Baby Shopping Calendar Month by Month: What to Buy and When?

Between your own wishes, well-meaning advice from family, and endless lists found online, knowing what to buy and when for your baby's arrival can quickly become overwhelming. Yet spreading out your purchases over several months makes it easier to manage your budget and avoid rushed, last-minute buys. This month-by-month calendar guides you step by step, from the second trimester of pregnancy through the first weeks after birth, so you can prepare calmly for your baby's arrival.

Why spread out your purchases instead of buying everything at once?

It's tempting to want to get everything done in a single order, often driven by the excitement of announcing the pregnancy. Yet this is rarely the best strategy, either for your budget or for the relevance of your choices. Baby gear represents a significant investment: on average between 1,200 and 2,500 euros for the full set of essentials, depending on the models chosen. Spreading this expense over 5 to 6 months avoids a heavy hit to your bank account and gives you time to compare models, take advantage of sales periods, and refine your real needs as the pregnancy progresses.

Spreading out purchases also leaves room to adjust your baby registry based on gifts received from family and friends, avoiding unnecessary duplicates. Finally, some items are only truly useful once your baby is a few weeks or months old: there's no need to spend everything in the first trimester on gear that will sit unused in a closet.

2nd trimester (months 4 and 5): laying the groundwork

The second trimester, often called the "trimester of calm" by expecting parents, is the ideal time to start thinking about the big structural items. It's usually around month 5, after the morphology scan, that many families feel ready to plan concretely and start their first purchases.

Sleeping arrangements

The crib or co-sleeping bassinet is one of the very first purchases to consider, as it often requires research, model comparisons, and sometimes delivery lead times. The Leo is a smart evolving option to consider at this stage: a 4-in-1 co-sleeping crib, it grows with your baby over several months, making it a particularly worthwhile investment over time.

View product page — Leo →

Rest and relaxation for baby

Still with this forward-thinking approach, a swing or an evolving bouncer can also be considered from the 2nd trimester onward, especially if you're aiming for a multifunction model that requires more research time. The Alpha and Ava are two electric swings that soothe babies from their very first weeks thanks to automatic rocking, a real relief for sleep-deprived parents.

View product page — Alpha →

View product page — Ava →

3rd trimester (months 6 and 7): mobility and everyday essentials

The third trimester usually marks the point when your baby registry takes shape and family members start asking "what do you need?". This is a good time to focus on items related to getting around and mealtimes.

The stroller

The stroller is often the most debated purchase within families, given how much models and uses can differ. If you're looking for a compact model, easy to fold with one hand and suited to both city trips and travel, the Piko stroller ticks every box: once folded, it's ultra compact and slides easily into a car trunk or plane cargo hold.

View product page — Piko →

The evolving multifunction option

Another smart option at this stage: choosing a single piece of equipment that covers several needs at once. That's the idea behind the Louna, a 4-in-1 model that works as a swing, bouncer, high chair and more, limiting the number of separate purchases and therefore the clutter at home.

View product page — Louna →

The last month before term: finalizing daily essentials

As the due date approaches, it's no longer time for big decisions but for finalizing the everyday essentials: the small items that will be used from the moment you leave the hospital and that you'll want ready and within reach.

Mealtimes

Bottles, teats, and changing accessories should be ready before delivery, as they're among the first items used from day one. The Biberon bottle with built-in spoon is especially handy for upcoming weaning, but also from the first months to simplify feeding.

View product page — Biberon →

Changing and hygiene

A stock of bibs should also be planned for right from the hospital: spit-ups and small feeding mishaps are common with newborns. The Bavoir silicone bib has the advantage of being washable, waterproof, and quick to clean, a real time-saver in daily life.

View product page — Bavoir →

After birth: what can wait

Contrary to popular belief, not everything needs to be bought before the birth. Some items are actually better chosen once you know your baby's habits and temperament a little better. Sensory toys, for example, are often better chosen after a few weeks, once you've observed your child's sensory preferences. Similarly, weaning tableware only becomes useful from around 4 to 6 months: there's no need to buy it while still at the hospital.

This post-birth period is also a good time to complete your equipment thanks to gifts received from your baby registry, avoiding duplicates and precisely targeting what you're really missing after living with your baby for a few weeks.

Total budget: what to expect

As a rough guide, the total budget to properly equip your baby's arrival (sleeping, mobility, mealtimes, hygiene) generally falls between 800 and 2,000 euros, excluding clothes and consumables (diapers, formula). This amount varies greatly depending on whether you choose multifunction items like the Louna, which limit the number of separate purchases, or specialized items bought independently. Spreading these purchases over 5 to 6 months works out to an average monthly budget of 150 to 300 euros, far more manageable than a single lump expense.

Timing mistakes to avoid

Some mistakes come up again and again among new parents. The first is waiting until the last month to buy everything at once, which creates unnecessary stress and leaves little room to compare models. The second is buying evolving equipment too early without checking stock availability closer to the due date, especially for high-demand models. Finally, many parents forget to leave budget room for post-birth surprises (medical check-ups, gear adjustments, transitional clothing): it's better to keep 10 to 15% of your budget aside rather than spending it all before term.

FAQ – The baby shopping calendar

When should you start buying for your baby?

The 2nd trimester of pregnancy, around month 4 or 5, is the ideal time to start with structural purchases like the crib or swing, giving you time to compare models without rushing.

What's the average budget to equip your baby's arrival?

Generally count on between 800 and 2,000 euros for the full set of baby gear (excluding clothes and consumables), an amount it's recommended to spread over 5 to 6 months to limit the impact on your monthly budget.

Do you need to buy everything before the birth?

No, some items like sensory toys or weaning tableware are better bought after the birth, once you know your baby's real needs a little better.

Which items should you prioritize?

Sleeping equipment (crib, co-sleeping bed) and rest equipment (swing, bouncer) should be prioritized from the 2nd trimester, as they often require more research and sometimes a longer delivery lead time.

How can you avoid duplicates with baby shower gifts?

Wait until your baby registry is finalized before buying the most expensive items, and let family and friends contribute to the pricier items instead of buying everything yourself in advance.

Can you buy multifunction equipment to limit your budget?

Yes, models like the Louna 4-in-1 cover several needs (swing, bouncer, high chair) with a single purchase, which reduces both the total budget and the clutter at home.

Is it okay to buy secondhand baby gear to save money?

For non-safety items like bibs or bottles, secondhand can be a smart way to save. For sleep and mobility equipment such as cribs, swings or strollers, always check current safety standards and expiration dates first, since regulations and materials evolve quickly in baby gear.

One last piece of advice

What matters most is moving at your own pace, without giving in to the pressure of "having everything" before the due date. A month-by-month shopping calendar is just a guideline: adapt it to your budget, your home, and your preferences. The key is arriving calmly on the big day, with the essentials ready and the confidence that the rest will naturally fall into place with your baby.

Our products in video

To help you picture them before buying, discover in video the products mentioned in this calendar: Alpha, Ava, Louna, Leo and Piko in action.