What to Buy for a Newborn: A Practical Checklist (Australia)
If you’re preparing for a newborn, it’s easy to feel like you need everything. Most parents learn the opposite: you need a handful of essentials you’ll use on repeat, and a few “nice-to-haves” that make the days gentler.
At Fledge & Thread, we design pieces to be lived in, and kept close, the kind of essentials that end up in photos because they’re simply always there.
If you’re new here, start with our Parent Guide to Fledge & Thread (it’s the simplest way to understand our stories, fabrics, and how everything fits together): Parent Guide
The newborn essentials checklist (the “you’ll actually use this” version)
1) Swaddles / wraps (2–3)
A swaddle becomes your everyday helper: naps, pram walks, feeds, and those in-between moments when you just want baby to feel settled.
Start here:
Fledge and Thread Swaddles
If you’re choosing between styles, our first blog post in this series is here:
Muslin vs Stretch Swaddles: How to Choose for Your Newborn
2) Fitted cot sheets (2–4)
You’ll be washing sheets more than you think, so having spares matters. We always suggest at least two, three if you can.
Start here: Cot sheets
And if you love that cloud-soft, breathable feel, you can also explore our muslin cot sheets here: Muslin Cot sheets
3) Bodysuits (5–7)
Bodysuits do the heavy lifting. They’re the base layer that makes outfits easy and nappy changes faster.
Start here: Bodysuits
4) Babygrows / onesies (3–5)
These are the “all-in-one” pieces that save you on the days when everything feels like a juggle. Great for sleep and daytime, especially in cooler months.
Start here: Babygrows
5) Cosy blanket (2-3)
A baby blanket becomes part of your rhythm: pram naps, lounge cuddles, the 5pm witching hour, and everything in between.
Explore baby blankets: Baby Blankets
6) A beanie (1–2)
Beanies are tiny but useful, especially for the early weeks and hospital-to-home days.
(If you’re gifting, our baby gift boxes include a matching beanie as part of the set.)
7) Burp cloths / muslins (4–8)
Not glamorous. Completely essential.
8) Nappies + wipes (enough for a week)
The basics that keep the house running.
9) A simple “going out” layer (1–2)
Think cardigan or soft jumper for appointments and cool mornings.
10) A “spare set” for the nappy bag (always)
One bodysuit, one babygrow (or romper), one wrap. Keep it packed so you don’t have to think.
How to choose newborn pieces that work together (without overbuying)
Here’s a gentle way to build a newborn set that feels cohesive:
The everyday sleep set
- 1 wrap / swaddle
- 1 fitted cot sheet
- 1 blanket for pram and cuddles
- Swaddles & wraps:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/baby-swaddles-and-wraps
Fitted cot sheets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/fitted-cot-sheets
Baby blankets:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/babyblankets
The “we’re leaving the house” set
- 2 bodysuits
- 2 babygrows / rompers
- 1 wrap for pram naps
- 1 spare outfit tucked in the bag
Baby clothing:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/baby-clothing
The meaningful gifting set
If you’re buying for someone else, this is where thoughtful really matters. The best gifts are the ones parents reach for daily.
Newborn gift ideas:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/newborn-gift-ideas
And if you want a ready-to-gift option, our baby gift boxes are curated as a full little set (wrap, bodysuit, beanie) in matching prints:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/baby-gift-boxes
A note on bedding and safe sleep
Every baby and every family is different. Always follow your health professional’s guidance and recognised safe sleep advice for your baby’s age and stage. When it comes to bedding, keep things simple and appropriate for where your baby is at developmentally.
If you want the “quick list” to screenshot
Newborn essentials (our short version):
- 2 - 3 wraps/swaddles
- 2 - 4 fitted cot sheets
- 5 - 7 bodysuits
- 3 - 5 babygrows/onesies
- 2 - 3 blankets
- 1 - 2 beanies
- burp cloths + nappies + wipes
- one spare outfit packed in the nappy bag
Want to start with what’s newest?
If you’re building a coordinated set (or buying a gift), our New In collection is a lovely place to begin.
New In:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/collections/new-in
Closing
If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: newborn life doesn’t need more things, it needs the right few things.
And if you’d like a gentle overview of our world, from clothing to bedding to gifting and stories, our Parent Guide is always the best starting point:
https://fledgeandthread.com.au/pages/parents-guide-to-fledge-and-thread
Related reading:
