Newborn Sleep Essentials: Your Baby Checklist

Welcoming a new baby is an exciting time, full of emotions… and preparations! Between tiny clothes, nappies, pushchairs and the countless accessories available to expectant parents, it can sometimes be difficult to tell what’s truly essential and what’s simply nice to have.

And when it comes to sleep, there are plenty of questions. Do you need to buy a blanket? How many baby sleeping bags should you have? How do you choose the right mattress? And what does your baby actually need for those first few nights?

The good news is that a newborn mainly needs a simple, comfortable and safe sleeping environment. There’s no need to fill the cot with cushions or stock up on endless accessories!

Here’s our checklist of baby sleep essentials to prepare before your little one arrives, so you can welcome them with peace of mind.

1. A Safe Cot and a Firm Mattress

Let’s start with the basics: your baby’s bed.

During their first few months, your little one will need a bed that’s suitable for their age, whether that’s a crib, a bedside cot or a standard cot that meets current safety standards.

The most important thing is to choose a firm, flat mattress that fits the cot perfectly. There shouldn’t be any gaps between the mattress and the sides of the cot where your baby could become trapped.

For at least the first six months, it’s recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, but in their own separate cot.

This allows you to keep your little one close for nighttime feeds and wake-ups while providing them with their own safe sleeping space.

2. Two or Three Fitted Sheets in the Right Size

Little accidents are part of everyday life with a newborn. A leaking nappy, a bit of spit-up or some spilled milk… it happens!

Having a few spare fitted sheets can save you from plenty of emergency laundry sessions.

Ideally, prepare two or three fitted sheets that match the exact dimensions of your baby’s mattress, along with a properly fitted waterproof mattress protector if needed.

When choosing the fabric, look for something soft and breathable, such as organic cotton, which feels gentle against your baby’s delicate skin.

At Zizzz, we place great importance on natural, breathable materials. That’s why organic cotton is one of our preferred fibres for both our bed linen and baby sleeping bags.

One important detail: the fitted sheet should fit snugly around the mattress without creating loose folds. Avoid adding any loose fabrics or extra bedding to the cot.

3. Two Baby Sleeping Bags Suited to the Season

If there’s one item that definitely deserves a place on your baby essentials checklist, it’s a baby sleeping bag!

Unlike a loose blanket, which can move up over your baby’s face during the night, a properly fitted sleeping bag helps keep your little one comfortably covered without adding loose bedding to the cot.

Also known as a baby sleep sack, it can accompany your little one’s nights right from birth, provided the size and fit are appropriate.

How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag for a Newborn

There are three particularly important things to consider:

• The right size: the sleeping bag should fit your baby’s body properly, particularly around the neck and arm openings, so they cannot slip down inside it. Our guide explains how to choose the right sleeping bag size.
• The right warmth: choose a sleeping bag according to the actual temperature of the bedroom, rather than simply the season.
• Comfortable materials: look for breathable fabrics that help maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature throughout the night.

At Zizzz, our newborn sleeping bags for 0–6 months measure 70 cm and feature an adjustable neckline to provide a better fit for little ones.

We offer two main types of baby sleeping bags:

The 4-Season Swisswool Sleeping Bag

Filled with natural Swisswool and covered in organic cotton, our 4-season sleeping bag combines softness, breathability and natural temperature-regulating properties.

Wool helps absorb moisture and maintain a comfortable sleeping environment around your baby’s body.

The Organic Cotton Summer Sleeping Bag

Lighter and thinner, our summer sleeping bag is made from a single layer of organic cotton interlock, without any filling.

It’s particularly well suited to warmer bedrooms and summer nights.

Our baby sleeping bags are designed in Switzerland and manufactured in Portugal, using carefully selected natural materials.

And if you’re unsure which warmth level to choose, take a look at our guide to your baby’s ideal room temperature and nighttime clothing, which also helps explain how to keep your little one comfortably dressed for sleep. You can also read about the most common mistakes when choosing a sleeping bag.

4. Comfortable Bodysuits and Pyjamas

Newborn babies spend a large part of their first weeks sleeping. That’s why their sleepwear deserves just as much attention as their sleeping bag.

As a starting point, you could prepare around five to seven bodysuits and four to six pairs of pyjamas, depending on how often you do laundry and your baby’s individual needs.

Clothes that fasten at the front are particularly practical for newborns, making nappy changes and getting dressed easier without having to move your baby too much.

When it comes to fabrics, organic cotton is a lovely choice thanks to its softness and breathability. Discover our organic cotton pyjamas for babies.

Remember to adapt your baby’s clothing to the room temperature.

Thick pyjamas aren’t always necessary, especially if your baby is already sleeping in a well-insulated sleeping bag.

