What an EXCITING time!
You’ve been carrying that baby for what seems like FOREVER, and you’re about to bring a new life into this world.
However, there are many baby things you need to prepare for your due date — from doctor’s appointments, baby showers; you name it!
There’s no need to feel overwhelmed because this comprehensive checklist shows you EVERYTHING you should get.
Preparing for Your Baby: Checklists of Baby Essentials to Buy
This shopping list is purely a list of baby essentials to get ready for your baby’s arrival.
If you want to fill your baby registry for your baby shower, you can refer to this baby checklist!
This baby checklist is meant for mothers expecting soon, so we’re way past getting maternity clothes and a pregnancy journal.
NOTE: We will not include all of those first-trimester pregnancy must-haves in this list.
Here are the baby items you will need before bringing your baby home.
1. Feeding
This is no doubt one of the most important parts of taking care of a baby.
Something you want to think about is whether you’ll be breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or both! So here are all the baby essentials for feeding.
- Lots of bibs
- Lots of burp cloths
For Nursing Mothers
If you decide to feed your baby with breast milk, here’s what you’ll need.
- Breast pump
- Milk storage containers
- Nursing pillow (preferably organic)
- Nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Lotion for sore nipples
If You Are Formula Feeding
- Bottle and nipple brush
- Milk or goat formula
- Thermal bottle carrier
- All natural nursing bottle
2. Diapering
All babies poop, so you will need to account for newborn-size diapers (cloth diapers or disposal).
- Non-toxic changing pad
- Baby ointment or rash cream
- Disposable non-toxic baby wipes or a couple of dozen washcloths
If You’re Using Re-Usable Cloth Diapers
- Several dozen organic cloth diapers or reusable diapers.
- At least 8 waterproof covers
- Snaps, Velcro, or safety pins to secure the diapers
If You’re Using Disposable Diapers
- Two boxes of disposable natural diapers (preferably newborn sized diapers)
3. Clothing
Your newborn baby needs clothing to stay warm, especially if you live in a cold area!
Not to mention, keeping your newborn in style with different organic baby clothes brands is the most fun about being a mom!
- 8 undershirts or onesies (mix of short-sleeved and long-sleeved)
- 5 nightgowns (You need to use these until the cord falls off)
- 8 one-piece stretchy sleepers
- 5 pairs of pants
- 2 newborn hats
- 8 pairs of socks or booties
- 2 pairs of scratch mittens
- 2 cardigans or jackets
- Bunting bag or snowsuit for winter baby
- Laundry detergent for infants
- 4 outfits for dressing up (This is OPTIONAL, but if you want your baby dressed up for occasions, then having your baby’s clothes match is a MUST.)
If you’re a fashionista, you’ll love this part. Shopping for baby clothing is most parents’ favorite part of the process!
There are a wide variety of baby clothes to choose from. There is certainly something to fit your style!
4. Blankets
This can comfort the newborn when sleeping or even just when carrying them around. It’s important to have a few of these types of blankets stocked in the nursery.
- 3 large cotton blankets
- 8 receiving blankets
- 4 organic swaddling blankets
5. Bath Time
We want to keep our babies clean and healthy, so this is an essential part of your baby checklist.
- Plastic infant tub
- 12 washcloths that aren’t used on the baby’s bottom
- Organic baby bath wash products
- Baby soft bristle hairbrush
- 3 soft hooded towels
- Non-toxic baby bath toys
6. Bedtime
Babies sleep A LOT. So they must be comfortable when doing so.
- 4 fitted crib sheets
- Organic infant sleep sack (NOTE: sleep sacks are for infants, not newborns)
If You’re Using a Crib
This is if you’ll be letting your baby sleep in a nursery.
- Sturdy and non-toxic baby crib
- FIRM and organic baby crib mattress
- 4 light blankets that fit the crib
- Safe and organic crib sheets
- Organic mattress pads
If You’re Co-Sleeping
- Firm mattress
- 3 waterproof pads to place under the baby
- Light comforter
We also recommend you invest in a high-quality organic bassinet for the first few months of your newborn.
7. Other Necessities
Here are some other miscellaneous baby things in this newborn checklist that you will need.
- Non-toxic safety seat for the car — you can’t take a newborn baby home without one! (NOTE: Ensure you get a car set that’s rear-facing for newborns)
- Non-toxic baby stroller that reclines
- Nail clippers or scissors
- Bulb syringe for suctioning mucus
- Baby thermometer
- Eyedropper or medicine spoon
- Medication in case of fever
- Safe video baby monitor — for when you want to leave your little one alone in the nursery
8. Nice to Haves
These AREN’T NECESSITIES, but adding these things to the baby registry will make your life easier as a newborn mother!
