Planning for a newborn can be exhausting and expensive! There’s so much to prepare for, so much to buy. But how do you decide what you really need? What can you get away without having? What will you really, actually use? I’ve had 5 kids, and each time, I realize that I use less and less. You live and you learn that you really don’t need very much to take care of a newborn. With my oldest daughter, I registered for so much, and got a ton as gifts, but still didn’t use it all. So, to save you some time and money, I’ll share with you what you really need for your newborn.
Safe Sleep Space
To prevent SIDS, you’ll need a crib with a firm, flat mattress, fitted sheet, and no bumpers, toys, or blankets in it. I used a bassinet next to my bed for the first 3 months, then transitioned each baby over to a crib afterwards.
Car seat
Most hospitals won’t allow your baby to leave without a car seat. So be sure to have one on hand before your baby is born. A rear-facing infant car seat is what most babies start in. But, a convertible car seat is also OK, as long as your baby meets the height and weight requirements and is rear-facing in the seat.
If you’re using an infant car seat with a base and you have 2 cars at home, I recommend having an extra base on hand. It just makes it a little easier to transport the baby between cars, by just moving the infant car seat instead of having to worry about the correct installation of the base each time.
Stroller/Travel System
A travel system usually includes an infant car seat, base, and stroller. I’ve always found it convenient to have, especially to transfer a sleeping baby from the car to the stroller. Many of the systems can also grow with your child, so you won’t need a new stroller as they get older.
Breast Pump
If you plan on breastfeeding and plan to go back to work, a breast pump is a must. A double electric breast pump is helpful to make pumping a little quicker and more efficient. Check with your health insurance plan to see if you can get one for free. I’ve loved the Medela Pump In Style for years, and have also used the Spectra S2 pump. I haven’t used the Haaka suction pump personally, but it’s an awesome way to passively collect milk from one breast while you’re feeding from the other. It’s not electric, and can serve as an easy substitute to a hand-pump.
Kiinde System/Feeding Essentials
This is another breastfeeding must-have! I used this with my 5th child, and wish it was around for all of them! This system makes pumping, storing, warming, and feeding breast milk so easy.
If you don’t use the Kiinde System and don’t plan to breastfeed or pump, you will need a set of bottles, a bottle brush, and likely a bottle warmer for your baby (if your baby prefers warm milk – not all do!).
Formula
If you do not plan to breastfeed, you will need formula. Any of the basic formulas – even store-brand formulas – are OK to start with. I wouldn’t buy too much of any on formula to start out with, though. You never know which formula your baby will tolerate. You may have to switch around until you find the right one. Formula also has an expiration date and is expensive, so don’t buy too much at one time.
Changing Table
This may not be a “must have”, but I found it helpful to have a centralized spot to change my baby. It allows you to have everything housed in one spot, and prevents you from having to bend over as you would if changing the baby on a bed or couch. (Of course, sometimes I still just ended up changing diapers anywhere I could around the house – I’m just keeping it real!)
Diapers
If you’re using disposable diapers, you’ll need lots and lots of them! I wouldn’t invest in too many boxes of “newborn” size diapers, since your baby will likely grow pretty quickly. It all depends how big your baby is. When we were using disposables, I found that my babies hung out in Size 1’s and Size 3’s the longest.
For my last 2 babies, I was introduced to the art of cloth diapering, and I must say that it was a game-changer for me! It’s an investment initially, but I have been able to use the same set of $300 worth of diapers for 2 kids (for 2 years each!). It’s saved us so much. Of course, there’s the extra time of washing diapers a few times a week, but it really works out to being about 30 minutes of my time total, since I’ve got it down. I highly recommend it to save yourself some money! We’ve used Bum Genius diapers. They’re easy to use, and our day care teachers are all used to them too.
Wipes
Just like diapers, you’ll need a lot of wipes! These don’t expire, and you don’t need to buy different sizes as your baby grows, so stock up when you can. They can still be used when they’re toddlers, and are helpful to have around for wiping dirty hands and noses.
With our cloth diapers, we also started using wash cloths as wipes, and again have saved a lot of money this way!
Blankets
To prevent SIDS, you shouldn’t have a blanket in the bed with your baby. But, you can if your baby is swaddled. I’ve used both the pre-made swaddle blankets, and have also perfected swaddling with the Bamboo Muslin blankets.
Bottles
Whether you’re breast or bottle-feeding, you’ll likely need bottles to feed your baby. I highly recommend the Kiinde system, as above, if you’re breastfeeding. We’ve also used the Avent, Dr. Brown’s, and Playtex bottles. I’d start with at least four of the 4-ounces bottles, and 4 of the 8-ounce bottles to use as your baby grows.
Bottle Brush
It’s helpful to have a baby bottle cleaning brush on hand to clean the insides of bottles and nipples well. Having an extra on hand as a back-up is helpful.
Drying Rack
You need a place for those clean bottles to rest after they’re washed. A drying rack is helpful to have.
