What you actually need: a practical guide to baby equipment

Newborn · Care · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

Before a baby arrives, the sheer volume of products marketed as essential can feel overwhelming. Baby shops, online retailers, and well-meaning friends and family all have opinions on what you cannot possibly manage without. The reality is that babies need very little to be safe, comfortable, and happy. Most of the equipment that genuinely matters falls into a short list. The rest is optional at best, and some of it is worth skipping entirely.

This guide takes a clear-headed look at what is worth buying, what can wait, what you can safely accept second-hand, and what to look for on safety grounds. It draws on NHS guidance, Lullaby Trust safe sleep recommendations, and Road Safety Foundation car seat advice.

Equipment verdict at a glance

The table below summarises each item covered in this guide. Use it as a quick reference before reading the detail.

The essentials: what you actually need

These items are either a legal requirement, a significant safety matter, or so practically necessary that almost every family will need them from day one.

Car seat

If you travel by car at any point after birth, a car seat is a legal requirement. Babies must be in a rear-facing car seat from birth until they reach the height or weight limit for that seat. Rear-facing is safer because it supports the head, neck, and spine in a collision by spreading the forces across a larger area rather than putting them through the neck and chest harness straps alone.

When choosing a car seat, look for one that is appropriate for your baby's weight and height from birth, fits your car model correctly (check the manufacturer's compatibility list), and carries a current safety standard marking. In most markets, look for ECE R129 (i-Size) or ECE R44 certification. Have the seat fitted and checked by a trained fitting station or car seat adviser before you need it - not on the day of discharge from hospital. A seat that is not correctly installed provides significantly reduced protection.

Never use a second-hand car seat unless you can verify its complete history. See the FAQ section for more on this.

Cot or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress

Your baby needs a dedicated sleep space with a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly in the cot or basket without gaps at the sides. A new mattress is strongly recommended, even if the cot or basket itself is second-hand. The mattress should not be memory foam, very soft, or shaped in any way. A waterproof, breathable mattress cover protects it and can be wiped clean.

Moses baskets are a popular choice for the first few weeks or months because they are portable and can be moved easily between rooms. They are not suitable for long-term use - most babies grow out of them between three and six months. A standard cot, a cot bed, or a side-sleeping crib attached to the adult bed are all options for longer-term use. Whichever you choose, the sleep safety principles are the same: firm, flat, free of loose items, with the baby always placed on their back.

Feeding equipment

If you are breastfeeding, the bare minimum at first is a nursing bra, breast pads, and optionally a hand pump or electric breast pump for expressing. A pillow designed for feeding support, such as a nursing pillow, can reduce arm and back strain during long feeds. If you plan to use expressed milk, you will need a small number of bottles and a steriliser - see the section on sterilisation below.

If you are formula feeding from birth, you will need bottles (typically six to eight to allow rotation), teats appropriate for a newborn's slow feed rate, a steriliser, and the formula itself. A bottle brush and a dedicated cleaning area make washing up easier. Pre-measured formula dispensers and a flask of hot water for night feeds can save time when you are sleep-deprived.

If you are combination feeding or unsure, it is worth having a small supply of bottles and a basic steriliser available before birth. You do not need to commit to a full formula-feeding set-up until you know what you need.

Nappies and changing

Nappies are a constant from birth. Whether you choose disposables or reusables, have a supply ready before your due date. Newborns go through eight to twelve nappies a day in the early weeks, so quantities matter. If you are using disposables, buy a small number of newborn size and a larger quantity of size 1 - some babies skip newborn size entirely depending on birth weight.

A changing mat, nappy cream (particularly for nappy rash prevention), cotton wool or gentle water wipes, and a small number of muslin cloths are the practical accompaniments. A dedicated changing station - even just a changing mat on a low dresser - is helpful but not a requirement. You do not need a purpose-built changing table, though one with storage can be convenient.

Baby clothes

Newborns outgrow clothing very quickly. A small quantity of newborn and 0-3 month sizes is enough to begin with - onesies (also called bodysuits or vests), sleepsuits, and a couple of warm layers for cooler days. Buy a few sizes ahead so you are not constantly restocking. Avoid buying large quantities of any single size before birth, as birth weight varies and some babies skip sizes quickly.

The basic rule for dressing a baby is one more layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions. In practice: a vest, a sleepsuit, and a light cardigan or sleeping bag covers most situations. When using a sleeping bag at night, check the tog rating against the room temperature - most manufacturers provide a chart.

