Baby Essentials Checklist
A stress-free guide to build your baby registry.
What to Consider
We all know that babies require a lot of gear and it can be a bit overwhelming to know what you're going to need in their first year. To help navigate the many different decisions to be made–we’ve created this checklist and broken it down into categories related to caring for a baby (and yourself). Within each category, we’ve identified the must-have essentials that you don’t want to forget and then nice-to-haves that you might want to consider to help keep your registry creation stress-free and fun.
In This Guide
Setting Up Your Nursery
Leaving the House
Feeding & First Foods
Diapering
Cleaning Baby
Health & Wellness
Playtime & Development
What to Wear
Supporting Parents & Caregivers
Setting Up Your Nursery
Remember, you’ll want the area to be as functional as it is cute. Consider how much space you have in your nursery. If the room is small, look for pieces of furniture that do two jobs instead of one such as a dresser with a changing table on top.
Read the complete Nursery Must Haves guide
Essentials
Why? Diapers leak (and blow out) while babies are sleeping. Though you may already have a spare set of crib sheets on hand, liquids easily soak through non-waterproof sheets.
Pro Tip Pick something with a tall back that is comfortable. You will probably spend a lot of time in this chair and may even sleep in it.
Pro Tip If your home is multi-level, consider having one on each level.
Pro Tip Make sure to get a monitor that covers the square footage of your whole home and yard. This will give you the freedom to work, do chores or relax anywhere at home while your baby naps.
Pro Tip Look for a touch activated lamp with different levels of light. This will allow you to keep the lights dim for middle-of-the-night-feeds–allowing baby to get back to sleep faster.
Makes Parenting Easier
Why? Night time feeds are a lot easier when your baby is sleeping bedside. You may also feel a sense of security keeping your baby close.
Pro Tip Humidifiers can make it easier to breathe when baby is congested.
Pro Tip Opting for blackout shades may help your baby nap better and sleep later in the mornings, particularly if your nursery has a lot of natural light.
Pro Tip Place it next to your glider so that you have a spot to place bottles, pacifiers and anything else you may need while rocking baby to sleep.
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Leaving the House
Think about how you plan to get around and who may be responsible for transporting your baby. Travel systems that allow your car seat and stroller to connect to one another as well as multiple bases can save money and reduce frustration.
Read the complete On the Go Guide
Essentials
Pro Tip If you choose an infant car seat, consider a travel system that will allow your car seat to connect to your stroller as well as multiple car seat bases allowing you to keep your sleeping baby in place while running errands or going from car to house.
Pro Tip You’ll need a main daily stroller that can do it all, but you’ll also want to consider additional specialized strollers for different activities.
Pro Tip Like strollers, it may be helpful to have a few on hand to grow with your baby. You might also have a different carrier preference than your partner, so having more than one is always a good rule of thumb.
Makes Parenting Easier
Pro Tip By purchasing extra car seat bases for each parent, grandparent or caregiver you can avoid having to purchase multiple car seats.
Pro Tip If you want to create your own travel system with different brands of gear you may need an adapter to make sure it all works together.
Why? It is not safe to dress your baby in a coat while riding in their car seat. Fleece-lined bunting keeps your baby warm while also making sure they remain safe. Look for bunting to fit your car seat, stroller or both.
Pro Tip If you travel or plan to have your baby nap outside the home, a playard can act as a mobile crib.
Why? Playard sheets help to keep the playard mat clean.
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Feeding & First Foods
Newborns need to eat every 2 hours–day or night. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed or plan to do both, there are tools that can make the daunting task a little easier and less stressful.
Essentials for Breast Feeding
Pro Tip If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, you’ll likely end up pumping, too. This will allow you to store extra breast milk for both short and long trips away from baby.
Pro Tip Once your baby can hold their head up, you can use this pillow as a prop for tummy time.
Why? Even if you plan to breastfeed, you likely won’t always be the only one to feed your baby. Make sure to select a nipple type that is conducive to breastfeeding to make the transition between breast and bottle easy. Make sure to get a mix of 4 and 8 ounce bottles. Some babies are picky about which bottles they like so consider having a few different types on hand to try out.
Essentials for Bottle Feeding
Pro Tip Make sure to get a mix of 4 and 8 ounce bottles. Some babies are picky about which bottles they like so consider having a few different types on hand to try out.
Pro Tip Don’t invest in too much formula up front. Babies can be picky about which formulas work best for their bellies and it may take some trial and error to find the right kind.
Essentials for First Foods
Pro Tip As the baby starts solids, you’ll need a supportive, easy-to-clean high chair. Look for one with a safety harness, removable tray, and footrest.
Pro Tip Some bibs have bowl-like bottoms that catch anything dribbling down.
Makes Parenting Easier
Pro Tip Bottle warmers provide flexibility. Babies can go from content to hangry in a matter of minutes and if you are bottle feeding, you may feel stressed while trying to prepare a bottle with a crying baby.
Pro Tip Many formula makers can mix, heat and dispense formula in under a minute. It’s like a Keurig for baby feeding.
Why? If you plan to make some or all of your own baby food, you will need somewhere to store your food. Baby sized glass jars allow you to freeze excess food to use later and because they are glass you can easily microwave them if you need fast access.
Pro Tip Some varieties come with suction cup bottoms making it just a little harder for baby to knock or throw dishes on the floor.
Pro Tip Great for snuggles while feeding and a great cover for privacy.
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Diapering
Newborns go through an average of 8 or more diapers a day. By stocking changing stations on each level of your home you will make this routine task a little easier.
