What Items Do You Really Need For A Newborn

A Note On Crib Safety

Crib safety is very important, so keep the following in mind once youâve chosen your babyâs crib:

• Safe sleeping environment. No matter which crib you choose, always practice safe sleep guidelines for babies, such as putting your baby down to sleep on their back. Itâs also important to keep the crib free of objects like bumpers, toys, and blankets to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome . In terms of bedding, you only need a waterproof mattress cover and a fitted sheetânothing more.

• Safety checks. Regularly check your babyâs crib once itâs in use. Check the hardware to make sure itâs still in place, and that there arenât any broken parts, splintered bits of wood, or missing slats. Donât replace any loose or missing nuts and bolts with hardware store alternativesâcontact the manufacturer to ask for the correct replacements.

• Conversion timeline. Babies are ready to move to a toddler bed when they are 35 inches tall, or when the side rail of the crib is at or under their nipple line when standing on the lowest mattress settingâwhichever happens first. Some crib manufacturers also list a maximum baby weight. If youâre in doubt about when to switch to a toddler bed, ask your babyâs healthcare provider for personalized advice.

How We Selected The Best Baby Bathtubs

We chose the best baby bathtubs by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and we studied the features of more than 30 products on the market. We considered design, features, price, ease of cleaning, material, and any height or weight limitations when deciding our picks. Our editors and writers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the parenting product industry and share everything we know about what families love year after year.

Food Definitely Makes The List Of Things Babies Need

Your new baby will need feeding, of course. Even if you plan to breastfeed, you should have a couple of bottles of ready to feed formula on hand.

I would not buy a bunch of bottles pre-baby or a bunch of formula unless you KNOW you dont want to breastfeed. However, breastfeeding can be hard and its good to have a tiny bit of back-up food ready for your 4 am meltdown.

There can be a ton of pressure and guilt around giving a new baby formula if you want to breastfeed, but thats ridiculous. When your baby is hungry, feed your baby. If the boobs arent WORKING, feed your baby formula.

So much less pressure on mom if you just have it in the house!

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Angel Line Windsor Glider And Ottoman

Why pick this one? This sleigh-style glider and ottoman set was voted as the very best. Itâs the classic style of glider that moves front to back. It offers generous room in the seat, as well as padded armrests, and storage pockets on the outside of the arms, which is something that Pampers Parents loved.

This reasonably priced glider is the least expensive on this list, and it’s also the favorite nursery glider among Pampers Parents.

The fabric is spot clean only, which might make this glider harder to keep clean in the long run. But you could always choose a color that wonât show stains as easily, such as dark gray or chocolate brown.

One important thing to note: The chair requires assembly.

Highlights: The frames of both the glider chair and ottoman are made from solid wood, which increases the stability.

Price*: about $129.99 on

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Newborn Baby Shopping List For First Time Moms + Printable Checklist

All products featured on Nursery Design Studio are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Today we are sharing our newborn baby shopping list for first time moms.

A question we get asked quite often by expectant moms is, “What does a newborn baby really need?” So for all those moms who are wondering what you should buy for your baby, we’ve got you covered.

If you are pregnant with your first baby, it is easy to get overwhelmed as you think about everything you need to do to get yourself and the house ready for the baby’s arrival. From doctors appointments to setting up the baby’s room, there’s much to do.

Here’s a blog post we wrote about 30 Things to do to get ready for baby’s arrival. And if you need a more structured plan to help you get organized and prepared for baby’s arrival, check out our 12 week organizing challenge before baby is before.

For this post though, we’ll focus on what newborn essentials are needed to care for the baby during the first few months of baby’s life.

So follow our newborn baby shopping list below to tick off everything you need and you’ll be prepared to take care of the newborn.

Also Check: What Kind Of Formula Do You Start A Newborn On

Several Breastmilk Storage Bottles And/or Bags

Even a breastfeeding mom will find this handy if the baby will be fed pumped breast milk. If youre gonna feed your baby the milk within a day or so, youll need at least several extra bottles to store the milk in the fridge. If youre saving it for later on, youll need freezer storage bags like these > >

Types Of Swaddle Blankets

Swaddling babies is a centuries old practice, but lucky for parents the modern-day version of swaddling blankets is a bit more sophisticated than strips of cloth tied together that babies of yesteryear had to put up with . These days, youll find the best swaddle blankets in a variety of styles, colors and fabrics to suit your babys needs. Take a look at the different types of swaddle blankets you can choose from:

Baby swaddle wrap. Typically square-shaped and fashion out of muslin or cotton, these require the old-fashioned, hospital-wrap method of bundling baby like a little burrito. No cheater snaps or closures.

