Diapering
- Essentials You Need:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Plastic wipes holders (or wipes with resealable flap)
- Diaper Pail or Garbage Can (your choice!)
- Diaper Pail Refill Bags Refills
- Diaper Cream or Coconut oil
- Diaper Changing pad (with safety strap)
- 1-2 covers for changing pad
- 3-5 waterproof pads for changing pad
- Petroleum Jelly (for circumcisions)
- Things You Can Probably Do Without:
- Wipes Warmer
Bathing and Cleaning
- Essentials You Need:
- Baby Bathtub or bathing support* Think “easy to store”
- Baby body wash
- Baby shampoo*Can get an all-over wash
- 2-4 Hooded Towels
- 4-6 Baby Washcloths* Can double as clean-up for feeding later
- Things You Can Probably Do Without:
- Shampoo Rinse Cup
- Bath Kneeler
- Things That Can Wait:
- Bath Toys
- Bath Toy Storage
- Bathtub Spout Cover
Clothing
- Essentials You Need:
- 4-8 Bodysuits (Long and
- Short Sleeved)
- 2-4 caps
- 8-12 Pairs of Socks
- 1-2 Wearable Blankets
- 24 Gowns
- 6-8 Footie Pajamas with zipper
- 4-8 Pairs of Pants
- Coming Home Outfit
- Seasonal Clothing (swim trunks, holiday clothing, if desired)
- 7 feeding bibs
- 7 drool bibs
- 1-3 Soft Sweatshirts
- 2-4 baby blankets
- Baby hangers
- 10 Swaddling Blankets
- 8-16 receiving blankets (can double as burp cloths!!)
- Things You Can Probably Do Without:
- NoScratch Mittens *The nurses at the hospital recommend socks. The mittens don’t really stay on, and the socks have much more elastic!
Nursery & Decor
- Essentials You Need:
- Crib
- Crib Mattress
- 2-3 Waterproof Mattress Pads
- 3+ Fitted Crib Sheets
- First Weeks Sleep Solution:
- Cradle or Bassinet
- Rock n’ Play
- Snuggle Nest or DockaTot
- Make your own co-sleepe
- Dresser
- Lamp
- Night light
- Hamper
- Storage Baskets/Bins
- Wall Hangings or Decal
- Shelving for Books
- Diaper Stacker** optional
- Glider & Ottoman **See DIY link
- Things That Can Wait:
- Attachable Crib Toy or Soother
- Mobile
- Accent Rug
- Toy Chest
- Things You Can Probably Do Without:
- Matching Quilt, Dust Ruffle and Valance You don’t need these things. The sets are sold for hundreds of dollars. You will be just fine with 2-4 fitted sheets.
- Sound/White Noise** baby can grow dependent on this to sleep
Nursing & Feeding
- Essentials You Need:
- If you are breastfeeding:
- Insulated Bottle Tote and reusable Ice
- Breast Milk Storage Containers (Kiinde)
- Cleaning Wipes (if you will be pumping out and about or at work)
- Nursing Bras (Aenley from Amazon, great for sleeping and very comfortable)
- Nursing Pads (Lasinoh)
- Soothing Ointments (Medela)
- Gel Pads These didn’t really do much for me
- Nursing Pillow This was only used for a few weeks. I would recommend getting one used or not at all. Regular pillows work as well.
- Nursing Cover (Many places offer these for free; second hand is great also)
- Breast Pump
- Breast pump tubes and attachments
- If you are breastfeeding:
- Feeding items below are needed for both breastfeeding with pumping and Bottle Feeding:
- Microwave sterilizer (or you can boil stuff)
- 4-6 Bottles and Nipples
- Different sized nipples for bottle
- Bottle Warmer
- Bottle Brush
- Bottle Drying Rack
- Bottle Sterilizer (microwave or machine)
- Formula (as a back-up to breastfeeding or as main nutrition if not breastfeeding)
- Things That Can Wait:
- Highchair Bumbo chair attachment
- Splat Mat *or old shower curtain!
- MakeYourOwn Baby Food Gear * Or use your existing Magic Bullet and the Kiinde milk pouches can double
- Infant Bowls and Spoons
- 2-4 Sippy Cups
- 2-3 Teethers
- Things You Can Probably Do Without:
- Dishwasher Basket
- Formula Dispenser or holders for travel
Baby Gear & Travel
- Essentials You Need:
- Stroller or Travel System
- Car Seat
- Extra Car Seat Base (for second car)
- Baby Carrier
- Playard
- 2-3 Playard Sheets
- Diaper Bag for Mom and
- One for Daddy, too
- Changing Mat
- Swing
- Things That Can Wait:
- Toys For Car Seat & Stroller
- Entertainer and/or Jumper
- High Chair
- Umbrella Stroller
- Waterproof Seat Liner
- First world things:
- Stroller Rain Cover
- Stroller Hooks (maybe)
- Car Mirror
- Car Window Shade
- Stroller Netting
- Cup and Snack Holder for parents
- Car Seat Bunting/Cover
Safety/Health
- Essentials You Need:
- Baby Monitor
- Thermometer
- Nasal Aspirator
- First Aid Kit
- Nail Clippers and Emery Boards
- Brush and Comb
- Gentle Laundry Detergent
- Baby Tylenol by supervision of doctor for age and weight and dosage
- Baby Motrin* 6 months and up and by supervision of doctor for age, weight and dosage.
- Things That Can Wait:
- Shopping Cart/Restaurant Highchair Cover
- Humidifier
- Safety Gates
- Safety Locks, Covers, and Cushions
- Furniture and Television Straps
- Baby Toothbrush
- Teething Gel
Toys & Learning
- Activity Mats and Gyms
- Rattles and Travel Toys
- Developmental Toys
- Books
- Stuffed Animals