

Nursing bras Essential if you’re breastfeeding, there’s a huge range of maternity or nursing bras, all designed for comfort. Many have handy clips or fastenings to make feeding easier, and you can add breast pads to help deal with any leaks. Expressing your milk? Breast pumps range from a silicone hand pump to the Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump, an ultra-quiet, wearable pump that lets you go about your day while you express.

Bottles and accessories If you’re bottle feeding, you’ll need a selection with slow-flow teats, but be prepared: you’ll likely need to try a few designs before finding the one your baby prefers. You’ll also need a bottle brush and steriliser – some models, such as this one by Vital Baby, use LED lights to clean everything without the need for water or tablets.

Muslins These large cotton squares are hard-working multitaskers, from wiping up spills to covering you up if you want a bit of privacy when breastfeeding. And there are plenty of designs, meaning you’ll find something to suit your tastes.

High chair

While you don’t need a high chair in the early days, it’s definitely worth thinking about sooner rather than later – weaning comes round a lot faster than you’d imagine. Choose a design that puts your baby’s comfort first, but is also easy to wipe clean three times a day.

Baby bath or bath support A small baby bath that can be used anywhere is the eco choice (as it saves water), otherwise a bath support is designed to sit in an existing tub. You need one or the other – it would be hard (and even unsafe) to hold your baby in your arms every time you bathe them.

A changing station Babies need a lot of nappy changes. The key is to set up a changing station with everything you need close to hand. If you have space, a changing table is a practical option, but a portable changing mat plus a basket of wipes, nappies and cream also works perfectly.

Towels or robes Few things are cuter than a baby straight out of the bath; choose a super soft towel with a hood to keep them warm. Cute animal design optional. Whatever style you’re looking for, we’ve got all the baby towels and robes you need.

Baby toiletries You’ll need baby shampoo and a hairbrush to get your little one used to hair washes from an early age. A baby’s fingernails grow quickly, but are so little they can be hard to trim with nail clippers initially; the Tommee Tippee healthcare kit contains perfect angled scissors and other essentials. Don’t forget to purchase a thermometer for when illness strikes, and a humidifier.

Car seat A rear-facing infant car seat is essential for taking your baby home from hospital – you can’t leave by car without one. At John Lewis we have a selection of the most dependable car seat brands, including Maxi-Cosi (read our review of the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro i-Size) and Cybex.

You can book an appointment with one of our All Things Baby experts to help you choose the right model for your car, and to ensure you feel confident fitting it before your baby’s arrival.

Prams and pushchairs When it comes to choosing a pram, think about your lifestyle. Do you need a lightweight buggy to move on and off public transport easily, or a more sturdy model for countryside life? Most importantly, check that the pram you buy is suitable to be used from birth (some are only designed for six-month-olds and upwards) and can be reclined fully for napping on the go.

A travel system will last until your child is a toddler. They consist of a base, a carrycot (for a newborn) and a pushchair seat (for when they can sit up). Some come with a car seat but, if yours doesn’t, you can choose a separate model that attaches to your base with special adaptors.

It pays to go with a model from a trusted brand, such as Nuna's TRIV Next Stroller, which packs up easily and stands on its own when folded. We’ve also road-tested the Bugaboo Butterfly. Explore all of the options in our prams and pushchairs buying guide.

Baby carrier or sling A baby carrier means you can keep your baby close when on the move, freeing up your hands to do the shopping, cooking or any other tasks that need to be completed. Invest in a well-reviewed brand that your baby will fit in until they’re too heavy to carry.

Changing bag Home to everything from nappies and wipes to a spare set of clothes, a changing bag will be your on-the-go essential (and default best friend). Our range includes brands such as Finnsøn which also scores highly in the style stakes.

You’ll be surprised how many times you have to change your baby’s clothes in a single day, but don’t buy too much for their mini wardrobe. Babies grow so quickly that each size of clothing will only fit them for a few months (at most). 

As a rule, ten bodysuits and ten sleepsuits should be enough to begin with. Then add three or four knits that can be layered over the top. Lots of sleepsuits have built-in socks and scratch mittens, but get a few pairs of each for daytime. When you’re out and about, take a pramsuit and a hat. Our newborn clothes will kit out your new arrival with maximum cuteness while keeping them warm whatever the weather.

We offer both in-store and virtual appointments where you can speak to our experts for advice with your essential baby, toddler and child purchases.

Our appointments cover buying everything you need for babies and children, from the perfect car seat and cot to smaller items such as clothes and toys. The appointments are free, with no pressure to buy and no minimum spend, and we’ll email you a personalised shopping list after your appointment.

To find out more click here.