Swaddle suit. For parents who prefer to take the guesswork out of swaddling, a swaddle suit, or swaddle pod, is the answer. The suits feature zippers, velcro or hook-and-loop closures to keep baby bundled up inside.

Also Check: How To Dream Feed A Newborn

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina is a parent herself, and used the Angelcare Baby Bath Support when her child was a newborn. It made bath time much easier thanks to its ergonomic design, and it was easy to clean.

Pack N Play With Insert

I coslept with my fourth and fifth babies, but I usually waited until six weeks to start. In the meantime, I used a pack n play with a removable infant bassinet.

The bassinet is key! You dont want to lower a sleeping newborn into a deep crib or pack n play that baby WILL wake up.

Having a pack n play is also great for traveling or for using in a different part of the house to keep the baby safe so you can get some other things done.

Also Check: Does My Newborn Have A Milk Allergy

Comfortable Place For Mom To Sit

Babies like to be held and rocked and snuggled a LOT when they are newborns. Moms get tired standing and holding babies, and need a comfortable place to relax and recline with a baby. A rocking chair, glider chair, sofa, couch, ottoman, supportive pillow under the back, whatever, help mom help baby. Something that rocks, sways, or glides is also very helpful in calming fussy babies.

Essential List Of Things To Buy Or Put On Your Registry

Although I could have sat down and written out a truly exhaustive list of every single thing you could ever need to have to care for a newborn, I dont think thats the most helpful thing I can do.

So I dug deep and narrowed down the list of absolute must have baby items to only the things that you will REGRET not getting if you dont purchase them beforehand.

These items are key as in, you will regret it if you forget them! Now that I think of it, perhaps I also need to write a post about the most forgotten baby items?! Ill put that on the list.

Okay.back to what all you need to get before your due date

I would personally put all of these on a baby registry so your friends and family can buy them for you. I find that most people LOVE getting practical things for new moms and if you have a lot of people buying for you, you need to put more items than you think on your registry.

In hindsight, I should have registered for more practical basics essential things like diapers and wipes instead of the cool gadgets that I didnt really end up using.

Its so practical to register for things that would cost you money when the baby comes, and people love getting things like this for you!

We didnt register for enough things and had to go back twice to add items because people started getting us multiples of stuff we already had because they had no clue what we wanted!

That makes no sense I know but it is honestly what happened when people ran out of things to buy.

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Which Items Are Actually Essential

Its not easy to know which baby items are truly essential and which ones you can ignore. Your baby doesnt need brand-name clothing, but what about a hooded towel or a humidifier? Its not always clear whats absolutely necessary and whats just nice to have.

The truth is that some newborn baby essentials arent exactly essential. Humans have survived for thousands of years without things like breast pumps and pacifiers, so we dont need them in order to take care of our babies.

However, we dont live in the Stone Age anymore, and life in the 21st century requires a few extra items. Diapers, for instance, are impossible to go without. The same is true of bathing products and cleansers.

If youre looking to save money on baby essentials or just prefer a minimalist approach, here is a list of what you will definitely need to care for your baby:

• Cleansers to bathe your baby with

These are, to quote Baloo, the bare necessities of life. But there are a number of other baby essentials that will make caring for your child easier. And making life easier for you and your partner should be a high priority!

So lets get started with the ultimate first year shopping list.

What Does A Baby Need

The amount of products available for the tiniest of humans is massive. Trying to decide on what you really need before your baby comes home can be overwhelming, as you dont want to miss out on any vital need when baby arrives.

Many baby items are quite frivolous and serve no purpose. A pee guard for little boys? Youll never use it. Youll use the diaper as a shield instead. A wipes warmer? Another unneeded baby supply. So what do you need for baby? Check out the following suggestions to have the basics in place before your little one comes home.

