Baby Checklist: What You Actually Need To Care For Your Baby

Moms, especially first-time moms are notorious for wanting to buy everything, brand new too for their newborn. And there is absolutely no shame in that, but what do you actually need for a baby? I am going to provide you with a baby checklist with what you actually need to care for your baby.

As moms, we don’t want our new baby to lack in anything, and sometimes that can mean going overboard, and overspending on getting things we think they might need but in reality, will never use.

As you make preparations to welcome your new baby into the world, it’s easy to get carried away and think they need a whole lot of stuff, when all they really need are a few basic items, especially in the first few weeks of life.

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Why you shouldn’t buy so much “stuff” for a new baby

One thing to keep in mind is that in the first few months of life, your baby will outgrow their clothes fairly quickly, especially the newborn and 0-3 months sizes. If you’re looking to be economic, buying too many items in these sizes is definitely not worth it no matter how cute, especially since your baby might not even wear them.

What do you actually need for a baby?

Understand this, caring for a newborn baby is very simple. Nerve-wracking but simple. According to the Sleep Foundation, during the newborn phase (0-3 months old), your baby may sleep up to 17 hours over a 24-hour period.

This amount of sleep is required to help your newborn grow as they adjust to life outside of your womb. As a result, your only goal is to make sure that your newborn is comfortable, comforted, nurtured, and safe, the other stuff is just added work.

Below are all the items you need to care for a newborn baby. Please free to download the printable here, in the form of a PDF.

Nursery Furniture:

Setting up a nursery that is cozy and promotes relaxation for both you and your baby will make adjusting to life outside of the womb for your newborn much more comfortable. As I have stated, your baby will spend a lot of time sleeping in the first few months of life. For this reason, make sure your nursery isn’t so bright that it will interfere with or interrupt your baby’s naps. I say naps because your baby should be sleeping in your room, at least for the first 6 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Another important thing to keep in mind is that although second-hand items are a great way to help save money, you should never use a crib that is more than ten years old or that is modified from how it’s supposed to be built. And this goes without saying, but definitely never use a broken crib.

Crib
Crib mattress (make sure it’s firm)
Waterproof mattress protector
Changing table
Changing pad
Fitted crib sheets (3-4)
Dresser for baby’s clothes
Storage bins
Bassinet
Rocking chair or glider
Baby monitor
Hamper
Night light
White noise machine
Blackout curtains

Travel/ Baby Gear:

Your baby’s traveling gear is very important. Before you make any purchases, be sure to do your research on the safety of the product. Be careful and be sure to do a safety check for second items such as an infant car seat. Before you purchase a second-hand car seat for your newborn, be sure to know about the full history of the car seat. If you don’t know about the full history of the second-hand car seat, it is best not to use it at all. You should never under any circumstances use an infant car seat that has been involved in a crash. Car seats also have expiration dates, so be sure to check that as well.

Infant car seat
Car seat cover
Stroller/travel system
Baby carrier
Car mirror

Diapering:

There’s a lot of diaper changing that goes along with having a new baby. For the first couple of months of your baby’s life, you will be changing their diaper 10-12 times a day! Change your baby as frequently as they need to change to prevent diaper rashes which can become unpleasant.

And be sure to always be prepared to change your baby’s diaper by having everything you need. Never, ever leave your baby unattended on the changing table. Start with 1 box of newborn diapers and 2 boxes of size 1 diapers.

Diapers (I prefer to use Huggies)
Unscented or fragrance-free wipes
Diaper pail (not absolutely necessary, but having one will definitely help your home to smell better)
Diaper pail refills
Wipe warmer
Diaper cream
Diaper bag
Portable changing pad
Diaper caddy

Nursing & Feeding:

Breastfeeding plays such an important role in nurturing your newborn and helping them develop appropriately. Breastfeeding not only helps you bond with your baby but also reduces the risk of SIDS, among other great benefits. Having all the necessary tools will without a doubt increase the success of your nursing experience.

If you are a working mom, you are going to need a cooler to transport your breastmilk from work to home. This is the breastmilk cooler I used when I worked outside the home.

High chair
Breast pump
Manual breast pump
Haakaa
Extra pump parts
Breastmilk storage bags or containers
Portable storage for breastmilk
Breastmilk freezer organizer
Bottles
Boppy nursing pillow
Nursing cover
Bibs (8-10)
Formula
Baby water (If you’re using formula)
Formula dispenser
Bottle brush
Bottle warmer
Bottle sterilizer
Bottle drying rack
Burp cloths
Nursing bras (2-4)
Nipple cream
Pads
Teethers/pacifiers
Bowls, plates, cups, utensils

Play:

Having a designated clutter-free play area for your baby to do tummy time and play will ensure that they are safe at all times.

Pack n’ Play
Playmat
Swing/bouncer
Jumper
Activity gym
Rattles
Soft toys
Stacking blocks

Bathing:

Sponge baths may be best for your baby until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off on its own. Be sure to ask your pediatrician for advice. Your baby also doesn’t need to be bathed that often, as that can dry their skin. Bathing your baby 2-3 times a week should be fine.