New Mom Essentials What You Truly Need

Baby Essentials Guide for a First Time Mum on a Budget

by WONDERMOM
June 17, 2021

If you are expecting your first baby or are trying to get pregnant – congratulations!!! You are in for the ride of a lifetime! But what do you absolutely NEED when you are a Mum for the first time? Sometimes it is hard to know what you will use and what you won’t until you get there.

Here is a list of items you will absolutely use – because babies are expensive! Everything else on top of that is just fun and fluff!

Baby Clothing Basics:

Now even if you have done a gender reveal and know what sex your baby will be – STOP. Buying gender neutral clothing for your newborn is the most economical way to go because you can use the same clothing for any subsequent babies you might have. Plus – most babies are wrapped up 99% of the time so you won’t really see them dressed in blue or pink.

6 neutral coloured onesies
4 singlets or soft t-shirts
4 pairs Long Pants or Tights
2 cardigans or jackets
2 pairs no-scratch mittens

4 pairs socks

2 baby sleeping bags
1 broad brimmed hat
1 beanie

The Nursery Basics:

What you buy for your nursery does depend on a few things. Are you planning on co-sleeping or placing baby in his own cot? Regardless of what you choose, it is still nice to decorate baby’s room and make it soft, quiet and special!

Essential Nursery Furniture:

1 Cot, Bassinet or Side Sleeper (place for baby to sleep) with firm fitting mattress to suit
Change Table Mat
A Night Light (so you know where you are going when feeding baby at night)
Digital Clock with Temperature
Blockout Curtains to keep the nursery nice and dark when baby is sleeping
A simple set of drawers

Nursery Linen:

3 Sets Cot Sheets to fit the bed
3 light blankets
1 heavier blanket for colder weather
1 Waterproof cot sheet
3 Muslin Wraps

Non-Essentials But Nice to Have:

A Change Table (you can always use your bed as a change table)
A Cosy Crib (snuggly mini bed for the cot)
A Nursing Chair,
Rocking Chair or somewhere dedicated to feeding
A nice soft rug for the floor

Baby Gear Basics:

Always invest in a good quality car seat or capsule for your newborn. Many State Ambulance Services offer a capsule hire service for baby’s first six months. Otherwise look for a car seat that is suitable from birth.