As our Co-Founder & Editor, Isabella Foulger, prepares for her second baby to arrive, she shares all the baby essentials that she has tried and tested and wouldn’t go without. There are so many options (and opinions) out there that it can be a mind-boggling task to finalise your newborn shopping list. These baby essentials have all been carefully selected to bring you the best of the best. Many may not be the most affordable options out there, however, they are built to last and many are suitable beyond the newborn stage – plus, we promise you won’t have to buy twice. From the chicest baby carrier to the baby bouncer that will be your life saver, and from the most convenient bedside cot for sleepy night feeds to the most compact pram for whizzing around town or jetting off on your first family holiday – we have you covered.
Baby Essentials
Best all-round pram:
Stokke, YOYO² stroller 0+ newborn pack, £534
With so many brands and options out there, choosing a pram can be very overwhelming, (I have heard it compared to buying a car on many occasions). However, this compact pram is impossible to beat as an all-rounder as it has you covered for all eventualities. Stokke does two newborn options: the YOYO² stroller 0+ newborn pack is foldable and can be tucked away easily or there’s the YOYO² bassinet stroller, which has a slightly more roomy bassinet depending on your preference. Both prams are ultra lightweight, come in wide variety of chic colours and have lots of handy accessories such as an all-important YOYO cup holder for your morning coffee, YOYO board (great for older siblings) and even YOYO Skis for snowy adventures. From six months onwards the pram can be converted with the YOYO² stroller 6+ bundle. Both the YOYO² stroller 0+ newborn pack and 6+ stroller make travelling with little ones a breeze as they’re designed to fit in the overhead cabin of all aircrafts. What’s more, they’re perfect for busy city life, being so compact and manoeuvrable. Plus, they stow away so easily, which means you won’t have a big pram blocking your hallway or front door.
Best baby carrier:
Artipoppe, Zeitgeist Tweed Aura in cashmere and silk, £690
An Artipoppe Zeitgeist baby carrier was the number one thing on my baby list, second time round. My firstborn lived in the baby carrier for the first year and beyond, and I found it so convenient when going on walks or nipping to the shops. Plus, babies love to be close to you at all times. Artipoppe has lovingly created the crème de la crème of baby carriers, the design compiled from years of research and crafted from the finest fabrics – think cashmere, organic hemp, linen, tweed and luxurious silk. There’s no denying that each of the designs is effortlessly stylish, with a range of artistic prints to suit every couple. The carriers are designed to give you and your baby the ultimate support and comfort, and are very easily adjustable from newborn up to toddler age.
Best highchair:
The striking Scandinavian design of the Stokke, Tripp Trapp sets it apart from any other highchair on the market – and makes it the most practical choice too. It’s the highchair that all of my friends agree is “worth the investment”. Crafted from pine or oak (with an array of colours to choose from), it slots easily under your dining table or kitchen counter – no sticking out highchair legs to contend with. Purchasing the Tripp Trapp® Newborn Bundle means your little one will be able to join family dinners from day one, at six months you can convert it to a highchair with the Tripp Trapp® Baby Set². When your child is ready, this can be removed so they have freedom to sit at the table with you on their own seat – this is adjustable and intended to last throughout their childhood. Furthermore, Stokke offers an engraving service to add your baby’s name to the chair, making it a classic that you can cherish forever.
Best newborn cot:
SnuzPod Studio Bedside Crib Stockholm, £149
A bedside crib is a baby essential for those first few months, to make those night feeds feel a little dreamier. The SnuzPod Studio Bedside Crib is the latest design from the original masters of the bedside solution. The minimalist Scandinavian design will work with any interiors, the crib comes in a range of colours and has six adjustable heights to fit seamlessly beside your bed. The mesh sides allow airflow to regulate your baby’s temperature and sides zip down making night feeds that little bit easier. It comes with optional castor wheels, making it very portable between rooms and you can add on a travel bag if you require. Snuzpod has won many awards for its cribs and I can totally see why.
