What's on your baby wishlist?

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There are so many things to buy when a baby is on the way - but where do you start? Here are the best things I got when my baby was born - and a few others that would have come in handy

You may not know what’s around the corner when you're expecting your first baby but one thing is for sure - you will probably receive a lot of gifts for your newborn. I remember being completely overwhelmed by people’s generosity when my first daughter arrived as they showered us with such thoughtful and useful baby presents - so many must-have baby essentials, such as nappies and wraps as well as beautiful bedding, clothes and toys. And thank goodness they did because as first-time parents, we really had no idea what to buy. 

However, I now see that a baby list or registry might have been helpful in working out what we did and didn't need. While people love to buy you a gift for the baby, you don’t need five of the same thing. And you want to make sure you have all the important items at-the-ready, especially during those early newborn days. Which is why a baby registry is the organised mum-to-be's newest best friend.

A baby registry works just like a wedding registry. You simply sign up with a store and then browse their baby and nursery range from the comfort of your own lounge chair (no trekking around stores on your tired pregnant feet), and pick out all the items you hope to have when your baby arrives. Sounds ideal, doesn't it? Especially, as it not only allows you to create a list of everything you need, but also one you can share with family and friends so they know what to buy as gifts. No doubling up - and you get to tick off your dream baby wish list as your due date draws near. Win-win!

There are many baby registries to choose from such as Amazon's Baby Wishlist, which offers a great range of products as well as many benefits and discounts. Myer has an excellent baby registry service not to mention a wonderful selection of baby items as does go-to online baby store,  Baby Bunting, which also provides a parents' new arrival check list for you to peruse.

The thing is it can be hard for a first time parent to know in advance what to pop on that all-important list. I remember not knowing where to start. So to help get you get cracking on your baby wishlist, I’ve thought back to those exciting newborn days and rounded up the best newborn essentials - some of which I got - and some I didn't but wish I had.

The pram is one of those big ticket baby items that you will use just about every single day . It's an expensive purchase but one you want to have made well in advance. The pram was one purchase we did organise our pram well in advance and were lucky enough to receive it as a gift from my parents. 

We didn't choose Baby Jogger at the time because I think I thought the brand was only for jogging! Now I know it's not, rather a range of lightweight compact prams such as the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 that makes zipping around town or travelling on holidays easy and efficient. If I was choosin my pram now, I would definitely consider something from Baby Jogger. And if you put it on your baby wishlist, it gives friends looking for gift ideas, the opportunity to purchase a pram accessory such as a weather shield or baby tray.

Bugaboo prams were the envy of my mothers' group - not surprising, considering they're sleek, stylish and easy to use. The ultimate in baby comfort and convenience, just a little on the pricey side. But remember, this is your wish list, so just pop it down and hope for the best!

I'd never even heard of a nappy bag before I was pregnant but suddenly it became one of the most important must-have baby items in my life. So when my brother and sister-in-law said they would give us one, I chose a bag that was spacious with plenty of pockets and easy to carry around. I think we used it every single day through the baby and toddler years of  both our two kids. 

This popular nappy backpack from Tim Hap is ideal. It's roomy with lots of pockets and has a stylish finish. And unlike the bag I bought, this one is a backpack so even easier to carry while out and about. 

I received HEAPS of wraps - and maybe if I'd had a baby wishlist, I could have kept the number under control. In saying that, I found I needed wraps everyday, especially during those early newborn days with lots of spills, vomits, feeding and wrapping. They are one of the most useful items and come in a range of fabrics and appealing patterns. 

A best seller on Amazon, the LifeTree Baby Swaddle Blankets are absolutely beautiful made of 70 per cent bamboo and 30 per cent cotton and come in stylish gender neutral tones.

These soft coy wraps are made of a bamboo and cotton blend and come in a  selection of stylish tones and patterns. Beautifully boxed in a three-pack, this is an ideal gift for a new parent, especially if you're looking for something that is gender neutral.

I think my husband and I bought one Bonds onesie before my daughter was born. Maybe a couple of singlets. Sure, we were having a summer baby, but I’m not sure what we were thinking as we certainly needed more than that. Clothes are definitely essential items, particularly onesies, t-shirts, singlets and leggings. You can buy newborn sizes but it's better to go zero to three months, and even  six month plus items as babies tend to grow pretty fast.

The iconic Bands Wondersuit is always a winner. I loved dressing my baby in these as they were were well priced, warm and comfy for my baby and always great quality. 

