What are the Baby Essentials?
It’s good to always shop and plan for your baby essentials at least a few weeks or a month before your baby arrives. Here’s a guide on the baby essentials that you’ll need.
1. Clothing Essentials
Shop for comfortable clothes made from all cotton or as close to it as possible. This means t-shirts, onesies, pajamas, and more. Below are our suggested clothes:
- Infant t-shirts
- Pajama sets
- Short-sleeved onesies
- Long-sleeved onesies
- Cotton sweaters or hoodies
- Pairs stretch cotton pants
- Pairs of socks
- Pairs soft booties (optional before baby walks)
- Pairs no-scratch mittens
- Knit caps
- A sun hat
- Seasonally appropriate outfits for going out and about
- Infant snowsuit and/or bunting (if you plan to go out in the cold)
2. Nursery Room, Crib & Bedding Essentials
Your baby should be in a safe environment so ensure that you purchase the right crib, mattress, and bedding size. Falls are the most common injury-related with cribs, even though they are the easiest to avoid. Children are most likely to fall out of the crib when the mattress is too high for their height, or when forgotten to be lowered necessarily as they grow. Read on to know the must-have nursery room essentials:
- Crib and mattress or bassinet
- A baby mobile
- Glider/rocking chair and footrest
- Dresser
- Hamper
- Changing table
- Baby monitor
- Receiving blankets
- Cotton blankets
- Swaddlers (optional)
- Wearable blankets (sleep sacks)
3. Diapering Essentials
New mothers spend a lot of time changing diapers. Babies may use several diapers a day. Diaper changing might seem complicated at first but it goes easily after some hands-on practice. Here’s everything you need to have a smooth diapering experience.
- Changing table pads
- Changing pad covers
- Simple grasping toys (for distraction during changes)
- Dirty diaper pail
- Small thermos to hold warm water (for cleaning babies younger than 6 weeks)
- Packages of newborn or ‘size 1’ diapers
- Cloth diaper covers (if using a cloth or disposable inserts)
- Pre-fold cloth diapers and covers
- Plastic wipes holder
- Diaper bag
- Diaper rash ointment
- Wipes or cotton cloths
4. Feeding Essentials
Breastfeeding or formula-feeding is your choice as a new mother. When it comes to stocking up on newborn feeding essentials, there are some basic supplies you’ll want to have ready no matter what you decide to do. Here’s a list of the feeding supplies you’ll need for your newborn baby.
- Nursing pillow
- Burp cloths
- Bottles equipped with newborn nipples
- Formula
- Bottlebrush
- Insulated bottle holder for a diaper bag
- Milk storage bags or bottles
- Baby bibs
- Highchair
- Nursing bras and/or tank tops
- Nursing pads for bras
- Nipple cream
- Breast pump
5. Bathing and Wellness Essentials
Make your baby’s bath an enjoyable and relaxing time of the day. Be sure to ready these bathing and wellness essentials:
- Baby shampoo
- Baby body wash
- Infant bathing tub
- Infant toothpaste
- Soft brush
- Hooded towels (optional)
- Packs of washcloths
- Cotton swabs
- Digital thermometer
- Bulb nasal aspirator
- Pacifiers (if applicable)
- Baby nail clippers
- Toys for the bathtub
- Laundry Detergent for Babies’ clothes
6. Travel Essentials
Whenever you’ll go to your baby’s Pediatrician for a monthly check-up, you’ll surely travel with your baby so it’s best you have these travel essentials too:
- Rear-facing infant car seat with head support padding
- Stroller
- Sun shields for car windows
- Mirror to see the baby from the front seat
- Travel bag
- Wet bag
- Sling Carrier or Wrap
Good luck with preparing your baby essentials. I know how exciting it is to become a new mom. As you make progress through your essential baby items lists, it can be easy to overlook that you will need some momma care and things too!