Expecting · Checklist
Baby gear checklist
HealthHub: “You do not need to prepare a lot of things.” Circle buy, borrow, have or skip for each item, write your own budget, and tick it when it is ready.
Download the PDF (A4, 3 pages)Open to print
Use it with: Baby gear checklist tool · Home safety and first aid for young children
| Item | Buy, borrow, have or skip | Budget S$ | Ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting around | |||
| Rear-facing infant car seatNeeded from the first ride home if baby travels in a car. Check the seat carries an approved standard. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| StrollerFor a young baby, one that reclines fully. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Baby carrier or slingGood support for the head and back; baby's face always visible. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Sleep | |||
| CotPlaced away from window cords. A borrowed or old cot needs a new firm mattress. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Firm cot mattress and fitted sheetsA firm, flat mattress with a well-fitted sheet. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Cot bumpers, pillows and soft toys in the cot Official: leave outHealthHub: "keep loose objects away including blankets, bumper pads, loose bedding, pillows and stuffed toys from your baby's sleeping area." | Skip Leave out | Not needed | |
| Baby hammock or sarong cradle (yao lan) Official: leave outHealthHub: "Baby hammocks, sarongs or 'yao lans' are not safe for babies to sleep unsupervised, especially when babies are able to roll." | Skip Leave out | Not needed | |
| Small lamp or night lightOn HealthHub's list of things to prepare. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Bath and changing | |||
| Baby bath tub or wash basinKeep the water shallow and check it with your elbow. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| TowelsA few soft towels. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Baby wash, nappy wipes and nappy rash creamOn HealthHub’s list of things to prepare. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Newborn nappiesA few packs only: babies outgrow the newborn size quickly. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Changing padHealthHub calls it more practical than a changing table. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
Expecting · Checklist
Baby gear checklist, continued
| Item | Buy, borrow, have or skip | Budget S$ | Ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes | |||
| Baby clothesJust enough for each growth spurt. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Mittens, booties and a capFor the hospital bag and the first weeks. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Cupboard or chest of drawersFix it to the wall before baby can climb. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Feeding | |||
| What your feeding plan needsAsk the hospital's nurses what you need for the way you plan to feed. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Burp clothsSeveral, for feeds and spills. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| High chair with a harnessFor when baby starts solids. Use the harness every time. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Health and home safety | |||
| Digital thermometerWrite each reading down for the doctor. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| First-aid kitKeep it out of reach, with medicines in their labelled packs. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| PlaypenHealthHub suggests one instead of a baby walker. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Baby walker Official: leave outHealthHub: "Do not use a baby walker as it topples over easily and allows your baby to get to dangerous places quickly." | Skip Leave out | Not needed | |
| Socket covers and corner guardsFor when baby starts to crawl. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
| Safety gate for stairsOnly if your home has stairs. | BuyBorrowHaveSkip | ||
We publish no gear prices: the budget is your own. Items tagged "Official: leave out" are ones HealthHub says not to use.
Expecting · Checklist
The rules that apply to baby gear
What the Police, HealthHub and the Consumer Product Safety Office say, in their own words.
Car seat
- Police: "In Singapore, all drivers are required to properly secure a child below the height of 1.35m and travelling in a motor vehicle, with an approved child restraint." "Failing to do so is an offence."
- HealthHub: "Newborn babies should use a rear-facing infant car seat (baby faces the back of the vehicle) which is well-padded."
- HealthHub: "If your front passenger seat is fixed with an air bag, do not use a rear-facing baby seat there."
- LTA: "Taxis are exempt from the child seat rule because taxis can be street-hailed."
- The Police say to check the seat for a sticker showing an approved standard.
Safe sleep and the cot
- HealthHub: "Place your baby in a supine position (wholly on the back) for every sleep, including naps, until your baby turns one."
- HealthHub: "Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress covered by a well-fitted sheet."
- HealthHub: "If you are recycling a borrowed or old cot, make sure you get a new firm mattress."
- CPSO: "Slats should be secure and spaced no more than 4.5 to 6 cm apart."
- CPSO: "Never place a cot near a window with blinds, curtain cords, baby monitor cords"
Stroller, sling and bath
- CPSO: "Some strollers are not suitable for newborns who cannot hold up their heads."
- CPSO: "Ensure that you can see your baby's face at all times."
- CPSO: "Never leave your baby alone in the sling."
- HealthHub: "Check the temperature of the water with your elbow before bathing the baby."
- HealthHub: "Never leave him unattended in the bath tub and on the changing table."
Borrowed or second-hand gear
- CPSO says children's products do not need the SAFETY Mark: "General consumer goods under the CGSR do not require pre-market approval by the authority."
- CPSO does not cover "used or second-hand general consumer goods", or children's car seats (the Traffic Police do).
- Check CPSO's children's products recall page before you buy or borrow. CPSO: "Stop using any flagged products immediately and check this page regularly for updates."
- HealthHub: "Do not use a baby walker as it topples over easily and allows your baby to get to dangerous places quickly."
Sources, all checked 12 October 2026: Singapore Police Force, Review of standards for child restraints (news release, 13 June 2025); HealthHub (HPB), Parent Hub: baby sleep (no date stated); Consumer Product Safety Office, Safety tips on baby cots (page last updated 19 May 2026); Consumer Product Safety Office, Safety tips on strollers (page last updated 23 June 2026); Consumer Product Safety Office, Safety tips on baby slings (page last updated 8 May 2026); HealthHub (HPB), Care of your newborn (article last reviewed 15 November 2022); HealthHub (HPB), Safe home for your baby (article last reviewed 15 November 2022); Consumer Product Safety Office, Choose safer consumer goods (page last updated 19 May 2026); HealthHub (HPB), Gearing up for birth (article last reviewed 15 November 2022); LTA media reply (18 December 2024). Use it with: raisingangels.sg/tools/baby-gear-checklist/
Updated 12 October 2026. Print on A4, portrait, black and white is fine. Fill in page 1 before baby arrives; keep page 2 for when you shop or borrow.