When I first wrote a blog on this topic in 2021, I was a two-times Mama sharing the products I loved and considered essential during those early newborn months. Since then, life has brought us four more beautiful babies, countless more memories, and a few more years of learning, simplifying and refining along the way.
Before Noah’s birth (my firstborn), as most mamas do, I made “nesting” my job. We had just finished building our home in Cape Town and I wanted his nursery and everything alongside it to be absolutely perfect. I researched and I bought. I designed and I built. I loved it all so much. The joy, anticipation and excitement that one feels is something so precious, and I’m sure any expectant Mama can relate.
The buying can also feel incredibly overwhelming though, especially with the vast amount of products available these days. Looking back now, after six babies (and with sweet Henri being our final little babe), I’ve realised that babies truly need far less than we think. The essentials have become simpler with time. Softer. More intentional.
What I’ve also learnt is that some products remain absolute staples no matter how many babies you have, while others quietly disappear from the list altogether. And then, every now and then, a product comes along and makes you think: Where on earth was this six babies ago?
So while much of this list remains exactly the same, I thought it was time for a little update — sharing a few things I’ve discovered and loved along the way.
Whether you choose to stick to the bare essentials or whether you want to get it all so that you can feel prepared, I thought it would be useful for me (now a six-time Mama) to share the products that I deem the most necessary in those early months.
My list of essentials for baby's arrival
Breastpump – Essential like nothing else. Even if you plan to breastfeed exclusively (which I did for all of my children), a breast pump is an absolute must. Especially once you feel ready to exercise again or want to head out for an evening sans bébé. I owned the Medela Swing Breastpump for all my babes and loved it. I gave it away after my 5th babe and got gifted an Evie Breastpump. It is hands-free and very practical. I do miss my Medela but you cant go wrong with either.
I also want to mention the Haakaa silicone breast pump. I only discovered it with my fourth child (!) but would recommend it to any nursing Mama as an ABSOLUTE must-have.
Pacifiers (or Dummies) – I used to hear a lot of advice around waiting because of nipple confusion and in hindsight I personally never found that to be an issue. All my babes have loved the dummy and it has made life so much easier for us, especially during our many travels. Henri introduced me to a new favourite this time around: the Suavinex Zero Zero dummy, which he absolutely loved from the beginning.
Between Suavinex, BIBS and MAM (which were the two brands all my other kids used), I think most little ones eventually find one they adore. I personally like introducing a dummy from the start.
Stroller – We first owned the Bugaboo Cameleon and later upgraded to the Bugaboo Donkey. Both have been wonderful and Bugaboo remains one of my favourite stroller brands. There are many incredible brands out there, I just don’t have much experience with other brands. We own the Yoyo for when our babes are older – great for traveling.
Car Seat – We LOVE the MAXI-COSI Coral infant car seat. Such a clever design and so practical. This design doesn’t exist in Australia unfortunately. In any case, by 'car seat' I am referring to a baby capsule or infant car seat, which you can unclip from the car and clip straight into your stroller. I swear by baby capsules in the first 12 months.
Cot – Not an essential at the start (if you have your co-sleeper or a moses basket at home), but once you want to start getting baby into a sleep routine further down the track, the cot becomes an essential. Decided to still include it though.
Co-sleeper – This item remains an absolute essential for us. Previously I always used the Baby Bay (a German product). With Henri, I bought the CoZee Breeze Lite by Tutti Bambini and am loving it. It’s gentle on the eye, practical and works beautifully as a bedside co-sleeper.
Whatever brand you choose (there are various ones out there), I’d highly recommend getting one that securely attaches to your side of the bed.
Nesting Pillow – For years I swore by the Dock-a-Tot/Sleepyhead nests and used them with several of our babies. This time around though, I discovered the Nurture One Nesting Pillow and absolutely loved it with Henri. It is a South African brand and has quickly become one of those products I deem as essential now.
Sleeping Bags / Swaddles – One habit I’ve always loved starting early is placing babies in their sleeping bag or swaddle for every sleep. Love to Dream continues to be my favourite.
Carrier – After trying wraps, slings and carriers over six babies, I’ve definitely narrowed down my favourites. I am no longer a lover of wraps or slings, only because I’ve discovered a soft structured carrier (the Ergobaby Embrace) that is so much easier to put on quickly, yet it is just as soft as a wrap/sling, and it is structured and allows for hands-free movements (great when you have older children).
