The third trimester is when everything starts to feel real.
There are lists everywhere. Nursery inspiration. Hospital bag must-haves. Registry recommendations. It’s easy to feel like you need everything - immediately.
The truth? You don’t need more. You need the right essentials, organised in a way that makes those first weeks calmer and more manageable.
If you’re looking for an expert-led perspective, you can read our Postpartum Doula’s Third Trimester Checklist here.
This guide focuses on the practical essentials most families actually use.
1. Your Hospital Bag (Packed and Ready)
Aim to have your hospital bag packed by 35-36 weeks.
Keep it simple and functional.
For you:
- Comfortable, loose clothing
- Nursing bras or soft crop tops
- Toiletries and lip balm
- Extra-long phone charger
- Maternity pads
- Refillable water bottle
For baby:
- 2-3 zip suits
- A swaddle
- Beanie
- Installed and correctly fitted car seat
For a detailed packing breakdown, read our Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist.
2. A Safe, Ready-to-Use Sleep Space
Before baby arrives, you need one safe sleep setup ready from day one.
That means:
- Bassinet or cot assembled
- Firm mattress
- Fitted sheets only
You don’t need decorative extras or multiple sleep stations. Start simple.
3. Feeding Preparation
Feeding is one of the biggest transitions in the early weeks.
Even if you’re planning to breastfeed directly, having flexible options prepared can reduce pressure in those early days.
Consider having:
- A hospital-grade breast pump ready at home. If you’re unsure what “hospital grade” actually means, you can read our guide here.
- Milk storage bags or containers
- Nipple care support (like Silver Nipple Shields and Nipple Cream)
- Nursing pads
It can also help to have a soft night light ready for overnight feeds and changes. Gentle lighting means you’re not switching on the full room light and fully waking both yourself and baby. If you're pumping at night the Bubka Glow will check this off your list.
4. Postpartum Recovery Essentials
Your recovery deserves just as much preparation as baby’s arrival.
Consider organising:
- Maternity pads
- Comfortable high-waisted underwear
- Perineal spray, foam or soothing wash
- Easy, nourishing food. Freeze a few family meals or organise delivery options, and fill your pantry with simple staples like pasta, rice, oats and soup. This isn’t the season for elaborate cooking - it’s about making nourishment feel effortless.
- A well-stocked snack supply - trust us, you'll feel snacky
It’s also worth organising a few small comforts for yourself. Think soft loungewear or comfortable pyjamas, a fresh haircut, an eyebrow wax, or even a prenatal massage before baby arrives. These little luxuries can help you feel more put-together in the early weeks when time for yourself becomes limited.
If it feels right, plan a simple date night with your partner before baby arrives. A quiet meal or walk can be a meaningful way to mark the transition into this next chapter together.
The first two weeks are about rest and recovery. The more you prepare now, the less you’ll need to think later.
5. Basic Baby Care Items
You don’t need every gadget marketed to new parents.
You do need:
- Nappies (newborn + size 1) and plenty of wipes
- A simple changing setup
- A handful of zip suits or jumpsuits (a mix of newborn and 000 sizes is usually helpful)
- Singlets, socks and a sun hat
- Swaddle wraps or swaddle sacks
- Lightweight blankets
- Muslin cloths and burp cloths (we like using the Towelling Cotton Nappies)
- A basic baby bath or bath support
- Baby towels and soft face washers
- Cotton balls for gently cleaning around baby’s eyes
- A simple baby monitor
- A playmat for supervised floor time
Pre-wash baby’s clothes and bedding before birth so everything is ready to go.
Babies grow quickly. Start with essentials and adjust once you meet your baby.
6. Getting Out of the House
Even short outings can feel like a big milestone in the early weeks. Having your basics organised makes it easier.
- Pram assembled and ready
- Car seat professionally installed and checked
- Nappy bag packed with essentials
- Baby carrier for hands-free support
You don’t need to plan adventures straight away, but having these basics organised can make that first coffee outing or short walk feel much more achievable.
7. Practical Administration
It’s not glamorous - but it matters.
Before your due date:
- Finalise parental leave paperwork
- Check Centrelink eligibility and get it sorted beforehand
- Add baby to private health insurance
- Have your car seat professionally checked (if not already done)
- Save key support numbers in your phone
This reduces mental load in the early postpartum days.
8. Prepare Your Home for Ease
In the early weeks, small systems make a big difference. Rather than setting up elaborate spaces, focus on creating simple, functional “care zones” that reduce movement and mental load.
Consider preparing:
- A main feeding station in your living area with water, snacks, a charger and burp cloths within easy reach.
- A compact overnight setup beside your bed with nappies, wipes and feeding essentials so you’re not walking through the house at 2am.
- A simple changing station. This doesn’t need to be a large, styled setup - a small caddy with nappies, wipes and a mat is more than enough.
- A ready-to-use sterilising system for pump parts, bottles and dummies, so you’re not figuring it out when you’re already tired. Consider starting with our Steriliser Bags.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s reducing friction so everyday care feels easier from day one.
What You Probably Don’t Need (Yet)
It’s easy to feel pressure to buy everything. In reality, you can wait on:
- Large wardrobes of newborn clothing
- Multiple toys and gadgets
- Fully styled nursery décor
- Excess products “just in case”
Start with what supports safety, feeding and recovery. You can always add more later. The world doesn’t pause when your baby arrives - and having fewer things to manage in those first weeks often feels like a gift to yourself.
A Simple Third Trimester Essentials Summary
✔ Hospital bag packed
✔ Safe sleep space ready
✔ Feeding plan + backup option
✔ Postpartum recovery supplies
✔ Basic nappies and clothing
✔ Car seat installed
✔ Admin sorted
✔ Meals prepared
You don’t need a perfect setup. You need a calm, practical foundation for bringing your baby home.