Buying baby clothes. Decorating the nursery. Picking out funny toys. All of these are among the most enjoyable items on the baby essentials list. But in all your enthusiasm, it can easily happen that you bring home things that you and your little explorer don’t actually need.

What should you put on the baby essentials list, and what do you really need? We’ve put together a baby essentials list for you that will help your little one start their journey of discovery well—and that you simply can’t do without.

Baby items for the bedroom

Tired from all the adventures, your little explorer sleeps a lot. A lot. Not only do you want your child to fall asleep peacefully, but they also need to be comfortable and warm in Dreamland. The essentials for the bedroom:

• Sleeping bag (possibly a second one while the other is in the wash). The main advantage of a sleeping bag compared to a blanket is that, even during wild kicking sessions, your child’s head won’t accidentally get covered.

• Warm blanket for on the go. Your child’s sleep routine doesn’t adapt to your travel plans. That’s why a warm blanket made of cotton or wool is a good idea when you’re out and about with your little explorer.

• A cradle, cot, co-sleeper, or crib. When your little one is not sleeping in your bed, you’ll also need the following baby essentials:

  • Mattress

  • One to two mattress covers

  • Two to three sets of bedding and fitted sheets

Consider bringing the following essentials into your home for your baby, whether for a quick nap or a comfortable night’s sleep:

• Wipstoel

• Baby hammock

• Waffle blanket

• Baby monitor

• Spin

• Mobile or music box

Must for the baby essentials list: diaper changing and care

Your baby essentials list wouldn’t be complete without everything you need for diaper changes and caring for delicate baby skin. Washing your baby is a beautiful and important moment, and with the right baby products, it becomes even more enjoyable.

• Commode with a matching washable changing pad

• 3 packs of diapers in the right size. Tip: if you are going to order LILLYDOO diapers , also buy a set in a larger size. Babies grow quickly, and within a few weeks, size 1 will probably already be too tight.

• 2 packs of baby wipes for a clean bottom. Moist wipes based on water are particularly gentle for sensitive baby skin.

• 8 hand washes

• 3 soft hooded towels

• 15 disposable hydrogel pads. You’ll want a good supply of these! That way, you’ll never run out when you need to wipe a nose, dry off, cuddle, or during breastfeeding.

• Diaper pail for disposing of full diapers. A good diaper pail is airtight, so unpleasant odors don’t have a chance to spread.

• Nourishing oil, such as LILLYDOO almond oil

• Care cream for your child’s face and body

• Wondzalf

• Nagelschaartje

• Baby bath

• First Aid Kit

For your little one, you only want the very best. That’s why the following baby items are certainly not an unnecessary luxury:

• Heat lamp. This keeps your little one warm and cozy during diaper changes.

• Mild baby shampoo

• Thermometer to monitor the temperature of the bathwater

• A gentle brush for your baby’s first hairs. After all, no one enjoys knots in their hair.

Good for the day with suitable clothing

What items do you need for your baby when it comes to clothing? Cute outfits are wonderful, but don’t forget the essential basics, too.

• 8 rompers with (long) sleeves. Thanks to the snap buttons at the bottom, you can change easily without having to take off all the clothes.

• 3 box sets or vests

• 6 pairs of shorts, with or without socks

• 8 pieces of upper clothing, for example, long-sleeved shirts or sweaters

• 6 pairs of socks

• 2 to 3 pajamas

• 1 thin jacket

• 1 to 2 woolen hats

You’ll notice that the list of baby clothes for your little one is quite long, but it’s entirely up to you whether you prefer to dress your baby in a onesie or in a sweater-and-pants combination. You’ll also quickly discover which outfit your little one prefers to explore the world in, and you can build their wardrobe from there.

When buying items for a baby: summer or winter

Depending on the season, your baby’s packing list will look different. In summer, for example, it’s smart to buy a lightweight sun hat for your little one, with extra protection for the neck. In winter, extra-warm clothing, a thick hat, and a pair of small mittens or gloves are not a luxury—they help keep your little one comfortably warm even on cold days.

