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The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist: 100 Baby Essentials For 2027
What do you actually need for a baby? It's a question every first-time parent asks — usually somewhere between discovering there are approximately 400 different types of prams and wondering whether a wipe warmer is genuinely essential.
Building a baby registry is a brilliant way to get organised before your little one arrives, but knowing what to put on it can be overwhelming. Some baby products will become things you use several times a day; others are nice to have; and a few might make absolutely no sense for your family, home or lifestyle.
That's why we've created the ultimate Australian baby registry checklist, covering 100 baby essentials across sleeping, feeding, changing, clothing, travel, playtime and more. Between the One Fine Baby team, we've raised plenty of babies ourselves and spend our days discovering, reviewing and speaking to the brands behind the latest baby products, so we know a thing or two about what earns its place on the list.
Use this as your starting point rather than a list of 100 things you must buy. Tick off what makes sense for your family, skip what doesn't and add the things you know will make those first few months a little easier.
And if friends and family are already asking what you'd like for the baby? You can use this checklist to start building your One Fine Baby Gift Registry, with everything from practical everyday essentials to those bigger-ticket purchases you'd love a little help with.
Want to tick things off as you go? Download our free Baby Registry & Newborn Essentials Checklist and keep it handy while you shop, plan and build your registry.
1. Bassinet
Do you need it: Useful
A bassinet can be wonderfully convenient during the newborn months, particularly if you want a compact sleep space beside your bed. It isn't essential if you already have another safe sleep space suitable from birth, such as an appropriate cot.
Look for a stable bassinet with a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress and always follow the manufacturer's limits and instructions. When your baby shows signs that they have outgrown the bassinet or reaches the manufacturer's developmental, weight or size limits, it's time to move on.
2. Cot
Do you need it: Essential eventually
Even if your newborn begins in a bassinet, a cot will eventually become one of your most-used nursery purchases. Choose one that complies with current Australian safety requirements and suits your space, budget and how long you'd like to use it. Convertible designs that later become toddler beds can offer extra longevity.
Keep the cot away from blind and curtain cords, heaters, electrical appliances and other potential hazards.
3. Cot Or Bassinet Mattress
Do you need it: Essential
Your baby's mattress is one purchase where safety comes before plushness. It should be firm, flat, the correct size for the cot or bassinet and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid adding extra mattresses, padding or soft layers beneath your baby.
If your cot doesn't include a mattress, check the manufacturer's specified dimensions before buying one rather than assuming a standard size will fit.
4. Fitted Sheets
Do you need them: Essential
You'll want at least a couple of fitted sheets that are designed to fit your baby's mattress securely. Three is a handy number if you have the space in your budget: one on the bed, one in the wash and one ready for the inevitable middle-of-the-night change.
The important thing is fit. Sheets should sit securely around the mattress without bunching or coming loose.
5. Mattress Protector
Do you need it: Useful
Babies are exceptionally good at creating laundry, so a waterproof mattress protector can save you plenty of washing and help protect the mattress underneath. Choose one that fits firmly and securely around your baby's mattress without creating a soft or padded sleep surface.
Two can be useful if you want a spare ready while the other is in the wash.
6. Baby Sleeping Bags
Do you need them: Useful
A well-fitting baby sleeping bag can be a convenient alternative to loose bedding, particularly once your baby is no longer being swaddled. Choose the appropriate size and warmth for your baby's sleep environment, and look for a design that fits securely around the neck and chest, has fitted armholes and does not have a hood.
If you're confused by TOG ratings, room temperatures and what baby should wear underneath, our sleeping bag guide breaks it all down.
7. Swaddles or Baby Wraps
Do you need them: Useful
Some newborns love being wrapped, while others make their feelings about it very clear. Having a couple of lightweight wraps ready gives you the option without filling an entire drawer before you know what your baby prefers.
If you choose to swaddle, follow current safe wrapping guidance and stop as soon as your baby shows signs of attempting to roll. And while a muslin wrap has approximately 400 uses in the hands of a new parent, covering the opening of a pram isn't one of them. Keep airflow around your baby clear.
8. Baby Monitor
Do you need it: Useful
A baby monitor isn't essential for every household, particularly while baby is sleeping in the same room as you, but many parents find one incredibly useful as their baby grows and begins sleeping separately.
Consider whether you want video, audio only, Wi-Fi connectivity, an app, movement features or a non-Wi-Fi system. A monitor can offer convenience and reassurance, but it isn't a substitute for following safe sleep recommendations.
9. Nursing or Feeding Chair
Do you need it: Nice to have
Will you spend an extraordinary amount of time feeding and cuddling your baby? Very possibly. Does that mean you need a dedicated $2,000 nursery chair? Not necessarily.
A comfortable, supportive chair can be a brilliant nursery addition if you have the room and budget. Look for good back and arm support, easy-clean upholstery and enough space to settle in comfortably during those 3am feeds.
10. Blackout Blinds
Do you need them: Nice to have
Blackout blinds won't magically make every baby sleep through the night, but they can help create a darker sleep environment for daytime naps and bright Australian summer evenings. Portable versions can also be useful when travelling or staying with grandparents.
