The arrival of a new baby is an exciting, life-changing experience. We at Baby Boo understand how daunting the experience can be however we have made a few suggestions as you read, please click on the links to make your life easier as new parents.

The road ahead is sure to be one with many twists and turns, and to get ready for the unexpected, it pays to be prepared with the things you’ll need as you usher your new, tiny little human into life in this world.

But what do you really need?

Is it necessary to buy everything in the ‘baby things’ aisle, or are there some items you can forego?

For new parents, there are a few baby essentials that are going to be critical to providing proper care for your bundle of joy. In this new-born checklist, we’re breaking down the basics for you all in one place.

Tick all of these on your shopping list, and you’ll be sufficiently prepared to parent like a pro!

This checklist includes all the baby bare necessities in the following categories:

Clothing Essentials

Baby’s first year is going to call for clothing that suits the seasons. This means t-shirts, onesies, pyjamas, and more.

It’ll be a good idea to shop for articles of clothing that are deemed 0-1 years or infant in size. While you can count on your baby growing significantly in the first twelve months, you shouldn’t have to worry about him or her outgrowing their first outfits until at least six months have passed.

Look for clothing that is all-cotton or as close to it as possible. Polyester blends can be easier on the pocketbook (and even better-fitting), but they can also irritate baby’s skin in some cases.

To make sure you’re ready to keep your new-born snug, cosy, and comfortable, shop for:

4-6 infant t-shirts
6-8 short-sleeved onesies
4-6 long-sleeved onesies
4-8 pajama sets
6-8 pairs of socks
2 pairs soft booties (optional before baby walks)
4-6 pairs stretch cotton pants
2-4 cotton sweaters or hoodies
2 knit caps
A sunhat
2-3 pairs no-scratch mittens
4-5 seasonally appropriate outfits for going out and about
Infant snowsuit and/or bunting (if you plan to go out in the cold)
Mild soap for laundry

Nursery Essentials

Modern nurseries are a far cry from what our parents and grandparents used to raise us.

Even with developments in technology that can help new parents, some ‘tried and true’ basics are needed for a safe, welcoming, and nurturing baby nursery.

At the very least, you’ll need:

A place for baby to sleep
Storage for baby’s clothes and other items
A place to change Nappies

If you’re pressed for space, you can probably nix the niceties like a white noise machine or humidifier. However, they can go a long way in making baby more comfortable.

To outfit your new nursery, you’ll want to shop for:

Cot and mattress or bassinet
A baby mobile
Glider/rocking chair and footrest
Dresser
Hamper (ideally with a removable, washable liner)
Changing table
Humidifier or vaporizer (optional)
White noise machine and/or music player (optional)
Baby monitor (keep an eye on your baby with Bluebell Smart Baby Monitor)
Nappy Essentials
new-born checklist for baby stuff

It’s impossible to adequately prepare for the arrival of a new baby without considering how you’ll manage Nappies.

Some choices include reusable cloth Nappies, disposable Nappies, or a combination of the two. Cloth Nappies can be a fantastic money-saver, but they require the extra effort of additional cleaning and laundering, which might not be worth the dollars you save.

Let’s not forget about hybrid Nappies (yes, this is a thing)! Some modern Nappies are reusable, flushable, and compostable.

Remember, too, that baby wipes also come in a wide variety of options. You’ll need to choose between pre-moistened or dry, disposable, or reusable cloth, and bulk or grab-and-go. Ideally, a balanced mix of all of these is best, as situations will call for all of them at some point.

Keeping baby clean is an around-the-clock effort. So, however many Nappies or wipes you think you’ll go through, add 25% to it.

To cover all your bases, be sure to get:

2 or more changing table pads
2-4 changing pad covers
2-4 simple grasping toys (for distraction during changes)
Dirty Nappies pail like these from Munchkin
Nappies rash ointment
Wipes or cotton cloths
Small thermos to hold warm water (for cleaning babies younger than 6 weeks)
Plastic wipes holder
Nappies bag (make sure this is washable)
2-4 packages of new-born or ‘size 1’ Nappies
12-18 cloth Nappies covers (if using cloth or disposable inserts)
24-48 (or more) presold cloth Nappies and cover

Feeding Essentials

No new-born baby needs checklist would be complete with a rundown of the feeding essentials.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to feeding. And it’s a good idea to consult with your Health visitor or GP to determine a plan for optimal nutrition.

