The big day is almost here: congratulations!

As you progress through your pregnancy you will begin to prepare for your life with a new little human and you will no doubt be thinking about all the essentials you might need for their impending arrival.

Knowing what to buy so you are fully prepared to care for your baby can be overwhelming and you might not know where to start.

We have put together the ultimate newborn shopping list for new parents with some amazing products and suggestions for what to get before you bring home your little one.

Read on, to add some of these essential items to your baby register or newborn shopping list.

1. Baby carrier

While you are pregnant your baby is curled up inside of your tummy and that feeling of connection is important for newborn babies.

Many newborn babies will prefer to be held close as they establish their surroundings and a baby carrier is an essential item for newborns, to make them feel safe, and will also allow you to carry them hands-free.

Choose a baby carrier from a reputable manufacturer that has taken into consideration both the comfort of the baby and the health of the parents back. Many baby carriers can be used for young babies with the help of an infant insert and then can be used when the baby is older and even as a toddler.

A baby carrier is a brilliant accessory to use to create a close bond with your baby while allowing you the use of your arms and can be used around the home or for venturing outside for walks with your little one tucked up close.

The MiaMily hip seat baby carrier has been specifically designed to support the hip health of babies and children as well as considering the comfort and back support of the parent. Their hip carriers have a newborn bundle, and the carrier can even store small items such as nappies and wipes.

2. Baby Bouncer – The Ultimate Newborn Shopping List

There will be moments when you cannot physically hold your baby, for example when you are cooking or eating, and you will need to put them down somewhere safe. A baby bouncer seat is a great item that you can strap newborns into while you take a much-needed break to make a cup of coffee.

Most bouncers allow babies to either lay flat or upright and they are lightweight enough to move around the home. Your baby might not appreciate it at first but as they grow used to it, they will enjoy being able to bounce and look around from an upright position.

Baby bouncers are available from most baby departments and vary in design with some including small attachable toys to keep babies occupied, vibration options, and even options to play music.

Make sure to choose a bouncer that offers support for your baby’s head and neck and is suitable for newborns.

The BabyBjörn bouncer is a popular choice due to its simple design and lightweight frame, allowing babies to safely bounce away.

Photo by Christopher Luther on Unsplash

3. Muslin Squares

Muslin squares, bibs, or blankets are a must-have item for any newborn parent and their uses are endless.

You can pick up cotton muslin squares in most baby isles and stores and they are brilliant for catching spills, and dribbles and for placing over your clothes when you are feeding and burping your baby, because feeding time can become a messy business.

Muslin Squares often come in multipacks and ranges in sizes and if you are wondering how many to buy, buy more than you think as they are so useful and will no doubt be a well-used item.

Larger muslin blankets are brilliant for covering babies with a light layer during summer or acting as a blanket in the park or as a breastfeeding cover when out and about.

Muslin squares also double up as baby bibs when babies start to wean so they are a multi-use long-lasting item to have.

4. Bottle Making System

If you are formula feeding or you are planning to pump and bottle feed your breastmilk, a bottle system, that includes bottles, bottle cleaners, teats, and lids, is an absolute necessity item to have.

There are so many options when it comes to bottle feeding and it is always good to have a backup of bottles, even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed.

Most bottle systems include sterilizers and bottle warmers which are essential for cleaning bottles and warming up bottled milk (both formula and breastmilk) quickly, especially in the middle of the night.

For anyone planning to formula feed, you should consider adding a bottle maker to your list, which will make bottles to the correct temperature with the correct amount of water to formula ratio and even filter the water.

All within two minutes. An ingenious item that you will thank yourself for buying during the 3 am night feeds. Tommee Tippee has an excellent range of bottle systems designed for newborns including the Perfect Prep machine that prepares bottles for you.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

5. Swaddles – The Ultimate Newborn Shopping List

Newborn babies like to feel safe and secure, and they will often get upset when they are placed in their cots or prams because they cannot feel the embrace and closeness of their parents.

Newborns especially are used to the feeling of being curled up in the womb and swaddling mimics that feeling.

Swaddling a baby will help them feel a sense of security and can help soothe a young baby and can be a great sleeping aid. Swaddling can also help prevent babies from waking themselves up with their Moro reflex, which is an instinct all humans are born with and causes a baby to suddenly startle.

You can buy swaddle blankets that have stitched-in sections including velcro fastenings to make wrapping them up easier or you can use a large breathable piece of fabric such as a muslin to wrap them following a tutorial. Aden and Anais have a brilliant selection of swaddling muslin blankets and they also have this helpful tutorial on their website.

6. Baby monitor

There are many baby gadgets you can buy; however, a baby monitor is a classic gadget to keep a close eye on your little one when you are in another room.

They are particularly useful if they need to nap in a quiet room during the day or when they are an older baby and are sleeping in their bedroom.

Many baby monitors come with screens and cameras so you can check they are sleeping safely without disturbing them and some monitors even have options to play lullabies or to speak to your baby through the monitor.

As your baby grows up you can even use the monitor in their playroom to keep a watchful eye while you are busy in another room.

The Owlet baby monitor is highly reviewed and offers a range of monitors and products to keep your baby safe.

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

These are just some of the essential items that should be on any new parent-to-be newborn shopping list and will hopefully give you a head start on preparing for the impending birth of your baby.

Knowing what to buy can be daunting but remember that everyone learns on the job when it comes to having their first baby.

We hope this list has helped take some of the stress out of newborn baby shopping and you will love the suggestions we have added to this Ultimate Newborn Shopping List; Part 1 (part 2 to follow!).

Want to know more?

Sarah Walton Photography is a specialist Maternity, Baby and Newborn photography studio based in Steeton, Keighley – within easy reach of Skipton, Ilkley, Leeds and Bradford.

Read about my Maternity sessions here https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/maternity-photo-shoots/

or explore other baby first year photoshoots:

• Newborn Sessions: https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/newborn-baby-photography/

• First Birthday Cake Smash & Splash Sessions: https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/cake-smash/