If your baby's room is already sufficiently dark, this is one purchase you can happily skip.
11. White Noise Machine
Do you need it: Nice to have
A white noise machine can become a useful part of a consistent sleep routine, particularly if your home is prone to sudden household or street noise. Look for adjustable volume, timer settings and portability if you'd like to use it away from home.
You certainly don't need one before baby arrives, but plenty of parents find theirs becomes surprisingly well used.
12. Nursery Storage
Do you need it: Useful
Tiny people accumulate a remarkable amount of stuff. Drawers, baskets or simple storage tubs can make nappies, spare sheets, clothes and changing supplies much easier to find, especially when you're operating on very little sleep.
Don't feel pressured to buy matching nursery furniture. Safe, practical storage you already own may work perfectly well.
13. Nursery Decor & Mobile
Do you need it: Nice to have
Now for the fun bit. Artwork, mobiles and other decorative touches can make baby's room feel special, but they're firmly in the nice-to-have camp.
Always think about placement as well as appearance. Keep decorative objects, mobiles, cords and anything that could fall or be pulled down safely away from baby's sleep space.
Nappy Changing & Bath Essentials
There will be a lot of nappy changes in your immediate future, so this is one area where being organised genuinely helps. You don't need a bathroom full of specialised baby products, though. A few well-chosen basics will do most of the heavy lifting.
14. Nappies
Do you need them: Essential
Yes, lots of them. Whether you choose disposable nappies, reusable cloth nappies or a combination of both comes down to your lifestyle, budget and preferences.
Don't stockpile too many boxes of one newborn size or brand before baby arrives. Babies grow quickly, and you may discover that a different fit works better for your little one.
15. Baby Wipes
Do you need them: Essential
You'll use wipes for considerably more than nappy changes, so they're an easy addition to a baby registry. Look for a formula that suits your baby's skin and consider fragrance-free or water-based options if you prefer something simple.
Reusable cloth wipes are another option and can be used alongside disposable wipes rather than making it an all-or-nothing decision.
16. Change Mat
Do you need it: Useful
A wipe-clean change mat gives you a dedicated surface for nappy changes without requiring an entire piece of nursery furniture. Portable versions are particularly handy for the nappy bag, car and visits to grandparents.
If you don't have a change table, a clear, clean space on the floor can also be used for changing baby.
17. Change Table
Do you need it: Nice to have
A dedicated change table can make those many daily nappy changes more comfortable and keeps supplies conveniently within reach, but it isn't essential.
If you buy one, look for raised edges or barriers and sturdy construction. Have nappies, wipes and creams ready before you begin, and always keep your baby within reach and supervised while they're on a raised changing surface.
18. Nappy Caddy
Do you need it: Nice to have
One of those little purchases that can make newborn life surprisingly easier. Fill a portable caddy with nappies, wipes, barrier cream, spare clothes and other changing essentials and move it between rooms as needed.
It's particularly useful in a two-storey home when the idea of climbing the stairs for one clean nappy at 4am feels deeply unreasonable.
19. Nappy Cream
Do you need it: Useful
A simple barrier cream is worth having on hand for irritated skin and nappy rash. You don't necessarily need to apply one at every change, so start with a single product rather than buying an entire skincare collection before you know what suits your baby's skin.
20. Baby Bath
Do you need it: Useful
A baby bath can make bathing a tiny, slippery newborn feel considerably more manageable, particularly in the early months. Choose one that works with your bathroom and storage space.
Whatever you use, bath time requires constant hands-on supervision. Never leave a baby alone in or near water, even for a moment.
21. Baby Bath Support
Do you need it: Nice to have
A bath support can make it easier to position baby while bathing, but it is not a safety device and should never replace hands-on adult supervision.
Choose a product suitable for your baby's age and size, follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep your baby within arm's reach at all times.
22. Baby Wash and Shampoo
Do you need it: Useful
Newborns don't need an elaborate bath routine. A gentle baby wash or cleanser is plenty to start with, and you may find you use very little product during those early weeks.
Choose something formulated for babies and suitable for delicate skin. If your baby develops persistent dryness, irritation or a rash, speak with your healthcare professional rather than cycling through multiple products.
23. Baby Moisturiser
Do you need it: Nice to have
Some babies benefit from a simple moisturiser, particularly if their skin becomes dry, while others may barely need one. Choose a gentle formula made for babies and introduce new skincare products one at a time so it's easier to notice any irritation.
24. Hooded Towels
Do you need them: Useful
There is nothing quite as slippery as a freshly bathed newborn, which is why hooded baby towels can be surprisingly handy. The hood helps keep your baby's head warm while you dry them, while the smaller proportions are easier to wrap around a tiny body than your enormous bath sheet.
You don't need an entire linen cupboard of them. Two or three soft, absorbent towels should be plenty to begin with, giving you one to use while another is inevitably in the wash.
