Baby Essentials For Newborns Made Simple
Newborn babies are pretty simple in terms of their basic needs. They eat. They sleep (hopefully)! And they poop (definitely). Having a new little person in your home will require some changes, but there are a lot of things you DON’T need. Here’s a helpful list of practical baby essentials for the newborn stage (0-3 months).
Baby Essentials Checklist
EAT
8 - 10 receiving blankets or burp cloths
2 pairs of reusable nursing pads
2-3 nursing bras
1 breast pump
4-12 bottles (depending on occasional or full time use)
bottle sterilizer or steam bags
SLEEP
1 monitor
1 crib
blackout blinds
2 crib sheets
1 waterproof mattress protector
1 bassinet or cradle (you'll want something close to your bed for the first few weeks)
1-2 swaddling blankets (We can't say enough amazing things about The Woombie Swaddle. Major lifesaver.)
1 lightweight blanket
1 night-light
1 dim lamp
1 book
POOP
diapers - plan for 18-24 cloth diapers in total or 10-12 disposables per day. (*Picky Mom Tip: learn more about the diaper debate by reading Why Cloth Diapers?)
wipes (20 cloth wipes or 1 package of disposable per week)
diaper cream (only usually needed if using disposables)
1 diaper travel tote/wet bag
changing table or change station
1 change pad
2 change pad covers
WASH
baby-friendly hair and body wash
baby-friendly face and body cream
thermometer (We recommend a Braun digital ear thermometer - fast and easy.)
baby nail trimmers
baby-friendly laundry detergent
PLAY
swing or bouncy chair
tactile toys / rattles
WEAR
8 sleepers / pj’s (*Picky Mom Tip: If you have a Costco near you, the Pekkle pj's are cheap and awesome!)
6 onesies
2 long sleeve shirts
3 comfortable pairs of pants
1 pair of booties
3 pairs of socks - these should be snug enough that they won’t fall off (but not too tight)
1 hat (Warm fuzzy or sun protection depending on season)
laundry basket (*Picky Mom Tip: Get a regular ol' laundry basket that your child won't grow out of as they get older.)
ON THE GO
infant car seat (look for one that goes to 30 or 32 pounds)
car seat blanket (if it’s winter time)
backseat view mirror
stroller
baby carrier or wrap
on the go bag (this baby essential is usually known as "diaper" bag - but you can use any of your favourite bags with lots of sections).
Baby "Essentials" That Newborns DON'T Need
After having second babies, we realized that there are a lot of products labeled "baby essentials" that newborns simply don't need.
• Fancy clothes. Newborns need to be warm and comfortable. If your main job was sleeping and eating, would you want to be wearing jeans and collared dress shirt? Comfort and speed is the key. They’re going to barf on it, and you want to be able to change them quickly.
• Tons of toys. Babies need lots of cuddles instead. The most interesting thing to them is your face and your voice.
• Fancy gadgets, like a wipes warmer.
• Bumper pads and a fancy bedding set. All you need is a crib sheet – safer and cheaper.
A few other baby essentials tips:
• Go with a carrier that you’ll get tons of use out of from infant to toddler, like an Ergo or a Beco.
• Buy used. Search your local craigslist or consignment store for great deals on very gently used baby gear, like swings, bouncers, and excersaucers. If your baby doesn’t’ love it it’s better to have paid $30 than $100.
• Borrow items, or when your baby is older do a toy swap with other mommy friends, or consider a toy rental company.
Baby Essentials for Older Infants
When your little one is three months and older, there are a few other baby essentials you might like:
PLAY
developmental toys like rattles, teethers, books
activity Gym
exersaucer
baby / soft books
portable playpen
EAT
high chair (chair attachment or full size)
washable bibs
infant spoons
spill-proof cups
steamer / blender
toothbrush
BABY ON THE MOVE!
Your house will probably need a bit of baby proofing. Depending on your home you might need:
safety gates
drawer latches
appliance latches
outlet covers
fireplace bumpers (We made our own our of pool noodles. Pool noodles have been our #1 baby proofing safety item! We have also used them to frame pointy coffee tables, sharp counter corners, and metal bed frame rails.)
Whew! Yes, it’s a long list of baby essentials, but at least we’ve eliminated a bunch of things that you really don’t need. Want some help navigating through the massive amount of baby products on the market today? Give us a call! We'd love to chat about what we've learned along this journey.