They say nothing can prepare you for becoming a parent, but we’d disagree. The following list of essential items – big and small – will help prep you for the fight against exhaustion and endless nappies, while keeping your new baby content along the way.
Best for disorganised parents
The nappy caddy (£14.95)
Even the most “under-control” new parents will find themselves searching for the Sudocrem amid a sea of damp breast pads at some point. But you can happily swerve this search with the cheapest bit of gamechanging kit you’ll ever buy: the Mezacha baby nappy caddy. With compartments for nappies, wipes, spare clothes, emergency biscuits, you can take it with you from room to room or even when you’re away from home.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for every eventuality
The giant muslin (£10)
“Muslin” is one of those words that you’ll simply never utter until you have a newborn. Then you’ll say it about 15 times a day. These simple, soft cotton squares from JoJo Maman Bébé are the champion all-rounder when it comes to baby kit – and the big ones even more so. Beyond mopping up various baby fluids, the big ones can be used as swaddle blankets, as capes for shy breast-feeders and as sunshades on buggies. They’re handy in the extreme.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for inducing sleep
The Sleepyhead (£130)
Its Swedish makers call it “the ultimate pod”. Parents who’ve used it call it an absolute godsend. The Sleepyhead’s cushioned sides make your baby feel like it’s enjoying one long warm hug (goodbye arm-ache), which makes it great for co-sleeping and making big cots seem cosier. To be fair, you could whack it on a pub table and we bet your little one would be snoozing within minutes. Totally worth the investment, and the recent range of new covers even make it a stylish addition to your soft furnishings.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for lounging
The fancy play mat (£75)
Once babies are into lying on something other than you, you’ll need somewhere soft for them to flex their growing limbs. This reversible mat, by Etta Loves, has been created with the input of an early years visual expert, which means its bold design helps stimulate babies’ development. The black and white Dalmatian print is for babes up to four months, who still see the world in black and white, while the coloured leopard side stimulates older babies’ cognition. It’s clever and cute.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for easy, speedy feeds
The self-heating bottle (from £23.95)
Some serious engineering has gone into the creation of the world’s fastest-warming bottle system. The award-winning Yoomi takes just 60 seconds to get milk from the fridge to the perfect temperature, so no more angsting over whether you’ve overheated the next feed. This smart bottle warms the milk as your baby feeds, which minimises bacterial growth, and the warm teat helps breastfed babies make the move to bottles. Genius.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for comfortable feeding
The breastfeeding pillow (£29)
When it comes to breastfeeding, some find it effortless, while others – the majority – sit hunched, one shoulder as high as their ear, as they struggle to get a good latch. That’s why so many new mums complain of back pain in the first few months, and why you’ll never regret investing in a bespoke nursing pillow. This one from Mama&Papas raises the height of your baby so it’s handy for bottle-feeders too, and can be used as a nest for newborns. This one is super-soft, has a washable cover, and we reckon it would make a great travel pillow for the future, too.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for nappies that won’t kill the planet
Kit & Kin (£29.96 a month)
Future parents will look back at the way we lobbed 3bn single-use plastic nappies into landfill every year with abject horror. A nappy revolution is undoubtedly on the way and you can get ahead of the curve by signing up for a nappy subscription with Kit & Kin. Its nappies are biodegradable and for every 10 nappy subscriptions it receives, it purchases and protects one acre of rainforest through the World Land Trust. Happily, the designs happen to be the cutest on the market too.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for keeping awake babies happy
The Bouncer Bliss by BabyBjörn (£137)
Quite simply, the answer to the question: “How will I ever have a shower in the morning?” This ergonomically designed bouncy chair keeps your baby rocking but, unlike most models, it doesn’t need batteries. With a sleek, simple design that folds flat when not in use, it’s great if you’re limited on space and can support babies from day one.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best gadget for when you’re out and about
The portable steriliser (£6.99)
If your baby uses a dummy, you need this ball of pure genius attached to your buggy at all times. Repeat: all times. Quite simply, when your pure, precious baby’s dummy falls on the filthy, fetid ground for the thousandth time, you can pop it in this Milton device and in 15 minutes, it’ll be good to go – no rinse necessary.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best for carrying babies big and small
The Ergobaby 360 Bundle of Joy Carrier (£144.90)
Newborns adore the snug proximity of being carried in a sling and older babies love going for a ride on their parents’ chest or back. With this Ergobaby sling, you’re guaranteed years of use (there are four positions – front and back – to choose from) and it’s been ergonomically engineered to ensure babies’ hips and pelvis are supported, while looking after your back, too. Basically, buy this and you just got your arms back.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best breast pump
The Medela Swing electric pump (£94.99)
A breast pump is a great investment if you want to build up a stock of gold-top homebrew, but expressing probably isn’t how you want to spend endless hours of your precious time. This pump is effective, quick, light and portable and it can run on batteries in case you need to whack it in your handbag. Seasoned pumpers swear by it.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
Best stylish buy
The Jem + Bea changing bag (£275)
Jem + Bea has managed to create a changing bag you’ll happily take to soft play and then on to work … honestly. It’s pricey, but worth it to avoid the hassle of switching bags. The Jemima can be your all-rounder. It has plenty of compartments for all the baby essentials (including a padded changing mat) and a ton of style for you.
Buy now or check out more discount codes and vouchers
To find discount codes for the best baby buys from major retailers, visit discountcode.theguardian.com/uk
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.
The links are powered by Skimlinks. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that Skimlinks cookies will be set. More information.
