Little humans take up a lot of space, not only in your heart but also in your home. If you thought wedding gift thank yous were hard to get through, just wait until after your baby shower. Everyone is going to want to spoil you and your new little babe. While it’s obviously amazing that your baby is being spoiled, as your due date approaches you may start to wonder what you actually need. It can be really nice to have a checklist of what you actually need because while those itty bitty shoes may be adorable, the not so cute baby nail clippers are going to be far more important to you. And so, we bring to you our newborn essential checklist- your complete guide on what your bundle of joy actually will need. These are also some great items to keep in mind when creating your baby registry!
Newborn Essentials Checklist
A Car Seat for Your Newborn
You might not even be allowed to leave the hospital without this essential, and on top of that having a car seat is a very important part of keeping your newborn baby safe. You’ll want to do your research on this one, but some favorites are the Chicco Next Fit and the Graco Snugride 35. Some things you’ll want to keep in mind are how the seats fit in your car, if you want something convertible, and most importantly safety ratings.
Chicco Next Fit
This car seat just kind of has everything going for it. It’s moderately priced, fits easily in most cars, and has tons of different reclining positions. Here is the current pricing!
Graco Snugride 35
We love that this car seat is part of the Click Connect system, and thus can be used with all Graco products that are part of this. Also, as a rear-facing only infant car seat, it is one of the lightest on the market. There’s a built-in sun visor, handles, and head support. Click here for pricing.
A Baby Monitor You Love
Newborns are cuddly wonderful miracles and while they will probably spend most of their beginning days in your arms, still it is important to have a monitor for the moments they aren’t. It’s really nice to be able to keep an eye on them while they’re sleeping, especially if you’ll be putting them in a separate room. There are tons of different monitors at a wide range of price points to choose from. Take a look at two of our favorites.
Owlet Smart Sock & Camera (Essential Newborn Checklist Favorite!)
There are some awesome baby monitors on the market today, and the Owlet sock is undoubtedly one of the coolest. The camera works like a normal baby monitor and connects with the video right to your smartphone. The sock goes right on your baby’s foot and tracks things like their heart rate and oxygen levels. Buy yours here!
Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor
The Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor is just like a traditional monitor, just with a couple added perks. The camera is easy to adjust angles with and even zoom in if needed. The sound is great and you can talk through the monitor to your little one to comfort them. Check out current pricing here.
Diapers, a Diaper Pail, & Storage
You probably already knew diapers would be a big ticket item on your newborn essentials checklist. Inevitably, babies poop. They poop a lot. You aren’t going to want to be running out to make diaper runs, so be fully stocked up before their arrival in a multitude of sizes. You never really know how tiny or chunky your newborn will be, and therefore can’t predict diaper size. Play a baby shower game that requires diapers for participation that way you’ll end up with a bunch! Don’t forget to add on a diaper pail as well. Cloth diapers are a great alternative option, also!
BabyNoom Nursery Organizers
So, you have gathered all of the diapers, wipes, and burp cloths. Now you need a place to put them! BabyNoom Nursery Organizers are our favorite way to get organized in style. They are sturdy and in the perfect size to set on top of a dresser or next to the changing table. They also come in tons of cute prints like the Woodland option above. Plus, when you are done using the basket to organize all your baby things, you can convert your BabyNoom Organizer to a book or toy basket.
Make this a keepsake gift by customizing the organizer with the new baby’s name! BabyNoom also offers awesome storytelling wall art if you are looking to add a little something extra to the nursery. Check out the whole shop here!
Pampers Swaddlers
Pampers Swaddlers are as soft as a blanket and they give you an indicator when your newborn’s diaper is wet. Check them off your list here!
Honest Diapers
We just can’t resist the cute little designs on these diapers. The Make Lemonade print is my absolute favorite. Not to mention, they are super absorbent and still eco-friendly. Here’s current pricing.
Unscented Baby Wipes
Baby wipes will not only be a newborn essential but will also become a household essential for the foreseeable future. Not only will they be wiping your baby’s bum, but they will be cleaning up all kinds of messes. For your newborn, you will want a gentle and unscented wipe.
Honest Wipes
Honest Wipes are a favorite among many moms, and it’s no wonder why. They are over 99% water and plant-based. They are super gentle and perfectly made for your newborn baby. Click here for current pricing.
Amazon Elements Unscented
Make life a little easier. Check this newborn essential off your list by adding these unscented baby wipes to your Amazon Cart. They are gentle and safe for your newborn. Add to your cart now!
Bottles and Nipples
Baby’s gotta eat! Whether you plan on nursing or not, you should have a few bottles and nipples on hand just in case. You’ll also want all the supplies needed to properly clean them.
Tommee Tippie Closer to Nature
You will probably learn in parenting that keeping things “closer to nature” just tends to work out best. While the name is what first caught our attention, it’s the award-winning just like mom nipple and anti-colic valve that helped put this bottle on our list. Buy your bottles here!
Nanobebe Bottle
At first glance of this bottle you will probably be a little thrown off. It’s totally different than most bottles on the market, but it actually makes so much sense. It was made to mimic the shape and feel of a breast. You can also pump directly into these bottles and they’re stackable! Check out current pricing!