Best small bag:
Artipoppe, Magic Belt Bag Leopard Classic in cotton, £130
The eighties bum bag is back en vogue and the chicest option is definitely Artipoppe’s Magic Belt Bag, which comes in a variety of fun prints, matching the Zeitgeist baby carrier. Often, if you’re popping out with your baby in the carrier, you don’t want to have to carry a bag with you, so this is ideal as it’s designed for your purse, phone and small essentials. You’ll find as you enter the toddler stage – and are running after them at parks and playgrounds – this bag will become invaluable. It can be worn cross body or around the waist.
Best baby bags:
JOSEFINA, Large Brown, £322.64 & JOSEFINA BACKPACK BROWN Braided, £325.72
JOSAFINA has made baby bags chic. The JOSEFINA, Large Brown is the original design, crafted by artisans in Spain in the finest leather. This bag is designed for parents who take all the essentials, plus it has room for a blanket and a few toys, and the clever compartments (including a bottle holder and space for nappies) mean everything is nicely organised. It’s also designed with working parents in mind thanks to the handy laptop holder. This original style comes in many colours and different sizes so you can choose what works best for you, and it clips onto your pram easily. We also love the brown braided backpack, again, this attaches seamlessly to your pram and has many compartments to keeps things in order.
Best carseat:
For parents who value both style and practicality, Cybex has you covered. I’ve recently been using the Cybex Cloud T car seat with the 360° base, and it’s truly a game-changer for any parent on the go. As someone who spends a lot of time travelling with my little one, I’m always looking for products that offer a blend of safety, comfort, and convenience – and this car seat delivers on all fronts. The standout feature is the 360° rotating base. Instead of awkwardly leaning over to get my baby in and out, I can now swivel the seat towards the door with a simple twist. It’s incredibly practical, especially when juggling bags or managing my toddler at the same time. Safety is a top priority with the Cloud T, it features solid side-impact protection and a removable newborn inlay for extra comfort. The breathable fabrics are a lovely touch, perfect for warmer days, and the reclining feature keeps my baby comfy on longer journeys without the dreaded head slump.
Best pramsuit:
Toastie Kids, Cloud Onesies, £89
A pram suit is a must for all babies and a wardrobe staple for winter months. The Cloud Onesie is beautifully squishy, soft and light as it’s made from a breathable eco-down filling. It’s finished with a cosy sherpa lined hood, sweet animal ears and detachable faux-fur trim. It also features a double zip, making it much easier to dress your baby ahead of those winter walks. Every item at Toastie is made with love and in sustainable fabrics to bring you the very best of the best for outdoor adventures and play. Toastie’s latest AW24 collection features lots of stylish and durable options for bracing the elements, it’s the brand that wants to encourage little ones to spend time in nature – we love its ethos.
Best baby bouncer:
BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft, £184.90
A baby bouncer is a total lifesaver for the newborn and baby stage – nearly every parent I know has one – because it’s where your little one will spend the most time, when not being fed, cuddled or sleeping. The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is the newest model from BabyBjörn who are the pioneers behind baby bouncers, having produced them for many decades. It’s crafted from the softest jersey fabric, with mesh panels to allow airflow so your baby will stay cool on warmer days. The modern design is very minimalist and compact, so it won’t be an eyesore in your living room and you can choose from a range of chic colours to match your interiors. There’s also a selection of toys you can attach to keep your baby stimulated.
Best baby nest:
DockATot, Deluxe+ Dock (0 to 8 months) – Willow Boughs
A DockATot should be at the top of everyone’s baby list. It’s a multifunctional product for babies up to around eight months, made for lounging, playing, cuddling, nappy changes and tummy time. The DockATot is cleverly designed to mimic the womb, which explains why little ones seem to be so happy spending time in these comfy cushions. The nests come in a variety of gorgeous colours, fabrics and prints, so can blend in seamlessly with your nursery colour scheme or home interiors. The cover is removable, making washing easy, and it’s so light and portable – I would always take it with us when travelling.
