What I think every parent needs for their newborn.
You’re expecting a new baby. Whether that’s through your own pregnancy, you partner’s pregnancy, surrogacy, adoption, etc. Whatever the circumstance, it is intimidating. Wondering;
What does my baby really need?
Do I have enough?
Do I really need all of this?
I was (and still am) one of those mothers that did extensive research on any-and everything i’d need before welcoming my baby. I scoured the internet literally day-and-night from the moment I knew I was pregnant, and while I found so many items that were labeled essential, it often seemed like a lot of sponsored top-of-the-line product recommendations that were trending. Soon later I was able to experience having my own newborn baby and form my own opinions.
I created this list with items that I believe truly are the must-haves and essentials when bringing home your little one. These are things that I myself have bought, or was gifted, and were life-saving those first few fragile weeks for me and baby.
This was created for YOU. I hope to make your journey even just a little easier.
#1 A wrap to carry baby.
Every newborn parent needs a wrap! Baby-wearing helps that bond grow stronger, In those first weeks especially.
After having your baby, chances are you still need to get stuff done, but you have a baby who either A) wants to be with you at all times, even while napping (this is expected because …hellooo, new world here, and very scary.) or B) you need to do things away from baby and feel better having them close instead of using a baby monitor.
Tip #1: Dad’s can baby-wear too ( doing so helps baby form that close bond with someone other than mommy. As well as gives mommy a break! MAJOR bonus-points!)
Tip #2 Try baby-wearing skin-to skin with baby in diaper and no shirt for whichever parent. Skin-to skin is SO beneficial for baby to regulate their body-temperature and really really form that bond and feel that comfort they so desperately desire
#2 Swaddling blankets.
Swaddling blankets are great because some babies (like mine) do not like the actual swaddles that have velcro, or zippers. Using a blanket helps you to customize the tightness, and how it wraps around baby.
The blankets can also be used for other things, like a burp cloth, something to lay down on a surface to change baby, or even just as a lightweight blanket when you need something to cover baby from the sun or slight breeze. Works really well in the stroller when going for walks too!
#3 Temperature thermometer for bath time.
The one gift that my Nanny (grandmother) called dibs on gifting me was a rubber-ducky bath thermometer because she thinks it’s a great must-have gift for parents.
I definitely agree.
As someone who likes their bath water hot enough to make me fall-off-the-bone tender, it is very hard for me to gauge what is hot or not for the baby. With this genius little gadget the guess work is eliminated. I don’t have to worry about burning my baby, or making her uncomfortably cold. The one pictured has a light that turns green when water is too cold, turns off when water is just right, and then turns red if water is too hot.
#4 A bassinet.
You need a safe sleep-space for your baby when bringing them home.
The AAP ( American Academy of Pediatrics) still recommends that baby sleeps alone, on a firm surface with no blankets or other objects. They also recommend that baby sleep in the same room as parents until at least 6 months, preferably longer.
I love this one and bought it because you can pull it right up to the side of your bed and unzip the side to bring that section down and still feel like you are seeping with your baby, except there is a ledge and baby is safe. This bassinet is very spacious, so it will last several months, you can also adjust it to the height of your bed and there are straps to secure it under your mattress so it doesn’t roll away.
#4 Baby towels and washcloths.
You don’t need a crazy amount of these, especially not in the beginning because babies do not need to be bathed everyday.
I would suggest 2-3 hooded towels, and a pack of baby washcloths (a 6 pack should do).
#5 Baby wash and shampoo.
Try using something natural, and not highly fragranced, or better-yet, no frangrances.
#6 Nose sucker.
The hospital should send you home with one similar to the one pictured, and honestly that one works great!
I personally liked the one that comes in The Little Remedies essential kit for when my baby was a newborn because it is much smaller and easier to handle, but you definitely can’t go wrong with the hospital one!
#7 Diaper rash cream.
You never know when baby will get a little rash, and you don’t want to have to run to the store to get it when you need it, so have some handy.
When my daughter was 1 week old she got a bad rash in both armpits ( must have been from moisture after her first bath at home) and after freaking out I took her to urgent care and they recommended Destitin. It cleared up within a few days and I still put it in her armpits on hotter days. So it isn’t just for baby’s bottom!
#8 Bath tub.
Now, while you can bathe your newborn baby without a tub, just as they do in the hospital, I find it much easier to have both hands free to grab as you need. Baby willl also need a tub at some point so might as well start off with it.
The one pictured is the one i use for my girl since she was born, but I will say it is too big for double, and most single sinks, the sink I had was large enough to fit this baby bath for her first 2 months of life though and then we transitioned it into the tub and I still love it!
The weight limit is up to 6 months, or 20lbs. The holes on the bottom work great for drying and for the water to flow freely around baby, it even has a hole on the top so you can hook it somewhere for storage or to dry.
#9 Short sleeve and long sleeve onesies.
White ones, as well as patterned ones, I would suggest in the 0-3 month size, and maaaybe 1 pack of newborn just in case, because some babies come out bigger than size Newborn and you wont want a huge supply of newborn if they don’t end up wearing it, so the 0-3 may be the safe best .
