Preparing for your baby’s arrival is an exciting and emotional journey. Between choosing baby gear, setting up the nursery and navigating the many well-meaning pieces of advice from family and friends, it can be difficult to know what you’ll truly need. Together with minipouce, we’re sharing our best tips to help you create a practical, personalised birth checklist that suits your family and your everyday life.
When should you start your birth checklist?
There is no strict rule, but many parents begin creating their birth checklist during the second trimester of pregnancy.
At this stage, the first prenatal appointments are behind you, your pregnancy is well established and you have a clearer idea of what you’ll need. Starting early also gives you plenty of time to compare products, gather recommendations and adjust your list as your pregnancy progresses.
Ideally, your checklist should be completed before your maternity leave so your loved ones have enough time to choose a gift and you can organise your home before your baby arrives.
Why create a birth checklist?
A birth checklist helps you avoid receiving duplicate gifts while ensuring that every present is genuinely useful.
It also makes it easier to spread the cost of preparing for your baby’s arrival. Some friends and relatives may wish to offer a small gift, while others may prefer contributing towards a larger purchase such as a stroller or car seat.
On online birth registry platforms like minipouce, you can also add a cash fund to your registry. Your loved ones contribute whatever amount they wish, allowing you to purchase the item that suits your family best.
Our 30 birth checklist essentials
Every family is unique, but here are the 30 essentials we recommend.
For sleeping
- A cot or bassinet
- A suitable mattress
- Two or three fitted sheets and two waterproof mattress protectors
- Two or three sleeping bags
- A soft night light
- A baby monitor
For feeding
- Baby bottles (if needed)
- A bottle brush
- A bottle drying rack
- Muslin cloths
- A versatile pregnancy pillow
- An adjustable high chair for later on
For outings
- A stroller suited to your lifestyle
- A baby carrier or wrap
- A changing bag
- A travel blanket
- A car seat
For bath time and changing
- A baby bath (ideally with a stand) or bath support
- Baby towels
- A changing table or changing mat, with covers and spare changing mats
- A bath thermometer
- A baby toiletry kit
For development and play
- A play mat
- A few sensory books
- A mobile
- Sensory toys suitable for newborns
For clothing
- Bodysuits
- Sleepsuits
- A few seasonal outfits
- A snowsuit or outdoor suit depending on the season
- Socks and hats
For parents
- A comfortable rocking chair for feeding and cuddles
- A few freezer meals or useful gift cards for the first weeks
Essentials for mum not to forget
When preparing for a baby, we often focus on the newborn and sometimes forget about the mother.
Yet the first few weeks after giving birth are a unique time when comfort becomes especially important.
You may wish to include a few essentials for yourself on your birth checklist, such as:
- Comfortable, versatile clothing
- A cosy maternity outfit
- A nursing bra
- A soft dressing gown for your hospital stay
The first weeks after birth are often filled with feeds, cuddles and sleepless nights. Choosing comfortable, long-lasting clothing designed to adapt to your changing body can make this period much easier. This is exactly the philosophy behind Jolibump’s collections, designed to support women before, during and after pregnancy.
Mistakes to avoid
Buying everything before your baby arrives
Some products can easily be purchased later, once you’ve discovered your baby’s needs and your own routine. Toys and tableware, for example, won’t be essential during the first months.
Buying too many gadgets
Some products seem indispensable but end up being rarely used. It’s often better to invest in fewer, high-quality essentials.
Forgetting about products that grow with your child
An adjustable high chair, baby carrier or stroller that lasts for several years is often a smarter investment.
Forgetting your own needs
Your comfort matters just as much as your baby’s. Don’t hesitate to include a few items that will make your postpartum recovery easier.
A more sustainable birth checklist
More and more parents are choosing to consume more responsibly.
Selecting durable, long-lasting and reusable products helps reduce unnecessary purchases while limiting environmental impact.
This approach perfectly reflects the values shared by both Jolibump and minipouce: choosing thoughtful products that support families for years to come.
minipouce: a personalised birth registry that’s easy to share
Creating a birth registry can quickly become complicated when products come from different brands and retailers.
minipouce allows you to gather all your favourite products in one place to create a personalised registry that truly reflects your needs.
You can freely select products, organise them by priority and share your registry with family and friends in just a few clicks. Browse their categories for inspiration and make sure nothing is forgotten.
If your favourite product comes from another website, simply paste the product link into your registry—whether it comes from a baby retailer, a Made in France brand or even a second-hand marketplace.
Your loved ones can either purchase an item directly or contribute any amount they wish to your gift fund, making larger purchases easier to finance together.
A simple, elegant and practical solution for preparing for your baby’s arrival while staying in control of your choices.
Prepare for your baby’s arrival your way
The best birth checklist isn’t necessarily the longest one.
It’s the one that reflects your family, your lifestyle and your priorities.
Take the time to choose products you’ll genuinely use, focus on quality over quantity and don’t forget to take care of yourself as well as your baby.
Because in the end, it’s not the products that matter most—it’s the memories you’ll create together.
FAQ
When should I create my birth registry?
Most parents begin between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy so they have plenty of time to complete it gradually.
How many items should be on a birth registry?
There is no ideal number. Simply include enough options to suit different budgets.
Can I include gifts for the parents?
Absolutely. Many parents now include gifts that make postpartum recovery and the first weeks with baby more comfortable.
What should I include if I already have a child?
Focus on consumables, equipment specific to a second child or products that make family life easier.
Is creating a birth registry mandatory?
Not at all. It’s simply a practical way to guide your loved ones and avoid duplicate or unnecessary gifts.