25. Baby Washcloths
Do you need them: Useful
Small, soft washcloths are brilliant for gently cleaning baby's face and body at bath time, but their usefulness doesn't end there. Keep a few around the house and they'll inevitably be recruited for wiping milky chins, sticky hands and all manner of mysterious baby messes.
Buy a small stack rather than one or two. They're inexpensive, easy to wash and tend to disappear into the laundry at an impressive rate.
Baby Travel & Out And About Essentials
Leaving the house with a newborn can initially feel like packing for an international expedition. It gets easier. The right baby travel essentials can make getting from A to B considerably simpler, whether you're walking around the block, driving to the grandparents or attempting your first weekend away.
26. Pram
Do you need it: Essential for most families
A pram is one of the biggest purchases on most baby registry checklists, so it's worth choosing one for the life you actually live rather than the life depicted in the advertising campaign.
Think about where you'll use it most. Do you walk everywhere? Have a tiny car boot? Need to carry it upstairs? Regularly tackle grass and uneven footpaths? Hope to add a second child relatively soon?
Weight, folded size, storage, manoeuvrability, newborn suitability and the ability to convert to a double can all matter enormously once you're using it every day.
READ: The Best Prams & Strollers In Australia
READ: The Best Double Prams In Australia
27. Pram Bassinet
Do you need it: Depends on your pram
Some prams are suitable for newborns without a separate bassinet, while others require one for use from birth.
A bassinet attachment gives your newborn a flat space while you're out walking and can be particularly useful if you expect your pram to get a serious workout during those first few months.
Before adding one to your baby registry, check exactly what's included with your chosen pram and whether a separate bassinet is actually required.
28. Pram Organiser
Do you need it: Nice to have
Phone. Keys. Dummy. Water bottle. Muslin. Snack you meant to eat two hours ago.
A pram organiser keeps the things you reach for constantly somewhere accessible rather than at the very bottom of a heavily packed nappy bag.
Choose one designed to work safely with your pram and be careful not to overload the handlebar, as hanging excessive weight from a pram can affect its stability.
29. Pram Rain Cover
Do you need it: Useful
You won't think about a rain cover until you're 20 minutes from home and the heavens suddenly open.
Many prams have a purpose-designed rain cover available, and some include one as standard. Check what's included before buying another and make sure any cover you use allows adequate ventilation and is fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
30. Pram Sun Shade
Do you need it: Useful
In Australia, keeping baby protected from direct sunlight is an important consideration when you're out and about.
Look for a purpose-designed, well-ventilated shade that's compatible with your stroller. Avoid draping blankets or muslin wraps over the pram opening to create shade, as this can restrict airflow and increase the temperature inside.
31. Baby Car Seat or Capsule
Do you need it: Essential if travelling by car
If baby is coming home from hospital in a car, an appropriate child restraint needs to be sorted before the big day.
Some parents choose a rear-facing infant capsule that can be removed from the car and attached to a compatible pram. Others go straight to a rear-facing convertible car seat designed for use from birth.
Whatever you choose, safety, suitability and correct installation should come before bells and whistles. Make sure your restraint meets current Australian requirements and is appropriate for your baby's size and age.
32. Capsule Adaptors
Do you need them: Depends on your travel system
Planning to click your infant capsule straight onto your pram? You may need a separate set of adaptors to make the two compatible.
Check this before baby arrives. Not every capsule works with every pram, and discovering this in a shopping centre car park with a sleeping newborn is less than ideal.
33. Baby Car Mirror
Do you need it: Nice to have
A securely positioned mirror can allow you to see your rear-facing baby without needing to turn around.
It isn't a baby essential in the strictest sense, but many parents appreciate being able to quickly check on their little passenger. Choose a product designed for use in the car, install it securely and make sure it doesn't obstruct your view or become a distraction while driving.
34. Car Window Shades
Do you need them: Useful
Direct afternoon sun hitting your baby's side of the car is no fun for anyone.
Window shades can help reduce glare and direct sunlight, particularly during bright Australian summers. Look for shades that fit your vehicle securely without interfering with the driver's visibility.
35. Nappy Bag
Do you need it: Useful
You don't technically need a dedicated nappy bag. A roomy backpack or tote can absolutely do the job. Purpose-built versions are popular for good reason, though.
Easy-clean linings, insulated bottle pockets, changing mats, pram straps and approximately 400 compartments can make finding what you need considerably easier.
Backpack styles are particularly practical when you want both hands free for your baby.
36. Travel Change Mat
Do you need it: Useful
Public bathrooms, the car boot, Grandma's floor. Your baby will eventually require a nappy change in all sorts of interesting locations.
A foldable, wipe-clean changing mat gives you a clean surface wherever you happen to be and takes up very little space in your nappy bag.
37. Baby Carrier
Do you need it: Useful
Some babies would happily spend their entire first year attached to a parent, which is where a good baby carrier can earn its keep.
Carriers can be brilliant for walks, public transport, travelling and simply getting things done while keeping baby close. Choose a carrier appropriate for your baby's age and size, learn how to fit it correctly and always follow the manufacturer's instructions around positioning and airway safety.
