How to choose the right baby products for your newborn

Whether it’s your first child or another addition to your growing family, there’s nothing more precious – or more overwhelming – than welcoming your very own newborn into the world. But because the first few days and weeks of a newborn’s life are such a whirlwind, it’s important that you are prepared with all the essentials before bub arrives.

To help make sure you’re ready with all the necessary baby products, here’s what you should focus on.

Best baby bottles and teats for newborns

It doesn’t matter whether you intend to strictly breastfeed your child, get them straight on to formula, or plan for a mix of both – it is good to have on hand some high-quality baby bottles and teats that are appropriate for newborn babies. You might not think you will need them, but in case you do, it is better to have them ready to use.

You might decide on a wide-neck, anti-colic SofTouch™ Peristaltic PLUS Teat that has been designed to support your baby’s natural feeding motion and deliver constant milk flow. Alternatively, a Flexible™ Peristaltic Teat has a slim neck teat with double-thickness silicone to ensure ideal softness and flexibility for latching. No matter what you choose, look for indicators that show they are designed for newborns – for example, ‘SS’ in the SofTouch and ‘S’ in the Flexible teats.

For bottles, again you have a variety of options. SofTouch™ bottles come in three different materials, from lightweight plastic all the way up to glass, while Flexible™ bottles come in four different materials and a range of sizes. It is best to use the smallest bottles for newborn babies, i.e. 120mL or 160mL. These smaller-size bottles come with the smallest-sized teats, so with them you will be ready to go. If you are planning to mostly breastfeed, around four to six bottles should be enough, while you may want up to 10 or more for a bottle-fed baby.

Best breastfeeding accessories for a newborn

Mum needs her accessories as well as bub! There are lots of different breast pumps you can purchase – an electric breast pump can make your life much easier (and more comfortable), although many mothers prefer the control of using a manual breast pump. For mums on the go, the GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump is stylish, compact enough to fit in your bag, and is super easy to set up and use.

Other useful accessories that you may not have considered include disposable breast pads, nipple shields, perhaps a nipple puller as well as storage bags or storage bottles for your expressed breastmilk.

Essential baby accessories for a newborn

The number-one item on your newborn shopping list is probably nappies – you can go with traditional disposable nappies or the more eco-friendly reusable option. There are actually some great reusable nappies on the market that are highly absorbent and easy to wash.

Dummies and soothers may be appropriate for your newborn, depending on your preferences. Just make sure they are designed for newborns and not too large for bub’s mouth. Burp cloths will come in very handy in those early weeks and months of your baby’s life – although a small wash cloth or towel from your linen closet may do the trick anyway. And don’t forget about bub’s growing nails – a pair of Safety Nail Scissors for newborns are essential.

Baby Cleaning and sterilising essentials

From scrubbing bottles to washing your little one in the bath, there’s lots of cleaning and sterilising that goes on with newborns. Investing in a steam steriliser or microwave steriliser will save you an incredible amount of time over the long term – it’s very important that you keep baby bottles and soothers sterile for the first 12 months of bub’s life. A 2 in 1 Bottle & Nipple Brush is also a great investment for getting into those hard-to-reach spaces.

Liquid cleansers and laundry detergent designed for babies – and all the mess they get on themselves – are a must, so take the time to do your research and find all the accessories that match your needs. If you’re not sure about what all the complicated terminology like PPSU, AVS and bottle collar means, you’re in luck! Our detailed parenting FAQ will answer all your questions and more.

For more tips and advice, check out our helpful Baby Hub blog. You can also find exceptional products for breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, oral care and more at our online store.

Want to learn more about baby safe products? Visit our blog Nurturing Newborn Skin: A guide to Baby Skincare.