Newborn Essentials: The Honest Checklist (What You Actually Need)

Somewhere between the baby shower and the third trimester, most of us end up with a spreadsheet. Or a registry with ninety-four items on it. Or a shopping list assembled at 1am from six different blogs, all of which insisted a nappy bin was non-negotiable.

Here's the thing nobody says out loud: newborns need very little. They need to be fed, kept clean and dry, kept warm, and given somewhere safe to sleep. That's genuinely it. Everything else on your list is either a nice-to-have, a thing you'll want at four months rather than four days, or something you'll unwrap, use twice and quietly resell.

This is the list we'd give a friend. What you actually need, roughly how many, and — just as usefully — what you can skip, borrow or buy later.

Start with the four things that run your day

Before you buy anything, it helps to know what you'll actually be doing on repeat. In the first six weeks, your day is: feeding, changing, settling, and occasionally trying to leave the house.

Sort those four out and you're done. Every purchase decision gets easier when you ask which of the four does this serve — because if the answer is "none, but it looked lovely on Instagram", you have your answer.

How many nappies does a newborn actually need?

Most newborns go through eight to twelve nappies a day in the first month. Healthdirect's guidance is to change your baby at least six times a day, and as soon as possible after a poo — and in the early weeks, most babies comfortably need more than the minimum.

So the maths, roughly:

Per day Per week First month
Nappies 8–12 60–80 250–300

That number surprises people. It's also where most parents waste the most money, in a very specific way: they buy a mountain of newborn-size nappies.

Size 1 nappies are made for babies 0–5kg. Plenty of babies are already 3.5kg at birth and through that bracket in a few weeks — some skip it almost entirely. A Bowwloo Size 1 pack holds 30 nappies, which at ten changes a day is about three days' worth. You do not want ten of those packs in the cupboard when your baby hits 5.5kg in week three.

What we'd do instead: buy two packs of Size 1 before the birth. Buy the rest after, once you know what you're dealing with. Then bulk-buy Size 2 (4–8kg, 58 per pack), because that's the size most babies live in for months, and that's where buying in volume actually pays off.

The same logic applies to brand loyalty. Newborn skin is unpredictable, and the nappy that works beautifully for your sister's baby may not suit yours. It's worth trialling a few pieces before you commit to a carton of anything — our sample pack is $5 and contains three nappies, which is enough to check the fit and see how they hold overnight.

Alongside the nappies, the changing kit is short:

  • Wipes, or cotton wool and warm water. Healthdirect suggests plain water-soaked cotton wool for cleaning, especially in the skin folds, and warns off antiseptic wipes. If you use wipes, unscented and alcohol-free.
  • A barrier cream. Ask your pharmacist which one; a zinc-based cream is the usual starting point.
  • A change mat, or a folded towel on the floor. Both work.
  • Nappy-free time, which costs nothing. Both Healthdirect and Tresillian recommend a stretch of it each day to let the skin dry out and reduce friction.

Skip the talcum powder entirely — Tresillian flags it as a breathing hazard, and it doesn't help nappy rash anyway.

What you need for feeding

If you're breastfeeding, the honest equipment list is almost empty. Breast milk provides all the nutrition a baby needs for the first six months, and the gear that matters most is a comfortable place to sit and someone bringing you water.

Two nursing bras, a few packs of breast pads, and some lanolin or nipple balm will cover the first fortnight. A feeding pillow helps some people and irritates others — borrow one before you buy.

What's genuinely worth knowing, more than anything you can purchase: cluster feeding is normal, especially during growth spurts, and breasts commonly become engorged around three to five days after birth. Neither means you're doing it wrong. The Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline (1800 686 268) is free, staffed by trained counsellors, and open around the clock — that number is worth more than most of the products marketed at new mothers.

If you're bottle feeding, or mixed feeding, or not sure yet: four to six bottles with newborn-flow teats, a bottle brush, and a sterilising method (boiling water in a pot is a sterilising method). Formula if you need it. You can add more later — a lot of people buy twelve bottles and settle on one favourite.

And burp cloths. Buy more than you think. Then buy more again.

What you need for sleep

One safe sleep space, and not much in it.

That means a cot or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress that fits properly — no gaps around the edges — a couple of fitted sheets, and a sleeping bag or a wrap suited to the season. Loose bedding, pillows, doonas, cot bumpers and soft toys all stay out of the sleep space. For the first six to twelve months, the recommendation is that baby sleeps in their own safe space in your room.

Safe sleep is the one area where we won't paraphrase and hope. Red Nose Australia is the national authority, their guidance is free, and they run a Safe Sleep Advice Line on 1300 998 698 (9am–5pm weekdays, AEST). If you buy one thing secondhand, don't let it be the mattress — and if you're offered a hand-me-down cot, check it against current Australian safety requirements before it goes in the room.

What you can comfortably skip: cot bumpers, sleep positioners, wedges, and a cot mobile that will mostly entertain you. A bassinet is lovely and lasts about three months, which makes it a perfect thing to borrow.

How many clothes does a newborn need?

Fewer outfits, more of the boring ones. Newborns are washing machines with faces, so quantity beats variety.

