A what to buy for baby checklist will keep you from overspending on your baby gear. The new baby checklist is like a shopping list for everything baby needs. During your pregnancy and even before baby’s homecoming, you could put together a baby shower wish list.
You can download the What to Buy for Baby Checklist here, and use it as a baby products checklist for people that ask what baby needs. This makes buying for baby much easier for everyone. Get the checklist on your own computer to use anytime, or print it for easy reference. Email it to friends and family.
How to use the What to Buy for Baby Checklist
- Check off baby items received as baby gifts
- Check off baby items received from baby showers
- Check off baby items received as ‘hand me downs’
- purchase the rest as you need.
Here is the Online
What to Buy for Baby Checklist
| Need | Nice | *Feeding* (decide breast feeding and/or bottle feeding) |
| If you’re planning to breast-feed: | ||
| [ ] | NursingBras. 3 to 5 should be enough. Size changes, so start with one that fits, then about two weeks later the size has settled down, buy the rest. Buy a sleep/loungewear bra for the early days of nursing. You’ll probably wear your nursing bra and pads round the clock to control leakage. | |
| [ ] | A box of washable or disposable breast pads | |
| [ ] | Breast pump if you expect to use one (manual or electric); go with a double electric breast pump if you’ll be returning to work | |
| [ ] | To supplement breast-feeding with an occasional bottle, one or two bottles may be all you need. Six 4 to 8 ounce bottles is a good start. | |
| [ ] | Nursing pillow | |
| [ ] | Milk storage bags | |
| [ ] | Nipple crème | |
| If you’re planning to bottle-feed: | ||
| [ ] | Bottles (ten to twelve 4 to 8 ounce, plus nipples and rings)(baby will use around ten 4 ounce size a day) | |
| [ ] | Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths | |
| [ ] | Formula (consider individual packs for ‘just in case’ if breast feeding) | |
| [ ] | Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one) | |
| [ ] | Bottle-drying tree (or dishwasher) | |
| [ ] | Bottle cleaning brush | |
| [ ] | High chair | |
| [ ] | Bottle warmer (mostly to save night-time kitchen trips) | |
| [ ] | Bottle sterilizer (dishwasher is generally good enough after boiling new bottles) | |
| *Diapers* (decide on Disposable, Cloth, or All in One) | ||
| Disposable Diapers: | ||
| [ ] | Disposable Diapers (One 40-count package of newborn if under 8 pounds or size-1 if over 8 pounds, then buy in volume after you find the brand you like best. Estimate 10 changes a day to start. If using cloth diapers get some disposables for emergencies. | |
| Cloth Diapers: | ||
| [ ] | Cloth Diapers(no folds, prefolds, or fitted – 2 or 3 dozen to start) | |
| [ ] | Waterproof Diaper Covers (6 to 10) | |
| All in One Diapers: | ||
| [ ] | All in One Diapers (12 to 16 to start) (these are the latest in diaper systems, built in fasteners, replaceable diaper inserts, eco friendly) | |
| Either way: | ||
| [ ] | Diaper pail (with refills or bags as needed, outdoor covered container good for disposables) | |
| [ ] | Mild laundry detergent | |
| Nursery | ||
| [ ] | *Crib, cradle, or bassinet* (a basket can be moved to any room to keep baby nearby, and one grandma suggests even a large box will do in the beginning) | |
| [ ] | *Crib mattressfitted to crib* | |
| [ ] | *Two to three fitted crib sheets* | |
| [ ] | *Four to six receiving blankets for swaddling baby* | |
| [ ] | Two or three water resistant and washable mattress pads | |
| [ ] | Baby monitor | |
| [ ] | Changing table with sides (really only need a pad or towel on the bed/table/floor…) | |
| [ ] | Music box | |
| [ ] | Crib mobile | |
| [ ] | Night light | |
| [ ] | Toy basket | |
| [ ] | Bouncy chair or swing | |
