Transcript: 5 Baby Essentials You’ll Love (And 4 That Just Collect Dust)

This is a text transcript from The First Time Mum’s Chat podcast. The episode is called 5 Baby Essentials You’ll Love (And 4 That Just Collect Dust) and you can click on the link to view the full episode page, listen to the episode and view the show notes.

Welcome to First Time Mum’s Chat. I’m Helen Thompson, a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, with over 20 years of experience supporting families. Each fortnight, I share simple, calming tips, to help you feel less overwhelmed and more confident, as you begin your parenting journey.

Now let me ask you something. Have you ever stared at a baby shopping list and thought, ” Do I really need all this, or is it just clever marketing?”

If that’s you, then you are in the right place. In today’s episode, I’m cutting through the noise and revealing 5 baby essentials you’ll truly love and use every single day — and the 4 so-called “must-haves” that usually just collect dust.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly which items will save your sanity, your wallet, and your precious time, and which ones you can skip without feeling guilty.

So stick with me because by the end of this episode, you’ll feel calmer, clearer, and ready to focus on what really matters; enjoying those early days with your baby.

So let’s get started.

Of course, the first baby essential you’ll love is a safe car seat and a practical stroller that fits your lifestyle.

Why? Because you’ll use them daily, whether it’s heading home from the hospital, visiting family, or popping out to the shops, these are non-negotiable. But here’s the key: choose practicality over looks.

I remember working with a family who bought the most gorgeous stroller — fancy design, loads of pockets — but it barely fit into their car boot. It quickly became a source of frustration and was rarely used. When they swapped it for a lightweight, easy fold stroller, suddenly life was so much smoother.

So when shopping, try the “Lift, Fold, Fit” test:

* Can you lift it easily?

* Does it fold down without a fight?

* Does it fit in your car?

This essential will give you peace of mind and daily ease.

But of course not everything on the shelf is truly essential.

And here’s a little bonus tip when we’re talking about getting out and about: one of the most underrated baby essentials in those first few months isn’t even a pram — it’s a baby carrier.

When I was nannying in Edinburgh, I used to take the bus every day, and honestly, having a baby carrier was a lifesaver for me. I could pay fairs, carry shopping and still have the baby calm and settled against me. It really showed me how reassuring and practical baby wearing can be.

That’s why I love introducing parents to Oscha slings. Their wraps, slings and carriers are woven from organic, natural yarns, crafted ethically in Scotland, and they’re beautiful as well as practical. They let you bond with your baby, support their body regulation, and keep your hands free so you can get on with your day.

Oscha ships internationally, so whether you’re in the UK, US, Canada, or Australia, it’s easy to get started. And if you’d like to try one for yourself, you’ll find my Oscha links in the show notes. Remember, these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy at no extra cost. And one other thing, type ‘HELEN’ at checkout for your exclusive 10% saving.

On the flip side, one item that often collects dust is a designer pram loaded with features you won’t actually use. They look stunning, but if it doesn’t suit your daily life, it’ll just sit in the corner.

Keep in mind it’s not just about buying the most expensive pram, but the one that’s practical for you.

And one of the most important baby essentials is a safe, simple sleep space: a cot or a bassinet, plus a couple of fitted sheets. That’s really all you need to start.

There’s so much pressure to buy rocking basinets, sleep pods or the latest gadgets — but babies thrive with consistency, routine, and safety. I’ve seen time and time again that a calm bedtime environment is far more powerful than any expensive sleep gadget.

This leads me to the second dust collector: white noise machines, rocking cribs and specialty swaddles. Some families find them helpful, but for many, they’re not necessary. Babies can sleep beautifully without all the bells and whistles.

I discussed white noise machines in a recent First Time Mum’s Chat episode.

The third one is feeding basics.

For breastfeeding moms: a couple of supportive nursing bras and plenty of burp cloths are enough to begin. I’ve included a link in the show notes to the episode with Garrett Kusmierz from kozēkozē. For formula feeding: bottles, teats, and a simple bottle brush will be your best friend. I investigated various anti-colic bottles early in the podcast, and I’ll also include a link in the show notes.

I’ve cared for babies across decades, and the truth is the basics work just as well today as they did back then.

This brings us to our third dust collector: fancy bottle warmers, electronic sterilizers and gadgets galore. Helpful for some yes, but they’re certainly not essential. Honestly, boiling water and a steady routine do the job perfectly well. And so much more simple. No fussing around when you’ve got a screaming baby.

Number four on our list is changing and clothing basics: nappies, wipes, or washcloths, a portable change mat and lots of simple onesies and layers. Onesies are perfect for a small baby. You’ll be changing your baby constantly in those early months, so comfort and practicality matter far, far more than fashion.

That brings me to dust collector number four, which is about designer baby outfits, and tiny shoes. They look adorable on the hanger but rarely get worn. Spit up and leaks means you’ll reach for comfy, washable clothes again and again. Babies shouldn’t be wearing shoes until they are beginning to walk, so they’re not essential at all until whenever your baby is taking their first steps.

Here’s my favorite one of all, and that is play and connection. When I’m talking play, I’m talking about you, your voice, your eye contact, and tummy time on a soft mat are the most powerful tools for your baby’s development. Add in a simple mobile or homemade black-and-white cards, and you’re set.

Babies don’t need shelves of toys. They crave connection, your touch and your presence.

So let’s recap on today’s episode:

5 Baby Essentials You’ll Love:

1) A safe car seat and a practical stroller.

2) A simple safe sleep space.

3) Feeding basics — supportive nursing bras, burp cloths, bottles, and a simple bottle brush.

4) Changing and clothing essentials — nappies, wipes and onesies.

5) Play and connection — tummy time, your voice and your presence. I have also done a podcast on tummy time that will be in the show notes.

Here are the ones that we covered that just collect dust:

1) Designer prams.

2) Fancy sleep gadgets.

3) Bottle warmers and sterilisers.

4) Designer outfits and baby shoes.

And remember what I mentioned about baby shoes. You don’t need them until your baby’s starting to walk. Remember your baby doesn’t need you to buy it all. They need you. Start simple, ad d only what truly helps and skip the rest.

Thank you so much for listening to First Time Mum’s chat all the way through. I truly appreciate your time and trust.

Let me know: which of the “4 that collect dust” did you think might affect you? Message me at MyBabyMassage.net/message or DM me on Instagram. I’d love to hear your thoughts and what you’d like me to cover next.

You’ll find links to the earlier episodes I mentioned in the show notes. Tap the episode title in your app to open the notes.

Coming up next on First Time Mum’s Chat, we’ll dive into the world of baby prams. I mentioned before about the “Lift, Fold, Fit” test, but we are going to go more into the weight and the fold to storage and the terrain, which features are worth paying for in a pram, and which ones will just gather dust? Tune in to find out more.

If you haven’t already subscribed, follow the show so you don’t miss that. That’s it for today. Until next time, keep it simple, choose what truly supports you and enjoy those calm, connected moments with your baby.