38. Portable White Noise Machine
Do you need it: Nice to have
If white noise becomes part of your baby's sleep routine, a small portable version can be handy for pram naps, nights away and travel.
Look for adjustable volume, decent battery life and a compact design. You may decide your regular white noise machine is portable enough, in which case you certainly don't need two.
39. Portacot or Travel Cot
Do you need it: Depends on your lifestyle
If weekends away and overnight visits to family are part of your life, a portable cot can be an excellent baby registry addition.
Consider weight and folded size as well as how quickly it can be assembled. Most importantly, use the mattress and sleep setup specified by the manufacturer rather than adding extra padding or an additional mattress.
Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding Essentials
However you end up feeding your baby, you don't need to own every feeding gadget before they've even arrived. Start with the baby feeding essentials that suit your plans, then add things once you know what feeding actually looks like for you and your baby.
40. Breast Pump
Do you need it: Depends on how you feed
Not every breastfeeding parent needs a breast pump, but one can be incredibly useful if you plan to express regularly, share feeds, return to work or build up stored milk.
Manual, wearable, single electric and double electric pumps all suit different needs and budgets. If you're unsure how frequently you'll express, you may prefer to wait until after baby arrives before investing in an expensive model.
41. Breastmilk Storage Bags or Storage Containers
Do you need them: Useful if expressing
If you're planning to express breastmilk, suitable storage bags or containers make it easier to refrigerate or freeze milk for later.
You don't need hundreds before baby arrives. Start with a small supply, label expressed milk clearly and follow current Australian health guidance around safe breastmilk storage, thawing and handling.
42. Breast Pads
Do you need them: Useful
Leaking breastmilk has a remarkable ability to happen precisely when you've put on the one top you were hoping to keep clean.
Disposable or reusable breast pads sit inside your bra to absorb leaks. You won't know how much you'll need them until your milk comes in, so a small starter pack is plenty for your baby registry.
43. Nipple Cream
Do you need it: Nice to have
A nipple balm or cream can provide some comfort during the early days of breastfeeding.
Persistent pain, cracked nipples or difficulty feeding shouldn't simply be endured, though. If breastfeeding hurts or you're concerned about attachment, seek support from your midwife, lactation consultant or another qualified healthcare professional.
44. Nursing Pillow
Do you need it: Nice to have
A feeding pillow can help support baby and take some of the strain off your arms, shoulders and back during long feeds.
Plenty of parents manage perfectly well with pillows they already own, so this sits firmly in the comfort rather than essential category. If someone wants to buy you one as a baby shower gift, however, you may be very grateful for it at 3am.
45. Baby Bottles
Do you need them: Essential if bottle feeding
If you're formula feeding, bottles will obviously be among your most-used newborn essentials. Even if you're planning to breastfeed, you may eventually want a couple for expressed milk.
Our advice? Don't buy 20 identical bottles before baby arrives. Babies can have surprisingly strong opinions about teat shapes and flow rates, so trying a smaller number first can save you an expensive cupboard full of rejected bottles.
46. Bottle Brush
Do you need it: Useful
Simple, inexpensive and very useful. A dedicated bottle brush makes it easier to clean bottles and reach the little areas a regular dish brush might miss.
Choose one that's easy to clean and dry thoroughly between uses.
47. Bottle Drying Rack
Do you need it: Nice to have
If you're washing bottles several times a day, a dedicated drying rack can stop your kitchen bench becoming a sea of bottles, teats and pump parts.
It isn't essential, particularly if you already have an appropriate clean drying space, but many bottle-feeding families find one extremely useful.
48. Bottle Steriliser
Do you need it: Depends on your feeding routine
There are different ways to sterilise baby feeding equipment, so you don't necessarily need a dedicated machine.
Steam sterilisers, microwave systems and UV units can make the process more convenient if you're using bottles frequently. Before buying one, think about capacity, cycle time and how much kitchen bench space you're prepared to surrender.
49. Bottle Warmer
Do you need it: Nice to have
A bottle warmer can make warming milk more convenient, particularly during night feeds, but it isn't essential.
Portable bottle warmers can also be useful if you'll regularly feed away from home. Whichever method you use, follow safe preparation instructions and always check the temperature before offering milk to your baby.
50. Formula Dispenser
Do you need it: Useful if formula feeding
A divided formula dispenser lets you measure powdered formula into individual compartments, which can make preparing bottles away from home much simpler.
It's inexpensive, compact and one of those unglamorous baby registry items that can become surprisingly useful. Always prepare formula according to the manufacturer's instructions and current health guidance.
51. Burp Cloths
Do you need them: Useful
Can you use a muslin wrap instead? Absolutely. Will you still end up wanting something absorbent within arm's reach in every room? Quite possibly.
Burp cloths are designed for catching milk, dribble and spit-up without requiring you to sacrifice your clothes. Choose washable, absorbent fabrics and buy enough that several can be in the laundry at once.
52. Newborn Bibs
Do you need them: Useful
Before solids arrive, bibs are mostly there to catch milk and dribble.
