Baby Checklist: The Essentials You Need Before Your Newborn Arrives
The ultimate list of things you need for a new baby, including a newborn baby checklist printable.
Whether you’re putting together a baby registry checklist, or you’re drawing near the end of your third trimester and you’re rushing to finish up your baby shopping, my baby checklist will cover all the bases.
Let’s be honest, we all overspend on our babies. It’s hard not to, especially when those crazy nesting urges kick in. I can’t tell you how many unnecessary items I had for my son. And at the time, we were really tight on money.
When you feel those hormones going, you find a way!
While I can’t save you from overspending, I’ve done my best to narrow down the items I think are absolutely essential. I’ve created a printable full of everything you need to buy when getting ready for baby.
My checklist is full of baby essentials, along with a few of my personal favorite items that I suggest buying before they arrive, even if they’re still a bit too young.
Newborn Baby Checklist Printable (PDF)
Print Your Own Newborn Baby Checklist in Pink or Blue!
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Newborn Baby Checklist: What To Buy Before Baby Comes
Furniture & Big Items:
Sleeping Options:
- Crib With A Firm Mattress
- Cradle/Bassinet
- Bedside Sleeper
- Co-sleeping Bassinet
My recommendation: Decide on 1-2 different sleeping options. We set up a crib in the nursery, but our babies sleep next to us in a bassinet for several months. There’s no need to buy every item. You’ll find what works for you and your newborn once they’re here.
Other Furniture & Big Items:
- Rocking Chair/Glider
- Dresser
- Baby Swing
- Rock ‘n Play
- Car Seat
- Bouncer
- High Chair
- Exersaucer/Jumparoo
- Doorway Jumper
- Stroller
- Playard/Pack ‘n Play
- Changing Table and Changing Pad
- Diaper Pail
My recommendation: All of these items are must-haves in my opinion. When my first son was born, we didn’t buy a dresser, so I bought a closet organizer instead. (Here’s an awesome one on Amazon).
Remember, you have time to buy some of these items. When your baby is first born, they’ll be too young to put in an exersaucer, a high chair, or a doorway jumper. If money is tight, start with the items you know you’ll use the first couple of months.
Smaller Nursery Items:
- Baby Monitor
- Humidifier
- Tummy Time Mat
- Boppy Pillow
- Boppy Pillow Covers
- Nightlight
- Diaper Bag
- Baby Carrier (Sling, Carrier, Wrap, etc.)
Feeding Essentials:
If Breastfeeding:
- Nipple Butter/Cream
- Nursing Pads
- Nursing Pillow
- Nursing Bras
- Nursing Cover
If Pumping:
- Breast Pump with Flanges
- Hands-Free Bra
- Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Breastmilk Fridge Organizer
- Breastmilk Freezer Organizer
- 10-15 Bottles and Nipples
- Bottle Brush
- Haaka
- Extra Pump Parts
- Manual/Handheld Breast Pump
- Bottle Sterilizer
- Dishwasher Basket For Bottle Parts
- Insulated Cooler Bag
- Bottle Freezer Ice Pack
- Bottle Warmer
If Formula Feeding:
- 10-15 Bottles and Nipples
- Bottle Brush
- Bottle Sterilizer
- Dishwasher Basket For Bottle Parts
- Baby Water
- Formula
My recommendation: As a mama who has breastfed, pumped, and used formula, I can confidently say that I used every item on this list religiously at one point or another. I have a few notes for you new moms-to-be:
If you’re going to breastfeed or pump, I highly recommend the Haaka. You’ll soon realize that one breast will leak while the baby nurses on the other. The Haaka catches all of the milk that would otherwise be lost. It’s a little hard to use at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.
I never bought a hands-free bra. I made one out of an old sports bra. Look it up! People do it all the time.
This breastmilk storage organizer set was the bomb diggity! Totally worth every penny! You can adjust the lids to display when the milk was pumped, and it makes it easy to cycle through and feed your baby the older milk first.
Manual pumps are better than electric handheld pumps. But of course, everyone’s breasts react differently to different pumps and techniques.
Nursing covers are great if you feel squeamish breastfeeding in front of people, but for the majority of breastfeeding mamas, they only work for the first couple of weeks. Most babies hate them.
Don’t go crazy stocking up on formula. You never know if your baby will have an aversion to a specific brand, or have tummy troubles.
Clothes & Bedding:
- 10-15 Onesies
- 5-10 Pairs of Pants
- 5-10 Footie Pajamas
- 1-3 Jackets/Sweaters
- 2-4 Sleepsacks/Swaddles
- 1-5 Dress-Up (Nice) Outfits
- 2-5 Hats
- 4-8 Pairs of Socks
- 4-7 Bibs
- 1-5 Sets of No-Scratch Mittens
- 2-4 Fitted Crib Sheets
- 1-2 Washable Crib Mattress Pads
- 5-8 Receiving Blankets
- 2-3 Heavier, Thick Blankets
- 4-6 Burp Cloths
- Changing Pad Cover
Diapering:
If Using Disposable Diapers:
- 1 Box of Newborn Sized Diapers
- 2 Boxes of Size 1 Diapers
- Diaper Cream
- Aquafor
- Unscented Baby Wipes
If Using Cloth Diapers:
- 20-25 Cloth Diapers
- 8-10 Diaper Covers
- Diaper Cream (Cloth Diaper-Friendly)
- Extra Inserts
- Cloth Diaper Sprayer
- 2 Wet Bags
- Unscented Baby Wipes or Cloth Wipes
Health & Bath:
- Nose Frida
- Nail Clippers
- First-Aid Kit
- Rectal Thermometer
- Hair Brush
- 2-5 Hooded Towels
- Soft Washcloths
- Baby Wash & Shampoo
- Baby Bathtub
My recommendation: All of these are necessary, especially the Nose Frida!
Optional:
- Pacifiers
- Boogie Wipes
- Clothes Hangers
- Sun Shade For Car Window
- Rattles
- Sound Machine
- Mobile
- Baby Closet Dividers
- Play Gym
- Outlet Covers
- Baby Gates
- Baby-Friendly Laundry Detergent
My recommendation: A sound machine is a great way to get your baby used to “bedtime” when you’re ready to implement gentle sleep training.
Which products do you swear by? Are you preparing for a new baby? Let me know in the comments below!
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