It also helps that some of these things are affordable for friends to gift.
- Change table
- Non-toxic baby swing or bouncer
- Non-toxic activity gym or playpen to place in the nursery
- Sling or organic baby carrier
- Non-toxic baby diaper bag
- Non-toxic baby high chair
- Change pads
- Plastic hangers for the closet
- Sunshade for car windows
- Organic baby pacifiers
- Rattles and other non-toxic infant toys
- Mobiles
- Night light
- Non-toxic air purifier or humidifier
These all would make great additions to the nursery!
Mental Preparation for the Mom
Baby items and the nursery aren’t the only things in your newborn checklist you need to prepare. You need to make sure you’re mentally prepared.
After all, a mentally healthy mother makes for a happy baby!
By now, you’re past the morning sickness phase, meaning you’re on your way to the anxiety phase.
All your progress is great so far, but here’s a checklist of some ways you can feel less anxious and more prepared.
Take a Baby Class
If this is your first pregnancy, it is all overwhelming. So you may want to take a prenatal class for newborn baby tips! (like how to change a diaper and how to bathe a baby)
You can even take breastfeeding classes if you want to.
Prepare for Postpartum
Research what to expect during postpartum recovery. You can learn some tips and tricks from other mothers online and your friends.
Finish Any Projects Before the Baby Arrives
After your baby’s birth, you won’t have much time to work on projects. Just don’t burn yourself out trying to finish all the requirements!
This can include decorating your nursery or knitting baby hats.
Talk to Your HR Department at Work
You will want to discuss maternity leave and possibly adding your new baby to your health insurance. So make sure you make the pregnancy announcement at work!
Birth Plan
A birthing plan is an ideal situation during your labor and birth.
It’s good to make this so you can share it with your doctor and nurse. Just take note that not everything goes according to plan, so make it FLEXIBLE.
Plan a Date Night
“Nesting” is real, and once the baby is born, this will be difficult to do. So enjoy being childless before you become full-blown parents!
Pamper Yourself
Pamper yourself before your baby arrives!
Go to the hair salon or get your nails done. After all, looking and feeling good is never a bad thing!
Prenatal Massage
You can have a prenatal massage during your last trimester to relax.
Catch a Concert
For first-time parents, you’ll come to realize that this is something that you can’t really do as new parents. But if you can squeeze in a concert, do so by all means.
Who knows when you’ll have free time again?
Eat at a Fancy Restaurant
When you’re nesting, you may not have the chance to eat at one for months or even years after you give birth. All the restaurants you’ll eat in after for years will have to be kid-friendly.
Maternity Photos
Having some maternity photos taken can be very nice. It’s time to enjoy your pregnancy while you can. Once you become a mom, you can have post-birth photos as well to match!
Sleep
It’s no secret that new moms don’t get a lot of sleep. So enjoy your sleep before giving birth. You’ll miss it.
Finalize Baby Name
This can help have the birth certificate ready ASAP, and you won’t have to worry about it at all after the new baby is born.
Take Belly Selfies
You’ll want to take a few final shots of your belly at its LARGEST before you deliver. Your kids will love looking at all of these when they’re older!
Have a Girls’ Night
Arrange a girls’ night with your besties! It may be a while before you get to have one again.
Pack Your Hospital Bag
This baby checklist item is important!
When your due date arrives, you don’t have to worry about packing before going to the hospital. Just have it waiting in the car so that you don’t forget it.
Don’t forget to pack small snacks in your hospital bag!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Start Getting Things Ready For the Baby?
You can start as early as you want. But be ready by 36 weeks. You want to be prepared in case you go into labor early.
You can take a look at our Diaper/Hospital Bag Checklist Guide for all the things you’ll need to prepare.
How Should I Prepare for My Newborn Baby?
Other than the baby items in this ultimate checklist, you want to check a few things to prepare for your baby’s arrival.
- Healthcare
- Family leave
- Financial planning
- Birthing plan
- Finding a pediatrician
- Baby proof your home
- Plan child care
- Baby gear and registry
- Nursery is prepared
- Read up on rules for newborn babies
Once you check everything on this list, you should be prepared!
How Can You Prepare Your Home for a Newborn?
Before the baby arrives, it would be IDEAL to baby-proof your home beforehand.
You can check out our Complete Babyproofing Guide to help get you started!
Final Thoughts
Getting ready for a newborn can be nerve-wracking. We don’t blame you for wanting to make sure everything is perfect for your new baby!
Don’t worry! The mere fact that you looked up this article proves that you’ll be good at parenting.
Just do your best and prepare the right way!
Good luck with your newborn, and CONGRATULATIONS!