Soft cotton styles are ideal for the early months and can save you from changing an entire outfit after every messy feed. You only need a handful to start.
Starting Solids Essentials
Your newborn won't need any of these immediately, but the best baby registries aren't limited to the first 12 weeks. Adding a few products for starting solids gives friends and family more gift options and means Future You has one less shopping list to tackle around the six-month mark.
53. High Chair
Do you need it: Essential eventually
Once your baby is developmentally ready to begin solids, a supportive high chair becomes one of those products you'll use several times every day.
Look for a stable design that allows baby to sit in an appropriate upright position and, importantly, isn't a nightmare to clean. Purée has an extraordinary ability to find seams you didn't know existed.
54. Feeding Bibs
Do you need them: Useful
Once solids begin, bibs stop being a cute accessory and become protective equipment.
Silicone bibs with catch pockets are easy to wipe clean, while long-sleeved smock styles offer even more coverage. A couple is plenty to begin with.
55. Baby Bowls and Plates
Do you need them: Useful
You don't need a 30-piece matching dinner set for a six-month-old. A couple of durable bowls and plates will do nicely.
Suction bases can be handy during the enthusiastic plate-throwing stage, although a sufficiently determined baby can regard even the strongest suction plate as a personal challenge.
56. Baby Cutlery
Do you need it: Useful
Short, chunky utensils can be easier for little hands to grasp as babies begin experimenting with self-feeding.
Start with a few baby spoons and introduce other utensils as your baby's skills develop. Easy-clean designs are your friend here.
57. Open Cup, Sippy Cup or Straw Cup
Do you need it: Useful eventually
Small open cups and age-appropriate straw cups can be introduced as babies begin learning to drink alongside starting solids.
Look for something lightweight and manageable for little hands. As with most feeding products, you may need to try more than one style before discovering your baby's favourite.
58. Baby Food Storage Containers
Do you need them: Useful
Small freezer containers are handy if you're preparing food in batches or simply want somewhere sensible to store tiny portions of leftovers.
Choose food-safe options that are easy to clean, stack and label. Freezer-friendly designs can be particularly useful during the purée stage.
59. Baby Food Maker
Do you need it: Nice to have
You absolutely don't need a specialised appliance to make baby food. The blender or food processor already in your kitchen may do the job perfectly well.
That said, compact steam-and-blend machines can be wonderfully convenient if homemade purées are going to feature heavily in your routine.
Baby Clothing Essentials
Tiny clothes are dangerously easy to overbuy. Your newborn needs considerably fewer elaborate outfits than social media would have you believe, and considerably more comfortable basics that can survive repeated washing.
60. Short Sleeve Bodysuits
Do you need them: Essential
Soft bodysuits make brilliant everyday layers and can be worn alone during warmer weather.
Choose breathable fabrics, easy-access necklines and snap closures that make nappy changes simple. Rather than filling an entire drawer with newborn sizing, spread your baby registry across a few sizes so there's something ready for the next growth spurt.
61. Long Sleeve Bodysuits
Do you need them: Useful
Long-sleeved bodysuits are easy layering pieces for cooler weather and work well underneath growsuits and other clothing.
Again, comfort wins. Soft fabric and easy nappy access will matter much more at 2am than decorative buttons.
62. Zip Growsuits
Do you need them: Essential
If there's one piece of baby clothing you'll appreciate during a middle-of-the-night nappy change, it's a zip growsuit.
Two-way zips can make changing easier, while built-in fold-over mittens and foot covers can be useful depending on the season and design. Buy several! These are the workhorses of the newborn wardrobe.
63. Singlets
Do you need them: Useful
Lightweight singlets make simple layering pieces and are particularly useful when temperatures change throughout the day.
A handful should be plenty. Like most newborn clothing, there's no need to buy dozens before you know which styles you actually reach for.
64. Leggings or Pants
Do you need them: Useful
Soft, stretchy pants are useful for pairing with bodysuits once you begin branching out from the all-growsuit, all-the-time stage.
Look for comfortable waistbands with plenty of room around the nappy and skip anything stiff or overly complicated.
65. Cardigans or Jumpers
Do you need them: Depends on the season
A soft cardigan or jumper gives you an easy extra layer for cooler days.
Think comfort rather than miniature adult fashion. Avoid loose embellishments and choose pieces that are easy to put on and remove without turning getting dressed into a wrestling match.
66. Baby Socks
Do you need them: Useful
Your baby will need socks. Your baby may also devote a surprising amount of energy to removing those socks.
A few pairs are useful when outfits don't have covered feet. Don't go overboard. Baby socks have a mysterious tendency to disappear long before they're outgrown.
67. Baby Sun Hat
Do you need it: Useful
For Australian babies, a sun hat is a sensible addition as they get older and begin spending more time outdoors.
Choose a soft, well-fitting style with good coverage. Hats shouldn't be worn for sleep, and sun protection for babies involves more than a hat alone, so follow current Australian sun-safety recommendations.
