New Baby Shopping Checklist for Pakistani Parents

A new baby shopping checklist for Pakistani parents covers seven groups: clothing, sleep and swaddling, feeding, nappy changing, bathing, daily baby care, and going out. Buy the first month's needs before delivery, keep quantities small, and add the rest once your baby arrives.

Most first-time parents in Pakistan over-buy in two categories and under-buy in one. Newborn-size clothes and toys pile up, usually because relatives bring them as gifts, while the boring items that get used ten times a day, wrapping sheets, burp cloths, and wipes, run out in week one.

This checklist is built the other way round. It starts with what you will actually reach for during those first weeks, tells you roughly how many of each to keep, and separates the buy-before-delivery items from the ones that can wait until your baby is here.

What to Buy Before Delivery

Keep this short. Babies arrive early sometimes, and shops stay open afterwards.

Before delivery, have ready: newborn nappies, wipes, six to eight bodysuits or rompers, two to three wrapping sheets, caps, mittens and booties, two towels, mild baby soap, baby oil, a feeding bottle if you plan to use one, and a changing mat or old cotton sheet.

Everything else on this page can be bought in the first month. You do not need a full year's worth of anything on day one.

Our newborn baby essentials range groups most of these categories in one place, which saves working through the site section by section.

Clothing Checklist

Buy less newborn size than you think and more 3 to 6 month size than feels sensible. Babies grow out of the smallest size quickly, and it is the size everyone gifts.

Wash everything before first use. New fabric carries factory dust and stiffener, and newborn skin reacts to both.

Sleep and Swaddling Checklist

• Wrapping or swaddle sheets, 3 to 4. These get used constantly, for swaddling, feeding cover, pram cover and floor mat. Keep more than you think you need. A soft baby swaddle sheet in cotton works through most of the year in Karachi and Lahore.

• Light blanket, 2. One in use, one in the wash.

• Flat cotton sheets for the bed, 2 to 3.

• Mosquito net. Essential in most of Pakistan, particularly in summer and in ground-floor homes.

• Firm sleeping surface. Keep pillows, bumpers and soft toys out of the baby's sleep space.

Feeding Checklist

What you need depends on how you feed, so buy the minimum first and add once your routine settles.

• Feeding bottles, 2 to 3 if you are bottle feeding or expressing. A small baby feeding bottle in the 80ml range suits newborn feeds better than a large one, which is hard to hold and hard to finish.

• Bottle brush and steriliser or a dedicated pot for boiling.

• Bibs, 4 to 6. Small ones for dribble now, apron bibs later for weaning.

• Burp cloths or muslin squares, 6 or more. Old dupattas and cotton cloths work perfectly well here.

• Breast pads and a feeding pillow if you are breastfeeding.

Nappy Changing Checklist

This is the category that empties fastest.

• Newborn size nappies, one pack to start. Do not bulk buy the smallest size. Babies often move up within weeks.

• Baby wipes, 2 to 3 packs. Alcohol-free and fragrance-free for the first months.

• Nappy rash cream. Warm weather and long naps make rash common in Pakistan.

• Changing mat or a waterproof sheet.

• A small bin with a lid near the changing spot.

If you are still deciding which nappy brand to commit to, our guide to the best baby diapers in Pakistan breaks down what to compare before you buy a bigger pack.

Bathing Checklist

• Baby bath tub or a clean plastic tub.

• Mild baby soap and tear-free shampoo.

• Hooded baby towel, 2. Hooded ones keep the head warm while you dry the rest.

• Soft sponge or cotton cloth.

• Bath thermometer if you want one, though testing with your elbow works.

Newborns do not need a daily bath. Two or three times a week is enough in the early weeks, with sponge cleaning in between.

Daily Baby Care Checklist

• Baby oil for massage, which is part of most Pakistani households' routine

• Baby lotion or moisturiser

• Baby powder, used sparingly and never near the face

• Baby nail scissors or clippers with rounded tips

• Soft hairbrush and comb

• Digital thermometer

• Cotton wool for cleaning the umbilical stump

Keep the newborn's toiletries separate from the family's. Adult soap and shampoo are too strong for newborn skin.

Going Out and Travel

• Baby bag with separate compartments for nappies, a change of clothes and bottles

• Stroller or pram, useful from around the second month

• Baby carrier if you take public transport or manage stairs often

• Car seat if you travel by car, which is skipped far too often in Pakistan and is the single most important safety purchase you can make

• A light shawl or cover for sun and dust

What Mothers Need for Themselves

Most checklists forget this half completely.

• Two to three comfortable front-open kurtas for feeding

• Maternity pads for the first weeks

• Nursing bras

• A maternity or hospital bag

• Loose, breathable clothing for recovery

• A refillable water bottle to keep near the feeding chair

Hospital Bag List

Pack this by month eight.

For the baby: two to three suits, wrapping sheet, cap, mittens, booties, nappies, wipes, a small towel and a light blanket.

For the mother: two loose suits, dupatta, maternity pads, undergarments, slippers, toiletries, phone charger, and any prescribed medicines.

Documents: ID cards, hospital file, previous reports, and cash for anything the card machine cannot handle.

What You Can Skip or Delay

• Newborn shoes. They serve no purpose for months. Socks and booties are enough.

• A large wardrobe of newborn-size clothes. Gifts will cover this.

• Toys. Newborns cannot use them. Wait until three months at least.

• Bottle warmers and sterilising gadgets. A pot of boiled water does the same job.

• A cot or crib. Many Pakistani families co-sleep or use a jhoola in the early months. Buy it when you know your setup.

• Baby walkers. Paediatric guidance advises against them, and they delay rather than help walking.

Common Mistakes Pakistani Parents Make

Buying everything before the baby arrives. Shops stay open, and your actual needs become clear within days.

Over-buying the smallest size. Newborn size fits for a matter of weeks. Split your buying across newborn and 3 to 6 month sizes.

Not washing new clothes. Factory dust and fabric stiffener irritate newborn skin.

Ignoring the season. A July baby in Karachi and a January baby in Islamabad need completely different clothing plans.

Skipping the car seat. Holding a baby in a moving car feels normal here. It is the least safe habit on this list.

Stockpiling one nappy brand before testing it. Fit varies by brand and by baby. Try a small pack first.

Season-Wise Buying Tips

For a summer baby: light cotton bodysuits, more muslin and wrapping sheets, a mosquito net, and fewer full-sleeve suits. Heat rash is the main concern, so breathable fabric matters more than quantity.

For a winter baby: full-sleeve suits, warm caps that cover the ears, extra blankets, and layering vests. Layers work better than one thick outfit because rooms and outdoor temperatures vary so much.

For load shedding: keep a hand fan, extra wrapping sheets and a charged emergency light near the feeding area. Babies get restless quickly in still, warm air.

Shop Newborn Essentials at Chase Value

We stock nappies, wipes, feeding supplies, wrapping sheets, bath accessories, baby care products and newborn clothing in one place, with delivery across Pakistan. Browse the full newborn baby essentials range and work through the checklist above in one order.