Baby Starter Pack With Checklist: What You Really Need

What are the basics that my baby needs?

When there’s a little one on the way, there’s a huge range of things to prepare so that they will immediately feel comfortable and welcome. Lots of these items can be bought before the birth so that you can go home relaxed with your newborn. You should also bear in mind that several of these things will be given to you as a gift by family and friends.

So that you don’t buy the same things twice, it is very helpful to have a checklist which shows the most important items and can also be passed out to friends. There is a huge variety of products for soon-to-be parents so it may appear difficult at first to keep an overview of which things are necessary and which are less important. Shopping is of course also very enjoyable and you’ll find yourself tempted to add all of the tiny, cute items to your basket.

So, which products really belong to a baby starter pack and which can be left to be bought at a later date? Don’t worry: we’ll show you what belongs in a practical baby starter pack.

Interesting questions and answers about the first baby equipment

The Baby Starter Pack Checklist

CLOTHES belong on the baby basics list

The first thing that a baby needs right after birth is clothes. Depending on whether the baby will be born in summer or winter, what you need can be a little different.

In general, long-sleeved clothes should be the first choice in the beginning, as little bodies can get cold quickly. However, in the case that there are tropical summertime temperatures, you should have some alternatives with short sleeves. Bodysuits, rompers, and sleepsuits should never be forgotten, and socks and hats are also useful – even in summer. For babies born in winter, a warm coat as well as a scarf and gloves should be bought so that the first time you walk with the baby in a pram can still be enjoyable even in icy temperatures. Everything that you need at the beginning can be found on our list:

• 6-8 bodysuits (ideally with press studs)
• 1 coat
• 3 pairs of baby socks
• 3 sleepsuits
• 6 tops
• 5 pairs of trousers or rompers
• 4-5 pairs of tights
• 1 scarf
• 2 hats

BABY CARE belongs on the baby basics list

It’s not just the right clothing that belongs to a complete baby starter pack – the right baby care products are also best to buy before the birth.

Apart from a good baby oil which cares for the skin, you don’t need any other care products with cleansing properties. A baby’s skin is not yet as tough as ours and using cleansing products would rather damage it. Oil protects the skin and keeps it soft. Of course, it’s still necessary to bathe babies – a bath tub and bath towels are therefore a must! A thermometer can be used to check the temperature to keep you and your baby on the safe side. You need the following items and care products for a newborn:

• Baby oil
• 2 bath towels
• A baby bath tub
• Bath thermometer
• 2 face cloths
• Baby nail scissors
• A hairbrush for babies

BOTTLES & BREAST FEEDING ACCESSORIES belong on the list

A baby’s first fundamental need is to feed. In an ideal situation, the child should be breast fed so that it is protected against illnesses and other harmful things from the beginning. This is because breast milk plays a vital part in making a baby’s immune system healthy.

A breastfeeding pillow is therefore a useful purchase – so when you are breastfeeding you are comfortable and the child is safely and securely supported. Nursing pads for a breastfeeding bra are also important as they collect any sudden lactation and avoid any wet patches on your clothes. When breastfeeding, it can happen quickly that nipples become sore as your little one feeds very often or the milk flow is impeded. A rash cream prevents cracked and dry skin and instead keeps it soft and smooth. Here’s how to make breastfeeding enjoyable!

• Breastfeeding pillow
• Nursing pads
• Rash cream
• 3-4 breastfeeding bras

CHANGING ACCESSORIES for the baby starter pack

Changing babies is part of the daily life of parents and children for the first three years of life. A baby lies on the changing table and gets a new nappy on up to eight times a day.

Changing accessories are therefore elementary for a baby starter pack. As well as the baby changing unit, your standard collection should include a changing mat, a bag to hold all necessary items, rash cream, wet wipes, and of course nappies. A nappy bin is also very useful: you can put the full nappies in right away, avoiding any unpleasant odours. The following practical items should be purchased before the birth:

• Baby changing unit
• Changing mat
• Wet wipes
• Nappy bag
• Rash cream
• 2 packs of nappies, size 1
• Nappy bin

TOYS & ACCESSORIES belong on the list as well

When the new parents take their first walk outside, they can enjoy it by using a pram: so that the baby doesn’t get too bored and so the baby’s senses are engaged when awake, a pram chain toy and a pram mobile are essential. They usually jiggle around when the pram is being pushed and really catch the attention of your little one. Sometimes hanging little bells allows the ride to have a more pleasant sound for the baby.

It is also particularly important both in the pram and at home to have an individual dummy chain. This doesn’t only help to keep the dummy as close by as possible, but also makes a lovely decorative accessory. With many colourful beads, textile stars and motif clips the dummy chain becomes like a first piece of jewellery for babies which shows your joy for the child in a particularly nice way. For your baby’s first attempts at holding things, a grasping toy with the baby’s name is also a lovely, personal idea. The following toys and accessories therefore belong in a baby starter pack:

• Pram
• Pram mobile
• Pram chain toy
• Personalised dummy chain
• Grasping toy with the baby’s name
• Dummy

Why does a dummy chain belong on the baby basics list?

A dummy chain is important!

A dummy is one of the most important products for a baby. Using a dummy satisfies the innate sucking reflex and helpfully bridges the time between separate feeds. Sucking is not only important for breastfeeding, but also has a calming effect on the baby.

When the dummy suddenly falls out of the baby’s mouth, they quickly demand it back. Loud cries are usually the unpleasant consequence. A dummy chain is also extremely important for hygienic reasons. The dummy is often spat out or even thrown away by the baby. A dummy chain prevents the dummy from falling onto the dirty ground or the carpet. Without a chain, the dummy has to be boiled and sterilised every time, which means additional work for the parents who are already sometimes stressed. With a cute, personalised dummy chain, the dummy always stays close to the baby.

A personalised dummy chain can also be a very good gift upon a baby’s birth. Then this accessory will be a daily reminder of the person who gave it and therefore has another layer of meaning. The personalised accessory is easy to design yourself, with colourful beads and alphabet cubes in wood or plastic to form the baby’s name. Every dummy chain is therefore a unique piece that the baby and parents can enjoy every day.