Pregnancy Essentials: What to Buy Before Baby Arrives

These pregnancy essentials cover what to buy before baby arrives, so you can bring your newborn home with the basics sorted. Start with the items you need on day one, then add the rest over the following weeks.

Work through it at your own pace. Our Hospital Bag Checklist and Nursery Checklist go into more detail.

Pregnancy essentials for the trip home

You will need a rear-facing restraint fitted before you leave hospital. A baby capsule clicks in and out of the car and can often attach to your pram, while a convertible car seat stays fitted and grows with your child. Our Car Checklist covers mirrors, shades and other extras.

Prams and getting out and about

Think about where you will use the pram most: footpaths, shopping centres, the boot of your car or public transport. Browse prams and strollers, or travel prams if you need something compact.

A nappy bag and a baby carrier are useful for short trips. See the Out and About Checklist.

Setting up the nursery

Most families start with a bassinet or co-sleeper in the parents' room, then move to a cot. A change table and dresser keep everything within reach.

Our cot and mattress packages are a simple way to sort the sleep space in one go.

Feeding and night feeds

A supportive nursing chair or glider makes night feeds more comfortable, and a nursing pillow helps with positioning. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed or both, the Feeding Checklist lists the basics.

Comforts for mum

Pregnancy and the early weeks are physically demanding. Our For Mum range has practical items for pregnancy, recovery and feeding.

Gifts and baby showers

If friends and family ask what you need, point them to our baby shower gifts or gifts for mum.

FAQs

What are the most important things to buy before baby arrives?
A car seat or capsule for the trip home, a safe sleep space such as a bassinet or cot, feeding supplies, nappy-change basics and a few sets of clothing and wraps. Everything else can be added as you go.

When should I buy a pram and car seat?
Many parents buy them in the second or early third trimester. That gives you time to compare, have the car seat fitted, and practise folding the pram before the due date.

Can I lay-by nursery furniture and prams?
Yes. Lay-by is a popular way to spread the cost of bigger items. See our lay-by page for how it works.

What should I pack in my hospital bag?
Our Hospital Bag Checklist covers what to pack for you, your partner and baby.

Found a lower price elsewhere? Check our Price Promise. Prefer to spread the cost? You can lay-by with us on bigger items like prams, cots and car seats.