| [ ] | Heavier blankets as required | |
| Travel | ||
| [ ] | *Infant or convertible car seat*(be wary of second hand – inspect carefully – must not have been in accident, get the best one you can afford) | |
| [ ] | *Diaper bag*(best advice is to ‘think small’ with many pockets, your hands will be busy with baby, big bags get full and heavy) | |
| [ ] | Stroller (infant compatible, maybe convertible for toddler later) | |
| [ ] | Baby carry sling or pack (might be more convenient with newborn) | |
| Baby Clothes | ||
| [ ] | *Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch*. | |
| [ ] | *Four sleep sacks or one-piece sleepers with attached feet*(recommend zip in front) | |
| [ ] | *A small baby cap* (although the hospital will probably give you one) | |
| [ ] | *Six pairs of socks/booties* | |
| [ ] | *Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits.* Get only a few items in newborn size. Follow up with 3 or 6 month size. Baby grows quickly. Note that Baby sleepwear that is too big is a safety hazard. | |
| [ ] | Six side-snap T-shirts | |
| [ ] | Cotton sweater or light jacket | |
| [ ] | Mittens to prevent scratching (well, some experts say not as baby won’t learn touch) | |
| [ ] | Mild laundry detergent (infant safe for tender baby skin) | |
| Baby in Summer: | ||
| [ ] | Brimmed hat | |
| [ ] | Swimsuit in summer | |
| Baby in Winter: | ||
| [ ] | Fleece suit or heavy bunting | |
| [ ] | Heavy stroller blanket | |
| [ ] | Warm knit toque | |
| Grooming | ||
| [ ] | *Baby Hairbrush* | |
| [ ] | *Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers* | |
| [ ] | Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment | |
| [ ] | Soft comb | |
| Bathing | ||
| [ ] | *Baby Soap* | |
| [ ] | *Baby Shampoo* | |
| [ ] | *Two packs of baby washcloths* (different pattern or color than diaper cloths) | |
| [ ] | Plastic infant bathtub (sponge bath only for first couple of weeks, a sink or laundry tub lined with large towel will do later) | |
| [ ] | Three soft hooded towels | |
| [ ] | Unscented baby body wash that doubles as shampoo | |
| Medicine Kit | ||
| [ ] | *Cotton pads/swabs* (no swabs in nose or ears) | |
| [ ] | *Nasal aspirator bulb syringe* | |
| [ ] | *Baby thermometer* | |
| [ ] | *Petroleum jelly* | |
| [ ] | *Disinfecting hand soap* (for you after handling diapers) | |
| [ ] | *Medicine dropper or measuring spoon* | |
| [ ] | *Rubbing alcohol* (for newborn umbilical cord) | |
| [ ] | Antibiotic cream | |
| [ ] | Saline nasal drops | |
| [ ] | A pain-and-fever reducer recommended baby’s doctor, such as Infants’ Tylenol (NO aspirin, NO cold medicines, always consult the doctor with newborns) | |
| Happy Baby | ||
| [ ] | Pacifiers (newborn size to start) | |
| [ ] | Baby Book (keep a record of baby’s progress and firsts) | |
| [ ] | Small digital camera | |
| [ ] | Baby swing or bouncer (make sure properly sized for baby) | |
| For Mom | ||
| [ ] | Ultra absorbent sanitary pads (2-3 week supply) | |
| [ ] | Panty liners | |
| [ ] | Ice packs (for tearing or swelling during and after birth) | |
| [ ] | Hemorrhoid wipes and cream (may unfortunately be necessary after labor) |
Notes about What to Buy for Baby Checklist
Notice particularly that you won’t need many newborn clothes. Baby will grow quickly, so baby clothes will not fit for long. For the layette and nursery, things like cribs, high chairs, strollers, and playtime toys aren’t needed until baby gets a little older. Bedding and clothing can be minimal, just focus on baby’s feeding and health.
Stick to buying the important things like car seats, diaper bags, cribs and strollers yourself, so that you are satisfied with Baby Safety. The What to Buy for Baby Checklist will help before and after you buy baby gear you need or don’t need.
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