68. Warm Hat or Beanie
Do you need it: Depends on the season
Expecting a winter baby or living somewhere particularly chilly? A soft beanie can help keep little heads warm while you're outdoors.
You probably only need one or two. Remove hats and beanies when baby is indoors if appropriate and always remove them for sleep.
69. Going-Home Outfit
Do you need it: Nice to have
Is a dedicated going-home outfit strictly necessary? Absolutely not. Is choosing the tiny ensemble your baby will wear home for the first time incredibly lovely? Absolutely yes.
Keep practicality in mind. Choose soft fabrics, easy nappy access and something that works safely with your baby's car restraint.
Baby Play and Development Essentials
Newborn play is wonderfully simple. Your face, your voice and a cuddle are infinitely more fascinating to a new baby than an overflowing toy box, so there is no need to buy everything at once.
A few well-chosen baby toys can, however, support tummy time, sensory exploration and those rapidly developing motor skills over the first year.
70. Play Mat
Do you need it: Useful
A padded play mat creates a comfortable place for supervised floor play, tummy time and, eventually, rolling, sitting and crawling.
Choose something reasonably easy to clean because its future almost certainly involves milk, dribble and snacks.
71. Baby Play Gym
Do you need it: Useful
An activity gym gives your baby interesting shapes, textures and objects to look at and eventually reach towards during supervised floor time.
You don't need flashing lights and 47 activities. Simple designs with contrasting colours, mirrors, textures and hanging toys can provide plenty to explore.
72. Tummy Time Toys
Do you need them: Nice to have
High-contrast cards, baby-safe mirrors and interesting textures can make supervised tummy time a little more engaging.
You don't need specialised tummy-time equipment, but strategically positioning something interesting to look at can encourage baby to lift and turn their head.
73. Rattles
Do you need them: Nice to have
The humble rattle has survived generations of increasingly sophisticated baby toys for a reason.
As babies learn to grasp, shake and transfer objects between their hands, a lightweight rattle offers plenty to explore. Choose an age-appropriate design that's easy for small hands to hold.
74. Teethers
Do you need them: Useful eventually
Teething can arrive with an impressive amount of drool and a sudden desire to chew absolutely everything.
Having a few baby-safe teethers in different textures gives sore gums something appropriate to investigate. Choose products designed for babies and check them regularly for signs of wear.
75. Soft Books
Do you need them: Nice to have
Fabric, crinkle and sensory books make lovely first books because babies can grab, squash and inevitably chew them.
Look for contrasting colours, simple pictures and interesting textures. They're also an easy baby shower gift if someone is looking for something beyond clothing.
76. Board Books
Do you need them: Useful
Reading to your baby can begin long before they understand the story. Your voice, repetition and the ritual itself are all part of the experience.
Sturdy board books survive enthusiastic little hands far better than paper pages and can become a lovely part of your bedtime routine.
77. Sensory Toys
Do you need them: Nice to have
Different textures, gentle sounds and contrasting colours give babies plenty to explore as their senses and motor skills develop.
You don't need an enormous collection. Rotate a handful of age-appropriate toys and suddenly the toy they ignored last week is fascinating again.
78. Baby Bouncer or Rocker
Do you need it: Nice to have
A bouncer can give you somewhere to place baby while they're awake and supervised, particularly useful when you'd quite like to eat lunch using both hands.
Follow the manufacturer's age and weight limits and use the restraint as directed. A bouncer isn't designed as a sleep space, so move baby to an appropriate safe sleep surface if they fall asleep.
Baby Health and Grooming Essentials
Nobody gets particularly excited about putting a thermometer on their baby registry. At 2am with a sick baby, however, you'll be very pleased you did.
You don't need an enormous medicine cabinet before your newborn arrives, but a few baby health and grooming essentials are worth having ready from day one.
79. Digital Thermometer
Do you need it: Essential
A reliable digital thermometer is one newborn essential we'd have ready before baby arrives.
Choose a thermometer appropriate for babies and familiarise yourself with how it works before you actually need it. If your baby is unwell, particularly if they're very young, seek appropriate medical advice rather than relying on the temperature reading alone.
80. Baby First Aid Kit
Do you need it: Useful
You can buy a ready-made baby first aid kit or assemble your own with basic supplies.
Keep it somewhere adults can easily find but children cannot access. Even better, consider doing an infant first aid course before your baby arrives so you know what to do with the contents if they're ever needed.
81. Nasal Aspirator
Do you need it: Useful
Babies haven't yet mastered the extremely useful life skill of blowing their own nose.
A nasal aspirator can help remove mucus when your little one is congested. There are manual and electric versions available, so choose one appropriate for your baby's age and follow the directions carefully.
82. Baby Saline
Do you need it: Useful
Baby-appropriate saline drops or spray can help loosen nasal mucus and are often used alongside an aspirator.
Check that the product is suitable for your baby's age and speak with your pharmacist, GP or healthcare professional if you're unsure about what to use.
83. Baby Clippers or Nail File
Do you need them: Essential-ish
Newborn fingernails are tiny, surprisingly sharp and seem to grow at extraordinary speed.