Buying sustainable baby clothes

You don’t want to expose your child’s delicate skin to harmful substances. That’s why clothing made from natural materials such as cotton is a good choice for your baby essentials list. Have you bought new clothes? Before putting them on your baby, wash them once or twice without fabric softener. It may be tempting, but it’s better to leave clothes with glitter or bright prints in the store. We understand that you want your little one to wear the nicest clothes, but such embellishments can contain harmful substances and pose a risk to your child’s health.

A first outfit, a second life

A tip from us: your baby’s first outfit can absolutely be second-hand . It will definitely cost you less money, and it’s also good for the environment. Newborns sometimes wear their clothes for only a few weeks, and it would be a shame if beautiful outfits aren’t used to their full potential. Give them a second life and add sustainable clothing or beautiful secondhand pieces to your baby’s layette list. Another advantage: with secondhand clothing, you can be sure that any harmful substances have been washed out. Check with friends or family—they’ll probably be happy to pass along cute baby clothes that their own little ones have outgrown. Or browse a flea market or thrift store. You can also rent clothing, accessories, and other essentials on the layette list, for example from the sustainable clothing brand Gray Label.

What clothing size for your baby?

Are you buying new clothes and wondering which size to choose for your baby? It can vary depending on your little explorer’s birth weight and length. For small babies weighing around 2600 grams at birth, choose size 50. For somewhat larger babies around 4100 grams, you’ll usually need size 56 to 62. Are you wondering what the right clothing size for your child is? Feel free to buy the first outfit a bit larger: long sleeves can be rolled up, and long pant legs aren’t a problem because your little explorer initially discovers the world mainly with their eyes, ears, mouth, and hands. A small tip: if you’re buying baby clothes for the first time, also pick up items in the next size up. You’ll be amazed at how quickly little explorers grow and how fast that first romper becomes too tight.

Baby essentials for on the go

Heading out with your little one? Then you’re not just leaving the house casually. Your little explorer’s packing list might feel a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—before you know it, your departure routine will be second nature. Be sure to bring the following:

• Strollers

• Depending on the season, a sleeping bag, parasol, or sunshade

• Sheepskin or a cruelty-free alternative, so your little one stays warm in the stroller or buggy

• Diaper bag for on the go

• Baby carrier or baby wrap

Are you traveling by car? Then don’t forget the baby seat. Children under 135 centimeters tall do not benefit from a seatbelt and must therefore be transported in a car seat. The main advantage of a car seat is that it is (usually) easy to click in and out of the back seats, so you can carry your little one with you from the front door to the car.

Breastfeeding and meals

Your baby gear list also includes items for breastfeeding:

• 2 to 3 comfortable nursing bras. These are bought two sizes larger than you normally wear.

• Zoo compresses. You can choose between disposable compresses and washable compresses that you can reuse.

• Feeding pillow

• Nipple ointment

If you are not breastfeeding and are using bottle feeding, get the following baby items:

• Breastfeeding

• 6 bottles

• 6 flex pen tips in size 1

Sometimes it’s handy to have a bottle ready for your little one—for example, for the babysitter or when you need your hands free for a moment. You’ll also want certain items at home for pumping. You will need the following:

• Breast pump. You can also rent a breast pump at specialized drugstores.

• Storage bags for breast milk that you can freeze

• A thermos flask so you can prepare your little one’s bottle on the go. A thermos bottle is also handy to keep within reach of the changing table, so you always have warm water to wash your baby with.

You probably have much more on your own baby registry list—after all, what your little one needs is very personal. But when it comes to your baby registry—what you really need and when to buy things for your baby—it’s wise to write down what works for your situation and make sure you have everything four to five weeks before the due date.

Would you like to check off an item on your baby registry list now? Then this is an excellent idea. This way, you’re not only optimally prepared for your little one’s arrival, but you can also be sure that in the coming weeks, months, and years, you’ll never run out of diapers and skin-friendly care products.

We wish you lots of fun preparing for the arrival of your little explorer!