Your Antenatal Newborn Care Checklist: What to Know and Prepare

Preparing for a newborn is an exciting journey, but it can feel overwhelming with so much to consider. From setting up your home to mastering newborn care skills, there’s plenty to learn before your baby arrives. Creating an antenatal newborn care checklist helps you stay organised and feel confident about the transition to parenthood.

This guide covers everything you need to know and prepare for, ensuring you’re ready for the early days with your newborn.

Why an Antenatal Newborn Care Checklist Matters

Having a checklist ensures you’re not scrambling for essentials or feeling unprepared when your baby arrives. It also provides peace of mind, knowing you’ve planned for common newborn care tasks like feeding, sleeping, and nappy changes.

Benefits of Preparing Early:

Reduces stress by spreading out preparations over time.

Gives you more time to practise skills like swaddling or bathing.

Allows you to budget effectively for newborn essentials.

According to Tommy’s PregnancyHub, early preparation contributes to lower stress levels for parents during the postpartum period.

Essentials for Your Antenatal Newborn Care Checklist

1. Feeding Supplies

Whether you plan to breastfeed, bottle feed, or do both, having the right supplies is crucial.

Breastfeeding:

Nursing bras and tops for comfort.

Nipple cream to prevent soreness.

Breast pump (manual or electric) for expressing milk.

Storage bags or containers for breastmilk.

Bottle Feeding:

Bottles and teats (start with 4–6 bottles).

Steriliser to keep feeding equipment clean.

Formula milk (if not breastfeeding).

Bottle brush for cleaning.

Tip: Even if you plan to breastfeed, having a few bottles on hand can be helpful in case you need to express milk or supplement.

2. Safe Sleep Essentials

Creating a safe sleep environment is one of the most important aspects of newborn care.

What You’ll Need:

Crib or Moses basket with a firm mattress.

Fitted sheets (2–3 for rotation).

Baby sleeping bag or swaddle for warmth.

Room thermometer to ensure the temperature stays between 16–20°C.

The Lullaby Trust advises against using pillows, loose bedding, or stuffed toys in your baby’s sleep space to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

3. Nappy Changing Supplies

You’ll be changing nappies frequently—up to 10 times a day in the early weeks. Having the right supplies makes this task more manageable.

Checklist:

Nappies (disposable or reusable, depending on your preference).

Wipes or cotton wool for gentle cleaning.

Changing mat to protect surfaces.

Nappy cream to prevent rashes.

Nappy bin or disposal system.

Stocking up on nappies and wipes before your baby arrives saves last-minute trips to the store.

4. Clothing for Your Baby

Newborns grow quickly, so focus on practical clothing that’s easy to put on and take off.

Basic Wardrobe:

6–8 sleepsuits or onesies.

6–8 bodysuits (long or short-sleeved, depending on the season).

2–3 cardigans or jackets for layering.

Scratch mittens to prevent your baby from scratching their face.

Hats for warmth (but avoid them during sleep).

Tip: Choose clothes with front openings to make dressing easier, especially while the umbilical stump is healing.

5. Bathing and Hygiene Supplies

Bathing a newborn can feel intimidating, but the right supplies make it much simpler.

Checklist:

Baby bath or bath support.

Soft hooded towels (2–3).

Baby-safe soap or cleanser.

Soft washcloths or sponges.

Baby nail scissors or clippers.

NHS Guidance: Babies don’t need daily baths; two to three times a week is sufficient.

6. Health and Safety Basics

Having a well-stocked first aid kit and safety equipment ensures you’re ready for minor health concerns and everyday safety.

Health Kit Essentials:

Digital thermometer to monitor your baby’s temperature.

Nasal aspirator for clearing congestion.

Baby-safe nail scissors.

Infant paracetamol (for babies aged 2 months or older).

Safety Items:

Baby monitor to keep an eye on your little one.

Plug socket covers and cupboard locks (if baby-proofing early).

7. Travel Gear

If you plan to travel with your baby, whether by car or on foot, you’ll need the appropriate gear to keep them safe and comfortable.

Must-Haves:

Car seat (rear-facing and approved for newborns).

Pram or stroller suitable for newborns.

Baby carrier or sling for hands-free travel.

Changing bag with compartments for nappies, wipes, and bottles.

Practise using your car seat and pram before your baby arrives to ensure you’re comfortable with the setup.

Preparing for Newborn Care

1. Feeding Basics

Antenatal classes provide practical demonstrations to help you prepare for feeding your baby.

What You’ll Learn:

Techniques for achieving a good breastfeeding latch.

How to prepare and sterilise bottles.

Recognising hunger cues and signs of successful feeding.

Learning these skills before delivery builds confidence and reduces anxiety about feeding.

2. Safe Sleep Practices

Understanding safe sleep guidelines is essential for your baby’s well-being.

Key Tips:

Place your baby on their back to sleep.

Avoid overheating by dressing your baby appropriately for the room temperature.

Keep the sleep environment simple and clutter-free.

These practices, taught in antenatal classes, help parents feel reassured about their baby’s safety.

3. Bathing and Soothing

Antenatal classes often include hands-on demonstrations of how to bathe and soothe a newborn.

Bathing Tips:

Use lukewarm water and gentle, baby-safe products.

Support your baby’s head and neck throughout the bath.

Keep the bath short to prevent your baby from getting cold.

Soothing Techniques:

Swaddling to create a sense of security.

Gentle rocking or singing to calm your baby.

Practising these skills ahead of time helps parents feel more prepared and confident.

Emotional Preparation

Parenthood isn’t just about practical skills—it’s an emotional journey as well. Antenatal classes help parents-to-be prepare mentally and emotionally for the challenges of newborn care.

Emotional Benefits of Antenatal Education:

Normalising feelings of self-doubt or anxiety.

Encouraging open communication with your partner about fears and expectations.

Building resilience and confidence through knowledge and practice.

According to Tommy’s PregnancyHub, parents who attend antenatal classes report feeling less overwhelmed during the postpartum period.

UK Resources for Antenatal Newborn Care

For parents in the UK, there are several trusted organisations offering antenatal education and resources:

NHS Pregnancy Services: Free classes and resources tailored to local needs. Visit NHS Pregnancy Care

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Comprehensive antenatal courses for parents-to-be. Visit NCT

Tommy’s PregnancyHub: Online resources and webinars for expecting parents. Visit Tommy’s

The Lullaby Trust: Guidance on safe sleep practices. Visit Lullaby Trust

Final Thoughts

Creating an antenatal newborn care checklist helps you prepare for the joys and challenges of early parenthood. By gathering essential supplies, practising key skills, and understanding the basics of newborn care, you can approach your baby’s arrival with confidence and excitement.

Antenatal classes provide invaluable support, covering everything from feeding and bathing to safe sleep practices. With the right preparation and resources, you’ll feel ready to welcome your baby and start this incredible journey.