Bringing home a new arrival is an exciting time, full of emotion, nappies, and a seemingly never-ending list of essentials. Here are just some of the things that'll really make life more comfortable for you and your newborn.
Baby rug, $139.94. A soft, warm and tactile place to enjoy play and tummy time is essential during the cooler months. These hypoallergenic lambskin rugs are also worth keeping long after your baby is crawling away from them. emuaustralia.com.au
Leather sole shoe, $39. Made from 100 per cent cotton and Australian buckskin tan leather, the comfortable elastic opening makes these booties easy to slip on and off. Made-to-order for babies up to three months, they'll also never wear out, so can be passed down to future babies. motherandjoey.com.au
Mysie baby wrap set, $44.95. Swaddling a baby can be an art form, and every new mum will eventually find a couple of wraps she prefers over all others in the washing pile. sheridan.com.au
Gentle Baby Lotion, $30. Suitable for use from birth, this gentle, safe and nasty-free range provides protective moisture that nourishes baby's delicate skin. It was developed in conjunction with a leading Australian research scientist with extensive experience and knowledge in reproductive physiology, pregnancy and perinatal health. endotaspa.com.au
Done By Deer activity play mat, $164.95. Before you know it, your new baby will love being entertained by the world above. This will keep little senses entertained for hours and the link rings on each character mean the toys can be attached to a pram or car seat. wigglespiggles.com.au
New baby journal, $65. A beautifully presented keepsake in which to store photos, momentos, and memories such as first words, will be something you treasure forever. indie.com.au
Tooshies by TOM Nappies, $15 per pack. Made with naturally derived materials where possible, so they're gentle on little bottoms and kinder to the planet. Available at Coles, Chemist Warehouse, select health food stores and independent supermarkets.
Uniden dual mode baby monitor, $249.95. For those parents who don't want to miss a moment, this has an app dock to enable remote viewing from anywhere, at any time - including on the free-to-download Baby Watch app, via a smartphone or tablet. uniden.com.au
Sun Bum Baby Bum sunscreen stick, $15.99. A baby's natural protection system from the damaging effects of the sun is still developing, so invest in a naturally-sourced sunscreen for super sensitive skin. Available at Beauty HQ, Priceline and independent surf stores.
Bunny gift set, $99. The perfect present for a new arrival, it contains a night light (provides just enough light without waking baby), cotton bib (to soak up all that dribble), teether (also great for developing fine motor skills), and reversible swaddles. laabode.com.au
Fox ear beanie, $34.95. Keep your little one's head warm this winter - and photo-ready at any moment, naturally. countryroad.com.au
Make It Better soothing repair balm, $14.95. An effective balm to calm scratches and rashes, from when they're newborn to heading off to school. natralus.com.au
Cloth book, $28.71. Machine washable, so you can take it everywhere - and you should. Read to your child everyday, from the moment they are born, and you're giving them a solid start in life. amazon.com.au