You may wonder what a newborn needs in the first few weeks of their life at home. You can ask any baby gear store or registry list to see if your baby needs everything. Parents want the best baby products and gadgets to make their little one’s life easier. It is okay to stick to the basics for parents with limited budgets or who feel overwhelmed. Your baby will not notice the difference, we promise.
Being prepared with these items will help you get through the first few days and weeks of your baby’s life without any need to run to the store or order online. It will also ensure that your baby is well-fed and comfortable. These are the things that you need for the baby:
Baby Essentials for the First 3 Months
- Onesies or other soft outfits
- Baby snorers and sleep sacks
- Baby socks
- Newborn hats, depending on the climate
- Disposable diapers and cloth diapers (and detergent to wash)
- Disposable wipes and 12 cloth wipes
- Diaper rash cream
- Baby diaper changing
- Diaper pail or Receptacle
- Baby washcloths
- Hooded towels
- Baby sponge
- Baby shampoo
- Baby lotion
- Baby bathtub
- Baby nail scissors
- Medicine dropper
- Crib, cradle, or bassinet
- Sheets and covers for a crib, cradle or bassinet
- Burp cloths
- Car seat
- Bottles – If you bottle-feed and bottle brush
- A range of bottle nipples in various sizes
- Nursing pillows, nursing pads and nipple lotion
- Breast pump
Layette and Clothing
While you might want to dress your baby in cute outfits, sticking to essential, affordable clothing for the first few weeks is okay. You should avoid buying too many newborn clothes items as your baby will outgrow them quickly. You will also need to change many outfits quickly because newborn clothes can be messy.
These are the things that you need for Layette and Clothing:
- 6-7 Onesies or other soft clothes, depending on how frequently you need to wash
- 4 Baby Sleepers or Sleep sacks
- 6 pairs of baby socks
- 1-2 newborn hats, depending on the climate
Consider how often you wash your clothes and how the weather will be when your baby is born. While most doctors recommend that newborns wear hats outside for the first few weeks, If you live in warm climates, you may be able to forgo the hat. It is now recommended that babies not sleep under blankets.
Diapers
Although diapers are a basic newborn necessity, choosing the right diaper can be confusing and stressful. You may be torn between cloth or disposable diapers. However, it is essential to remember that both have pros and cons. It is best to do what is suitable for you and your family. Many families use a mix of disposable and cloth diapers. You can experiment with both to see which suits you best.
These are the things that you need for Diapers:
- 2 to 3 packs of disposable diapers or enough cloth diapers to last at least 2 days
- 1-2 packs of disposable wipes or 12 cloth wipes
- 1 oz. of diaper rash cream
- Use this cloth diaper detergent if you need to wash diapers
- Baby diaper changing
- A diaper pan or Receptacle
Baby can use 8-10 diapers per day2, so have enough diapers. Don’t overstock.
Bath Items
Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, doctors suggest giving your baby a sponge bath for the first few weeks after the delivery. Too frequent bathing can cause skin irritations and dryness. There will still be plenty of time between baths to do some “spot cleaning”.
These are the things that you need for Bath Items:
- 3-5 baby washcloths
- Adult towels can be used
- 1 baby sponge
- 1 Bottle of Baby Bath Wash
- 1 oz. of baby lotion
- A baby bathtub
Here, you can be minimalistic in your purchases. You should still use baby-friendly soap and lotion, as baby skin is very delicate. We bathe our babies in baby tubs. However, it is common to use the kitchen sink for washing them.
Grooming/First Aid
You can stock your cabinets full of baby grooming products and a complete first aid kit. Because baby nails grow so quickly, you will need to be able to trim them. It is also essential to know how to check your baby’s temperature and clean their nose if necessary. Babies can become very stuffy in the beginning.
These are the things that you need for Grooming:
- Baby nail scissors
- Digital thermometer
- Medicine dropper
- Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
Your baby can wait until they are older to purchase baby pain relief medication. It is recommended that babies not receive OTC pain relief until at least 3-6 months old, depending on the doctor’s recommendations.
