The arrival of a baby is a huge change for parents—emotionally, physically, and logistically. You’ll have to let go, trust yourself, and let your instincts guide you—but above all, trust your baby. Are you stressed? It would be strange if you weren’t (smile). Let us help you get ready with our list of essential items to prepare for your baby’s arrival.

To help you find your way around, we’ve divided this article into categories: Home, Meals, Outdoor Activities, Care, and Clothing. In each category, you’ll find explanations, tips on products you can rent or buy (new or used), and the favorite brands of MotherStories and mothers in the community.

Don't forget to download our checklist so you don't forget anything. Ready to go? Let's go!

Home

Crib / Bassinet At first, your baby will likely sleep with you—either in a small bassinet that you can rent from the clinic or borrow from a friend (it’s not worth buying one for such a short time) or by co-sleeping in a bed attached to yours with a barrier on the other side. Co-sleeping is appreciated for the closeness you share with your child in complete safety. Afterward, we recommend an adjustable crib with rails that can be used until your child is 4 years old.

When should you get the baby’s room ready? Whenever you feel like it. It’s usually an exciting and fun project. If you wait until the last minute, it can be stressful. You might not have the energy to go shopping or the patience to wait for a long-delayed order.

Your favorites:

Chicco Next2Me Co-Sleeping Crib
Cocoonababy Red Castle Nest

MotherStories’ favorite:

The Baby-Bjorn Butterfly Bed is great because it’s super convenient for traveling, going out to dinner with friends, or letting your baby play in it during the day at home.

Changing Table
This piece of furniture is a real asset in your future baby’s room. It can be used for changing diapers, childcare, and bonding with your child—all without straining your back! You can choose a changing table, a convertible dresser, or simply add a module (board) to attach to a dresser you already own.

Don’t forget to bring a changing pad, several spare covers (you can also use diapers to protect the mattress), and small baskets to store baby supplies (creams, wipes, diapers, liniment, etc.)

Your favorites:

Design: Bobo Kids Diego Evolving Changing Table
Economy: Sniglar Changing Table from IKEA

MotherStories's favorite:

The Noga Charlie Crane wall-mounted changing table is as pretty as it is practical. It is wall-mounted and opens and closes after each use.

Swaddling
Swaddling (very common in English-speaking countries) involves wrapping the baby using a special technique in a large diaper or a blanket. Just like in a cocoon, this will soothe and reassure him. Being swaddled prevents the baby from involuntarily wriggling in all directions and allows him to fall asleep more peacefully and for longer periods. This should be done until he is about 2 months old, at which point you should switch to a standard sleep sack. Check out this tutorial that explains how to do it.

Whether you’re using them to swaddle or wipe your baby, swaddles will be your best friends—and you’ll need them all day long! Maxi or mini, but above all, versatile (smile).

MotherStories’ favorite:

Nooshi Petit Stellou organic cotton diapers. They come in two sizes and are convenient for both you and your baby.

The bouncy chair
It’s a must-have for keeping your baby safe. Sometimes, he’ll fall asleep in it, but that’s not an ideal position, so use it sparingly. It’s still very handy when you need even just 10 minutes to yourself to prepare a meal, take a shower, or take care of your older child.

Your favorites:

Two-in-one: the Béaba Up & Down bouncy chair (also practical for a baby's first meals from 4 to 6 months).
Design: the Levo bouncy chair by Charlie Crane

MotherStories’ favorite:

The different models (with or without toys, in various materials and colors) of BabyBjörn bouncy chairs

Play Mat Lying on his tummy on the mat, your baby will learn to roll over, stand up, and develop his motor skills. Choose a mat with a built-in mobile (mirrors, colors, and little toys that make noise).

Your favorite:

The Most Colorful: Mat Gymini Tiny Love

MotherStories’ favorite:

Liewood Glenn is a very nice and comfortable play mat that takes babies on a journey of discovery through the fabulous underwater world. It’s full of little sensory surprises designed to awaken and stimulate babies’ senses.

Meals

Breast milk / formula
Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, the choice is yours. If you choose to breastfeed, you’ll need fewer supplies at first, although we recommend keeping a bottle on hand. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of your midwife’s regular home visits to help you get started, as this process can sometimes be a little tricky. If you run into difficulties, don’t worry—it happens to many moms, and often all it takes is a few helpful tips to make it work. If you want to use a breast pump, you can rent one at a pharmacy.

A few essential items to bring along when breastfeeding or bottle-feeding: bibs and diapers. Your child may spit up (a little or a lot) and drool as soon as he starts teething. It is therefore important to have a small supply of cloths to wipe and protect your child’s clothes.

You'll also find an article about the maternity bag, complete with a checklist of essential items for breastfeeding.

Your favorites:

Cheeky Chompers Teething Bibs
Triangular scarves made of soft organic cotton jersey from H&M
Milkeo Béaba Baby Bottle Maker
Silver nursing cups. Good idea: available for rent at the pharmacy.
Elvie Breast Pump
MAM Baby Bottle
Béaba Bottle Tree & Accessories

MotherStories’ favorite:

The Tajine Banane brand of nursing clothes, with its creative graphics, is a must-see for moms, featuring high-quality materials and finishes.

High chair
A high chair isn’t an urgent purchase since it won’t be needed until the time for introducing solid foods (between 4 and 6 months). However, it’s still important to add it to your baby registry or plan for it in advance because the first few weeks with a newborn go by quickly, and you may not have time to think about it later. You can also choose a high chair that grows with your baby from birth.

MotherStories’ favorite:

The Tripp Trapp high chair —designed by Stokke—is an evolutionary design that will grow with your child from birth to independence 😉

Food introduction
It’s not something you’ll need right away, but as for the high chair, you can start planning your purchases now. You’ll also need to think about plastic utensils and large bibs to protect your baby’s clothes. When you’re ready for this new step, check out our article on food introduction.