I know you may be tempted to buy tons of cute outfits and dresses, but I’m telling you, that is not comfortable for a baby, and the first month (or more) you will most likely be staying home. So while you’re cozied up in pajamas, sweats, or a robe, put baby in something comfortable. White onesies go with plenty of outfits but too! In the cold months after my daughter was born i often layered a onesie under her footie pajamas. In my opinion you always need onesies.
#10 Footie pajamas.
Pajamas that zip from the bottom-up, or are double zipped are the best!
Dealing with buttons in the middle of the night, or undressing most of baby because their jammy unzips from the top is no fun, for you, or baby. Buy enough of these for at least a week, plus a few extra, so maybe around 9. (again, I recommend in the 0-3 month size, with maybe a few newborn).
#11 Socks, Mittens, and Beanies.
I am putting these together because they are all similar and relative to colder weather.
1 pack of socks should be good (around 5 or so pairs), mittens i suggest only if it is cold, because it is important for baby to get used to using their hands. Just keep their nails trimmed, to avoid them scratching themselves, though their nails peel right off as newborns.
Beanies/hats are again for the colder weather or if you plan to go out when it is sunny, even for a few minutes to protect baby’s scalp, as they cannot wear sunscreen until round 6 months old.
#12 Pants.
Around 7 or so pairs of pants (and a few shorts if it will be hot),
The footed kind are great when baby is this little, trust me.
#13 A Car Seat.
A travel system is great if you can afford it, because you can use the stroller with the car seat for when your baby is an infant, as well as when they are bigger without the car seat, using just the stroller, but if not, regardless you need a car seat because you cannot even leave the hospital without one.
Please do your research on the different brands, and read the reviews, check their crash rating, as well as watch installation videos to see if it is right for you and your car.
#14 A Diaper Bag.
You do not need something fancy, just think about your lifestyle and what will suit your family’s needs. If you are a single mom, or often will need to go places alone you might not want a big, bulky one to carry around while also lugging around a baby in a car seat, a backpack-style might work better for you. Again, read the reviews.
I love the one I bought as it comes with many organizers and is good for trips out of town even, it is larger though.
#15 A Changing Mat.
I say mat and not table, because I find that as a parent you are changing your baby just about everywhere.
On the floor, couch, bed, In-laws house, in the car…
Your baby will outgrow that changing table before they are out of diapers I assure you, but the changing mat you will need wherever you go.
It’s a nice, clean, waterproof surface to lay your baby on, that will not allow poo, or pee, to get onto, or stain, whatever surface you’ve laid baby on.
I use one on the bed after bathing my baby girl just in case she pees before I get that diaper on.
#16 Receiving Blankets.
Receiving blankets come in handy for many thing, such as a lightweight blanket for baby, a burp cloth, something to lay baby on when you don’t want their skin touching whatever surface, emergency changing pad, roll them up and put under baby’s arms for tummy-time, etc. They are always great to have.
I use one every time i bathe my daughter on her Angel Care bath, I just lay it on top of the bath that way it is softer for her and she feels a bit cozier . When she was a newborn i wrapped the excess onto her legs to keep her warm in the bath between each pour of water.
#17 Diapers.
This one is a no-brainer, but you should have at least some ready for when baby is born.
You can never go wrong with size 1, because at some point baby will fit into them, but do not stock up like crazy on newborn size, get yourself maybe 1 pack (not box) of newborn until you know which size you need, and keep the receipt so you can exchange them if needed.
Once baby is born the hospital will give you the appropriate size diaper to put on baby, and then once home you can decide what size will work best.
Tip: take as many diapers home as hospital will let you!
Tip: newborn diapers are for babies <10lbs and size 1 is 8-14lbs
#18 Wipes.
You will always need wipes, I assure you.
Hopefully you are able to snag a couple packs from hospital, but regardless, buy a box or a few packs to last you at least a little while until you can make it out to buy more after healing.
Tip: I suggest buying fragrance-free, as many babies have sensitivity to those fragrances.
#19 Baby Blankets.
About 2 or 3 nice and warm baby blankets for wrapping baby when walking outside when it is cold, or while holding baby, when baby is in stroller, and in many more instances you will need a few blankets.
I say a few because babies have accidents and you don’t want to need one and the only one you had is in the wash.
#20 Baby Nail Clippers.
As mentioned above, their nails will peel, but you do need to help them along sometimes.
You’ll also need them quite often when their nails harden, so might as well get them now.
Tip: If you are scared you might cut baby and are intimidated by the clippers, I suggest this instead.
#21 Baby Thermometer.
You need a baby thermometer in case baby feels too warm, if temperature is too high you need to know that so you can take your baby to the hospital.
Now the hospital should give you one before discharge, but I would suggest to have one anyway.
It doesn’t hurt to have a backup.
That concludes my ultimate list of newborn baby must-haves. I hope you enjoyed and taking these items into consideration!
Disclosure: these are not affiliate items and are all items I myself have used or bought. I only recommend items that I truly love.