It may not seem that thrilling but for a new mum, it doesn't get much better than a six pack of cute onesies. As I mentioned before, we neglected to buy many baby clothes at first but if I'd had a baby wishlist, this would have been a great addition.

We needed a lot of singlets and Bonds were one of my favourite brands. Great for keeping our summer baby cool - and then later our winter baby number two, nice and warm. 

Your baby will need a sun hat, particularly if you give birth in the middle of a hot Australian summer like I did. The trouble is babies just love to toss them out of the pram, so this one from Little Green & Co with a handy strap is a great choice.

This is one of the best presents we received. It may not seem that exciting initially but when your baby arrives, this will be like liquid gold. Plus, Huggies is an excellent brand that comes highly recommended by parents the world over. So put a couple of boxes on your list and you won't have to run out to find nappies straightaway.

We had this change table and it was perfect. Simple and sleek with plenty of storage below (very important for us in a small flat) and wheels for easy transportation (also important in our small flat). We just needed to purchase a change mat for the top so don't forget to include that on your list.

I have to say, we didn't even think of toys for our newborn and luckily that was something we received as gifts. It’s never too soon to start playing with your baby so here are some items that I found worthwhile during the first three months.

A friend gave us a baby gym and it was so handy for popping our daughter down for a play or some tummy time. With lots of bright colours and things to touch and feel, there is plenty of exploration and stimulation - I will never forget the day, she grabbed one of the hanging animals - you'd think she'd won gold at the Olympics, I was so proud!

Another one we very much appreciated was a Lamaze pram toy. With different textures, noises and crinkles for babies to explore, it was ideal to keep our little one happy and occupied in the pram.

We didn't have Sophie the Giraffe but a few mums in my mothers group would pull out this toy at the park - and I have to say I was a little envious. I would have loved this cute French teething toy that has been around for over 60 years. And judging from the hundreds of positive online reviews, I'm not the only one to think so.

My daughter loved her Jellycat Bunny, which was given to her as a present. It was so soft and snuggly - a great newborn toy and one to keep forever.

A friend gave us a little wooden mobile when my daughter was born and she loved it. In fact, she had it hanging in her room for years and refused to take it down.

A cot was an item we did buy in advance, because even though we were using a bassinet at first, it wasn't long until my daughter was ready to move into the cot. We chose a simple compact cot on wheels, so we could move it more easily in our small one-bedroom flat. This option from Tasman can fit through doorways, meets all Australian standards and offers both bassinet and cot heights.

This gorgeous oval scandi-style cot would definitely have been on my wish list. I loved the shape and the look and it's compact size. It sits at the more expensive end of the scale, but definitely worth every penny when it comes to creating your dream nursery.

This was another very handy  item I would have liked on my baby wishlist. It’s good to have a few spare sets of cot sheets at-the-ready, as babies always seem to make a mess and - often in the middle of the night.

We were given a cotton knitted blanket and it was one of the most useful items. So warm and breathable, it was perfect for tucking around our baby in the cot, or in the pram.

We hadn’t thought of  bath towel for or baby so when we received a hooded version, we were thrilled. Sure, any towel would do but this one was just the right size with a handy hood for drying our daughter's full head of hair!

One thing I remember being told at our baby classes was to buy a stack of baby washers. You need them to wipe little faces and bottoms and everything else in between. And I would definitely recommend these soft and silky award-winning face washers from Bubba Blue.

Initially, we didn't actually think to buy any baby wash or shampoo but I wish we had. Mustela has a beautiful range of baby wash products and is super gentle on baby’s skin. Definitely worth popping on the list.

Another brand of baby bath products I discovered later down the track was Gaia. This Sleepytime Bath will make bath time gentle, relaxing and soothing - for you as well as your baby.

We received a bath book as a gift and used it every day for many years. In fact both my daughters can still recite that particular story to this day. Maybe that just means I should have had a couple on hand to vary their bath time entertainment!

A simple idea that you just don't think of, but would love to have. A photo album was the last thing on our mind in the days leading up to my daughter birth, but a friend gifted us with a beautiful one. We made sure we got one for my second baby and now both daughters love to look through their special baby photos albums (as do their parents).

While your preparing for the arrival of your newest family member, why not check out our list of travel prams and stroller that mums swear by and the best white noise machines to help your baby (and you) get some sleep.