Your favorite:

Béaba Baby Cook

MotherStories’ favorite:

The silicone meal set with a pink suction cup (unbreakable 😉 from Béaba to make mealtime learning easier and stress-free.

Outdoor Activities

Stroller
. There are many strollers to choose from on the market, and it’s a good idea to look for the model that best fits your lifestyle. Are you a city girl, a country girl, or a mountain girl? Do you need large wheels to navigate snow, for example? Do you plan to have two children close in age? If so, there are convertible strollers that can be expanded later to accommodate both a baby carriage and a seated carrycot. Buying secondhand is also a good option for strollers, since they’re one of the most expensive purchases. Moreover, the ideal setup would be to have a large stroller for walks and outings on foot, as well as a foldable one to keep in the car for errands in town or trips—which is why it’s worth borrowing from a friend or buying secondhand.

Your favorites:

For city dwellers: Bugaboo offers several models to suit your needs
Secondhand: via the Swiss app Petit Marché
Two-in-one: Doona Car Seat & Stroller
Practical gadget: Dooky or Lässig stroller hooks

MotherStories’ favorite:

The Yoyo Babyzen is THE ultimate lightweight and practical stroller. Ideal for travel (you can take it with you as carry-on luggage on a plane), it folds and unfolds in seconds. The Yoyo accompanies your child from birth through infancy with its various configurations (newborn pack, carrycot, color pack starting at 6 months).

Car seat
A must-have for car trips. Note that they won’t let you leave the maternity ward without one (if you’re going by car ;). There are many options on the market; here’s a comparison by the TCS to help you.

Your favorites:

Cybex Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Car Seat
Britax Römer Car Seat

Baby Carrier / Sling
If you like to keep your little one close to you and have your hands free, then a baby carrier or sling is for you! Note that there are babywearing classes taught by midwives or people specially trained in this area. It’s a practical way to help your baby fall asleep; he’ll feel secure and soothed, snuggled up against his mother.

Your Favorites:

Aerloom Ergobaby Baby Carrier
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier

MotherStories’ favorite:

The Sling Studio Romeo physiological sling lets you carry your baby right from birth. It’s simple and adjustable—just thread the fabric through the two rings, and you’re all set.

on Diaper Bags A diaper bag is a practical way to carry everything you need on your outings. It’s important to choose one that attaches easily to your stroller or to opt for a backpack style to avoid straining your back. There are also other handy accessories, such as small hooks that attach to the stroller (for your purse, shopping bags, etc.). As for styles, you’ll be spoiled for choice! Nowadays, there are all kinds of colors, shapes, and materials to suit your tastes and needs.

Your Favorites:

Cam Cam Copenhagen Diaper Bag
Cam Cam Copenhagen Travel Mattress

MotherStories’ favorite:

How do you combine practicality and style? With the Lillibell bag organizer. You can organize all your baby’s items in its various pockets before putting everything in your own handbag.

Care

Diapers: The product you’ll need in bulk! Two options: disposable or cloth diapers. We strongly recommend choosing a brand that offers a subscription service with monthly home delivery (great, isn’t it!). Some brands also offer diapers and bath products that can be tailored to your baby’s needs. Don’t forget the diaper bag to keep odors at bay.

Your favorites:

Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers: Love and Green
Disposable diapers with a subscription service: Joone

MotherStories’ favorite:

Lilydoo's disposable diapers come in two lines: Lillydoo Selection and their brand-new Lillydoo Green, which are eco-friendly and also more absorbent and gentler on the skin than traditional diapers. They feature cute designs and a subscription service that delivers diapers to your home every month.

Bath
You can buy a small tub to place inside your bathtub (always under close supervision) or use your sink the first few times if it’s big enough. As for products, there are hundreds of brands to choose from. Pick the one you like and pay attention to the ingredients—they must be 100% safe! A baby’s skin is particularly delicate.

Your favorites:

The Flexi Bath Stokke Folding Bathtub
Practical gadget: Premaman bath draining system

MotherStories’ favorite:

Marelle’sorganic skin care products for babies and children are made in Switzerland with 99% natural ingredients. These high-quality products are gentle on even the most delicate skin and can be used from birth.

Pacifier
. There are many opinions on this subject, but whether it’s a pacifier, thumb, or blanky, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll have to choose based on your child’s needs. Did you know that sucking is a natural instinct that develops long before a child is born and provides a sense of comfort, relaxation, and security? Around the age of 2–3 years (this is ideal, but after that, every child is different), most children will discover other ways to soothe themselves and will give up their thumb, pacifier, or blanky on their own. To prevent possible damage to your toddler’s jaw, teeth, or palate, try to limit pacifiers and thumb-sucking to sleep times (naps and nights).

Your favorite:

Medela Pacifier

MotherStories’ favorite:

The pacifiers from the Danish brand Bibs are made of 100% natural rubber. They are soft, flexible, comfortable, and ultra-lightweight. Three sizes are available (0–6 months, 6–18 months, 18+ months) to accompany your baby until the pacifier is no longer needed.

CLOTHES

You’ll buy way too much! It’s perfectly normal—especially if this is your first child—not to mention all the gifts you’ll receive from friends and family. Your baby will grow up so fast that you’ll have to keep updating his wardrobe. That’s where we think secondhand clothes become a great option. Friends or coworkers will be happy to give you outfits that are practically new. As for sizes, don’t buy size 1 (unless the baby is premature) because it won’t fit anymore after just a few days. Go for larger sizes.

MotherStories' Favorite:

The Swiss app Petit Marché offers high-quality secondhand baby products and clothing for babies and children. A more eco-friendly and economical way to shop.