With all the options out there- it can be a daunting task to figure out just what you need for your baby! This checklist will help keep you on the right track as you prepare for your new bundle of joy. These are the items you will actually use once your little one gets here!
Bathing
- Baby tub
- Soft hooded towels
- Washcloths
- Baby-safe body wash and shampoo (The all in ones are great)
- Baby-safe body lotion
- Simple bath toys
- Faucet cover
Bedding
To follow safe sleep practices and reduce the risk of SIDS, stick to just a fitted sheet in baby’s crib without any crib bumpers, pillows, stuffed animals or blankets.
- Crib Mattress
- Waterproof mattress protector
- 2 or more fitted sheets
Clothing
Register for baby clothes in a variety of sizes; most babies grow out of newborn-size clothing quickly, and others fit in size 0-3 right away. You’ll also want to consider the time of year your baby will be born and what age they will be as the weather changes, summer, rainy season etc.
- Footed pajamas
- Socks
- Sort-sleeve onesies
- Long-sleeve onesies
- Non-footed pajamas
- 5 swaddling blankets
- lots and lots of burp cloths/ receiving blankets
- Lots of bibs- once they get the drooling stage you may change multiple per day
- 3 sleep slacks (for those swaddle adverse moms)
- hats
- baby safe laundry detergent
Diapering
- Diaper pail
- Diapers (you may find you have to buy these yourselves most of your family and friends may opt to buy you gifts that you can remember them by)
- Baby wipes (you may find you have to buy these yourselves most of your family and friends may opt to buy you gifts that you can remember them by)
- Lots of Diaper Cream- Diaper rash happens because most parents don’t use enough diaper cream! Its supposed to be a skin barrier so apply generously. Think of baby wearing white shorts under the diaper 🙂
- Cotton balls and swabs
Feeding
If you are not breastfeeding, you’ll only need the items with a star next to them.
- Breast Pump
- Extra pump parts
- Breast Milk Freezer bags
- Nursing Pillow (so comfy)
- Nursing bras ( you may want to wait to see what size you will be)
- Nipple cream
- Nursing Cover
- Baby bottles and nipples
- Bottle drying rack
- High chair
- Eating utensils for when baby is on solids (plate, bowl, soft spoons)
Medical must-haves
- Most baby medical kits will contain everything you need, ensure they include:
- Baby-safe nail trimmer
- Thermometer
- Suction bulb
Nursery furniture and gear
- Crib
- Bassinet ( The bassinets with all mesh siding are the safest)
- Rocking Chair or glider
- Changing Table(most diaper changing pads can go on your bedroom dresser, if you are sharing a room with baby- no need for the extra piece of furniture)
- Light dimmer or night light
- White noise machine
- Baby monitor
- Baby books- baby wont understand you but reading and is essential to exposing them to their native language
- Baskets or bins for storage
Playtime
- Swing, seat or bouncer
- Activity mat or gym – for tummy time
- Soft or wooden stacking blocks
- Teething Toy
- Rattles or maracas
- Organic cotton stuffed animals
- “Lovey” blanket
Travel items
- Infant Car seat
- Stroller
- Stroller bunting for cold or rainy weather
- Baby Carrier – saves your back for later use 🙂
- Diaper Bag
- Portable changing pad
- Travel crib or playard
Could be Nice to Have (but not necessary)
- Baby wipe warmer. Of course, if this is something you really want, feel free to add it to your registry (it’s certainly not going to hurt baby!). But a wipe warmer is definitely not a necessity. Some babies may wince to a “cold” wipe especially at night time but if the baby is having a diaper rash then a “cold” wipe can be soothing
- Dressy clothes. Baby clothes need to withstand daily spit-up and diaper blowouts (in other words, endless hot rinse cycles). Unless you have an important event in baby’s first few months, you can probably stick to cute basics.
- Tons of toys. Although the playtime items listed above are nice to have, don’t go overboard. Your little one has a lifetime to accumulate toys, after all. Plus, no matter what’s in front of him or her, your smiling face is still going to be the most entertaining thing in the room.
- Shoes- these aren’t essential as you won’t be putting your baby’s feet on anything dirty anytime soon. Babies can walk at any time, you won’t know the size shoe they need until the time arrives. You may get a pair or two if you want them for photos.
What NOT to Have
- Crib bumpers. Your baby’s crib or bassinet should have just a fitted sheet in it — that means no crib bumpers, pillows, blankets or stuffed animals.
- Drop-down cribs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ended manufacturing of drop-down cribs in 2011, but you still might encounter them if you’re gifted a hand-me-down crib or buy one second-hand.