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The pharmacy side of newborn essentials in the UAE is shorter than most shopping lists suggest. In the first weeks you mainly need nappies and wipes, a few gentle skin care basics, a small first aid kit with a reliable thermometer, and support for feeding. Most other items can wait until you know what your baby actually needs.
Getting these basics ready a month or so before the due date means fewer late-night trips. Many UAE families also have relatives visiting after the birth, so it helps to keep everything in one labelled basket that anyone can find.
This checklist covers what to buy, what to skip, and the signs that mean you should call a doctor.
Newborn essentials in the UAE: nappies and wipes
Newborns need changing many times a day in the early weeks, so this is the item to stock up on first.
- Start with newborn sizes, but do not buy too many. Babies grow quickly, and you may move up a size within weeks.
- Check the weight range on the pack rather than the age. Brands differ.
- Have a mix of wipes and cotton wool. Midwives often suggest cleaning the nappy area with cotton wool and warm water. Many parents keep fragrance-free wipes for outings.
- A barrier cream is useful to have ready for nappy rash.
When choosing baby diapers in the UAE, think about storage too. Larger packs cost less per nappy but take up space, and you may outgrow them.
Gentle baby skin care
A newborn's skin is delicate, and less is usually more. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting at least 24 hours after birth before the first bath. After that, plain water, or a mild liquid cleanser suitable for babies, is enough. Your baby does not need a bath every day. Washing the face, neck, hands and nappy area, sometimes called topping and tailing, is enough on other days.
Good baby skin care in the UAE also means thinking about indoor air. Air conditioning can make skin feel dry, so a simple fragrance-free baby moisturiser can help if you notice dry patches.
- Use warm, not hot, water. Run the cold first, then add hot, and test with your wrist or elbow.
- Pat skin dry, paying attention to skin folds.
- Keep the umbilical cord area clean and dry, as WHO recommends. If it gets dirty, clean around it gently with warm water and fresh cotton wool.
- Check any oils or lotions are made for babies.
- Keep young babies out of direct sun. Ask your pharmacist before using sunscreen on a young baby.
A baby first aid kit
A small baby first aid kit lets you deal calmly with minor problems and know when something needs a doctor.
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Digital thermometer | Lets you check for fever accurately |
| Nasal spray or drops made for babies | Can ease a stuffy nose before feeds |
| Barrier cream | For nappy rash |
| Plasters and sterile gauze | For older siblings and small cuts at home |
| Baby nail scissors or clippers | Newborn nails grow fast and can scratch |
| Your doctor's and clinic's numbers | Saved in your phone and on paper |
Do not give any medicine to a newborn without asking a doctor or pharmacist first. Many children's medicines have a minimum age, and doses depend on age and weight.
About fever
UNICEF says a temperature higher than 38C is generally considered a fever in a baby, and advises talking to your doctor right away. In very young babies, a fever can be a sign of a serious infection, so for a baby under 3 months, a temperature of 38C or higher needs urgent medical advice. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use your thermometer before the baby arrives.
Feeding support
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding as the first choice, ideally starting within the first hour after birth and continuing on its own for the first six months. Your hospital, midwife or a lactation consultant can help in the early days.
Useful items to have ready include:
- Nursing pads, disposable or washable
- A breast pump if you plan to express milk or return to work
- Bottle and teat brushes for cleaning pump parts and bottles
- A water bottle and healthy snacks for the mother during long feeds
Many paediatricians in the UAE recommend a daily vitamin D supplement for breastfed babies. Ask your paediatrician what suits your baby. If you have questions about feeding, speak to your doctor or midwife first.
Safe sleep and the first days home
Pharmacy shopping is only part of being ready. WHO recommends putting your baby to sleep on their back during the first year to reduce the risk of sudden infant death, and lists overheating and head covering among the risk factors. Doctors also generally advise a clear cot or Moses basket of their own, in the same room as the parents for the first six months. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature and avoid overheating, which is easy in a warm flat with heavy blankets.
Products to consider at BMG Pharmacy
- Huggies Extra Care Newborn Size 1 Diapers 21s newborn-size disposable nappies.
- Sebamed Baby Cleansing Wipes Ext. Soft 72's soft cleansing wipes for babies.
- Bepanthen Procreative Baby Ointment 30g a baby barrier ointment for the nappy area.
- Mustela Foam Shamp Newborn 150 Ml a foam shampoo for newborns.
- Aveeno Baby Lotion Daily Care Moisturising 150ml a daily moisturising lotion for babies.
- Braun Age Precision Digital Thermometer Prt 2000 a digital thermometer.
- Philips Avent Av191 Ultra Comfort Disposable Breast Pads 60s disposable nursing pads.
- Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump a manual breast pump.
Browse more baby and maternity items in our Mom and Baby category.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
Get urgent medical help, or call 998 for an ambulance, if your baby:
- Is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C or higher
- Is very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake
- Has trouble breathing, grunts, or breathes very fast
- Has blue, grey or very pale skin or lips
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- Is not feeding, or has far fewer wet nappies than usual
- Has yellow skin or eyes that is getting worse
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor about nappy rash that does not improve after a few days, cord areas that look red or smell, or dry patches that crack or bleed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have newborn essentials in the UAE?
Nappies, wipes or cotton wool, a barrier cream, a mild baby wash, a digital thermometer and feeding support items cover most needs. Add a safe cot, a car seat and clothes suited to air-conditioned rooms. Keep the list short and add items as you learn what your baby needs.
How many nappies does a newborn need?
Newborns need frequent changes, often after most feeds in the first weeks. Buy one or two packs of newborn size and keep the next size ready, as babies can outgrow the first size quickly.
What should a baby first aid kit include?
A digital thermometer, a barrier cream, a baby nasal spray, plasters and gauze, baby nail scissors and your doctor's numbers. Do not give any medicine to a newborn without checking with a doctor or pharmacist first.
Can I use adult skin care products on my baby?
It is best to use products made for babies, and in the early weeks plain water is often enough. Avoid fragranced adult products. If your baby has dry or irritated skin, ask a pharmacist for advice.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a BMG pharmacist in any branch or on WhatsApp +971 55 520 8156, or call 800 2647.
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