The Ultimate Checklist for New Parents: Must-Have Baby Products for 1-6 Months and 6-12 Months
The baby essentials for the first six months are somewhere to sleep, nappy and bath basics, a car seat and pram, and a few things for feeding and cuddles. From 6 to 12 months, the checklist adds gear for starting solids, play, babyproofing and a baby on the move. Some toddler gear can wait until closer to the first birthday.
| Age | What the list is mostly about |
|---|---|
| First 6 months | Sleep, nappy changes, bath time, getting out and about, feeding and cuddles |
| 6 to 12 months | Starting solids, play, babyproofing, bath, teething and a bigger sleeping bag |
| Around the first birthday | Joining in: their own spoon and fork, shoes for walking outside and a way to reach the kitchen bench |
You don't need all of it on day one. Buy each group when you're about to use it.
What does a baby need from 1 to 6 months?
In the first six months, a baby needs the basics for five everyday jobs: sleep, nappy changes, baths, outings and feeding. This is the list to sort before your baby arrives, because you'll reach for most of it in the first week.
Sleep
- A cot or bassinet, with its mattress
- Sleeping bags or swaddles
- A white noise machine, if it helps your household settle
Nappy changes
- A change mat and a couple of covers
- Nappies, cloth or disposable, in newborn and size 1
- Baby wipes
Bath time
- A baby bath
- A gentle baby wash and shampoo
- Soft hooded towels
Out and about
- An infant car seat
- A pram for daily walks
- A nappy bag with a few compartments
- A warm beanie for cooler mornings, like our personalised baby beanie
- A pram hook for the shopping bag
Feeding, cuddles and floor time
- A baby carrier or wrap for hands-free cuddles
- A feeding pillow
- A play mat or baby gym for tummy time
For sleep, car seats and babyproofing, follow the maker's instructions and current Australian safety advice.
What does a baby need from 6 to 12 months?
From 6 to 12 months, a baby needs gear for starting solids, toys and books for play, babyproofing for a baby who can move, and a few bath, teething and sleep updates. Mealtime gear usually comes first, because Pregnancy, Birth and Baby recommends starting solid food at around 6 months.
Mealtimes
- A highchair with a harness
- A suction plate and a soft baby spoon
- A bib or two
- A small cup for sips of water
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also advises always supervising your baby while they eat solid food. Our guide to starting baby-led weaning covers readiness, first foods and set-up.
Play and books
- Stacking and sorting toys
- Push-along or pull-along toys
- Board books with textures or flaps
Babyproofing
- Cupboard and drawer locks
- Corner guards for furniture
- Baby gates for stairs and rooms you'd rather keep off limits
Bath, teething and sleep
- A non-slip bath mat and a few bath toys
- Teething rings or toys
- A bigger sleeping bag as your baby grows
Do you need a suction plate for starting solids?
You don't need a suction plate to start solids, but it can make early meals easier. A suction plate has a silicone base that grips a smooth highchair tray or table, which helps keep the plate in place while your baby picks food up, squishes it and has a go at eating it.
Our bamboo suction plates pair eco-friendly bamboo with a silicone suction base. The trade-off to know before you buy is care, because bamboo is hand wash only. Wash it in warm soapy water, take the silicone parts off to dry, and keep it out of the dishwasher and microwave. Check the plate for cracks before each meal and stop using it if you find any damage. The full routine is in our bamboo care guide.
What will your baby need around their first birthday?
Around the first birthday, the new things on the list are mostly for joining in: their own spoon and fork, soft-soled shoes once they start walking outside, and a way to reach the kitchen bench with you. These are also the buys that can wait, so there's no rush to get them at six months.
Our 3-in-1 Learning Tower is one of them. It's made for ages 1 to 5, always with adult supervision. That's the age range on its safety label, so it's a first-birthday buy rather than a six-month one. It brings your child up to bench height to wash fruit or stir a bowl with you, then turns over into a table and chair.
Weighing one up? Our guide on how to choose a learning tower covers bench height, set-up and safety testing. For ideas once they're up there, see kitchen jobs by age.
Christmas gift idea
Buying for a baby who's nearly one?
Our Learning Tower comes in two designs, Bunny and Fox, and it's a present they grow into. Recommended for ages 1 to 5. Some families choose to introduce their Learning Tower from around 10 months, once their little one can stand independently, steadily and confidently. Direct adult supervision is essential at all times.
Same tower, same features. It's simply about the look you love.
Buying for an older sibling too? Our Little Genius bundle puts a tower, the whiteboard and the animal letters (ages 3+) together for less than they cost separately! Find the bundle on your tower's page.
Start with the first-six-months list, add mealtime and babyproofing gear as your baby grows, and save the joining-in pieces for the birthday.
Common questions: The Ultimate Checklist for New Parents
Quick answers to what usually comes up next
How do I know my baby is ready for solids?
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby recommends starting solid food at around 6 months. Signs your baby is ready include sitting upright in a highchair with their head and back unsupported, and showing interest in your food and reaching out for it. If you're unsure, ask your GP or child health nurse.
When can my baby start drinking water?
From 6 months, babies can have small amounts of water. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests offering cooled, boiled water in a sippy cup at mealtimes.
What's a good first birthday gift for a baby?
Something they'll use as they start joining in. Their own plate, spoon and fork is a practical pick, and for a bigger gift, a learning tower brings them up to bench height with you. Ours is made for ages 1 to 5, always with adult supervision.