I have fond memories of my first pregnancy- for the most part.
I do not miss the morning sickness and how bloated I felt fow weeks on end.
That said, I remember just winging it over those 9 months.
I had no idea what I was doing.
While everything worked out great in the end, it took quite a bit of trial and error to get there.
One of the things that had me stumped was knowing what newborn essentials to get before my son came.
Despite having done a lot of research, I spent most of the last couple of weeks leading up to my due date wondering whether I had managed to get all the newborn must-haves I needed.
These tiny humans need so much stuff, you know?
In this post, I’ll try to make things a little easier for you by giving you a list of the most essential things your newborn needs.
As you make your newborn baby shopping list, there are some of the things you absolutely must buy.
This list will feature all the most important things you’re going to need for your newborn in the first two weeks.
- Diapers
You might think that since you are expecting a newborn, newborn size diapers are what you need to stock up on.
Well, that’s not the case. Buy only a pack or two of newborn size diapers.
Then buy size one diapers in bulk.
Babies grow super fast.
Your little one will grow into the size one diapers in no time at all.
Whenever possible, get a brand that comes with a liquid-sensitive line on the outside that changes color so you’ll always know when the diaper is wet.
This way, you won’t have to check manually every time and your baby won’t get to stay wet for too long.
- Baby wipes
I like all-natural and organic baby wipes because they come with very few ingredients. A lot of them are even up to 99% water.
The lack of chemical additives makes them perfect for newborns with sensitive skin.
- Swaddling blankets
The next thing you have to stock up on are swaddling blankets.
They are wonderfully versatile things that will not only help you swaddle your little one, but can also be used for a number of other things like tummy time, as playmats, and as stroller blankets.
Get one that is made from lightweight, breathable fabric.
- Baby washcloths
When buying something like washcloths, go for bulk purchases.
I got a dozen extra soft 100% cotton washcloths for my baby for way cheaper than I would have had to pay if I had bought each one separately.
- Bassinet
Your baby needs to sleep in the same room as you for at least the first six months of their lives.
This doesn’t mean cosleeping, though.
According to the AAP, cosleeping increases the risk of SIDS in babies.
You want to invest in a comfortable sleeping area for them that’ll also always be within arms reach of your bed. A portable bassinet is perfect for this.
- Unisex newborn baby clothes
Whether you know your baby’s gender or not, it’s always smarter to get unisex newborn baby clothes for the first two weeks.
Since your baby will outgrow their first clothes in no time, they’ll still be practically new by the time they don’t need them anymore.
Unisex newborn baby clothes will give you more hand-me-down value if you are planning to have more than one child, or make the clothes useful for other parents who have babies of either sex if you choose to give them away.
Here is an essentials list of unisex newborn baby clothes to invest in, and the minimum number of each that you’ll need:
- Onesies: Min. long-sleeved x3, short-sleeved x3
- Rompers: Min. x3
- Kimono tops: Min. x4
- Baby leggings: Min. x4
- Footwear: Min. socks x 6, booties x2
- Outerwear: Min. x2 jacket/coats
- Hats: x2
- Footed pajamas: Min. x6
- Bibs and burp cloths: Min. x4 bibs, x6 burp clothes
Note: These numbers assume you’ll be doing your laundry at least every other day.
Double them if you want to have weekly laundry days.
- Nursing pillows
Buy one or two nursing pillows. They’ll make nursing your little one way more comfortable for you.
Get one with a removable cover for easy washing
- Car seat
You’ll need to use a car seat every time you’ll be moving around with your little one in the car.
Make sure that the car seat you buy is suitable for newborns.
And once you buy it, always read the manual to find out how to properly install it in your car.
- Stroller
There are different types of strollers designed to suit different needs and lifestyles. I opted for a 3-in-1 strollerfor my son.
It ended up being the only stroller I needed.
I love how it grew with him and I was able to get years of use out of it.
- Changing table and changing pad
You should always change your baby on a flat, comfortable surface.
Getting a changing table and changing pad will also ensure that you always have a clean, germ free environment that you trust for changing your little one
- Diaper bag
A diaper bag is absolutely essential when you want to get out of the house with your baby.
You want to get as much storage space as you can without compromising on the look of the bag.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. With this newborn baby shopping list, you should be all set to welcome your little one into the world.
In my experience, I’ve learnt that no one is ever fully prepared for parenthood.
This is especially true for the first pregnancy and birth.
So if you feel underprepared or scared, you are not alone.
Parenthood is one of those things that everyone has to figure out on their own while on the job. And that’s the beauty of it.
I hope this list of newborn must haveswill help get you a few steps closer to your goal. You’ve got this!