Best baby towels:
Christy, Bear Cuddle Wrap & Mitt Set, £38
Christy was founded in 1850 and has specialised in creating British luxury home textiles. The heritage brand has been a pioneer in crafting timeless self-care products synonymous with time-pausing moments. Today, CEO Vanshika Goenka Misra, is determined to continue to deliver high-quality products focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility. The latest launch – Mini luxuries – are consciously designed and made with careful consideration at every step, using the finest materials to ensure the utmost care for delicate baby skin. Each product is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, and presented in FSC packaging, and they’re perfect for cosy bath times.
Best baby bath:
Stokke, Flexi Bath – Baby Bath, £49
Revolutionising baby baths, the Stokke, Flexi Bath means parents don’t have to fill up the entire bath in order to bath their little one. For newborns you will also need to purchase the Stokke® Flexi Bath Newborn Support, a comfy seat that can be removed when your child is ready. The bath can then be used for toddlers up to four years. You can also say goodbye to horrid rubber bath mats, as the bath features a non-slip base. It’s very portable, folding flat, and you can also purchase the Stokke® Flexi Bath® Stand to save bending over.
Best muslins & bedding:
Willa & The Bear, Pink Muslins, £22.50 & Willa & The Bear, Scalloped Dohar Baby Blanket, £49.50
Willa & The Bear was founded by mother-of-three Hattie Goodley after an inspiring trip to Nepal. It’s now known for creating the most beautiful bedding for littles ones, thanks to all of the products being handmade by artisans. Nothing Willa & The Bear makes is mass-produced in a factory, and Hattie works with the same female-run studios in Kathmandu and Jaipur since launching the brand seven years ago. The team are experts in block printing and each piece is finished by hand using traditional, artisanal skills. The handmade nature of the pieces means everything is produced in small batches, so the prints and colours can vary over time (and you’re not likely to see a friend with the same blanket or muslins). The muslins are particularly pretty, and the Muslin Ruffle Mini Pillows make the perfect finishing touch to your baby’s basinet or cot.
Best baby book:
Trotters Childrenswear, Vintage Baby Book, £20
One of the most delightful baby keepsakes has to be a baby book. Trotters Childrenswear, Vintage Baby Book is packed full of baby milestones and different ideas to document, and is guaranteed to become one of your most treasured items. The book is designed in a vintage style, giving it a classic feel and comes beautifully presented in a box so it makes a lovely addition to your little one’s nursery.
Best Pregnancy Pillow:
Cushy Puff, Pregnancy Pillow In Mellow Yellow, £125
A pregnancy pillow is a baby essential throughout the pregnancy – especially in the later stages – and can also come in very handy post-birth for nursing, using as a baby nest, light exercise and yoga practices, and helping with sleep posture. The Cushy Puff, Pregnancy Pillow is one of the most stylish on the market (choose from five fun colours) it’s firm and easy to adjust, supporting your back, hips, knees, neck and head, to improve and encourage a blissful night’s sleep with your bump.
Best bedtime storybook:
LittleList, Little Book, Read To Your Baby Every Day, £13
It’s never too early to start reading to your baby, story time is one of my favourite activities with my firstborn. This hardback book from LittleList will become a family keepsake and has 30 nursery rhymes intended to be read aloud to entertain and stimulate your newborn.
Best embroidered blanket:
LittleList, Avery Row, Embroidered Muslin Blanket, Wild Chamomile, £44
Avery Row is a British brand who create beautiful timeless pieces inspired by nature. The Embroidered Muslin Blanket in Wild Chamomile is made from four layers of muslin, finished with a delicate lace trim and embroidered with a pretty chamomile flower motif. It’s super lightweight and breathable, perfect for warmer days or as an extra layer in pram or cot.
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