Ultimate Baby Essentials Checklist for New Parents
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Being an expectant parent is incredibly excitingโyouโre absorbing all the baby information you can from friends, family, and blog posts and anxiously awaiting your little oneโs arrival. But, as you prepare for all the coos and cuddles, it can sometimes feel like youโre driving with warring GPS systems. Some sources tell you one thingโโYou canโt live without this crib!โ or โYour baby absolutely needs this toy!โโwhile others point you in the opposite direction.
Thatโs why weโre here to help.
Find everything your baby actually needs, from the nursery to the bathroom and beyond, in this comprehensive newborn baby essentials checklist.
Table of contents
When it comes to your babyโs nursery, the must-have of all must-haves is a safe and sleep-supportive crib. Babies sleep for a majority of the dayโat least 14-17 hoursโso itโs important that their sleeping arrangements are satisfactory.
Of course, a crib isnโt the only must-have for your babyโs nursery. Other newborn baby essentials include:
Crib mattress, with a mattress pad and fitted sheet
Baby monitor
Sound machine to help lull your baby to sleep and keep them asleep
Changing table and changing pad
Nightlight for late-night feedings (many sound machines also double as nightlights!)
Storage containers or baskets for diapers, toys, baby clothes, and more
Sensory toys
Floor mat for tummy time
As parents ourselves, we understand the desire to splurge on elaborate mobiles and adorable stuffed animals for your babyโs nursery. However, itโs important to note that there are some items that donโt belong in your babyโs nursery until they get older.
In particular, there are many guidelines regarding baby cribs that parents are strongly urged to follow to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. The cause of SIDS still isnโt fully understood, but experts believe that extraneous items in a babyโs crib may play a role. To keep your baby safe and comfortable while they sleep, itโs recommended to avoid the following items until they are between 12-18 months old:
Pillows and blankets โ These items provide warmth and comfort, but may increase your babyโs risk of overheating or entanglement. Until theyโre old enough to sleep with pillows, navigate how to keep your baby warm at night by putting them in extra clothing or a warm sleep bag. Discover more on what a baby should wear under a sleep sack.
Toys and stuffed animals โ Soft toys and stuffed animals are a joy to gift your little one, just be sure to keep them out of your babyโs crib while they sleep. Instead, try giving them a pacifier at night.
Inclined sleepers and baby bumpers โ The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the need for babies to sleep on their backs on a flat, non-inclined surface. Their recommendation โBack is Bestโ urges parents to make sure their babies sleep on their backs, and recommends cribs should have a flat mattress and, a fitted crib sheet. Even baby bumpers can cause suffocation and entrapment โrisks that arenโt worth any supposed benefits.
Though many of the above items will be safe for your baby as they get older, itโs important to focus on getting the true newborn essentials your baby can safely enjoy.
When the baby isnโt sleeping, itโs probably feeding time! Most newborns need to eat every two to three hours, which adds up to about eight to twelve feedings a day.
Whether youโre choosing to breastfeed or bottle feed, youโll want to be prepared for your hungry little one. Depending on which method you choose, the must-have items youโll need for feeding include:
Breast pump
Baby bottles with nipples
Baby bottle warmer
Breastfeeding/nursing support pillows
Comfy chair (since youโll be sitting in it often!)
Burp cloth
Vitamin D supplements, with the consent of your babyโs doctor 5
While there exists some stigma around breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding, know that both formula and breastmilk are sure to raise a strong, healthy babyโyou should choose whichever option works best for you and your little one. 5
Thereโs something so soothing about the smell of a baby. As a new parent, you may wonder whatโs the best way to keep your baby smellingโand lookingโlike the fresh little peanut they are. The answer is regular baths.
To that end, letโs get into some baby bath basics.
Newborns should only receive sponge baths until after the umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed, typically within one or two weeks. After that, itโs recommended that babies are bathed only about three times a week to prevent dry skin.
Most parents choose to bathe their baby in either:
A plastic, baby bathtub or basin
A sink
Both are good options, though extra care is needed in the sink to prevent slipping or collisions with the sink taps. No matter which method you choose, you should always be sure to have one hand on your baby at all times while theyโre in the water.