Baby nail clippers, scissors or an electric nail file can make trimming them easier. Plenty of parents swear by electric files because they remove some of the terror involved in bringing clippers anywhere near those impossibly small fingers.
84. Baby Hairbrush
Do you need it: Nice to have
Your newborn may arrive with an impressive head of hair or virtually none at all, so this isn't something every family needs immediately.
A soft baby brush can be useful for gently grooming fine hair and makes a sweet, inexpensive addition to a registry.
85. Medicine Syringe or Dispenser
Do you need it: Useful
When your baby eventually needs medicine prescribed or recommended by a healthcare professional, an oral syringe or appropriate dispenser can make measuring and administering the correct dose easier.
Many infant medicines include one in the packaging, so check before buying extras. Always follow dosing instructions and seek professional advice if you're unsure.
86. Humidifier
Do you need it: Nice to have
A humidifier isn't an essential for every nursery, but some families like having one available, particularly during dry weather or when heating and air conditioning leave the air feeling dry.
Choose a model appropriate for use around children and follow its cleaning instructions carefully. Humidifiers need regular maintenance to prevent unwanted microbial growth.
Baby Comfort and Everyday Extras
We've covered the big-ticket baby essentials. Now for the smaller things that have a habit of becoming some of the most-used items in the house.
Not every baby will need or like everything in this section, which makes these particularly good candidates for the "nice to have" end of your gift registry.
87. Dummies
Do you need them: Depends on your baby
Some babies adore dummies. Others react as though you've personally offended them.
If you'd like to offer one, buy a couple rather than stocking up on 20 before you know whether your baby will take one. Choose a dummy appropriate for your baby's age and follow current guidance around safe use, cleaning and replacement.
88. Dummy Clips
Do you need them: Nice to have
If your baby does use a dummy, you'll quickly discover its extraordinary ability to fall onto the floor at the least convenient moment.
A purpose-designed dummy clip can help keep it attached to clothing while baby is awake. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and never use improvised cords or attachments.
89. Night Light
Do you need it: Nice to have
A dim night light can make night feeds and nappy changes considerably less jarring than switching on the full overhead light at 3am.
Look for something with adjustable brightness and keep cords and electrical devices safely away from your baby's sleep space.
90. Baby Laundry Detergent
Do you need it: Depends on your household
You don't automatically need a separate detergent just because you've had a baby.
If your regular laundry product works for your family and your baby's skin, you may happily continue using it. Parents who prefer a fragrance-free or sensitive formula may choose to switch before washing those first tiny clothes and sheets.
91. Muslin Cloths
Do you need them: Useful
Muslin cloths are the multitaskers of newborn life.
Use them as burp cloths, lightweight covers while feeding, makeshift change surfaces and for cleaning up the astonishing number of small spills that accompany a baby. Just remember not to drape them over the opening of a pram, where they can restrict airflow.
A few good-sized muslins will rarely go unused.
92. Baby Blankets
Do you need them: Useful
A soft baby blanket is lovely for cuddles, floor time, the pram while supervised and keeping warm while you're out.
It should not, however, automatically become cot bedding. Follow current safe sleep guidance and keep loose blankets and other soft objects out of your baby's sleep space when recommended.
93. Organisers and Caddies
Do you need them: Nice to have
You already have nursery storage on this checklist, but smaller baskets and organisers deserve a mention because babies come with an extraordinary number of tiny things.
Use them to corral socks, bibs, breast pump parts, nappies or spare sheets. The goal isn't a Pinterest-perfect nursery. It's being able to find a clean onesie when you're half asleep.
94. Baby Memory Book
Do you need it: Nice to have
You will be convinced you'll remember the first smile, first word and exact day that first tooth appeared. A few years later, things become surprisingly fuzzy.
A baby memory book gives you somewhere to record those tiny milestones, photos and memories as they happen. It's also one of the lovelier sentimental items to include on a baby registry.
95. Milestone Cards
Do you need them: Nice to have
One week old. One month old. First smile. First Christmas.
Milestone cards or discs are entirely optional, but they make it easy to document those rapidly changing first months and can become beautiful keepsakes later.
96. Keepsake Box
Do you need it: Nice to have
Hospital bracelet, first birthday card, favourite newborn outfit, the impossibly tiny beanie they wore home.
A keepsake box gives all those sentimental pieces somewhere to live rather than leaving them scattered through drawers for the next 18 years.
Baby Essentials For Later
One of the smartest things you can do when creating a baby registry is think beyond the newborn stage. Babies grow very quickly, and gifts you'll use at six or 12 months can be every bit as valuable as another size 0000 outfit.
97. Baby Safety Gates
Do you need them: Essential eventually for many homes
You certainly don't need safety gates for a newborn who isn't going anywhere without you. Once crawling begins, however, stairs and certain areas of the home can become much more interesting.
If your home will require gates, adding them to your registry now can save you another purchase later. Choose the right type for the location and follow installation instructions carefully, particularly around stairs.