For the newborn days and first months, I absolutely swear by the Ergobaby Embrace.
And from around 3–4 months onward, the Ergobaby Omni Deluxe (previously the Ergobaby 360) wins every single time for me. It’s simply the most versatile, practical carrier and I’ve used it with nearly every baby.
There are beautiful brands out there like Artipoppe, Portier and Kaya Baba (an amazing South African brand!) which all have their place (and I definitely own a lovely one from Kaya Baba, which I love and refer to as my 'stylish carrier'), but if someone asked me for one recommendation only, I’d say: own an Ergobaby.
Baby Bouncer – Such a key product for when you want your adorable awake baby close by, but not necessarily on you. The Baby Bjorn Bouncer remains one of my top baby products of all time.
Baby Monitor – We’ve always liked Philips Avent (good quality), but haven’t tried others to be honest.
Sound Machine – Previously I always simply bought a small portable sound machine and called it a day. Six babies later, I’ve realised that having a proper sound machine in the nursery is completely worth it.
I love YogaSleep for the nursery and would absolutely still get a smaller portable one as well for pram naps, travel and on-the-go sleeps. Hatch and YogaSleep both make wonderful portable versions.
Night Light – I can’t believe I didn’t originally include this because now I’d call it a complete essential.
During those endless newborn feeds and overnight wakes, a soft dim light is so much nicer than switching on nursery lights. I found a wonderful little USB rechargeable light from Iseebiz (a find on Amazon) that turns on with the touch of a finger.
Changing Table – You change so many nappies at the start that having a proper setup is worth it.
Nursing/Feeding Chair – An essential like you won't believe. You spend the first few weeks of your life here, so make sure you spend the extra bit and get yourself a comfy one.
Baby Skincare & Creams – I’ve always loved the Weleda baby range and continue to use their Calendula bum cream, moisturiser and wash.
Recently I’ve also discovered Veeore, a beautiful Australian baby skincare brand that I’ve absolutely loved using with Henri.
Breast Pads – Stock up on disposable breast pads.
Baby Towels, Muslins & Bibs – I always keep a collection of large beautiful muslins (for on the go, sun coverage, traveling, nappy changes, etc) and smaller practical ones (for burping, spills, etc).
I’ve completely fallen for Fox & Follow muslins here in Australia — the sweetest prints and beautiful quality.
Clothes – I still recommend limiting newborn sizes and buying more size 56 / 000 pieces because they grow so quickly.
Bonds Zip Wondersuits have been a favourite for years but their prints are often a bit too wild for me these days.
Nappy Bin – Tommee Tippee Twist & Click continues to be a winner for me.
Feeding Chair – You will spend countless hours here, day and night, so make it comfortable. With my 6th baby, I finally treated myself to a proper feeding chair from Pottery Barn and it was the absolute best investment ever.
Feeding Pillow – I still use my Boppy and love it.
Diffuser – I absolutely love a beautiful smelling nursery.
I now always have a diffuser running with baby-friendly essential oils. My favourite is Gentle Baby by Young Living. Some moms get an air humidifier coupled with a diffuser for their nursery.
And for Mama, the Postpartum Mist from Mammae is one of those little luxuries that makes the early weeks feel extra special.
Baby Book – And of course I am biased, but every Mama deserves to own a beautiful Baby Book for their little one and put pen to paper, capturing - what is - the most precious journey of all time. And we obviously cannot go past the Baby Book (This is The Story of You) from Stellarize Lifestyle Stationery & Gifts ;).
A few sixth-time Mama discoveries
A few things I discovered later in motherhood that I wish I’d known sooner:
• Lactation cookies are one thing I now happily buy rather than make. Franjos Kitchen and Milk & Bloom are favourites here in Australia, and in South Africa I’ve always loved Mrs Milk.
• Mini & Me hydration sachets were one of my biggest postpartum discoveries this time around. They somehow make drinking enough water feel like a treat.
• For nursing bras, I’ve absolutely loved Maternique for daytime support and B Free (both Australian brands) for softer bamboo styles at night.
And six babies later, I still stand by what I said all those years ago: babies truly need far less than we think. The essentials become simpler with time. You become more confident. You learn what makes your life easier and what simply takes up space.
And really, if you were to ask me today what I’d still choose if I could only pick three items, I think my answer would remain exactly the same:
A breast pump. A carrier. And a car seat.
Some things change. Some things don’t.
Stella x