One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make centres around using formula vs breastfeeding. If you do choose formula, you’ll want to be 100% comfortable with the ingredients that are included in most pre-packaged brands.

If you’ll be opting for extended breastfeeding, it will help to have a strategy in place for managing your baby’s transition to a bottle. For many new mothers, breastfeeding will continue into the toddler stage, which will require an ample supply of nursing bras and tank tops!

As you make your way down your baby needs list, don’t forget these feeding items:

Nursing pillow
6-8 burp cloths
2-6 bottles equipped with new-born nipples
Formula
Bottle brush
Insulated bottle holder for Nappies bag
2-4 Nursing bras and/or tank tops
Nursing pads for bras
Lanolin nipple cream
Breast pump
Milk storage bags or bottles
4-6 bibs
Highchair

Bathing and Wellness Essentials

In days of old, it was common for babies to be washed in portable basins or even buckets.

Due to their small size and comparatively small skin surface area, babies don’t need a significant time investment to properly bathe. And it often won’t require drawing a full bath in the bathtub or committing to an hour-long activity to keep your baby clean and comfortable.

Specially designed infant tubs and hammocks can make bath time much easier for both of you. And many can be found at a bargain at thrift stores or yard sales (just be sure to sanitize them!).

Baby items needed for bathing include:

2-3 hooded towels (optional)
2 packs of washcloths
Cotton swabs
Baby shampoo
Baby body wash
Infant bathing tub
Baby nail clippers
Soft brush
Digital thermometer
Bulb nasal aspirator or Nose Frida
4-6 pacifiers (if applicable)
Toys for the bathtub from Munchkin will make bath time fun!
Linens and Sleep Essential.

Nothing soothes the soul like a soundly sleeping baby.

To create a comfortable, warm, and snuggly place for baby to snooze, you’ll want to include plenty of padding, soft cloth, and at least one waterproof liner. Blankets should range in weight and thickness to suit the indoor temperature, and there should never be so much bedding that it could disrupt baby’s regular breathing.

As you shop for all the new-born stuff you’ll need, be sure to read the safety disclaimers that are printed on sleep products made especially for new-borns.

Be sure to include these sleep-related items on your new-born baby checklist:

4 receiving blankets
2-4 cotton blankets
2 swaddles (optional)
1-2 wearable blankets (sleep sacks)
Cradle, bassinet, or co-sleeper with cotton sheets
2 Cot mattress pads
2 waterproof liners (one for the bassinet or co-sleeper and one for the Cot)
Baby monitor (Bluebell Smart Baby Monitor)

Baby Travel Essentials

In the days and weeks after first bringing your baby home, you’ll have more and more opportunities to get out and start exploring the world with your new-born.

No matter where you go or what you do with your baby, you’ll need to be equipped with everything you might need for ‘baby duties’ while out-and-about. After all, everything your baby needs at home, he or she will also need on-the-go!

Convenient, compact new-born baby items are often manufactured for the expressed purpose of being portable. Take advantage of all these handy, time-saving products designed for easy, intuitive use any time your baby is away from home.

Be sure your list of new-born needs is complete with the following ‘on-the-go’ items:

Rear-facing infant car seat with head support padding
Pram
Sun shields for car windows
Mirror to see baby from the front seat
Pack N’ Play portable bed
Travel bag
Wet bag (if using cloth Nappies)
Sling, soft front carrier, or wrap.

Play Essentials

As your little one starts interacting with the world, they’re going to express interest in everything in their environment that means EVERYTHING!

Every manner of stimulation is going to be a new discovery. This goes for sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Baby’s playtime is made more fulfilling and enjoyable when colourful, high-contrast, and tactile objects are abundant. This is an important time in the beginning of your child’s cognitive development. To help your baby get the most out of playtime,

be sure to add these items to your list of things you need for a new baby:

Bouncy seat
Baby books
Smartphone with camera
Baby music CDs or MP3s
Playmat with attached toys
Squishy baby ball or Oball
Bright, high-contrast (black, white, red, green) art prints, mobile, and books

Rounding Out Your Baby Items List

As you make progress through your essential baby items list, it can be easy to forget that you will need some things, too!

Remember not to neglect yourself. You’re going to be more available to meet the needs of your baby when you have what you need to stay comfortable, collected, and attentive.

So, go ahead and splurge on an ultra-comfy pair of shoes or a well-made, spacious handbag. Don’t cut corners when shopping for basic needs for yourself!