As your baby’s due date approaches, the task of gathering all the essentials for your newborn can seem overwhelming. Use this list for newborns. It will ensure you have all you need for the first three months. It also includes some optional items that can make life easier.
This list covers things you need for a nursery. It also covers clothing, feeding, diapering, baths, and gear for outings. With these items on hand, you’ll be well-prepared to welcome your baby home and start this exciting new chapter with confidence.
Nursery
Most parents-to-be consider the nursery the most important room in the house. If you’re nesting happily but unsure if you have all the basics, use our baby nursery checklist. It will ensure you have all you need for your little one’s arrival.
Crib: A crib is essential for your newborn, as your baby will need a safe place to sleep for at least 16 hours a day in the early days and weeks. Cribs can be expensive. But, choosing a convertible model can provide years of use. It transforms from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and even a full-sized bed. It’s best to buy a new crib to ensure it meets the latest safety standards.
Crib Mattress: A firm mattress that fits your crib perfectly is crucial for your newborn’s safety. This provides the safest surface for sleep.
Bedding: You only need a waterproof mattress cover and a few fitted sheets that fit your crib mattress perfectly. Keeping the crib free of other bedding is important. This includes blankets, top sheets, pillows, bumper pads, and toys. It helps reduce the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Bassinet: While optional, a bassinet is a popular choice for the first few weeks. It’s small, portable, takes up less space than a crib, and can be moved easily from room to room. However, your baby will eventually need a crib.
Night-Light: It helps you navigate the room during nighttime feedings without turning on bright lights. As your baby grows, it can also provide comfort if they wake up at night.
Clothes Storage: You’ll need storage for your newborn’s clothing, even if it’s just the essentials. Drawers or shelves that come with a changing table may suffice. Alternatively, you can use baskets, tubs, chests of drawers, or wardrobes.
A comfortable chair is ideal for the nursery. It’s for breastfeeding, bedtime stories, lullabies, and last cuddles before sleep. It can make nighttime feedings less disruptive and help calm both you and your baby.
Pacifiers: It’s wise to have several on hand, as they tend to disappear. Choose pacifiers for newborns by checking the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Toy Basket: While not essential, a toy basket can be useful for organizing any toys your baby may receive. Shelves can also serve this purpose.
Mobile: A colorful mobile hung safely out of your baby’s reach can provide entertainment. Choose one with a variety of shapes and bright colors, especially red, which is the first color babies can see1.
Playtime
No baby checklist is complete without toys and gear for playtime. Here are some items you might want to purchase for your baby or add to your registry:
Baby swing: Swings are designed to gently sway or vibrate, providing a calming motion for your little one. Unlike a bouncer, which relies on your baby’s leg movements, a swing operates on its own, using settings to sway or vibrate. When choosing a swing, pay attention to the minimum and maximum weight limits to ensure it’s suitable for your newborn. Many swings also come with attached toys, sounds, or music to further engage and soothe your baby.
Baby bouncer: Bouncers offer a similar soothing effect but rely on your baby’s movements to create the bounce. This makes bouncers an excellent option for keeping your baby entertained while you take care of tasks nearby. As with swings, check the weight limits to find the right bouncer for your baby. Bouncers can be a parent’s best friend, combining fun and safety for your little one.
A playpen is portable. It gives a secure, enclosed space. Your newborn can sleep or play in it while you manage other activities. Its portability is a major plus, allowing you to move it from room to room with ease. This versatile item ensures your baby is always close by and safe, no matter where you are in your home.
Toys: At first, your newborn might only be interested in simple toys like rattles or high-contrast books2. But as they grow, their interest will expand. It will include soft toys that make sounds, stacking toys, push-pull toys, and activity boxes with many features. These toys not only captivate your baby’s attention but also aid in their developmental milestones. Always choose safe toys, with no small parts that could be a choking hazard, ensuring peace of mind as your baby plays and learns.
Play mat: You can place a thin, soft play mat on the floor to create a cozy space for your little one to enjoy tummy time. This special time can be a daily adventure, where your baby explores the world from a new perspective. It might be a couple of minutes in the morning or a few in the afternoon. Make it engaging with colorful toys and gentle encouragement. Always watch your baby during tummy time. Make sure they are safe and comfy as they build muscles and curiosity.
Feeding
Feeding your baby is a key part of parenting. The right supplies can make this task easier and more fun. Here are some must-have items to consider for your baby’s feeding routine:
Burp Cloth: Protect your clothing while burping your baby with a burp cloth, which is designed to catch any spit-up. While you could use a receiving blanket, a burp cloth is smaller and easier to manage.
Nursing Cover: Use a nursing cover to provide privacy while breastfeeding. It usually comes with a strap that goes around your neck to keep it in place. Although a receiving blanket can also serve this purpose, it may slip off more easily since it lacks a strap.
Receiving blankets: These thin blankets, often sold in packs, are incredibly versatile. Use them as nursing covers, burping cloths, or to swaddle your baby.
Nursing Pillow: A nursing pillow with a U-shape design offers added support and comfort for both you and your baby during feeding sessions. It offers a firm resting place for your newborn, reducing the strain on your arms and body.
Bibs: Bibs are essential for protecting your baby’s clothes from milk, formula, and drool. They help keep your baby clean and comfortable during feedings.
Bottles and Nipples: Regardless of whether you plan to breastfeed or formula feed, bottles are essential. You can choose between glass and plastic bottles, and some plastic options include a liner to reduce air intake.
Breast Pump: A breast pump can be manual, electric, or battery-powered. It is useful for getting milk when you need to be away from your baby or return to work. Consult with your baby’s healthcare provider to choose the best type and brand of formula for your newborn.
