The newborn essentials checklist (what you actually need)
Registries can run to hundreds of items. Most families lean on about twenty of them in the first three months. Here is the short list.
Sleep
Your baby will spend more time asleep than awake, so start here. The AAP recommends that babies sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in the parents' room, with nothing else in the sleep space.
- A bassinet or crib that meets current safety standards, with a firm, flat mattress and two or three fitted sheets.
- Two or three swaddles for the first weeks.
- Two sleep sacks for when swaddling stops. A wearable blanket keeps loose blankets out of the crib.
- A dim night light for night feeds and changes.
Feeding
Whether you breastfeed, pump, use formula or combine them, a few basics cover most days.
- Four to six bottles with slow-flow nipples, even if you plan to breastfeed. Buy one or two styles first and see what your baby likes.
- A bottle brush and a drying rack.
- A nursing pillow for support during feeds. It's for feeding, not for sleep.
- Six to ten burp cloths. Soft cotton swaddle blankets work well here too.
- If pumping: check with your insurance, which often covers a breast pump.
Diapering
- Diapers in newborn and size 1. Don't overbuy newborn size, since many babies outgrow it within weeks.
- Wipes, or soft cloths and warm water.
- Diaper cream with zinc oxide for redness.
- A changing pad with a strap, on a sturdy surface. Keep one hand on your baby at all times.
Clothing
What we mention
Organic Cotton Sleep Sack
A wearable blanket with a two-way zipper for easy night changes, so loose…
Cotton Swaddle Blanket
Light, breathable cotton for swaddling the first weeks, then for tummy time,…
Bedside Bassinet
Keeps baby close in your room on a firm, flat sleep surface for the first…
Glass Baby Bottle Set
Wide-neck glass bottles that are easy to fill and clean, with slow-flow…
Cotton Bodysuit Set
Soft short-sleeve bodysuits with envelope shoulders for quick…
Diaper Tote
A structured tote with insulated bottle pockets and a wipe-clean changing…
Babies grow quickly, so keep it simple.
- Five to eight bodysuits with envelope shoulders, which make messy changes easier.
- Four to six zip-up sleepers. Zippers are faster than snaps at 3 a.m.
- Two or three pairs of socks and one soft hat for the hospital.
- One going-home outfit.
Wash new clothes before use with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent.
Bath and care
- A baby bathtub or a bath seat insert for the sink.
- Mild, fragrance-free baby wash and lotion.
- Soft towels and washcloths.
- Baby nail clippers or a nail file.
- A digital thermometer. For babies under three months, a rectal reading is most accurate, and a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs a call to the doctor.
Getting out
- An infant car seat, installed before your due date and checked by a certified technician if you can.
- A stroller that works with your car seat, or a soft carrier for walks.
- A diaper bag packed with diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, burp cloths and a changing pad, kept by the door.
What can wait
Bottle warmers, wipe warmers, a full wardrobe of newborn clothes, shoes, a high chair, most toys and a big play yard can wait until you know what your baby likes and needs.
What to skip
Skip crib bumpers, sleep positioners, wedges and weighted sleep products. The AAP and CPSC advise against them.