A workable starting set, in size 0000 and 000:

  • 6–8 bodysuits or singlets
  • 6–8 sleepsuits or growsuits — the ones that open all the way down
  • 2–3 light cardigans or jackets
  • 2 hats, weather-appropriate
  • A few pairs of socks, which will vanish regardless
  • 4–6 muslin wraps, which double as burp cloths, sunshades, and everything else

Buy some 000 as well as 0000. A newborn size fits for a startlingly short time, and some babies never wear it.

What to skip: shoes (they don't walk), anything with buttons up the back, and special outfits. At 3am, in the dark, with a baby who has comprehensively soiled themselves, you will curse every fastening that isn't a press-stud down the front.

Bath and skin: less than you'd think

Newborns don't need daily baths — a few times a week is plenty, with a top-and-tail wash in between. You need a soft towel, a gentle unscented wash, and warm water.

You do not need a dedicated baby bath. The laundry tub works. The kitchen sink works. A hand towel in the bottom stops slipping.

Nail care: a file, not scissors. And skip the fragranced lotions in the early weeks; new skin is doing a lot of adjusting on its own, and the fewer things added to it, the better.

Getting out of the house

A car seat is the one item on this list where the rules aren't optional. Any restraint you use in Australia must meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 1754), and newborns travel rear-facing. Requirements differ slightly by state, so check your state road authority — and get it professionally fitted. A correctly installed cheaper seat beats a badly installed expensive one every time. This is also the item we'd never buy secondhand, because you can't see a crash history.

Beyond that: a pram or a carrier, depending on your life. If you're mostly walking to shops and cafes, a good carrier may serve you better than a pram for months. A nappy bag is genuinely just a bag — the one you already own is fine.

The skip-or-borrow list

Every one of these appears on standard newborn checklists. None of them are essential.

  • Change table — a mat on a dresser or the floor does the same job with less furniture.
  • Nappy bin — a regular bin with a lid, emptied often.
  • Bottle warmer — a jug of warm water.
  • Wipe warmer — genuinely, no.
  • Top-and-tail bowl — two ordinary bowls.
  • Newborn shoes — decorative only.
  • Bassinet — useful, brief, borrowable.
  • A carton of newborn-size nappies — see above.
  • Anything you'd need to assemble while holding a baby.

The one-page checklist

Nappy changes: 2 packs newborn-size nappies to start · wipes or cotton wool · barrier cream · change mat

Feeding: nursing bras + pads + balm, or 4–6 bottles, teats, brush and steriliser · burp cloths · water bottle for you

Sleep: cot or bassinet · firm flat mattress that fits · 2–3 fitted sheets · sleeping bags or wraps

Clothing: 6–8 bodysuits · 6–8 sleepsuits · 2–3 cardigans · 2 hats · socks · 4–6 muslins

Bath and skin: soft towel · gentle unscented wash · nail file

Out and about: AS/NZS 1754 car seat, professionally fitted · pram or carrier · a bag

Numbers worth saving: Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line 1300 998 698 · Australian Breastfeeding Association 1800 686 268 · Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (maternal child health nurse) 1800 882 436

That's the list. If something isn't on it and you're unsure, the safest move is to wait — your baby will tell you soon enough what you actually need, and almost everything can be delivered within a couple of days.

Frequently asked questions

How many nappies does a newborn use per day?

Eight to twelve a day in the first month. Healthdirect advises changing at least six times a day, and immediately after a poo. That works out to roughly 60–80 nappies a week, or 250–300 in the first month.

How many nappies should I buy before the baby arrives?

Two packs of newborn size, and no more. Many babies outgrow the 0–5kg bracket within a few weeks, so buying in bulk before birth is the most common way parents waste money on nappies. Bulk-buy the next size up instead, once you know your baby's weight.

What size nappy does a newborn need?

Nappy sizes go by weight, not age. Size 1 covers 0–5kg and suits most newborns; Size 2 covers 4–8kg. If the tabs are fastening at the outermost position, or you see red marks on the legs or tummy, it's time to size up.

How often should you change a newborn's nappy?

Every two to four hours during the day, and straight away after a poo or when the nappy is soaked. Frequent changes, gentle cleaning and a barrier cream are the main things that prevent nappy rash.

How many clothes does a newborn need?

Six to eight bodysuits and six to eight sleepsuits, plus a few cardigans, two hats, socks and several muslin wraps. Buy some size 000 as well as 0000 — newborn sizing is outgrown quickly.

What do you not need for a newborn?

A change table, nappy bin, bottle warmer, wipe warmer, cot bumpers, sleep positioners, newborn shoes and special outfits are all skippable. A bassinet is worth borrowing rather than buying, as most babies use one for about three months.

Bowwloo nappies are made for exactly this stage — hypoallergenic, breathable and free from added fragrances, with up to 12 hours of dryness for the nights that need it. If you'd like to try them before committing to a pack, our $5 Sample Pack exists for that reason. You'll find sizing, fit and shipping details on our Premium Nappies page and in our FAQs.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own baby, speak with your midwife, GP or maternal child health nurse.

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