Baby monitor

Whether you need a baby monitor depends on the size of your home. In a small flat where you can hear the baby from any room, a monitor adds little practical value. In a larger home, or if you spend time in the garden or in a room far from where the baby sleeps, an audio monitor lets you hear if the baby wakes or cries. Video monitors add visual reassurance but are not required. For more detail, see the FAQ section on baby monitors.

Things that help but are not essential

These items can genuinely make the early weeks easier, but none of them is a requirement. Many families get along fine without them. They are worth considering if your budget allows or if you can borrow them.

Baby swing or bouncy chair

A bouncy chair or rocker can be invaluable for settling a baby who wants to be held but where your arms need a rest. The gentle movement often soothes newborns effectively. Some babies love them; others are indifferent. Because preference varies so much, it is worth waiting to see how your baby responds before investing heavily. Many families borrow one for the first weeks and then decide. If you buy, check that it has a five-point harness and always keep the baby in view when they are in it - never leave a very young baby unsupervised in an inclined seat for sleep.

Baby carrier or sling

Carriers and slings allow you to keep the baby close while keeping your hands free. Many babies settle more easily when carried, and the skin-to-skin contact is beneficial in the early weeks. There are many styles - stretchy wraps for newborns, structured carriers for slightly older babies, ring slings, and more. The key safety check for any carrier is that the baby's airway is clear and the chin is not resting on the chest (the TICKS guidelines are widely used for checking this). A sling library or sling meet can let you try different styles before buying.

Bath support

Bathing a newborn can feel nerve-wracking partly because they are slippery when wet and partly because you need to support their head at all times. A bath support - either a foam insert that goes in a baby bath, a bath seat that reclines the baby safely, or a simple bath hammock - frees up one hand and gives you more control. It is genuinely helpful but not strictly necessary if you have a confident helper or use the crook of your arm effectively.

What you can skip

Some products are marketed heavily but add little practical value, particularly in the early months. Skipping them saves money and space.

Wipes warmer

Wipes warmers keep wet wipes at a gentle temperature so the change is more comfortable for the baby. In practice, most babies adjust quickly to a room-temperature wipe, and the devices can dry out wipes if not used regularly. They add cost, take up changing-station space, and need the wipes to be restocked carefully to prevent the lower ones from drying out. Most families who buy them stop using them within a few months.

Dedicated baby food processor

In the first months of life, a baby eats only breast milk or formula. When you start introducing solid foods at around six months, a hand blender or a standard food processor does the job of pureeing and pureeing food just as well as a dedicated baby food processor, at a fraction of the cost. Unless you want the specific convenience of a self-contained unit, skip it and use what you already have in the kitchen.

Nursery thermometer if you already have a room thermometer

If your home already has a room thermometer or your baby monitor includes a temperature display, an additional dedicated nursery thermometer is redundant. One accurate thermometer in the baby's sleep room is what you need. What matters is that the reading is accurate and that you place it near where the baby sleeps, not near a heat source or a window.

Expensive electric bottle steriliser

Electric steam sterilisers do their job well, but microwave steriliser bags achieve the same result at a small fraction of the cost. The bags are compact, take a couple of minutes in the microwave, and can be used multiple times before replacing. For travel, cold-water sterilising tablets are also effective. If you are doing large volumes of sterilising regularly, a countertop electric steriliser may become a convenience worth having - but it is not a starting point. Begin with the microwave bags and upgrade only if you find the need.

Second-hand safety: what you can and cannot buy safely

Second-hand baby equipment can save a significant amount of money and reduce waste. But the safety profile varies widely between different items, and the distinction matters.

Car seats: do not buy second-hand unless history is fully known

Car seats should not be bought second-hand unless you have complete certainty about their history. A seat that has been in any collision - even one that appeared minor - may have micro-fractures or structural damage that is invisible to the eye but that reduces its ability to protect in a future accident. If you cannot verify that the seat has never been in a collision and has been stored and used correctly, buy new. The cost of a new car seat is modest compared with the consequence of a compromised one. If budget is a constraint, some manufacturers and charities run schemes where returned or donated seats are professionally inspected and certified before resale.

Cots: frame is usually fine, mattress should always be new

A second-hand cot frame or cot bed is generally safe to use, provided all the components are present and undamaged, the dropside mechanism (if it has one) functions correctly, and the slat spacing meets current safety standards (no more than 45-65mm apart). Repaint any chipped paint with a non-toxic child-safe paint before use. However, always buy a new mattress for any cot, including a second-hand one. An old mattress may have softened and lost its firmness, which is a safe sleep risk. It may also carry bacteria, mould spores, or allergens from previous use. A new, well-fitting mattress is one of the most important safe sleep investments you can make.

