Preparing the nursery very personal here is my list of essentials. Of course, what you actually need depends a lot on your own style:Some are minimalists, while others enjoy getting lots of items ahead of time. And many families choose to wait and see what they truly need once the baby arrives. Take what resonates with you :)

🍼 For Baby

🧷 Newborn diapers (Pampers, eco-brand, etc.) take a few packs )you can have one is size 0 just in case, but usually most babies at term wear size 1 (from 3 kg).

🧼 Gentle wipes (with no sasties, like all 100% water based) or washable cloths

🪽 Changing mat or cover

🌿 Diaper cream for red bums (e.g. Weleda, Bepanthene..)

🛁 Mild baby wash or liniment (initally you won't really need it, a bit of mother milk in the bath does wonder!)

👕 Clothes:

at least 6 all-in-one sleep suits
5–6 cotton bodysuits
3-4 pants
3 cardigans (choose wool or cotton / choose ones that open in the front ather than pull-over
A warm suit if weather is cold

😴 2-4 Schlafsack (based on season) - these are sleeping bags, that are safe to sleep in, babies do not sleep with covers/duvets, risks of suffocation

🧦 Soft hats, socks, scratch mittens

🌡️ Thermometer (baby-safe) - midwifes recomend rectal because they are usually more reliable, but you might not feel comfortable with doing this... there are great digital ones for the brow or ears

⬜ Muslin cloths (Spucktücher) – ~6–10

🧴A bucket or bathtub to bathe baby, baby towels

👜A bag to take baby items with you on the go

😴 Breastfeeding pillow (also useful for bottle feed!)

Equipment:

🧸A safe place for baby to sleep (e.g. baby cot), with a firm mattress

🧸4 fitted sheets, waterproof mattress cover - keep a bare crib! no pillow, no blanket!

🧸Based on your needs/lifestyle: a baby carrier, a pram (nice models include prams that can later be used a buggies as kids grow), for cold weather, a warm bag "Fusssack" to keep baby warm)

🧸Unused infant car seat, rear facing, meeting safety criteria of the EU

🧸A changing table with everything at reach (never leave baby unattended!)

🤱 For Mum

👕 Very comfortable and loose clothes that you love (that are easily compatible with breastfeeding if appropriate (e.g. cardigans, special breastfeeding tops etc)

🩲 Maternity pads (Wochenbett Vorlagen)

🩵 Disposable or mesh underwear

💧 Intimate shower or bottle for gentle cleansing

🧊 Cooling pads or Sitzbad (e.g. Kamille)

💧 Big water bottle (stay hydrated!)

🥣 Healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruit, bars)

🥣 Potentially, pre-prepared frozen meals for reducing the amount of cooking when you're home

🕯️ Soft lighting for (breast)feeding at night

🍵 Herbal teas (some help with breastfeeding such as Anis Fenchel Kümmel)

📚 Something to read or entertain you that makes you feel happy :) a journal ….

🤱 Breastfed baby

Mama needs…

🤱Breast pads (if breastfeeding)

🤱Breats pump and appropriately sized breast shield for the pump - can be rented from the pharmacy, can be refunded by the Kasse if you get a precription

🧴 Nipple cream based with Lanolin (e.g. Lansinoh)

👙 Nursing bras

⬜Muslin squares for burping

🍼 Formula-fed baby

🍼Formula and water (check out local guidelines around using tap water, or look into buying special Babywasser - not all bottled water or tap water are good for infants!)

🍼Bottles with teats and caps (make sure you choose the ones for newborns)

🍼Brushesand special detergent to wash teats and bottles

🍼Sterilising equiment (steriliser such as microwave or steam steriliser)