Nursing Essentials for the Newborn Stage
If you are planning on nursing there are a couple of items you will want to be sure to have on your newborn essential checklist; a pump, milk storage bags, and nipple cream. Make sure to look into whether or not your insurance will pay for a nursing pump, it is an awesome perk if they will! If you are planning on bottle feeding, you can completely disregard these essentials! Here is our checklist for pumping moms, which is a great place to start!
Baby Nail Clippers and No Scratch Mittens
Their teeny tiny fingernails seem to grow at an incredible speed, making nail clippers and mittens a big priority for your newborn essentials checklist. You have to watch them very carefully and diligently trim them because babies will give themselves some gnarly scratches if not. You need no scratch mittens for the same reason. Not to mention, they can be pretty adorable.
NailFrida- The Baby Essential Nail Care Kit
This kit comes with everything you need to make newborn nail care a breeze. Here is the current pricing.
Gerber Baby 4pk Mittens
These mittens are adorable, simple, and unisex making baby mittens an easy essential to get checked off your list. Check current pricing here.
An Easy to Use Thermometer
Fingers crossed this is one item on the newborn essentials checklist you won’t have to break out of the box for a while. However, it’s still absolutely necessary to have a thermometer around because fever in a baby needs to be taken very seriously. Rectal thermometers are said to have the most accurate reading and can actually be one of the easier ways to get a newborn’s temperature. We have a whole article on baby thermometers if you need help choosing!
A Baby Bath
Your baby will love or hate bathtime, but either way, having a baby bath will make it much easier on you to get the job done. It can be especially hard to prop up slippery tiny newborns in order to get them all clean, but a baby bathtub will help with this.
Fisher-Price Rinse ‘n Grow
This tub will be easy to use for your newborn but grow with them into their toddler years for tons of fun bath time memories. It comes with a sling for the newborn stage, which will help you keep your slippery baby safe. Check current pricing here!
Shnuggle Baby Bathtub
This is another tub that is both great for your newborn but transitions seamlessly with your little one as they grow. I love that it can sit up on its own stand, sit in the sink, or just plop right on the ground. Check it out!
4-10 Onesies in Multiple Sizes
You might have 20 cute outfits lined up or you might be too overwhelmed with everything else pregnancy brings on to even think about that, whatever the case is the most important baby clothes are likely going to be simple onesies. They’re comfortable and easy to get on and off. You can find them at Walmart, Target, or any baby store near you. Stock up on your favorites, trust us you won’t regret it!
Burp Cloths
Getting through the day without getting any baby puke on you is going to be one of your biggest daily accomplishments. Having good burp cloths will help you achieve this.
Burt’s Bees 5 pk
You cannot go wrong with Burt’s Bees, especially when it comes to burp cloths. They are so soft and 100% organic. On top of that, they are some of the most absorbent you can find. Get yours here!
Baby Swing
It is a total lifesaver to have a safe spot to set your newborn down, so having a baby swing of some sort is essential. You can either go with a bouncer which will sit low on the floor and be lightweight or a swing which will take up a more permanent place.
4moms rockaRoo (Newborn Essentials Checklist Favorite!)
This is like the holy grail of baby swings. It has 5 different options for motion; the car, the kangaroo, tree swing, rock a bye, and the wave. If you’re already a mama you probably know what a big deal this is because different kinds of bounces and rocking each serve their own purpose for your baby. It is well worth the price tag. Learn more about it here!
Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
This is one of the most affordable baby swings. It’s also really compact making it great for those of us with a little less space. Just because it’s affordable does not mean it’s lacking anything. It has a mobile, tons of different sound options, and 2 vibration settings. Here is current pricing.
A Place to Sleep
You may be wondering why we didn’t just say crib, well we think it is a little more complicated than that. Whether you want your newborn in your bed, in a crib next to you, or in their own nursery is up to you. However, you do need to make sure that you create a safe spot for them. This article, from What to Expect, does a great job of explaining what safe sleep for your baby entails.
Pottery Barn Rory 4-in-1
This crib transforms from a crib to a toddler bed and then to a complete twin bed. Another thing that I love about all of Pottery Barn’s crib furniture is they are GREENGUARD GOLD Certified which means that the crib passes the most strict guidelines for chemical emissions standards, so you know that your baby will not be near any harmful chemicals. Get your Rory Crib here!
Delta Children Deluxe Sweet Beginnings Bassinet
If you are looking for a safe but easily portable place for your baby to sleep, you have to check this bassinet out. It has soothing lights and sounds and is a safe way for your baby to be near you during bedtime. Here is the current pricing.
Safe for Baby Laundry to Detergent
Babies create loads of laundry daily, and to wash their little clothes safely you will want to find a gentle baby detergent. Babies have extremely sensitive skin that can be easily irritated.
Honest Detergent
I love that this detergent is powerful enough to get out icky stains, but it is still super gentle and safe for babies skin. It is made mostly of plant-derived ingredients! Click here to get yours.
Grab Green Newborn Laundry Pods
Detergent pods make laundry seem like a bit less of a chore. I was so happy when I found these pods that are safe to use on a newborn’s clothes. Click here for current pricing!
What is on your newborn essentials checklist? Let us know in the comments!
