Baby equipment you need Baby equipment essentials

Essential baby equipment: choose a Best Buy child car seat

In the weeks before your baby is born, you'll probably be busy stocking up on the nursery and baby equipment you'll need for those first days and weeks after your little one arrives. 

Our checklist helps sort the absolute baby essentials you'll need from day one from the extra, 'nice-to-have', baby equipment.

Baby equipment you'll need from day one

1. Child car seat

You'll need a Group 0+ car seat to take your baby home from the hospital after birth. In our child car seat tests we haven't found many carry-cots or lie-flat child car seats that protect children adequately, and for this reason we don't generally recommend them.

Take a look at our independent and rigorous review of child car seats for details of latest Best Buys, as well as Don't Buy child car seats you should avoid. Plus, check out our guide to choosing a child car seat for more help and advice.

2. Moses basket, crib, cradle or cot 

Choose a cot, moses basket or crib for your baby to sleep in.

• Moses basket: compact, portable and cosy; only usable for the first few months.
• Crib or cradle: rocking motion may help baby to sleep; more expensive than a moses basket.
• Cot: cots come in all shapes and sizes – our guide to choosing a cot takes you through how to find one that suits your baby.

Stock up on nappies for your new baby

3. Mattress and bedding

You'll need a suitable mattress and bedding to go with whatever sleeping equipment you go for. Our advice on baby bedding and buying a mattress can help you find the essential items.

4. Clothing

Take a look at our newborn baby clothes page for more information.

5. Nappies

The average baby goes through around 5,000 nappies - our nappies guide takes you through the types of nappy available, or you could consider using reusable nappies.

6. Pram or a pushchair suitable from birth

Choose between a buggy, travel system (pushchair with child car seat) or all-terrain pushchair that's suitable from birth. Our pushchair reviews have the latest Best Buy pushchairs, buggies and travel systems, and our guide to buying the best pushchair will help you pick the right model for you and your baby.

Our interactive pushchair tool weighs up the pros and cons of the different pushchair types available.

Buy a Best Buy pushchair that's suitable from birth

7. Towel

Look for a soft towel just for your baby's use.

8. Detergent for washing clothes

You'll need a washing detergent suitable for your baby's sensitive skin – our newborn baby clothes page on this guide contains more tips.

9. Changing mat or changing unit

Nappy changing mats are padded and have slightly raised sides to prevent your baby wriggling off the mat, while a changing table enables you to change your baby's nappy at a comfortable waist-height.

10. Baby wipes

You'll be buying these for as long as your baby is using nappies. There are significant price differences between supermarket own-brands and big-brand names. Try the own-brands first – they may suit your baby perfectly well.

You'll need a changing mat or changing unit

11. Muslin cloths and bibs

These can protect your baby's clothes from spillages and accidents. A muslin over the shoulder will also protect your clothes if you're winding your baby after feeding.

12. Scratch mittens

These are to stop little ones from scratching their faces.

13. Breast pads

Choose between washable, disposable and even thermal breast pads – you'll probably need to use them even if you're not breast-feeding your newborn baby.

14. Cotton wool

Will be helpful with a range of cleaning and care tasks.

15. Shawl or blanket

Can come in handy when you're out and about with your baby.

Essential baby equipment if you are breastfeeding

16. Feeding bra

Look for a comfortable and supportive bra – don't buy too early, as your bra size may change.

17. Breast pump

A breast pump allows you to express milk for your baby. Choose between:

• electric breast pump: quick, durable and easy-to-use; dependent on a plug point.
• manual breast pump: cheaper, quiet and compact; can be slower and tiring to use.

Our review of breast pumps will help you understand your choices and find a Best Buy breast pump which comes highly recommended by other mothers. 

The NHS offers advice on breastfeeding, as does the National Childbirth Trust and the La Leche League.

18. Baby bottles

It's sensible to invest in five or more bottles and teats so you've got a ready stock. You'll need these whether you're going to feed your baby breastmilk that you've expressed, or you're bottle feeding.

19. Sterilising equipment

This is to ensure your baby equipment for feeding is completely clean and germ-free. There is a range of sterilisers out there, including microwave sterilisers and electric steam sterilisers.

Essential baby equipment if you're bottle feeding

20. Formula milk, baby bottles and sterilising equipment

Aptamil, Cow & Gate and SMA are among the best-selling baby formula milk brands on the market. See above for bottles and sterilising equipment.

A baby monitor is worth considering

Useful baby equipment worth considering:

• baby monitor – see our baby monitor reviews for current Best Buys
• changing bag
• small nail clippers
• dummies
• reclined cradle
• baby bath or bath supports (but a washing-up bowl in the sink or the main bath will do fine).

Household items you'll be thankful for:

• an efficient and reliable washing machine and possibly a tumble dryer
• a clothes drying rack if you don't have a tumble dryer
• a microwave for sterilising and thawing frozen baby food later on.

You'll find more information and advice on buying baby equipment such as pushchairs, child car seats and feeding accessories in the Which? book Baby and Toddler Essentials.