Baby Buying Timeline by Due Date

Most people start researching in the first trimester and begin buying from around 16–20 weeks. The sweet spot for big purchases (pram, cot, car seat) is 24–30 weeks — early enough to account for lead times, but late enough that you’ve had your anomaly scan and feel confident in the pregnancy.

The non-negotiables before birth are: a safe sleep setup (crib or bedside cot with fitted sheets), newborn clothing (vest, sleepsuits, hat), nappies and wipes, a car seat (correctly installed), feeding equipment (bottles and steriliser if formula feeding, or breast pump if planning to express), and a hospital bag. Everything else can wait. Read our complete pre-baby buying guide for the full list.

Far fewer than you think. Most babies are in newborn size for 2–6 weeks, and many larger babies skip it entirely. Buy 5–7 sleepsuits and vests in newborn and 0–3 months, and wait to see how quickly your baby grows before buying more. You’ll receive gifts, and charity shops are full of barely-worn baby clothes in every size.

Many cultures have traditions around not buying baby items before birth, and this is a deeply personal decision. Practically speaking, buying big-ticket items after birth is very difficult — you’re exhausted, delivery windows are inconvenient, and you need things immediately. Most parents find a middle ground: ordering and receiving everything by 36 weeks, but not setting up the nursery until later if they prefer.

Most full-size prams accommodate newborns via a carrycot or parent-facing seat. Dedicated newborn prams are rarely necessary. What matters is that your pram has a lie-flat option for the newborn stage — babies under 6 months should not be in a semi-reclined seat for extended periods. Our best prams guide covers the key considerations by lifestyle and budget.