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Delta Children Emerson Upholstered Glider Swivel Rocker Chair

Why pick this one? This plush glider has what the manufacturer calls a whisper-quiet gliding motion as well as a soothing swiveling action.

The armrests are padded for the ultimate in comfort. A matching tufted gliding ottoman is available to buy separately if youâd like the additional comfort of putting your feet up.

Those who like a traditional look will appreciate this gliderâs wingback-chair styling with tufted upholstery and contrasting welt trim. It wouldnât look out of place in your living room, if you decide to move the glider out of the nursery in a few years. It comes in gray or beige, so the colors are neutral enough to work with most décors.

This gliding chair requires assembly.

Highlights: The seat cushions are removable for easy cleaning.

Price*: about $399.99 on

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

When Youre Preparing For The Arrival Of A New Baby Try Not To Think Too Far Ahead Because Thats When Youll Get Overwhelmed Just Focus On Those First Few Newborn Weeks And Your List Of Things To Get Will Be So Much Smaller

For example, do newborns need toys? Nope. They spend most of their time eating and sleeping. Do they need cute little outfits and tiny little shoes? Although precious, they really dont need them. They need comfortable outfits that make diaper changes easy and socks to keep their feet warm. Get the gist?

I will be the first to admit that I got sucked into the tornado of thinking I needed all the cute baby things right away. To be honest, I have beautiful baby blankets that never even got used and cute little outfits that were never worn. It was such waste of money on things that were not really needed.

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Mistakes In Mixing Formula Or Breastfeeding

Making a mistake measuring formula and water happens often enough in her practice, said Altmann, that she makes it a practice to quiz parents on how they prepare babys meals. She asks the same of breastfeeding moms, too.

Usually, its too dilute, said Altmann. Then the baby isnt getting enough nutrition and thats when they fail to thrive. You always want to be sure youre reading and following the directions on the formula properly.

And some moms may not have the baby fully latched onto the breast, so while the baby looks like its nursing, he or she isnt actually swallowing and feeding, said Altmann.

Its a good idea for breastfeeding moms to check in with a lactation consultant if they have any concerns or pain during feedings, said Altmann. Then check in with your pediatrician regularly to make sure your baby is gaining weight appropriately.

Everyone Will Tell You: Stock Up On Childrens Books

No one will tell you: Go for board books.

You may think storytime is all about reading, but for baby, its really about grabbing at the pagesand regular childrens books get easily ripped. Sturdy board books, however, are pretty much baby-proof. Not only can they stand up to your little ones wandering fingers, many of them include textured elements that encourage tactile exploration.

Try this one:Open the Barn Door, $3,

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Newborn Baby Essentials: What You Need For Babys First Year

When you become a parent, the most important thing to remember is that theres no perfect product or solution for whatever youre facing. All experiences are unique, and we are all doing our best. Its always a good idea to consult friends who have been through it, but what worked for them might not work for you. There are so many baby items to choose from and you dont need that much, but there are some items that are really nice to have. I always loved hearing about other moms experiences, so Id like to share what worked for me.

Essential Items A Baby Actually Needs

Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about womens health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles.

Baby needsthere are so many things, but what do you really need? Do you need a bassinet? Do you need a diaper pail? Two? When you are about ready to have a baby, everyone has advice for things you have to have. As a mother of eight, here is my list of important baby items for new babies.

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Best Lightweight: Tillyou Wearable Blanket

During warmer temperatures, consider this breathable sleep sack set made from delicate cotton. Its lightweight fabric ensures your baby stays cool and comfortable while snoozing in summertime heat, plus its great for travel naps when the temperature isnt always easy to control. The set includes two wearable blankets, letting you keep one at home and the other in a diaper bag for on-the-go use. Choose from sizes ranging from small to X-large and a variety of colors and patterns. Thousands of parents give it a perfect rating because of its two-way zipper and affordable price.

To buy: $20

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A Place For Them To Sleep

You dont need a $5,000 crib and changing table. All you need is a pack n play. You can use a pack n play from the time they are born until theyre ready for a big bed. You can even get a pack n play with a changing attachment if youd like. But honestly, chances are that youll just wind up changing your baby on the couch, floor, bed, or any other moderately flat surface you can use especially as they get older.

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