98. Baby Proofing Kit
Do you need it: Useful eventually
Cupboard locks, drawer latches and other baby-proofing products won't be required for months, but mobile babies have a remarkable talent for identifying hazards adults have stopped noticing.
Rather than buying a giant generic kit immediately, assess your own home and add the products you actually need as your baby approaches the crawling stage.
99. Convertible Toddler Baby Gear
Do you need it: Nice to have
Your feeding needs will change quickly once your baby moves beyond those first tastes of solids.
A durable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set that can grow with your child makes a practical registry gift and is far more likely to earn its keep than an enormous collection of highly specialised feeding gadgets.
100. A Baby Keepsake
Do you need it: Absolutely not, but that's not really the point
A baby registry doesn't have to contain only things you need.
A beautiful blanket, personalised piece, special toy, first piece of jewellery or something your child might keep long after the bottles and bassinets are gone deserves a place too.
After 99 practical baby essentials, consider number 100 permission to choose something simply because you love it.
What Do You Actually Need For A Newborn?
If looking at a list of 100 baby essentials has left you wondering whether you need to remortgage the house before giving birth, don't panic.
You absolutely do not need everything on this baby registry checklist.
For the first few weeks, your newborn's needs are actually relatively simple. You'll need a safe place for baby to sleep, nappies and changing supplies, appropriate clothing, feeding essentials for however you plan to feed, a suitable car restraint if you travel by car and a way to safely get around with your baby.
Everything else depends on your family.
A parent living in an inner-city apartment without a car will build a very different baby registry in Australia to someone living regionally and driving everywhere. Likewise, a family planning to travel frequently might use a portacot from the beginning, while another family won't need one for years.
That's why we recommend treating this newborn essentials checklist as a menu rather than a shopping mandate.
Start with the essentials. Add the products that genuinely suit your lifestyle. Then use your baby registry for some of the larger or longer-term items that friends and family may love contributing towards.
What Should You Put On A Baby Registry?
A good baby registry checklist includes a mix of price points and products you'll use across different stages.
Include inexpensive everyday baby essentials such as bibs, washcloths and bodysuits alongside larger purchases such as your pram, baby monitor, carrier or high chair. This gives friends and family plenty of choice regardless of their budget.
It's also worth registering for products you'll need later. Your baby may not sit in a high chair for several months, but you'll probably appreciate having one ready when the time comes.
And remember, your registry doesn't need to look like anyone else's. If you already have hand-me-down clothes, skip them. If you're borrowing a bassinet, don't register for another one. If you know you'll walk everywhere, perhaps the pram is where you'd love friends and family to contribute.
The best baby registry is the one built around the baby and family who are actually going to use it.
Baby Registry Checklist Australia: FAQs
What are the most important things to put on a baby registry?
Start with the essentials you'll need during the newborn stage, including a safe sleep space, nappies, wipes, basic clothing, feeding supplies and an appropriate car restraint if you'll be travelling by car. A pram or baby carrier will also be important for most families. From there, add useful products for later stages, such as a high chair and feeding equipment.
How many items should be on a baby registry?
There is no ideal number. A registry with plenty of options can actually be helpful because it gives guests a choice of products and price points. Our 100 baby essentials checklist is designed as a starting point rather than 100 things every parent needs to own. Choose the items that suit your home, lifestyle, budget and plans.
When should I start my baby registry?
You can begin whenever you feel ready, but many parents start researching larger baby purchases during the second trimester. Beginning early gives you time to compare prams, car seats, nursery furniture and other bigger items without feeling rushed. You can continue adding smaller newborn essentials as your baby shower or due date gets closer.
What do I actually need before my baby is born?
Focus first on what you'll need immediately. That generally means a safe place for baby to sleep, nappies and changing supplies, basic clothes, feeding essentials and a suitable car restraint if travelling by car. You don't need to have every toy, feeding product or baby-proofing item ready before bringing your newborn home.
Should I put expensive items on my baby registry?
Yes. Larger purchases such as prams, car seats, cots, baby monitors and high chairs can absolutely go on a registry, particularly if your registry allows friends and family to contribute towards an item together. Balance these with plenty of affordable gifts so guests have options across different budgets.
Should I add things my baby won't use straight away?
Definitely. Adding products for the next stage can make your registry much more useful. High chairs, starting-solids equipment, older-size clothing, toys and baby-proofing products might not be needed during the newborn months, but babies grow extraordinarily quickly. You'll likely appreciate having some of these things ready when the time comes.
How many newborn clothes should I put on my registry?
Resist the temptation to register for an entire wardrobe in the smallest size. Babies grow at different rates and some spend very little time in newborn clothing. A practical registry includes comfortable basics such as bodysuits and zip growsuits across several sizes, rather than dozens of elaborate newborn outfits.
What baby products can I skip?
This depends enormously on your lifestyle. A dedicated change table, bottle warmer, feeding pillow, pram organiser and baby food maker can all be useful, but none is universally essential. Before adding something to your registry, ask yourself where you'll store it, when you'll use it and whether something you already own can do the same job.
