Newborn Essentials Checklist: Everything You Need for Baby’s First 12 Months

Preparing for a new baby is exciting, but the shopping list can quickly feel overwhelming. The good news is that newborns do not need everything at once. A safe place to sleep, a correctly fitted newborn car seat, a practical changing space, a supportive chair for feeding and settling, and a pram that suits your family will cover many of the moments that fill the first year.

This newborn checklist focuses on the essentials that are most useful from birth to around 6–12 months. Every baby develops at a different pace, so always follow the age, weight and developmental limits supplied with each product.

1. Start with a safe newborn sleep space

During the early months, many parents prefer to keep their baby close overnight. A bedside bassinet makes night feeds, settling and check-ins easier while giving baby a separate sleep surface. Choose the model that best fits your bedroom, routine and available space.

Dream On Me Air Bassinet Co-Sleeper

The Rever Bebe Dream On Me Air Bassinet Co-Sleeper is a practical choice for families who want a lightweight bedside sleeper with adjustable height, breathable mesh sides, storage underneath and the flexibility to use it beside the bed or as a standalone bassinet. Its foldable design is also useful when moving it between rooms or storing it between babies.

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Smart Dream Electric Rocking Bedside Co-Sleeper

For parents who would like more settling features, the Rever Bebe Smart Dream Electric Rocking Bedside Co-Sleeper includes multiple rocking speeds, built-in melodies, adjustable height settings and remote or touchscreen controls. Its automatic cry-detection feature can activate a gentle response, giving tired parents an extra helping hand during the newborn stage.

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2. Choose a cot and storage that will last

A bassinet is useful at the beginning, but a cot becomes the long-term centre of the nursery. Buying the cot and chest together makes it easier to create a coordinated room and gives you organised storage for sheets, sleeping bags, nappies and clothing.

Rever Bebe Classic Cot and Chest Package

The Rever Bebe Classic Cot and Chest Package offers clean, timeless styling in Ash or White. The 3-in-1 cot converts into a toddler bed and then a sofa, while the three-drawer chest includes a removable changing top. It is a strong option for parents who want nursery furniture that can continue to be useful beyond the newborn stage.

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Rever Bebe Agra Cot, Mattress and Chest Package

The warm Sandstone finish of the Rever Bebe Agra Cot, Mattress and Chest Package creates a calm, natural nursery. The package brings together the Agra cot, a fitted mattress and a coordinating chest, making it an easy starting point when you want the main nursery pieces sorted in one purchase.

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3. Create an easy-to-clean changing station

You will change a lot of nappies during the first year, so convenience matters. The Rever Bebe Deluxe Baby Change Mat has raised sides and a smooth, waterproof, wipe-clean surface. Place it on a stable, suitable changing surface and keep nappies, wipes, spare clothing and nappy cream within your reach—not baby’s.

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4. Add a supportive nursery recliner

A good nursery chair supports feeding, skin-to-skin time, story time and the many hours spent settling your baby. Consider the room size, the feel of the fabric, whether you prefer manual or electric recline, and who in the household will use the chair most often.

Serena Recliner Glider

A cosy manual recliner with gliding movement, 180-degree swivel, a high back and a supportive lumbar cushion.

Douce Electric Recliner

A 3-in-1 chair that rocks, swivels and electrically reclines, with supportive cushioning and a convenient USB connection.

Milano Electric Recliner

A premium electric recliner with a quiet motor, swivel and rocking functions, plus head and lumbar cushions for extended comfort.

5. Choose a newborn car seat before baby arrives

A suitable child restraint is essential for bringing your newborn home and for every car journey that follows. In Victoria, babies under six months must travel in an approved rear-facing child restraint. Choose a restraint that suits your child’s size and your vehicle, and have it installed before your due date so you are not trying to organise it at the last minute.

Both options below are convertible car seats designed for use from birth. Their 360-degree rotation allows the seat to turn towards the vehicle door, which can make it easier to place your baby into the restraint and correctly adjust the harness.

Britax Safe-n-Sound Skye 360

The Britax Safe-n-Sound Skye 360 combines smooth one-hand rotation with ClickTight installation technology, a compact design and an adjustable headrest and harness. It supports extended rear-facing travel up to approximately 36 months, subject to the child meeting the restraint’s shoulder-height markers and usage instructions.

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Britax Safe-n-Sound B-Swivel LUX

The Britax Safe-n-Sound B-Swivel LUX offers one-hand 360-degree rotation with a convenient 90-degree door-facing position, ClickTight installation and premium cushioned fabrics. The LUX collection uses soft, breathable materials made primarily from recycled yarn, giving families an elevated comfort option for everyday travel.

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6. Pick a pram that can grow with your family

The Rever Bebe VEVO Single-to-Double Pram starts as a single pram and can convert to a double in seconds. With more than 20 possible configurations and bundle choices that include a newborn bassinet, toddler seats or both, it is designed for a first baby while giving families room to adapt later.

Before choosing your bundle, think about where you will walk, the size of your car boot, the storage space at home and whether you are planning for a second child close in age. For newborn use, select a bundle with the bassinet and follow its weight and developmental limits.

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The rest of your 0–12 month checklist

Once the major items are organised, add the everyday essentials gradually. It is usually better to begin with a sensible amount and buy more after you learn what suits your baby and your routine.

When should you have everything ready?

Aim to order major furniture and your pram several weeks before your due date, especially if assembly or delivery is required. Set up and check the cot or bassinet according to the instructions, wash fitted sheets and newborn clothing, install the car restraint, and pack your hospital and nappy bags. You do not need a perfect nursery before baby arrives—just a safe, functional space that makes the first weeks easier.