Bibs
Even if you’re breastfeeding, it’s helpful to have a few bibs on hand. Bibs are useful both during and after feedings, for leaking milk and spit up. They basically help to prevent you from having to change your baby’s clothes every time you feed!
Breast Milk Storage
If you plan to breastfeed, and also plan to pump, you’ll need some sort of breast milk storage. I recommend thinking about this early on, so you don’t end up with frozen milk to sort later on. I used the Medela storage tray for fresh milk in the refrigerator. For the freezer, I found regular storage containers more helpful than the commercially-designed breast milk storage containers. I was able to store more milk in a regular container.
Baby Carrier
A baby carrier is helpful to have, if you want to try to get things done around the house with a clingy baby. I wore my baby as I swept, mopped, cooked – whatever I needed to get done around the house. This was also helpful once I had multiple children and had to tote the baby around to all the kids’ activities or on vacation in Disney World. It’s a helpful way to keep strangers’ hands off of your baby, since they’re less likely to reach out and touch when the baby is so close to you.
Swing
The swing is another lifesaver, that came in handy for every single one of my kids. If I knew my baby was fed, changed, but was still somewhat fussy for an unknown reason, the swing helped to soothe them. (If not the swing, then a late-night car ride also did the trick – the swing is easier, though!)
Bouncer Seat
Besides using a swing, it was helpful to have a place to safely place my baby if I needed to get something done. I used the swing if they were fussy, and the bouncer seat if they were calm and awake and just needed a place to sit.
Pacifier
I add pacifiers to this list because I know they’re useful to a lot of babies – even though none of my children ever really used one. Pacifiers have been proven to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies have a natural suck reflex, and many want to suck on something, even when they’re not hungry. It’s helpful to have at least one pacifier on hand, to soothe your baby during those times that you know he’s full but just wants to suck.
Nursing cover
If you’d like to discreetly breastfeed in public, a nursing cover is helpful to have on hand. I used one with my first few babies, but by my last 2, I was more comfortable with breastfeeding in public and was able to do it modestly without a cover most of the time. Besides the cover, a nursing tank is also helpful to wear under your clothes, so your belly isn’t fully exposed when you’re breastfeeding in public. Nursing pads may also be necessary to prevent leakage, especially in the early weeks.
Diaper Bag
Of course when you’re out with your baby, you’ll need to be prepared for the unexpected. Pack a diaper bag with basic essentials like diapers, wipes, a change of clothes for the baby, a bib, and bottle if you’re formula-feeding. If your baby spits up a lot and you tend to be a target, you may want to also pack an extra shirt for yourself just in case.
Medications/Medical Care
Babies can be stuffy, and can also get colds. I recommend having nasal saline and a bulb suction on hand to help with stuffiness. There aren’t very many over-the-counter medications that can be given to young babies. But if I had to choose a few to have on hand I’d recommend Tylenol, gas drops, and probiotics. Always check with your Pediatrician first before giving your baby any medications. A rectal thermometer is important to have on hand with a newborn as well.
Clothes
Your baby really isn’t going anywhere in the first few weeks. So, save yourself from buying a ton of fancy newborn or 0-3 month clothes. My babies lived in onesies, socks, and footed pajamas for the first few months. Of course, we had a few “going out” outfits (which were normally gifted to us by friends and family). But, in general, their wardrobe was very basic at the beginning.
Bathtub
Of course, your baby can’t stand or sit in the regular bathtub early on. A simple, cheap baby bathtub does the trick.
Baby Monitor
This may not be a “must-have”, but it’s helpful to have on hand. This way, you can monitor your baby while sleeping in another room. You’ll know when he wakes up and when he needs you. There are so many different types, and I’ve used a lot of different ones over the years. Basic voice monitoring honestly does the trick, but if you want to actually see your baby, video monitors are also pretty popular now.
Fragrance-Free Detergent
A baby’s skin is usually pretty sensitive to their environment. It’s recommended to use a fragrance-free detergent to wash your baby’s clothes for the first few months. Dreft and All are the two most popular one’s, and I’ve also used both.
Fragrance-free Body Wash/Lotion
Because your baby’s skin is likely sensitive early on, I recommend starting with a fragrance-free body wash or lotion from the very beginning. Brands like Aveeno, Eucerin, Cetaphil, and Aquaphor are at the top of my list.
Car Seat Cover
This isn’t a must-have, but I’ve used a car seat canopy with my last 2 children and have loved it. To me, it’s an awesome way to keep strangers away from the baby when we’re out. A stranger would have to be really bold to walk up to your baby and uncover them without your permission! The cover also helps to keep light and some noise out, if you’re out an about with a sleeping baby.
Whew! That was a little longer than expected, but I hope this list was helpful! Hopefully, it’ll help you to focus in on what you really need for your newborn, to save money and space in your home! Some of these things are not a “must” but are things that I thought were pretty helpful and made my life a little easier. If you have anything to add to this list, please leave a comment below!
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