If you're a first time mum it can be a common occurrence that you are unsure what it is you should be taking to the hospital. There are so many checklists out there for what to pack in your hospital bag yet there aren't enough relating to what you should have ready for when you get home! When I was pregnant I got so caught up in what I had to put in my hospital bag that it took me a while to figure out what essentials I actually needed for when we go home with out newborn baby. There are so many products that we feel as though we may ‘need’ when in reality some of it we may never use. We’ve put together a list of our newborn essentials! If you have any you think should be added to the list let us know in the comments, we would love to hear from you. 

1. Nappies - (Diapers if you are from the US) Obviously we don’t know what exact weight our baby is going to be born so perhaps have some micro nappies at the ready along with the newborn size too. Or cloth nappies - whatever you are choosing to use. 

2. Wipes - Have a handful of packets as you never know when you are going to get out the house next to pick some up. You also never know how many dirty nappies you are going to have to deal with, so it’s best to prepare for the worst. 

3. Milk & bottles - Obviously if you are breastfeeding then this doesn’t apply to you. If you are bottle feeding then make sure you have a set of bottles along with baby powdered milk. Your baby may not take to the first milk you try them on so perhaps have a few mini bottles that you can buy in your local supermarket incase you need to change milk. Always talk to you health advice before doing so though. 

4. Steriliser - A steriliser is important. A newborn baby’s immune system can be very weak, it’s important to sterilise any dummies (pacifiers) and bottles too. There are a range of different styles of sterilisers to chose from. We like the tommee tippee’s electric steriliser. 

5. Clothes - We are sure you will start drowning in baby clothes before your little one has even arrived! People like to buy baby clothes as gifts, which is great. It’s important to have lots as you never know how many times they are going to need changing during the day (and night). Have a few sleep suits and vests in different sizes as you don’t know which are going to fit you baby best. 

6. Scratch mittens - So they don’t scratch their little faces!

7. Blankets - to keep baby warm and cosy (obviously) Depending on what time of year your baby is born they may need less or they may need more. 

8. Moses basket or crib - it’s not essential that you have a cot to begin with as it’s recommended for them to sleep in a moses basket or crib close to you to begin with. It is also recommended that to reduce the risks of SIDS that you purchase a new mattress as apposed to an already used one. 

9. Baby bath and baby towel - A little plastic baby bath is very handy to begin with. If you don’t have one, or are planning not to purchase one, then a sink bath always works too! Baby towels with hoods are handy and fit the little ones perfectly.

10. Bibs - Dribble bibs are good for later on when they are teething and dribbling everywhere. Normal bibs are great to begin with when they are having their milk to save spillage on their clothes. 

11. Milk storage containers - if you are bottle feeding then these are so handy. Just pop the right amount of powder in the pots and you have them ready on hand for when you need to use them.

12. Breast pump and breast pads - only if you are breastfeeding!

13. Nappy rash cream - It’s a common occurrence that little ones get nappy rash. There are some great creams you can pick up from supermarkets that will help relieve the pain. 

14. Nappy sacks - helpful for when on the go!

15. Changing mat - you can pick these up for next to nothing. They take up no space at all, just pop it in a cupboard or under the bed. 

16. Muslins - We recommend buying lots of these. They can be used for pretty much everything - burping, cleaning up spillages, using as a blanket or a mat for them to lay on and so on. They are so handy to keep in your baby bag. 

17. Car seat - Nowadays you are not allowed to leave the hospital without one!

18. Stroller/pushchair - You don’t even need to buy this brand new. There are so many websites out there and second hand shops where you can buy barely used ones for half the price. 

19. Dummies - Try a few different makes/styles as some babys don’t take to certain ones. Fussy little things, eh?

20. Swing/chair - This isn’t an essential as such but it’s handy to have for when you need to put baby down somewhere safe whilst you attempt to wash up or do a little bit of housework!