Bed and Sleep Needs
No matter what type of baby bed you choose (crib, bassinet or co-sleeper), it’s best to have your baby in the same room as you during the first six-12 months. Talk about minimalism!
These are the things that you need for Bed and Sleep Needs:
- Crib, bassinet or co-sleeper. Check that the crib is in good condition if it was used previously.
- Crib mattress or a mattress that fits in the cradle/bassinet
- 3-4 fitted sheets to be used in a crib, cradle or bassinet
- One waterproof crib sheet cover.
- Baby monitor
Diapers are very absorbent these days, so you don’t need to clean up a lot of mess in the middle of the night. You should still waterproof your mattress and have plenty of sheets for bed changes. You will need to monitor your (hopefully) sleeping baby! When you go, make sure to leave your baby in the room.
Feeding Supplies
You don’t need anything more than your breasts if you’re breastfeeding. Contact information for a lactation consultant/support group should you have a problem with breastfeeding. Discuss formula brands with your doctor if you are considering formula feeding. No matter how you feed your baby, you will still need plenty of burp cloths. These are the things that you need for Feeding:
- 10 burp cloths
- 3 bottles, if you’re bottle-feeding
- Use a bottle brush to clean bottles
- A range of bottle nipples in various sizes
- Nursing pillows, nursing pads and nipple lotion
- Breast pump
To avoid bottle-feeding, ensure you have plenty of bottles on hand. While a bottle brush is essential, you can wait to find out if you need a bottle-drying rack and a bottle-washing dishwasher basket. Mothers who breastfeed don’t require much. However, you will need a few tools, such as nipple cream and nursing pads. A breast pump is also helpful in the case of a newborn.
Playtime Supplies
Toys and other baby gear are essential for a newborn baby’s playtime. These are some toys and gear items you can buy for your baby or add to your registry for playtime.
Baby Swing
They vibrate or sway to soothe your baby. A swing moves independently of your baby’s legs, unlike a bouncer. Instead, the vibration or sway settings are used. Baby swings can only hold a certain weight, so ensure you pick one that is right for your baby. Many swings have toys that hang above the head, and some even play music or make sounds.
Baby Bouncer
Baby bouncers look similar to baby swings but bounce when your baby moves his legs. You might find a bouncer essential. It makes it possible to get work done while your baby is entertained and safe. Before you buy a bouncer, make sure to read the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Portable Play Yard
A portable play yard is an excellent option for your baby. You can quickly move a portable play yard around depending on which room it is in.
Toys
Babies are still very young and will not enjoy toys that are simple or with high-contrast patterns. Toys that make sounds, stacking toys, push-pull toys, and busy boxes with many exciting features can be excellent choices for older babies. There must be no small pieces in baby toys that could cause choking.
Playmat
Babies need to have some tummy time every day. You can place a soft, thin play mat on the ground to give your baby some tummy time. Tummy time should be closely monitored.
Furniture and Gear
Contrary to popular belief, the only furniture your baby needs is a place to sleep and store their clothes. Many people decorate the baby’s bedroom with various furniture, including a dresser, changing table, dresser and nursery gliders. You can wait until your baby gets older to understand its needs.
A way to move your baby around is necessary. Hospitals won’t allow you to leave without a car seat. A stroller or baby carrier is great and essential for most people, but you can also use them if you wish. These are the things that you need as Gear:
Car Seat
An infant-only or convertible model can be purchased with a lower weight limit. Rear-facing is the best option for your baby. Children should remain in rear-facing safety seats until they reach their maximum weight.
Prams
Prams provide your baby with a lot more space than a chair or a bed. However, they can be difficult to transport on public transport because of their size. Look for a pram that is easy to disassemble if you own a car. You may also need a harness to secure your baby in the pram.
Carrycot with Wheels
A carrycot is a lightweight, portable cot that can be attached to a frame with wheels. It’s similar to but smaller than a pram body.
For the first few months, your baby can sleep in a carrycot. The cot can also be attached to the frame so that it can be taken out.
3-in-1 Travel System
It is a combination carrycot/transporter (a set of wheels) that can be transformed into a pushchair if your baby outgrows it. You can also use shopping trays that fit under your pram or pushchair to help you get around when you’re on the move.