Essentials
Pro Tip Keep the receipts. Babies are born in all different sizes and grow fast. Your kiddo may outgrow newborn diapers before you get a chance to open the box.
Pro Tip Consider having a changing pad on every floor of the house to make frequent changes easier.
Pro Tip If your home is multi-level, consider having diaper pails on each level.
Why? Whether you choose a tiered system or a simple basket, consider a consolidated diaper bin for each level of your home. You can include diapers, wipes, a changing pad, diaper cream and disposal bags.
Makes Parenting Easier
Why? They minimize the stink and make diaper disposal on the go a breeze.
Pro Tip Be prepared–diaper changes can be messy. In the event that the diaper contents escape the diaper, changing pad liners are easy to toss in the laundry (or in the trash if you opt for the disposable kind).
Why? A cold wipe may feel shocking to baby’s skin–particularly if they were just sleeping. Keep in mind outlet locations when deciding if you want a wipe warmer, you will need to keep your changing table close to an outlet.
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Cleaning Baby
Hygiene is just as important for babies as it is for us but bathing a baby comes with added challenges. They are slippery. They may have sensitive skin. You will always want to err on the side of safety when water is involved. Make bath time fun and safe with the right tools.
Essentials
Pro Tip Consider where you want to bathe your baby and select a bathtub that fits the space best. You may find it easier to bathe a newborn while standing at the kitchen sink if you are healing from childbirth.
Pro Tip Regular person towels dry babies just as well as hooded baby towels if you’re on a budget.
Pro Tip Look for quick drying washcloths as you’ll be using these each time you bathe your baby.
Pro Tip Babies can have very sensitive skin, so choose a gentle soap formulated for babies.
Pro Tip Find a thick, squishy mat that you can comfortably kneel on.
Why? Baby rinsers can make rinsing your baby’s hair easier and help keep water from dripping into their eyes.
Makes Parenting Easier
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Health & Wellness
Sicknesses happen. Teeth sprout. You’ll want to be prepared for all of your baby’s needs–especially when they’re not feeling well. Stock up on the tools to help your little one when they don’t feel their best (or when they need a manicure).
Essentials
Pro Tip An infant’s temperature is often one of the first things a nurse will ask for when baby is unwell. Have a safe and reliable one of hand.
Pro Tip It’s super gross but it can help your baby breathe better and get some rest when they are under the weather.
Why? Helps promote healing on the umbilical cord and if circumcising.
Makes Parenting Easier
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Playtime & Development
Play is not only about entertaining your little one–it’s important to stimulate their senses and encourage development. Some baby gear also doubles as a safe place to park your baby when they aren’t being held (think bouncers, swings and activity centers). Consider having a safe “parking spot” for your baby on each level of your home.
Essentials
Pro Tip Tummy time is a crucial exercise for building neck strength and motor skills—and it’s recommended to begin as soon as you bring baby home.
Makes Parenting Easier
Pro Tip A compact bouncer is a great piece of portable gear that you can easily bring to friends’ and family’s homes when visiting.
Pro Tip Consider playards that can double as changing tables and bassinets as well as a safe, moveable place for your baby to sleep and play. If your home is multilevel, consider having a playard on a different floor than your nursery for easy napping options.
Pro Tip If you have hardwood floors, you may want to consider creating softer spaces for babies to play on initially.
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What to wear
Depending on the size of your child at birth, you may jump from newborn to 3M sizes quickly or you may linger in the newborn size. Consider purchasing items in both sizes to be prepared.
Essentials
Pro Tip Zippers are much easier than snaps for middle of the night diaper changes.
Pro Tip Look for envelope folds or snaps at the shoulder–they make changing outfits much easier.
Pro Tip Consider kimono-style tops for your newborn sizes to better care for their healing belly buttons.
Pro Tip Select a broad brimmed sun hat for summer and a tight fitting knit hat for winter.
Pro Tip If the swaddling method seems too hard, consider velcro swaddlers.
Picture Perfect Attire
Why? Some babies drool a lot–particularly when they are teething. Drool bibs are made of thicker cotton than feeding bibs for the express purpose of soaking up drool and are easy to change out. This will mean fewer outfit changes throughout the day and less overall laundry.
Pro Tip Babies don’t need shoes until they begin walking but they do make for adorable accessories.
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Supporting Parents & Caregivers
Taking care of a baby is a lot of work. Whether you are nursing, postpartum or battling sleep deprivation, don’t forget to take care of yourself as well.
Essentials for Nursing or Postpartum Moms
Why? You may want to consider high-waisted underwear in case you need a c-section. The higher waist will mean that the top of the underwear is well above your incision and will reduce irritation.
Why? It reduces inflammation, soothes irritation and promotes healing.
Why? If you have any tearing during labor, you are going to need a peri bottle to keep clean after using the bathroom.
Why? These belts provide support for your back and abdominal muscles.
Makes Parenting Easier
Why? Heat can relax sore muscles and feel comforting as your body heals from childbirth.
Why? When taking care of a newborn, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Staying hydrated is incredibly important, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Why? Chair pillows can provide extra support when feeding in bed.
Why? The first few weeks after bringing a baby home are hard work. You may spend a lot of time on the sofa as you feed and hold your baby. A cozy blanket may make the experience more comfortable.
Why? Getting out of your pajamas each day may be optional in the first few weeks.
Why? The buttons allow for easy night feedings.
Why? eReaders are great because they are quiet, lit from within and you can use them single-handedly while holding a baby.
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