Be prepared is a motto we recommend new parents follow, and one part of this is to create their own newborn survival kit. See what the must-have items are you and bubs will need.

You’re expecting and we can’t wait to help you welcome your little one into the world. As parents ourselves, the best advice we can give you is to be prepared by having a newborn survival kit. With your entire world about to change, life going to get busier and a lack of sleep on the horizon, you’ll thank us (and yourself) for getting ready now.

What to Put Inside Your Newborn Survival kit

The temptation to buy everything baby related is there and we can certainly relate. From cute and cuddly, adorable to practical, the range of baby products available is enormous. The trick is to purchase products which meet the needs of bubs and the new Mum. Understandably when you are about to welcome your first child, you likely have little to no knowledge of what these things are. That’s where the advice of others comes in handy. So, here is our list of essential baby products to add to your newborn survival kit.

• Feeding essentials – if you are planning to breastfeed, stock up on healthy snacks for yourself, nursing pads, nipple shields, a nursing pillow and soothing nipple cream. If you are wanting to express, an electric or handheld breast pump with bottles is also recommended. If you are planning on bottle feeding, you’ll need baby formula, baby bottles and teats, plus a way to sterilise this equipment.
• Nappies – both cloth and disposable nappies are essential. Even if you are planning on using cloth nappies, we suggest having a few disposable ones available to use for the first week, so you don’t need to worry about washing too any nappies.
• Baby capsule or car seat – by law, all infants must be restrained in an approved capsule or car seat when travelling in a vehicle. Plunket is a great place to hire one from if you don’t want to purchase one just yet.
• Wraps, swaddles and sleepwear – new babies sleep a lot. They also find it hard to regulate their body temperature and enjoy being snuggled up. Baby swaddles can replicate the feeling of being back in the womb, which babies find comforting and help them to settle. Wraps and blankets are not only for bedtime, but also for using when you are out and about with bubs. When it comes to sleepwear, baby sleeping bags are amazing! They help keep baby warm as they can’t kick the blankets off. They are also very convenient for changing nappies, as the bottom unzips for easy access without needing to remove the rest of it.
• Sleep aids – pacifiers, the Lulla Doll (place out of reach initially, with the heartbeat and breathing sounds playing) and white noise machines are great sleep aids for a newborn. As a new Mum, you will be short on sleep, so make sure you take every opportunity to have a rest too.

Newborn photos taken by Shmily Photography Melbourne

We look forward to learning all about your new arrival, so make sure you join our Facebook community to keep us in the loop. If we can be of any help, please reach out to us at any time!