Newborn Feeding Checklist: What to Buy Before Baby Arrives
Preparing for a first baby can feel like a long shopping list. For feeding, the list is shorter than most people expect. Here is what to buy before the birth, what to add later, and what you can safely skip.
Start small
You will not know how your baby feeds until they arrive. Some babies take to a bottle straight away. Others need a few tries, or a different nipple size. Buying a large set in advance often means opening things you never use.
A good approach is to buy a small starter set before the birth, then add more once you see what works.
Buy before the birth
| Item | How many | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small bottles (150ml) | 2 to 3 | Newborns drink small amounts often. A smaller bottle is easier to hold and to clean. |
| Slow-flow (S) nipples | 1 spare pack | Newborns need the slowest flow. Spares save you during a late-night feed. |
| Bottle brush and cleanser | 1 each | Bottles need proper cleaning from the very first feed. |
| Steriliser or a large pot | 1 | Everything must be sterilised before first use, then regularly after. |
| Muslin cloths or bibs | 4 or more | Feeding is messy. You will always want more than you think. |
If you plan to breastfeed, you may still want one or two bottles ready for expressed milk or for when someone else feeds the baby.
Add in the first few months
- Larger bottles (270ml). Useful from around three months, when feeds get bigger.
- Medium-flow (M) nipples. Add these when feeds start taking too long on S.
- Sealing discs. These turn a bottle into a sealed container, which helps when you store milk or travel.
- Storage caps. Useful for keeping a clean, sterilised bottle covered until the next feed.
- Handle sets. Once your baby starts reaching for the bottle, handles help them hold it themselves.
What can wait
- Straw sets and straw handles. These are for older babies moving on from bottles, usually after six months.
- Large bottle sets. Wait until you know which bottle your baby accepts.
- Many colours or designs. Lovely, but they do nothing for feeding.
Before the first feed
- Wash and sterilise every bottle, nipple and cap before the first use.
- Check that each nipple is clean, soft and not torn.
- Always check the milk temperature on your wrist before feeding.
- Keep spare clean bottles ready, so you are never caught out at night.
A simple Farlin starter set
If you want a short list to work from, this covers a newborn's first months:
- Two PPSU Wide Neck Feeding Bottles, 150ml
- One pack of Silky Silicone Nipples in S
- One Sealing Disc and one Storage Cap for milk storage and travel
The bottles are made from German PPSU, free from BPA and harmful chemicals, and heat resistant to 180°C, so they handle daily boiling and steam sterilising. Add the 270ml size and a handle set once your baby is bigger.
Common questions
How many bottles do I really need?
Two or three small bottles are enough to start. If you bottle feed fully, most parents end up with around six, so they are not washing bottles after every feed. Build up once you know your routine.
Should I buy bottles if I plan to breastfeed?
One or two are still useful. They let a partner or family member feed the baby, and they are there if you need to express milk.
Do I need a steriliser?
Not necessarily. Boiling in a large pot works, as long as the bottle material can take it. A steriliser is mainly a matter of convenience.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. For guidance on feeding your baby, speak to your paediatrician, midwife or healthcare provider.