Are you expecting your first baby? You might be wondering what basic equipment you need for the baby? Well, we have prepared a list of our favourite things, to make it a bit easier for you. Instead of having to scour the internet through various pages, we have prepared an all in one list! Just print it out and go shopping or order it all online. Most of the items should be bought before the baby is born, but some of them can also be bought later.

FURNITURE:

• Crib: We would recommend buying a crib with wheels, which will allow you to move it to any room in the house, instead of buying another item such as basket etc.
• Mattress: hard. There is also an option of a 2 sided mattress, hard from one side for an infant and softer on the another side for a toddler.
• Waterproof, breathable cover for the mattress (or buy a mattress which already has a waterproof surface and washable cover)
• Changing table and changing mat plus protection for the mat. If you don’t have space for a new piece of furniture, don’t worry. A changing mat is something you will only use for about six months, until the baby starts moving too much. You can easily buy just a mat with a cover and put it on the bed when changing the baby, or you can purchase a small foldable changing table.
• Comfortable armchair for breastfeeding (optional) 
• Crib bumpers – be aware of SIDS danger (optional)

SLEEPING

• Sheets: at least 3 – 4 
• Swaddle wrap/sleeping bag: 2-3 (warm or light depending on the season), blanket (no pillow, in the beginning)
• Breathing monitor – to help with SIDS prevention. For some people, this is optional, but for most, it is a necessity. It will give you peace of mind that the baby is breathing whilst sleeping. An alarm goes off, if the baby skips a breath. 
• Pacifiers (optional)
• White noise machine (optional)- creates the same noise that babies hear in the womb
• Baby monitor (sound or video) – you will need this only when/if your baby sleeps in a room other than your bedroom
• Nest (optional)
• Foam positioners (optional)- against flat head and anti-roll-over

BREASTFEEDING and FEEDING

• Breast pump – manual or electric. You might think that you won’t need it, but even if you are at home with the baby and breastfeeding full time, pumping helps create a larger supply of milk, so a pump is handy.
• Baby bottles – I recommend having at least one at home, even if you breastfeed. Be prepared for any situation.
• Bibs 
• A small package of formula milk. It is a good idea to be prepared, in case your baby suddenly stops wanting breastmilk. It could happen at night or even over a weekend so it is best to have a bit of formula milk at hand.
• A phone number for a lactation advisor – always good to know who to call when problems occur. 
• Scales for infants – to weight the baby and track their weight gain.
• Breastfeeding pillow (optional)- you can also use an ordinary pillow
• Sterilizer (optional)- you can also sterilize the bottles in boiling water, but it saves time to have sterilizer if you use bottles
• Bottle warmer (optional)- it is not completely necessary but more of a convenient tool to have. Milk, or later food in glasses can also be heated in an ordinary water bath.

CHANGING:

• Diapers – it is up to each person, whether they choose cloth or disposable diapers
• Bucket with lid for disposable diapers
• Wipes or textile sheets (tissues) which are dipped into water 
• Bum ointment
• Square cotton diapers – they are useful for everything from drooling, to using as a pad when changing, or wiping after a bath 
• Disposable changing pads – when traveling or on the go

OUTSIDE and TRAVELLING:

• Stroller – the choice of the stroller is determined by your lifestyle and terrain.
• Infant car seat (usually up to 18 months): There are two options to consider when buying a stroller and car seat –  you can buy a stroller and car seat separately or a 3 in 1 travel system – that means bassinet, sporty seat (for a bigger, sitting baby), and a car seat, which can be used with the same frame. It’s also good to have a waterproof cover for the stroller, for when it’s raining. Depending on the size of your car, house or lift you use, choosing a foldable stroller, can be very convenient.
• Changing bag – bag with clips, which can be clicked to the stroller
• Down footmuff for winter and light one for spring/autumn
• Clip for pacifier
• Baby carrier (optional): practical if you quickly want to “pop out” of the house and don’t want to pack the whole stroller or when traveling to places with many steps or hills. Although many companies write that their carriers are from newborn age, some doctors recommend you only start using them after a few months. 
• Cup holder for stroller – for coffee lovers

HYGIENE, COSMETICS, HEALTH:

• Bathtub – The classic one or the one with a bump at the bottom, which holds the baby in a half-sitting position so you don’t need to hold their head.
• Soft towels
• Soap – you can only bath the baby in clean water at the beginning, but later you can use baby soap, oil or shower gel
• Baby oil or cream for body
• Nail scissors (with a round top)
• 60% Alcohol and small gauze swabs or sterile squares – to treat the navel
• Rectal Pipe – when a baby is little and suffers with colic, it is a pretty good helper, but keep in mind, it is not good to use it too often
• Mucus suction device – for a vacuum cleaner or manual (manual is needed for trips)
• Essential medicine – ask your pediatrician which essential medicine to buy. It’s good to have at least something for fever at home. You will probably also need some drops against gas, probiotic drops to help digestion and vitamin D drops. All medicine should be prescribed or recommended by your doctor. Always double-check that what you buy is suitable for newborns.
• Thermometer
• Hairbrush (for when the baby has hair)
• Cotton buds for babies
• Sponge
• For when they start teething, an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste
• Thermometer for bath water (optional)

TOYS:

Babies, until about three months old, don’t pay attention to toys. Whenever you buy any toys, make sure it’s age appropriate.That should also guide you, in terms of what toys to buy. Avoid small particles that could be swallowed.

Tip for saving money: If you can’t buy everything new, look at second hand options. Many hospitals also rent out products, such as breathing monitors or infant scales. This is something you will only need for few months, so why not rent it?

CLOTHES FOR BABY/starting kit:

• 10 overalls (one piece), ideally footed (for winter baby all of them with long sleeves, for summer baby with short sleeves or a combination) the most practical ones have a zipper at the front
• 8 baby grows or bodysuits (short or long sleeves, depending on the season) ideally with buttons at the front, not over the neck
• 6 pairs of trousers, ideally footed or rompers
• 6 pairs of socks
• 4 pairs of cotton gloves (for winter baby plus 2 warmer pairs)
• 2 light cotton caps (for a winter baby also 2 warm caps)
• for a winter baby, 1 warm outdoor puffer bundler/snowsuit
• 2 -3 sweaters or sweatshirts
• For newborn babies, 1st layer should always be 100% cotton.

The above list should be enough as a starting kit to then decide what type of clothes is needed most, depending on what you use most or how fast the baby grows.

We recommend you always check the size of clothes in cm/in (this should be written on the label) rather than just buying according to months. If you have a baby under 3kg, you can start buying from size 50 cm up (mix of 50, 56, 62 cm for the first few months) If your baby is closer to 4kg, start with 56 cm.