If you’re expecting at the moment, you probably have a long list of baby essentials on your wish list. From baby bouncers to breast pumps, we round up some of our favourite big ticket items for new parents below. Tried and tested by a new mama, read on to find out what our reviewer thought and happy shopping!

A supportive pregnancy pillow

The first thing to invest in when you find out you’re expecting is a good pregnancy pillow. As stylish as it is supportive, we’re big fans of the award-winning bbhugme pregnancy pillow. The clever design means that you can remove the cover for easy washing – or if you want to switch up the colour (bbhugme has a wide range on offer and it’s useful to order a few spares). With adjustable firmness, the pillow is filled with pressure-relieving microbeads that mould around your body’s shape, supporting your back, belly, pelvis, knees, and ankles when side-sleeping. Unlike other pregnancy pillows, you can position it in the shape that suits you best as your bump grows – whether that’s C, U, I, or L-shapes.

Our reviewer said:
• Really helps with hip and back pain
• Pillow cover is easily washed, and washes well
• Great in hot weather
• You can adapt the softness and hardness of the pillow
• Can be used for breastfeeding as well as pregnancy

bbhugme.com

A stroller and car seat travel system bundle

With so many strollers and car seats on the market, it’s a good idea to start your research early. Travel systems that include a bassinet, stroller seat, car seat, and accessories usually offer the best value for money. Our recommendation is to test drive a few, keeping in mind your lifestyle. If you live in the city, look out for a design that’s lightweight and you’ll easily be able to use on public transport. If you’re in the countryside, then good suspension for uneven terrain will be important. Offering a comfortable ride for your little one, as well as being easy to fold and transport, the Nuna mixx™ next travel system gives you the best of both worlds. It’s compatible with the cari™, arra™, and pipa™ car seats and can be bought as a bundle with accessories including a footmuff, raincovers, and car seat adaptors.

Our reviewer said:
• You get everything you need to get started
• Tyres are tough and foam filled so won’t burst and don’t need maintaining
• Very lightweight
• mixx™ next carry cot can be used as a travel cot for the first few months
• Easy to put together
• When used with base™ next, the arra™ next car seat can twist around, saving your back when putting baby in and out of the car
• Beautiful range of colours/fabrics

nunababy.eu/uk

A breastfeeding pump

If you’re planning to breastfeed your new baby, then we really recommend investing in a good breast pump. Pumping offers you flexibility so that other family members or friends can feed your little one, and it can also help you to maintain milk supply, relieve discomfort, and allow you to create a breast milk store for the freezer. The hands-free, wearable, and super quiet Elvie Pump gives you the flexibility pump anywhere, any time. Clever technology allows you to personalise the settings – from nipple sensitivity to heavier let-down. And it’s connected to the ‘Pump with Elvie’ app, which monitors milk volumes in real-time, and tracks your pumping history. The Elvie really is the Royals Royce of breast pumps.

Our reviewer said:
• This 100% saved my breastfeeding journey
• Handy data-storing app
• Very quiet and discrete
• Can be used on the move
• Great customer service
• Gives you independence
• Can be worn with your standard bra, no need for special nursing bras

elvie.com

A bedside crib

Even if you don’t decorate the nursery, you’ll at least want to set your room ready for baby’s arrival. The most important thing to invest in is a bedside crib for safe sleeping. With panoramic mesh panels for easy airflow and a zip down wall for closeness and easy access, the Snüz Studio Bedside Cot allows you to sleep safely beside your little one. The clever design has castor wheels included so you can transport it from room to room easily for napping, and the height can be adjusted easily to suit your bedside. We also love how stylish it is and the beautiful range of colours.

Our reviewer said:
• Easy height adjustment feature to suit all bedsides and parent heights
• Easy to assemble, I did it by myself in 20 minutes
• Mesh sides means you can keep an eye on baby throughout the night
• Lightweight so easy to reposition if needs be, this was good for us as it took us a few room rearrangements until we found one that worked for us
• Stylish and modern look which suited our style
• Good quality mattress included

snuz.co.uk

A video and audio baby monitor

The Lullaby Trust recommends that babies should sleep in your room with you for at least the first six months. So a baby monitor might feel like something you won’t need immediately. Baby monitors are super useful for daytime napping though – to provide extra reassurance whilst you are getting on with other tasks (even if your baby is close by!). With medically certified infant movement monitoring technology, the Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Movement Monitor with Video & Sound does just that. It uses a unique, high-technology wireless Movement Sensor Pad to monitor every movement from each corner of the mattress, only alarming if no movements have been detected for 20 seconds. With a range of up to 150-metres, other innovative functions include a controllable nightlight and four lullaby modes, as well as two-way-talk-back, a room temperature display and a large 4.3” LCD screen with push button operation.

Our reviewer said:
• Picture quality is excellent
• The white noise options are a great added bonus
• I love the fact you don’t need a WiFi connection like with most monitors, this makes it easy to travel with and gives you peace of mind when it comes to security
• It’s incredibly easy to set up
• Customer service is great, when I had a small issue, it was resolved very quickly
• The only slight negative is the battery life. Having to have it plugged in overnight can be a pain as it means you need to be by a plug socket.

angelcarebaby.com

A baby bouncer

A baby bouncer that can be safely used from birth is a great investment as it can give you some much-needed hands-free time. Suitable from 0-2 years, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss has a natural rocking movement that has a comforting effect on very young babies. It can be easily moved from room to room, and available in a range of colours and fabrics, it’s as stylish as it is comfortable for little ones.

Our reviewer said:
• Great range of colours
• Can be easily washed
• Folds flat for easy transportation and travels
• Baby loves it!
• Although lightweight, it seems very sturdy
• Great for if you need somewhere safe to leave baby while you get on with other things

babybjorn.co.uk

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