The aim is to keep your little one comfortably warm without adding unnecessary layers.

5. A Room Thermometer

Here’s a small accessory that can be surprisingly useful: a room thermometer.

For a baby’s sleep, a bedroom temperature of around 18–20 °C is generally a comfortable range, although UK safe-sleep guidance commonly recommends keeping the room between 16 and 20 °C.

A room that’s too warm can make sleep uncomfortable and increase the risks associated with overheating.

A simple thermometer allows you to monitor the temperature and adjust your baby’s clothing and sleeping bag accordingly.

Wondering Whether Your Baby Is Too Warm?

Gently feel the back of their neck or the upper part of their back. If their skin feels hot and sweaty, they may be wearing too many layers.

On the other hand, don’t rely only on their hands or feet. These can naturally feel a little cool, even when your baby’s body temperature is perfectly comfortable. Learn more about why some babies sweat a lot while sleeping.

6. A Few Handy Extras… But Nothing Essential

Some accessories aren’t strictly necessary, but they can make everyday life a little easier for new parents.

A small nightlight with a soft glow, for example, can be useful for nighttime feeds and nappy changes without switching on the main bedroom light.

A baby monitor may also come in handy when your little one is sleeping in another room, particularly as they get older.

And keeping a clean pair of pyjamas and a spare fitted sheet near the cot can save precious minutes during those 3 a.m. wake-ups.

Because yes, even with the most beautifully prepared nursery in the world, the first nights with a newborn can still be a little unpredictable!

What Should You Keep Out of Your Baby’s Cot?

Between beautiful blankets, decorative cushions and cuddly toys gifted by family and friends, it can be tempting to create a cosy little nest filled with accessories.

But when it comes to newborn sleep, a clear cot is a safer cot.

Avoid placing pillows, duvets, loose blankets, cot bumpers, sleep positioners or large soft toys in your baby’s sleeping space.

These items can present a suffocation risk or interfere with your baby’s breathing.

Your Newborn Sleep Essentials Checklist

To help you prepare for your baby’s arrival, here’s a handy summary of everything you might need.

These quantities are simply guidelines.

There’s no need to buy too many clothes or bedding items before your baby arrives. You can always add to your collection once you have a better idea of your little one’s habits and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Sleep Essentials

How many sleeping bags do you need for a newborn?

Two baby sleeping bags are a good starting point. That way, you’ll always have a spare available when one is in the wash. If your baby frequently spits up milk or you don’t do laundry very often, having a third sleeping bag may be particularly useful.

What size sleeping bag should you choose for a newborn?

It depends on your baby’s height, weight and body shape. At Zizzz, our 70 cm newborn sleeping bags are designed for babies aged approximately 0–6 months and feature an adjustable neckline. Always check that the neck and arm openings fit your baby securely, and follow the manufacturer’s size and weight guidance.

Do you need to buy a duvet for a newborn?

No. Duvets and loose blankets shouldn’t be placed in a newborn baby’s cot. A properly fitted baby sleeping bag is a more suitable way to keep your little one comfortably covered during sleep.

When should you start preparing your baby essentials?

Many parents begin shopping during the second trimester or at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. The most important thing is simply to have the essentials ready before bringing your baby home from hospital, without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Creating a Cosy Little Space for Your Baby’s First Nights

Welcoming a newborn doesn’t mean you need to buy dozens of accessories.

When it comes to sleep, a few carefully chosen essentials are enough to create a comfortable and safe environment.

A good mattress, properly fitted sheets, soft clothing and a sleeping bag in the right size: that’s already a wonderful start.

At Zizzz, we believe in choosing fewer, better-quality products, with natural materials, thoughtful design and careful manufacturing.

And most importantly, remember that those first nights won’t always go perfectly.

Nighttime wake-ups, cuddles and changing routines are all part of discovering life with your new baby.

What matters most isn’t creating the perfect nursery, but providing a safe and comfortable place where your little one can rest and grow.

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Our Mission at Zizzz

Enhancing quality of life and well-being through better sleep

At Zizzz, our mission is to improve quality of life by promoting good sleep as an essential component of overall well-being.

We offer products and resources that promote restorative and revitalizing sleep, recognizing it as one of the three pillars of a healthy lifestyle, alongside a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

By prioritizing quality sleep, we empower individuals to lead healthier and happier lives.

Preserving our environment and helping to build a better future

We achieve this goal by using only natural materials such as wool, traceable down, and organic cotton in our products, ensuring a luxurious and eco-friendly sleep environment.

Committed to sustainability and ethical practices, we produce locally, supporting local economies and reducing our carbon footprint.

Choosing Zizzz means investing in your own well-being while contributing to a more sustainable future for all.