Moses basket: frame is usually fine, mattress must be new

The same principle applies to Moses baskets. The basket or frame can be used second-hand if it is structurally sound - check for broken weaves, sharp edges, and damaged handles or hood fittings. Replace the mattress. See the FAQ section for more detail on Moses basket safety.

Clothing, bouncers, play gyms, and soft toys

These are generally safe to buy or accept second-hand. Check clothing for small buttons, broken fastenings, or drawstring cords that could be a choking or strangulation hazard. Wash everything before use. For bouncers and rockers, check the harness is intact and functioning.

Car seat safety checks

Getting a car seat right goes beyond choosing the correct product. Installation is where many problems occur. Points to check:

• The seat is correctly matched to your baby's current weight and height - not the next size up in anticipation of growth.
• It is installed rear-facing. Current guidance recommends keeping babies and toddlers rear-facing for as long as the seat allows, not switching to forward-facing at the minimum weight.
• The harness lies flat against the baby's body with no twists, and is tightened so you can fit no more than two fingers between the harness and the collarbone.
• The seat does not move more than an inch in any direction once installed.
• The recline angle is set correctly for a newborn - a newborn seat needs a specific recline so the baby's head does not flop forward and obstruct the airway.
• You have had the installation checked by a trained car seat fitter, not just the shop assistant who sold it.

Do not use a car seat for sleep outside the car. Prolonged time in a semi-reclined position in a car seat can cause a baby's head to fall forward, partially obstructing the airway. Car seats are designed for travel, not for sleep at home. Transfer a sleeping baby out of the car seat when you arrive home.

Cot safety: what to put in - and what to leave out

The safest sleep space for a baby contains very little. The guidance from the Lullaby Trust and the NHS is consistent and clear: a baby should sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in a clear sleep space, in a room with an adult for the first six months.

What to remove from the cot

The following items should not be in a cot or Moses basket with a sleeping baby:

• Bumpers - they serve no safety purpose and have been associated with infant deaths from entrapment and rebreathing. Remove them.
• Pillows - not needed and a suffocation risk for babies who cannot yet reposition themselves.
• Duvets and loose blankets - these can be kicked over the baby's face. If you use a blanket, tuck it in firmly below shoulder level so it cannot ride up.
• Positioners and wedges - marketed as helping with reflux or head shape, they are not recommended by safe sleep guidelines and carry their own risks.
• Stuffed toys or anything soft and loose.

Mattress firmness

Place the palm of your hand on the mattress and apply gentle pressure. It should spring back rather than keep an impression of your hand. A mattress that retains the shape of pressure is too soft for safe infant sleep. Check this again periodically - mattresses can soften over time with use.

Fit and gaps

Run your fingers around the edge between the mattress and the cot sides. There should be no gap large enough to insert two fingers. A gap between the mattress and the cot side is a risk because a baby's limb or head could become trapped. If the mattress does not fit snugly, replace it with one that does.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a second-hand car seat?

It is not recommended to buy a second-hand car seat unless you can be completely certain of its history. Car seats that have been in a collision may have invisible structural damage that reduces protection in a future accident. If you do not know the seat's full history, buy new. Some manufacturers operate take-back schemes that provide verified refurbished seats at reduced cost.

What makes a safe sleep surface for a newborn?

A safe sleep surface is firm, flat, and free of soft items. The mattress should fit the cot or Moses basket snugly with no gaps at the sides. Avoid memory foam, sheepskins, and very soft mattresses. Keep the sleep space clear of pillows, duvets, bumpers, positioners, and loose blankets. A well-fitted cellular blanket tucked below shoulder height, or a baby sleeping bag at the correct tog rating, is safer than a loose duvet.

Do I need a baby monitor?

A baby monitor is useful if your home is large enough that you cannot hear the baby from other rooms, or if you want to check on the baby without entering the room. Audio monitors are sufficient for most families. Video monitors add reassurance but are not required. Breathing sensor monitors have not been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death and are not recommended by most health authorities unless prescribed for a specific medical reason.

Is it safe to use a second-hand Moses basket?

The basket or frame of a Moses basket can be used second-hand if it is structurally sound with no broken weaves, sharp edges, or damaged handles. However, the mattress should always be new. A used mattress may have compressed over time and no longer provides a firm, flat surface. It may also harbour bacteria or allergens. A new mattress that fits the basket with no gaps at the sides is essential.

Related articles

• Baby care in the first week: a practical day-by-day guide
• Building a routine with a newborn: flexible schedules that actually work

Sources

• NHS - Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• The Lullaby Trust - Safer sleep guidelines
• Road Safety Foundation - Car seat guidance