A little person has huge needs, and parents-to-be realise this the moment they need to complete a baby nursery . Add to this the good advice of friends and family and in-store promotions, and the list gets even longer.
Are all the products really necessary? This is a reasonable question, especially for first time parents. And in this article, we will try to answer that question as best as possible.
Of course, the following list can be extended, but we have included all the newborn necessities, i.e. those things that are difficult to do without on a daily basis when caring for a baby. We hope our short shopping guide will make your purchases more enjoyable and ensure you do not forget anything important!
Contents
Essentials for a newborn – must haves and nice to haves list
We know it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the number of products you need to buy for your baby, so we have made it easier for you by breaking down this long list into a few smaller ones! And while the newborn baby must-haves are the most important, it is also worth looking at the nice-haves, which are not essential but can make the day-to-day care of your baby much simpler and more pleasant.
Baby Nursery Essentials
You probably imagine a cot when you think of a baby’s room. Undoubtedly, it tops the list, but it goes much further than that. Look at all the stuff on it:
- Cot bed.
- Chest of drawers.
- Wardrobe.
- Crib mattress.
- Crib sheets.
- Changing table or changing pad.
What about nice haves in this category? Here are some of them:
- Toy storage.
- White noise machine.
- Rocking chair.
- Baby monitor.
Of course, the line between “must haves” and “nice to haves” for babies is a blurred one, and what is an “extra” for some parents is a “necessity” for others. So, use our list as inspiration and adapt it to your personal needs and requirements.
Baby Gear Essentials
In the early days of their lives, babies need to be taken home from hospital. . And this journey must be safe and comfortable for the baby. Later, there will also be time for walks in the fresh air and other activities. And it is essential to prepare appropriately for these mini trips.
Must haves for baby gear items:
- Car seat.
- Pram.
- Baby carrier.
Optional purchases:
- Bouncer.
- Play mat.
- Carry Cot Height Adjuster.
- Car Seat Adapters.
Baby Wardrobe Essentials
For many, preparing for their baby's arrival includes purchasing all types of clothes and accessories, and there is no denying that buying them is an integral part of preparing for parenthood. On the other hand, parents often do not know how many products to buy. After all, a baby grows very quickly in the first period of its life. So what shall we put inside our shopping basket?
Must haves for newborn baby:
- 3-5 shirts.
- 4–8 onesies.
- 1-2 baby pyjamas.
- 1-3 rompers.
- 2-4 pants.
- 1-2 sweaters or jackets.
- 3-5 short-sleeved bodysuits.
- 3-5 long-sleeved bodysuits.
As you can see, the number of products varies, and you will quickly find out which ones work best in your everyday life. Furthermore, young parents traditionally receive many gifts for their baby, mainly in the form of clothes, so your primary collection will expand very quickly. So try to avoid starting with a big stockpile because you may not even have time to use some of the items with a fast-growing baby (up to 25 cm in the first year).
Baby feeding essentials
A young baby has no regular meal times. Thus, you must be prepared for every eventuality, whether in the middle of the night or the mid-afternoon. This is why our baby checklist includes feeding essentials.
Feeding baby list essentials:
- 6-8 bottles (both 4- and 8-ounce bottles).
- Bottle brush.
- 4-6 bibs.
- 4-6 burp cloths.
- Bottle steriliser.
- 2-4 dummies .
Optional items of newborn necessities:
- Breast pump.
- Baby formula.
- Milk storage bags.
- Nursing pads.
- Nipple cream.
- Baby feeding pillow.
- Bottle warmer.
Some of the suggestions above (especially the optional ones) will fall away if you stop breastfeeding, but this is a very individual decision, so we have included these accessories in our list.
Baby Nappy Essentials and Baby Bath Essentials
Your baby’s well-being depends on their hygiene when changing and bathing. What do future parents need? There are at least a few products you cannot do without.
- Baby bathtub.
- At least 2 boxes of newborn-size nappies and baby wipes.
- 6-8 nappy covers.
- Baby cosmetics (shampoo, body wash).
- 2-3 hooded baby towels.
- Baby nail clippers and thermometer.
- Cradle cap brush.
- 4-5 washcloths.
Additional must haves for newborn baby:
- Baby lotion.
- Baby Nappy Organiser.
- Cool mist humidifier.
- Nappy bin.
We hope you find our new baby checklist helpful when choosing items for your little one. The lists above are a general overview of the products you will need for up to a dozen months, but for the curious, we have created a guide that focuses on the first three months. Here are the top tips for the first quarter with your little one. Read “Baby Essentials for the First 3 months: What Every New Parent Needs to Know” and prepare for your next great adventure.