To keep water and suds out of your babyโs eyes, cup your hand over their forehead so that the water runs off to the sides instead of into their face. You might also want a towel ready for a quick dry-off so your baby doesnโt get too cold.
Here are some other babyย bath time essentials youโll need to ensure a squeaky clean and happy baby: 6
Soft, cotton washcloths and towels
Baby-friendly soap/shampoo thatโs gentle on sensitive skin
Unscented, hypoallergenic lotion to prevent dry skin after bathing
The best part about bath time is that it isnโt just for keeping your baby squeaky cleanโit can also be a time of play for babies who enjoy the water and a great bonding experience between baby and caregiver.
Picking out baby clothes can be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your little oneโs arrival. Just looking at all the preciousย baby girl pajamasย orย baby boy pajamasย and teeny-tiny socks is enough to make your heart melt.ย
Butย newborn babyย clothing serves an important function, too. Babies canโt regulate their body temperature as well as adults can, so they need those extra layers to help keep them warm.ย
To that end, here are theย newbornย baby clothing essentialsย youโll definitely want to have on your checklist:
One-piece footies
Bodysuits
Two-piece sets
Swaddles
Sleep bags
Socks and booties
Beanies and hats
Since spills and stains are inevitable with babies, itโs also a good idea to have several of each item, with backup outfits close at hand. Discover additional tips on how to dress your baby for sleep to ensure a good nightโs rest.ย
For those winter babies, you may need to get some extra outer layers for car trips or doctorโs visits. Jackets, mittens, and thicker hats and socks will keep your baby safe from the chill.
You may also want to consider what types of materials your babyโs clothes are made from. Natural fibers like cotton and bamboo are best because theyโre:
Soft and gentle on the skin
Breathable
Absorbentย
Flexible
Itโs best to stay away from most synthetic fabrics, as well as coarse fibers, such as wool.7ย These materials are more likely to irritate your babyโs skin and cling to sweat and moisture.ย
Fortunately, Posh Peanut makesย baby clothesย from a stretchy and versatile material, using our signature viscose from bamboo material called Pรคpookยฎ. Pรคpook is inspired by the Armenian word for โsoft,โ but thatโs almost an understatement for how buttery and gentle this fabric is on sensitive skin. The award-winning fabric also stretches with your growing baby so that you can get more wear out of each item, and the light and breathable quality ensures warmth and comfort year-round.ย
At Posh Peanut, we care about function, comfort,ย andย style. Our clothing comes in a plethora of prints and colors for every baby to shine in, and we even have matching sets for adults, too.ย
With this guide stashed in your back pocket, youโll be able to get all the essentials on yourย newborn baby checklistย in no time.ย
And, for all your baby clothing needs, Posh Peanut has you covered. Made from our award-winning Pรคpookยฎ fabric, all of our one-pieces, swaddles, sleep bags, and more are stretchy, breathable, and as soft as your babyโs delicate skin.
Plus, weโre passionate about combining function and quality with style. Thatโs why we offer a wide selection of colors and prints, from florals and foods to animals, sports, and more. Browse our website today to start crossing all your must-have clothing items off yourย new baby checklist.
Always check with your pediatrician on issues concerning your baby. The information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Sources:ย
1. Nemours KidsHealth.ย Sleep and Your Newborn.ย https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleepnewborn.htmlย
2. Consumer Product Safety Commission.ย Crib Safety Tips.ย https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/cribs/crib-safety-tipsย
3. American Academy of Pediatrics.ย American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Safe Sleep Recommendations: Back is Best.ย https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-safe-sleep-recommendations-back-is-best/ย
4. Cleveland Clinic.ย Are Crib Bumpers Safe?ย https://health.clevelandclinic.org/crib-bumpers-safetyย
5. Mayo Clinic.ย Feeding your newborn: Tips for new parents.ย https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20047741ย
6. American Academy of Pediatrics.ย Bathing Your Baby.ย https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Bathing-Your-Newborn.aspxย
7. Parent Herald.ย The Best Fabric For Baby Clothing and What You Need to Avoid.ย https://www.parentherald.com/articles/103301/20200921/best-fabric-baby-clothing-what-need-avoid.htm