What does CHOICE say?
CHOICE advises which products are essential, useful, optional or not recommended.
Essentials
- Cot
- Pram or stroller
- Child car restraint
- Nappies: a packet of small-size disposables to get you started, or 36 cloth nappies
- Bucket with a secure lid for soaking/cleaning: two buckets if you’re using cloth nappies; one if you’re using disposables
- Six to eight singlets, size 000
- Six to eight all-in-ones (jumpsuits) and/or nighties, size 000 (but you may need some in size 0000 for the first few weeks)
- Two long-sleeved tops or jackets for cool days
- Soft sunhat for summer/warm hat for winter
- Two pairs of small socks
- Bibs
- Bottles and teats, bottle brush, and sterilising equipment. You’ll need six bottles if you’re bottle feeding, while breastfed babies might need a bottle or two for expressed milk
- Bedding, as appropriate (sheets, blankets and mattress protector, keeping the SIDS guidelines in mind)
- Three or more bunny rugs or muslin wraps
- Soft towel and face washer, baby soap or wash, cotton wool balls, sorbolene and glycerine cream (for cleaning and moisturising), soft hairbrush, round-tipped nail scissors
- Thermometer
Useful
- Baby carrier
- Baby bath
- Baby sleeping bag
- Change tables
- Highchair (after about 5 months)
- Bouncer or rocker
- Breast pump
- Breast pads
- Baby bag for outings
- Safety equipment, such as gates, child-resistant locks and catches, stove guard and door knob covers
- Cotton wool squares or wipes, baby wipes, zinc-based cream (for preventing and treating nappy rash), petroleum jelly
Optional
- Bassinet or cradle for the first few months
- Baby monitor
- Portable cot
- Portable highchair
- Day clothes – a special outfit or two for when baby’s on display – although you’ll probably get some as presents
- Playpen
- Toys and other amusements
- Dummy
- Olive oil for massage or moisturising
Not recommended
- Baby walkers
- Cot bumpers
- Quilts, doonas, duvets and pillows aren’t recommended for the first year
- U-shaped pillows aren’t recommended for the first two years
- Baby fruit juices and snacks
