Birth trousseau: the essential for baby

A checklist of must-have items to buy before your baby arrives

There’s no doubt about it: buying the layette and decorating your little adventurer’s room is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. It’s also easy to give in to all the adorable baby items, so you can quickly end up with things you don’t really need. In this article, we provide an overview of the essentials for your baby—without the superfluous—so you can focus on what you actually need.

To sleep

  • 2 sleeping bags , possibly a third, lighter one for summer nights (cotton gauze). Unlike a blanket, your baby can’t kick it off or pull it over their face.

  • A very soft blanket for travel

  • 1 cradle, child’s bed, or co-sleeper bed

  • 1 mattress

  • 1 or 2 mattress protectors

  • 2 or 3 fitted sheets

Optional:

  • 1 baby sun lounger

  • Swaddles

  • 1 night light or bedside lamp

  • 1 baby monitor

  • 1 music box or baby mobile

  • 1 or 2 layers of bedding

In our article "", discover all our tips for creating a cozy and safe nest for your little adventurer. If you’d like to learn more about how to create a soft, restful atmosphere to help your child fall asleep, check out our article: "".

For the toilet, care, and changing

  • 1 changing table and a washable changing pad

  • Enough diapers in the right size .

  • Washcloths, cotton pads, or wipes

  • 1 diaper bin

  • 1 face and body cream
    for babies

  • 1 diaper cream

  • 1 liniment

  • 1 box of saline solution

  • 2 or 3 bath towels

  • 1 pair of rounded-tip nail scissors

  • 1 small bathtub or bath lounger

  • 1 thermometer for the bath

Optional:

To learn more about baby care, you’ll find plenty of tips in our article: "".

For clothing

  • 5 to 6 pajamas: sizes 1 to 6 months, made from more or less lightweight material depending on the season

  • 5 to 8 long-sleeve bodysuits

  • 1 or 2 newborn hats

  • 2 or 3 vests, shirts, or long-sleeved sweaters

  • 2 or 3 pairs of pants

  • 6 pairs of socks

  • 5 to 8 tops with short or long sleeves

  • 1 or 2 nice outfits for introducing your baby to friends and family

For the summer:

  • 1 sun hat that also covers the neck

For winter:

  • 1 pilot suit

  • 1 warm hood

  • 1 or 2 pairs of mittens

  • Warm socks or lined slippers

To make sure no harmful substances come into contact with your newborn’s sensitive skin, it’s best to choose clothing made from natural materials. Cotton is often very well tolerated; wash clothes and other textiles in the washing machine once or twice, without fabric softener, before first use. Also try to avoid brightly colored, heavily patterned, or glittery clothes for your baby’s wardrobe, as your child isn’t concerned with how their clothes look yet. In addition, inks and other embellishments often contain harmful substances.

Second-hand clothing can also be a great option. In addition to being economical and more sustainable, it helps ensure that any undesirable substances have already been removed through repeated washing. Perhaps you have young parents in your circle who will be happy to pass on clothes their child has already outgrown. You can also browse resale platforms, which are full of great finds.

The clothing size you’ll need at birth varies from one newborn to another, so you can use the estimated birth weight and length as a guide. Very small babies, weighing around 3.3 kg, generally need newborn size, which is 50 cm. Larger babies, around 4 kg, usually need size 1 month, which is 54 cm. If you’re unsure which size will suit your newborn, it’s better to choose the first outfits in a slightly larger size. You can always roll up the sleeves and legs if they’re too long. Most of the time, this won’t bother your baby when they’re asleep. Our tip: there’s no need to invest in lots of clothes at the beginning—you’ll be surprised by how quickly a baby grows. Choose a few comfortable outfits in sizes 1, 3, and 6 months.

For outings

For meals

If you wish to breastfeed:

  • 2 to 3 cotton nursing bras (one to two sizes above your usual size)

  • Nursing pads

  • 1 lanolin anti-crack cream

  • 1 nursing pillow

If you want to bottle-feed:

  • 6 bottles

  • 6 teats

  • 1 bottle brush for bottles and
    teats

  • Bibs

Optional:

  • 1 bottle warmer

  • 1 breast pump: you can borrow it from the
    pharmacy

  • Nipple shields

  • Breast milk bags for freezing

To make your life easier, you can download our List of essentials for the baby's arrival . You can print it out and check off what you’ve already done! ;)

With our , you’ll not only be perfectly prepared for the arrival of your little adventurer, but you’ll also never run out of diapers in the years to come. :)

You’ll very likely add other items to this list! After all, everyone has their own essentials depending on their needs and lifestyle. Still, give yourself enough time to think about what you really need. In general, it’s best to have everything ready four to five weeks before the expected due date. Some little ones are eager to arrive! ;)