What to Put on a Baby List UK: Checklist by Month
Pram, Moses basket, muslins, nappies. A plain British checklist of what to put on your baby list, when to add it, and what you can safely leave off.
In this guide · 6
Short answer: put the big safety items first (car seat, cot or Moses basket, pram), then feeding, sleep, nappy changing and bath-time basics, then clothes in the first two sizes. Start your list around 20 to 24 weeks, finish the big items by about 30 weeks, and leave anything you can only judge once the baby is here (carriers, bouncers, high chair) until after the birth. Add each item as a link from whichever UK shop you like, and share one free list.
Most online checklists run to a hundred items and are written for American parents. This one is British, short on purpose, and split by category and by month. If you want the longer 58-item version, our baby registry checklist has it.
The checklist by category
| Category | Must-haves | Nice to have | Can wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | Car seat (correctly fitted), pram or pushchair | Raincover, footmuff, car mirror | Baby carrier or sling until you know what suits you |
| Sleep | Cot or Moses basket, firm mattress that fits, fitted sheets, sleeping bags | Baby monitor, blackout blind | Toddler bed |
| Feeding | Bottles and steriliser (even if you plan to breastfeed), muslins, bibs | Breast pump, nursing pillow | High chair and weaning kit (around six months) |
| Nappies and changing | Nappies in newborn and size 1, wipes, nappy cream, changing mat | Nappy bin, changing bag | Size 3 and up |
| Bath and health | Baby bath or bath seat, hooded towels, baby thermometer, nail scissors | Bath thermometer, nasal aspirator | Anything you will only need when they teethe |
| Clothes | 6 to 8 vests, 6 to 8 sleepsuits (newborn and 0 to 3 months), hats, mittens | Cardigans, going-home outfit | Anything above 6 months (they outgrow it fast) |
| Mum and hospital bag | Maternity pads, nursing bras, comfy pyjamas | Nipple cream, snacks for the bag | Postnatal extras you can order after the birth |
What to add, month by month
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weeks 12 to 20 | Draft the list. Decide on your pram and car seat, as these need the most research. |
| Weeks 20 to 24 | Create the list and add the must-haves. Many parents tell wider family and friends around now. |
| Weeks 24 to 30 | Add nice-to-haves. Send the link to family who like to plan ahead, and to anyone overseas. |
| Weeks 30 to 34 | Check the list. Pack the hospital bag. Mark anything you have been given or already bought. |
| Weeks 34 to 36 | Wash the first clothes, assemble the cot or Moses basket, and check the car seat fits. |
| After the birth | Add the things you only now know you need. Write the thank-yous. |
Where people in the UK shop
Our list takes a product link from any online shop, so you are not tied to one retailer. Shops UK parents commonly use include John Lewis, Argos, Boots, Mothercare, Amazon.co.uk, Next, Tesco and Sainsbury's, plus independent baby shops for prams and nursery furniture. Compare prices and delivery times yourself, and check each shop's returns policy before you add a big item.
If you are weighing up a retailer's own list against a free one that takes any shop, see free baby lists in the UK compared.
What to skip or leave until later
- Newborn clothes in bulk. Babies grow quickly and many are in 0 to 3 months within weeks. Ask for sizes up to 6 months instead.
- A wipe warmer, bottle warmer or nappy-bag "system". Nice, but not needed on day one.
- Shoes. Not needed until they walk.
- Anything you have been promised second-hand. Mark it as covered so nobody buys it twice (but not car seats, as above).
- Lots of toys. Newborns need very little, and relatives will bring plenty.
Make it a list people can use
- A mix of prices. A few small things (muslins, a sleepsuit), some mid-range, and one or two big items relatives can chip in on.
- Consumables. Nappies and wipes in the next size up always get used.
- One link. Put the link on its own line in the group chat or invitation. More on wording in our baby shower gift list guide and baby registry etiquette.
- Family overseas. They can open the same link, pick a UK item and have it sent to you; see the UK gift list guide for family overseas.
Related: Ramzi Theory Explained: What It Is and What Science Says.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on a baby list in the UK?
Start with the safety and big-ticket items (car seat, cot or Moses basket, pram), then feeding, nappies, bath-time basics and clothes in the first two sizes. Leave things you can only judge after the birth, such as carriers and a high chair, until later.
When should I start my baby list?
Around 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Finish the big items by about 30 weeks and review the list at 34 to 36 weeks.
Can I add items from different shops to one list?
Yes. Paste a product link from any online shop and it goes onto the same list, so you can mix John Lewis, Argos, Amazon, the supermarket and independent shops.
Is a baby list the same as a birth list or gift list?
Yes. In the UK it may be called a baby list, birth list, gift list or wish list. It is the same idea: a list of presents that friends and family can buy for the baby.
Is the list free, and do guests need an account?
It is free, with no app and no account. Guests claim a gift with their email.
Can family abroad buy from a UK list?
Yes. They open the link from any country, buy from a UK shop and the gift is delivered to you. Your address is shown only to guests who leave their email.