A Second Time Mum’s Best Buys For Newborns You Might Not Have Thought Of Yet

When you bring your baby home from the hospital on day one, you are sure to have already bought some newborn bits that will become immediately indispensable - others you will pick up along the way. This list is designed to help you fill in those gaps, with clothing, gadgets, books and toys which will hopefully make your life that little bit easier - and your little one that little bit happier...

Getting dressed postpartum can feel like a minefield, with your body so changed and your time depleted (who has time to pick an outfit?!). It’s no wonder, then, that the clothing label established by Naomi Raybould with the intention of creating clothes which serve women during pregnancy and beyond (hence the brand’s name!) has become a fast favourite among new mums who want good quality, cool clothing which will last. Beyond Nine’s jumpsuits are particularly popular, we can recommend the Margot (£89): with its button up front and soft jersey fabric which washes like a dream, it is the perfect go-to for new mums (particularly if you’re breastfeeding) which you can dress up for an outing or simply wear to elevate your lounge time.

Subtitled ‘The ultimate guide to caring for your new baby’ this book by paediatrician Dr Caroline Fertleman and health writer Simone Cave has become something of a bible since it was first published in 2007, simply because it’s so packed with practical and reassuring advice. New parents can refer to feeding, sleep and illness cues, leaps and pointers which make those almost impossible to navigate early weeks feel more under control. It will, quite simply, become part of your support network.

We bought this during a rushed supermarket shop when my first son was a newborn and it’s still part of our bedtime routine almost three years later. Casting a soft, sweet light it’s perfect for winding down time (bright enough to read by, not bright enough to cause a spurt of evening playtime) and the battery lasts for days at a time. It’s soft, squishy and impossible to break, and, because it's rechargaeble, no cords.

One of the best investments you can make during the newborn weeks is a durable playmat, it’s where you’ll be spending a lot of your time! if you haven’t heard of these thick memory foam playmats, they are definitely a brand worth knowing. My brother, whose baby was born two years before mine, considered this mat such an essential that it arrived the day I got home from the hospital after giving birth and we've used it every single day since. Born from founder Susie Stubb’s frustration about the lack of stylish foam play mat options, Totter + Tumble has created a stylish niche for those who don’t want to sacrifice their home’s aesthetic in the name of child’s play. There are tons of gorgeous options and sizes, the extra thick memory foam protects your floor (and your knees)- make sure to check out their recent collaboration with Morris & Co.

A lightweight, easy to fold transport system is the top of a lot of new mums’ shopping lists, particularly if they live in a city. There’s a reason for this: they’re easier to navigate through shop doorways, on pavements and in busy coffee shops. The Stokke YOYO3 (the brand was previously owned by BabyZen) has become a cult favourite in the lightweight pram market, known for its stylish look and high quality execution. Having tried a much bigger, bulkier transport system previously, I am so happy to have something lighter and easier to fold this time around.
Things to know: you can fold the Stokke YOYO3 size of on-board baggage so you can take it anywhere with you without checking it in, it will see your little one through from birth to four years of age, AND you can fit 10kg of shopping/nappy bags/ ASOS returns in its under-seat shopping basket. Plus the suspension is great.

If you decide to bottle feed, leaving the house for any period of time can feel like a mammoth task, wondering how many bottles you need to be prepared to make  - and whether your destination will have what you need to make them. Enter, the Nuby RapidCool. We discovered this quite late on with our first baby and I’m glad we have it this time round, it’s a game changer, meaning you can make bottles to order in two minutes. Comes with powder dispensers so you can pre-measure formula, too.

A good quality, durable footmuff is a must for every baby, especially in these winter months when buggy walks require some extra planning - and extra layers. Whilst not the cheapest on the market, admittedly, Voksi produces premium quality products filled with down and wool, and, refreshingly, they are designed to last and to be handed on to friends and family once you’re done with them (they even come with a repair patch to increase their lifespan), and they will see you through from newborn to 4.5 years. There is an integrated car seat function and a carry cot sleeping bag function and they are fully machine washable.

There’s a high chance you’ve already seen this changing mat on social media, and it’s popular among parents for a reason. Made from soft, bouncy plastic the mat has high sides to prevent your baby rolling away and an angled base that can help relieve colic - and it’s warm to the touch so no need to lay anything down before changing baby. It can sit on your changing table or move around the house with you, and is extremely comfortable and easy to clean as well as durable (other changing mats are far more prone to tears and stains). Worth the spend.

Billing itself as a sustainable underwear brand which will grow with you during pregnancy and beyond, The Mutha Project’s seamless bras and knickers are so comfortable and are of such good quality, you’ll find it hard to wear anything else. Their tagline says it all: ‘Life’s too short to wear uncomfortable knickers so we’re waging war on “making do.”’ When you wear a nursing bra that actually feels comfortable, well supported *and* sexy, you’re onto a winner! The Plunge Bra will become a go-to.

Designed to give new parents a helping hand when they need one of theirs free, this stylish, sleek chair keeps your baby comfy and calm with its gentle swaying motion (there’s even an automatic motion detector to sense when they might need a little more soothing) for the first six months. It has a 360 degree rotation meaning you can see them no matter where you are in the room, and has twelve different melodies to keep them entertained while you do something on your to-do list.

Made from biodegradable plant fibres, 99% Water and organic aloe vera, these wipes contain no fragrance, alcohol or chlorine, and are 100% plastic-free and flushable, meaning you don’t have to worry so much about a newborn’s sensitive skin.

Some can poo-poo the power of white noise at bedtime but it’s certainly something that we’ve successfully incorporated into our firstborn’s night time routine (and discovered in the process that it sends us to sleep too). LUMI’s Nightlight & White Noise Machine Baby Sleep Aid has 24 different sound options to drown out other external noise to help your baby sleep,  as well as 7 colour options and 5 brightness levels, to create the perfect bedtime ambience. Now just try staying awake yourself while you do bedtime…

Allowing babies to sleep with their arms up, has been a game-changing sleep development for millions of parents, since this company was founded by Hana-Lia Krawchuk in 2009. It means that babies can enjoy the sensation of swaddling, if that’s what they prefer, and parents have also found it a useful antidote to the newborn startle reflex which can fuel sleepless nights. Available in various sizes, ages and togs.

If you’re a parent, you have almost definitely felt exactly how Jessica Rolph, the CEO and co-founder of toy company Lovevery felt when the idea for her new business was born. Rolph says, ‘When my eldest was a baby, I remember watching him play with one of those plastic toys with flashing lights. I found myself wondering, what is this toy supposed to do for his development?’ And, with that, Lovevery was born. Providing playkits and play gyms filled with age-appropriate wooden and sensory toys, as well as books, the company has become a real favourite amongst parents. Although on the more expensive side, these are toys that will last forever and get passed along between families and generations, and are endlessly engaging for little ones rather than a passing whim.

A chemical free nappy treatment made of natural ingredients such as calendula, lavender oil, shea butter oil and damask rose water, this small business was founded by mum Julia Ashworth, a qualified beauty therapist and aromatherapist, who wanted to help her baby daughter’s suffering with nappy rash and eczema. Also helps with chickenpox itching.