Bringing home a newborn is one of the most exciting moments of your life. It’s a journey filled with joy, love, and of course, a bit of preparation. To make your transition into parenthood as smooth as possible, it’s essential to have everything ready before your little one arrives. Here’s a checklist of baby essentials that you’ll absolutely need when you return home from the hospital. Let’s dive in!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, if you make a purchase through this link, I will get a tiny commission at no cost to you. The products that I have listed are the ones I truly believe in and have tested them personally.
Baby Gear: Getting Around with your Newborn
These essential items will be crucial from day one—from safely transporting your baby home from the hospital to providing a cozy, secure spot for nap times.
- Car Seat: The most important item on this list! Make sure it’s installed correctly well before your due date, so you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice.
- Stroller: Perfect for those first walks around the neighborhood or trips to the park. Look for one that pairs with your car seat for added convenience.
- Baby Carrier: A lifesaver for when you need to be hands-free but still want to keep your baby close. It’s great for bonding time and getting things done!
- Baby Rocker Seat or Baby Bouncer: Babies love gentle movement, and a rocking chair or bouncer gives them a safe, cozy place to relax when they’re not in your arms.
Personal Tip:
- Choose a car seat that easily attaches to your stroller and features a convenient handle for carrying. This way, if your baby falls asleep in the car seat, you won’t disturb their nap by moving them in and out of the car. Simply bring the whole car seat inside and let them continue sleeping peacefully.
- Baby rockers typically have a longer lifespan than baby bouncers and are generally safer for larger babies, reducing the risk of them falling out. They’re ideal for keeping your baby entertained during wake times, especially when you need both hands free or just want to use the bathroom. Plus, if you’re alone, you can easily bring the entire rocker with you to keep your baby close.
- A baby carrier is perfect for hands-free skin-to-skin contact once your baby reaches 8-10 lbs. It’s also an excellent tool for soothing your baby to sleep during those early weeks.
Sleep Essentials: Creating a cozy and safe sleep environment
Sleep is crucial for both you and your baby, so setting up a cozy, safe sleep space is key.
- Crib: This the most important furniture piece that the baby will use for a long time. Make sure it is sturdy set up with love.
- Crib Mattress: A firm, snug-fitting mattress is essential for safe sleep. Your baby will spend a lot of time here, so make it comfy!
- Crib Sheets: Soft, breathable, and washable—stock up on a few so you’re always prepared for middle-of-the-night messes.
- Absorbent pad: An absorbent pad adds an extra layer of protection between your mattress and crib sheet. It’s especially handy for quick cleanups on blowout days and will be useful well into potty training nights.
- White noise machine: Mimic the soothing sounds of the womb to help your little one drift off to dreamland.
- Swaddles: Velcro swaddles are a parent’s best friend. They’re quick, easy, and help your baby feel secure, just like they did in the womb.
- Sleep Sacks: These wearable blankets keep your baby warm and cozy without the need for loose blankets in the crib.
Personal Tip:
- I prefer sleep sacks with a swaddle feature for newborns up to 3 months old, as they can greatly enhance sleep quality. In colder climates, consider a fleece sleep sack worn over a onesie to keep your baby warm at night. This setup can also help alleviate concerns about SIDS.
- For white noise, you can use home assistants like Google Assistant. For instance, we use ours to play rain sounds, and it works perfectly for us.
Clothing and Diapering: Keeping Baby Comfy and Clean
Let’s be real—newborns go through a lot of diapers and outfits. Be prepared with all the essentials for diaper changes and wardrobe changes.
- Newborn Clothing: Think bodysuits, onesies, and a couple cute sets. Go for soft, easy-to-change outfits that make those frequent diaper changes a breeze.
- Newborn Diapers: Stock up! You’ll be surprised at how many diapers a newborn can go through in a day.
- Wipes: Gentle, unscented wipes are a must for those delicate newborn bottoms.
- Diaper Cream: Prevent and soothe diaper rash with trusted products like Aquaphor or coconut oil. You’ll want to have these on hand from day one.
- Changing Pad: Provides a clean and cushioned surface for diaper changes. It should fit securely on your changing table or dresser.
- Dedicated Diapering Area: Set up a convenient space with all your diapering supplies within arm’s reach. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the organization during those 3 AM diaper changes!
