Newborn Checklist Singapore: What You Need for 3 Months

For the first three months in Singapore, you really need a safe place for your baby to sleep, a feeding set-up, plenty of nappies and wipes, a few bath basics, light cotton clothing and a small health kit. Everything else is optional, and much of it can wait until you know your baby and your routine.

This newborn checklist is built for Singapore life: small HDB and condo spaces, year-round heat and humidity, and fast delivery from Shopee, Lazada and Amazon.sg that makes top-ups easy. We have included realistic SGD budget ranges, but prices vary widely by brand, so treat them as a guide.

Sleep and nursery essentials

Your baby’s sleep space is the one area where safety matters more than style. Current guidance from HealthHub and the American Academy of Pediatrics is simple: a firm, flat mattress, a fitted sheet and nothing else in the cot. Our safe sleep guide explains why.

• Cot, playard or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly with no gaps at the sides.
• 2 to 3 fitted sheets, so you always have a spare for night-time leaks.
• 2 to 3 swaddles or sleep bags in light, breathable cotton or muslin. Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling.
• Waterproof mattress protector that fits tightly under the sheet.
• A fan or aircon you can set to a comfortable room temperature, plus a room thermometer if you like data.
• Dim night light for night feeds and nappy changes.

Skip cot bumpers, baby pillows, bolsters and thick quilts, even though they often come in gift sets. We explain the traditional use of bolsters and the safer alternatives in are baby pillows and bolsters safe? If you are comparing cots, look for a firm mattress that fits snugly and sides with no gaps that could trap small arms or legs.

Feeding essentials

What you need depends on whether you breastfeed, formula feed or combine both. It is worth having a few basics ready either way, as plans often change in the first weeks.

If you are breastfeeding

• Nursing bras or tops, and disposable or washable breast pads
• Nipple cream (lanolin or a similar product)
• A breast pump if you plan to express or return to work. Many mums wait until feeding is established before buying one
• Milk storage bags and a few bottles
• A supportive nursing pillow (for you, not for baby’s sleep)

If you are formula feeding or combination feeding

• 4 to 6 bottles with slow-flow newborn teats
• Infant formula suitable from birth, as advised by your paediatrician
• Bottle brush and a sterilising method (steam steriliser, boiling or cold-water tablets)
• A kettle or water dispenser that can boil water for safe preparation

If feeding feels difficult in the first days, ask your hospital or polyclinic about lactation support early, rather than waiting until problems build up.

Nappies and changing

Newborns go through 8 to 12 nappies a day in the early weeks, so this is a recurring cost rather than a one-off. Buy one or two packs of newborn size, then move to size S quickly, as many babies outgrow newborn nappies within a few weeks.

• Disposable or cloth nappies
• Unscented wipes, or cotton pads and cooled boiled water for the first weeks
• Nappy rash cream with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly
• A changing mat. A dedicated changing table is optional in smaller flats; a mat on a bed or dresser works if you keep one hand on your baby
• A lidded bin for used nappies

Bath and skin care

You will start with sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off, usually within one to three weeks. Our step-by-step guide on how to bathe a newborn walks you through it.

• A baby bath tub or bath seat designed for newborns
• 2 to 3 soft hooded towels and a few washcloths
• Mild, fragrance-free baby wash, used sparingly
• Fragrance-free moisturiser for dry patches
• Baby nail clippers or a nail file
• Soft hairbrush (optional)

Clothing for Singapore heat

It is tempting to buy lots of cute outfits, but newborns grow fast and our climate means less is more. Light, breathable cotton is your best friend. A useful rule of thumb is to dress your baby in about one more light layer than you are comfortable in, and less if the room is warm.

• 6 to 8 short-sleeved bodysuits or rompers in newborn and 0 to 3 month sizes
• 4 to 6 sleepsuits or light pyjamas for aircon rooms
• 2 to 3 thin mittens if your baby scratches their face
• A few pairs of socks for aircon rooms, malls and clinic visits
• A light cotton hat for outings (not for sleep)
• Muslin cloths, which double as burp cloths, nursing covers and light blankets for supervised use

Health and first-aid kit

A small, well-stocked kit saves late-night pharmacy runs. Keep it in one box, out of reach of older children.

• Digital thermometer (armpit or ear type, suitable for infants)
• Saline nose drops and a nasal aspirator
• Cotton balls and cotton buds (for the outer ear and cord area only, never inside the ear canal). Cotton pads with cooled boiled water are also handy for wiping a sticky eye caused by a blocked tear duct in babies.
• Paracetamol suitable for infants, to use only on your doctor’s advice for babies under 3 months
• Your baby’s health booklet, which you bring to every polyclinic or paediatrician visit and vaccination

Keep a note of your nearest polyclinic and the Children’s Emergency at KKH or NUH. If your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, see a doctor promptly. Our guide to newborn jaundice in Singapore explains the early day 3 to 5 check most babies have. Your baby also has a full newborn examination in hospital, and our guide to an undescended testicle in babies covers one thing doctors check for in boys.

Newborn budget in Singapore: what it may cost

The table below gives rough ranges for the first three months, based on typical prices at major retailers and online marketplaces. Your total will depend on brands, hand-me-downs and whether you breastfeed. Big-ticket items like a stroller and infant car seat are listed separately, as they last well beyond the newborn stage.

Your Child Development Account (CDA) can be used for some of these costs at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions, which include certain pharmacies and healthcare providers. Check the latest list on LifeSG. From April 2027, the new Child Support Package announced at the National Day Rally 2026 replaces the current Baby Bonus schemes; our Baby Bonus guide keeps track of the changes.

What you can skip or buy later

• Wipe warmers and bottle warmers: nice to have, rarely essential in a warm climate
• Baby shoes: not needed until your child is walking
• Cot bumpers, pillows, bolsters and sleep positioners: not recommended for safety reasons
• High chair and weaning gear: wait until around 6 months, when you start solids
• Lots of newborn-size clothes: buy a few, then size up

The bottom line

Focus on five areas before your baby arrives: safe sleep, feeding, nappies, bathing and a basic health kit. Choose breathable cotton for Singapore’s heat, keep the cot completely clear, and let gifts and hand-me-downs fill the gaps. You can always add more once you know what your baby, and your household, actually needs.