Bottle Warmer: A bottle warmer ensures your baby’s breast milk or formula is heated safely and evenly, making it a time-saving essential.
Milk Storage Bags: These single-use bags allow you to store breast milk compactly, often letting you pump directly into the bag.
Bottle Brush: A bottle brush helps you clean the inside of bottles thoroughly, ensuring they remain hygienic for your baby.
A bottle sterilizer isn’t necessary. However, it can be handy for keeping bottles and nipples free of germs. Thorough hand washing or using a dishwasher can also be effective. Some sterilizers include a bottle warmer.
A bottle-drying rack is not a must-have. But, it provides a specific place to air-dry your baby’s bottles. This can be handy if your regular dish rack is often crowded.
Diapering
Prepare for many diaper changes! While it may not be the most glamorous part of parenting, it’s an essential routine for your baby.
Here is a comprehensive list of items to include for diapering your baby:
Changing table: A secure spot for diaper changes is essential. Many changing tables have drawers or shelves. They give you easy access to diapers, wipes, and clothes. This keeps your hands free to care for your baby. Ensure that these items are out of your newborn’s reach. Many changing tables feature a safety strap to help keep your baby secure and prevent falls if they roll over. Regardless of using the strap, always keep one hand on your newborn when they’re on a raised surface.
Changing pad: A changing pad adds comfort for your baby and helps keep the changing table clean. You can wipe clean some pads, while others have machine-washable removable covers.
Diapers: Stock up on diapers because you’ll need plenty! A newborn might go through around 70 diapers a week. Since it’s hard to predict the exact size your baby will need, it’s a good idea to buy small packs of different sizes. Consider options like Swaddlers, Baby-Dry, and Pure. Once your baby arrives, you can buy more of the correct size. Check out how to choose the right diaper size.
Wipes: Clean your newborn’s diaper area with soft, soothing strokes. Options include Pure Protection, Aqua Pure, and Pampers Sensitive.
Washcloths: Wet a washcloth with warm water to clean your baby’s diaper area. Washcloths are also great for bath time.
Diaper rash cream: Babies develop skin irritation in their diaper area. Consult your baby’s healthcare provider for recommendations on the best cream or ointment.
Diaper pail: While optional, diaper pails help contain odors from dirty diapers. When choosing a diaper pail, decide if you want one that works with regular trash can liners. Or, if you want one that requires special liner rings from the manufacturer.
Clothing
Shopping for (or receiving as gifts) tiny, adorable baby clothes can be so much fun! But, remember that newborns can outgrow their small clothes very fast. This can happen in just a few days.
To maximize your purchases, a range of sizes should be bought, including some slightly larger ones, allowing your baby to grow into them.
Besides being cute, baby clothing is an essential item for your checklist. It’s usually best to dress your newborn in one more layer than you’re wearing yourself.
These are the most important things to buy for your babies:
Swaddle blanket: Swaddling your baby in the first few weeks can be comforting for them, and a special swaddle blanket makes this easy. Receiving blankets can work. But, there are options with hook-and-loop fasteners for added convenience.
Pajamas, sleepers, or sleeping sacks: Since your baby will spend much of their time sleeping, cozy sleepwear is a must-have. Look for styles that cover your baby’s feet, whether you choose pajamas, sleepers, or sleeping sacks. Some sleeping sacks even allow for pajamas to be worn underneath for extra warmth.
Undershirts and one-piece outfits: These are perfect for easy diaper changes with their snap closures between the legs. The style you choose depends on the weather. You can choose short or long sleeves and leg-exposing or full-body options. The full-body options cover your baby’s legs and feet.
T-shirts: If you plan on dressing your newborn in leggings or pants during the day, T-shirts are great tops to pair with them.
Leggings or stretchy pants are a wardrobe essential for your newborn. They provide comfort and make diaper changes easy.
Sweater or jacket: Keeping your little one warm is important, and a sweater or jacket is perfect for this. Cardigans and jackets are easier to put on and take off compared to pullovers, and can be left open if the weather changes.
Socks or booties: While real shoes aren’t necessary until your baby starts walking outside, these will keep their feet warm and cozy.
Hat with brim: Protecting your baby from the sun is easy with a brimmed hat.
Knit hat or cap: If your baby is born in cold weather, a knit hat or cap will keep their head warm and comfortable.
Bunting bag or snowsuit: For those cold days, a bunting bag or snowsuit is essential. Some even come with attached mittens for added convenience.
Mittens: Keep your baby’s hands warm with cute little mittens, perfect for cooler months.
Special outfit: While optional, having a special outfit for holidays or special occasions is a nice touch. Since your baby will quickly outgrow their clothes, take lots of pictures to capture these precious moments!
Final thought
Having a newborn can feel daunting. But, a checklist makes it smoother. Gathering all the essential items for your baby’s first three months ensures that you’re ready to welcome your little one with confidence and ease. A cozy nursery is key. It needs necessary clothing, feeding supplies, and diapering. These things make your baby’s early days comfortable and safe.
While some items are optional, they can significantly enhance your convenience and your baby’s comfort. Ultimately, this checklist serves as a guide to help navigate the exciting journey of parenthood. With all the essentials in place, focus on cherishing every moment with your newborn and creating lasting memories. Enjoy this special time, knowing everything is well-prepared for your baby’s arrival.
Sources
- Candida overgrowth and yeast infections: How to treat | goop. Available at: https://goop.com/wellness/health/the-insidious-yeast-infection-we-all-have-and-how-to-treat-it/. ↩︎
- Amazon.com: High contrast baby books. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/high-contrast-baby-books/s?k=high+contrast+baby+books. ↩︎