Personal Tip:
- Newborns grow quickly, so you don’t need to stock up on too many newborn-sized clothes—just one going-home outfit and a few onesies should be sufficient. Your baby will spend most of their first three months in 0-3 month clothing, so it’s worth investing in these sizes. Newborns primarily live in diapers, onesies, and swaddles, so having 7-8 onesies and a couple of good outfits should be enough. I recommend two-way zippered footed onesies for easy dressing and diaper changes. Don’t forget to pre-wash them before use.
- You don’t need to buy a dedicated changing table; a sturdy table with all your diapering essentials organized nearby will work just fine.
- Ikea generally has great deals on Cotton Crib sheets and burp cloths.
Feeding Supplies: Fueling Your Baby's Growth
Feeding time is bonding time, so having the right supplies ready to go is crucial, whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or both.
- Breast Pump: Essential for building and maintaining your milk supply, or just for those times when you need a break. Most insurances will ship you one for free.
- Haakaa Pump: A simple, effective way to collect milk while you’re nursing on the other side. It’s a must-have for any breastfeeding mom.
- Nursing Supplies: Nursing bras, nipple cream, nursing pads, and a nursing cover are essentials that make breastfeeding more comfortable.
- Nursing Pillow: I have written a whole article for why you need them and comparing the best ones out there, you can check it out here.
- Bottles and Formula: Even if you’re breastfeeding, having a few bottles and formula on hand can be a lifesaver.
- Sterilizer: Keep bottles and pump parts clean and ready to use with a quick and easy sterilizer.
- Bottle Cleaning set: A must for cleaning bottles and pump parts. Look for one with a nipple brush built in for added convenience.
- Burp Cloths: Keep plenty of these within reach for feeding time. They’ll catch those inevitable spit-ups and keep your clothes clean! Remember, larger is better!
Personal Tip:
- If you’re choosing to mix feed with bottles and breastfeeding, opt for preemie nipple sizes for bottles. The milk comes out more slowly, mimicking breastfeeding and helping to avoid any challenges when switching between the two. The newborn size nipples can sometimes cause the milk to flow too easily, which might make breastfeeding more difficult.
- If you have an instant pot at home, the sterilizer function works wonderfully to sterilize all the pump parts and bottles, etc. You don’t need to buy a special sterilizer.
- I have not explicitly included the milk saver bags but if you plan to freeze the breast milk, those would be nice to get ahead
- If you register for registry (its free!) at big stores like Walmart, Target, Amazon, Buy buy baby, they will send you welcome kit. Those kits are amazing and have a lot of freebies and trial packs like bottles, diaper creams, etc., that is a great way to try out things with baby before purchasing a large pack.
Baby Care: Keeping Your Little One Safe and Happy
From bath time to nail trims, having the right baby care items ready to go will make caring for your newborn easier.
- Nail Clippers (Scissor type) or Baby nail grinder: Those tiny nails grow fast! Keep them trimmed with a safe, easy-to-use scissor-type clipper.
- Frida Snort Sucker: A gentle, effective way to clear your baby’s nasal passages. It’s a must for keeping them comfortable when they’re congested.
- Thermometer: Keep track of your baby’s temperature with a reliable, easy-to-use thermometer.
- Bath Tub: Bath time is so much easier with a comfortable, supportive tub designed for newborns.
- Play Gym: Stimulate your baby’s senses with colorful toys and mirrors. It’s a great way to keep them entertained while helping their development.
- Baby Monitor (optional): Peace of mind is priceless. A good baby monitor lets you keep an eye (and ear) on your little one while they sleep.
Personal Tip:
- I recommend waiting to introduce pacifiers until your baby’s feeding routine and weight gain are well-established. After that, they can be a great tool for soothing your baby, especially when you’re in the car or a public space. Just use it for a few minutes, and it works like a charm.
- If you already have an indoor camera, there’s no need to spend money on an expensive baby monitor.
- I suggest downloading apps like Narababy or Huckleberry to help you track feedings, bowel movements, sleep, weight, and vaccinations.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for your baby’s arrival can feel overwhelming, but with this checklist, you’re well on your way to being fully prepared. By having these essentials ready before labor, you’ll be able to focus on what matters most—bonding with your new baby. Happy nesting, and congratulations on your growing family!
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