Baby Items Checklist: What You Actually Need for Baby’s First Homecoming

When I was pregnant, and for eight months after Baby Bean was born, we lived in a 900 square-foot, two bedroom, one bathroom apartment.  We were also living on a budget.  As a result, we were forced to reconcile what we actually needed for Bean’s imminent arrival with what we were told was a necessity for the modern baby’s first homecoming.  Wipe warmer anyone?  The below list, and attached printable (which includes a bonus postpartum recovery section), are the result.  These are my recommendations for items to have set up and ready to go before you bring home that precious little wee one. Everything else you can get later on when you figure out what your family really needs (because not all families have the same needs!)

Transportation

• Car seat
• Seat protector:  A handy-dandy pad to put under baby’s car seat.
• Stroller
• Parent console for stroller:  You’ll need a place to put your water/keys/wallet, etc.
• Baby carrier:  For at least the first three months you’ll need either an infant insert OR a soft-wrap carrier, depending on the size of your baby.
• Fully stocked diaper bag:  Get it set up folks!  This includes diapers, wipes, burp clothes, change of clothes and hand sanitizer.
• Blanket:  (2-3) I realize this may seem to be a weird place for this item, however, I found baby blankets most useful for tucking in baby on a cool day when out for a walk or strolling through an over-air conditioned store.  Really popular gift item, so hold off on buying for yourself.

Eating

Please note that I breastfed, so my list leans that way.  Please add suggestions in the comments section if you formula feed/fed.

• Bottles:  4-5 varying sizes if planning to mainly breastfeed, 8-10 if you intend to formula feed.  You can always add more later if you feel you need to.
• Nursing bras (4-5):  Soft cup and sleep bras are best at first due to likely soreness.
• Nursing tanks (4-5)
• Nursing/Feeding pillow:  Also great as a resting place for little baby when you aren’t using it to nurse or bottle feed.
• Breast pump:  Check with your insurance, you may get a free one!
• Bottle brush
• Bottle drying rack
• Breast milk freezer bags:  Generic brands work great.  Yay! Money savings!
• Nursing pads:  Again, generic is perfectly fine, however, I have found that name brands are a bit cushier.
• Lanolin nipple cream:  Stock up ladies!
• Nipple gel-pads:  Heavenly.  Refrigerate before applying!
• Burp cloths:  You can never have enough.
• Formula: Even if you intend to breastfeed its good to just have it on hand.  You can always donate it later.

Sleep

• Bassinet:  Feel free to save the giant, expensive crib for later on.
• Bassinet sheets (2):  We used king-sized pillow cases on our pack n’ play bassinet, worked like a charm!
• Swaddles (4-7):  Both the unstructured muslin blankets and more structured work great, just know with the latter you’ll have to buy varying sizes as baby grows.
• Pacifiers:  I know, I know, nipple confusion, blah, blah, blah.  Have them on hand, if you don’t use them, whatever.  If, however, you do find you need a way to soothe your screaming baby at 4:30 a.m. after he’s eaten and your nipples are falling off, you’ll be happy you spent the $2.50.
• Humidifier:  White noise + cooling mist = no brainer.
• Rocking chair:  Is this nice to have?  Yes.  Do you need it?  No.  If you have the room and the budget go for it, but please don’t feel like you must have this item before baby comes home.  I promise, you don’t. (I didn’t).
• Baby monitor:  Nice to have, not a requirement right now.  Even in a large house you just are never going to be that far from little baby.  And if you are, trust me, you’ll hear the kid.  If you don’t, the neighbors will.

Diaper Changes:

Please note, I use disposable diapers.  Please comment below with suggestions if you use/used cloth.

• Diapers:  Range of sizes from NB-2.  Either baby will grow into them and you’ll be glad you had a pack, or if your baby skips a size there are organizations that collect diapers for those many families who struggle to afford diapers.  Check out this CMB post for more information.
• Wipes:  Great item to buy in bulk since it keeps forever (if you have the space).
• Diaper cream:  Lots of great brands, however, if you want something that will do double duty just go ahead and buy some Vaseline or Aquaphor.
• Changing stations:  Depending on how your home is laid out you may want to set up changing stations in various places, not just in baby’s room.  I suggest placing baskets in various rooms of your house (we did the baby’s room, our room, and the living room) and filling them with all the necessities for a diaper change, as well as a change of clothes, burp clothes, and a travel changing pad.  Replenish as necessary.
• Diaper bin:  To this day I still never use one.  We place the diaper in our *GASP* trash can.

Clothing

This is an extremely popular gift, so I hesitate even suggesting you buy these yourself.  However, it’s good to know how many you need to have on hand.

• Onesies:  (10-20) Sizes NB, 3-6 mos., and 6-9 mos. properly organized so you can quickly sort through as baby grows.
• Pants:  (5-10) Sizes NB, 3-6 mos, and 6-9 mos.
• Footed sleepers:  (5-7)  Snaps are best at first, as they allow easy access to the diaper region without fully undressing baby.  Zip-ups are great for squirmy babies later on.
• Sleep dresses:  (2-3) Amazing little morsels of newborn goodness.  Especially nice in those first few weeks when baby is up every few hours of the night and requires a diaper change.
• Socks
• Beanies (Hats)
• Baby Mittens:  Most underrated baby item.

Laundry

• Stain remover spray:  Baby poop is bright yellow and stains like you wouldn’t believe.  Very important item.
• Baby laundry detergent:  Plenty on the supermarket shelves or make your own.  Here’s the recipe I use:
  • 2 parts Borax
  • 2 parts Washing Soda
  • 1 part grated soap (such as Ivory or Fels Naptha)
  • Use 1-2 Tbsp. per load with a dash of vinegar for softener

Bathtime

• Infant tub:  Lots of great compact styles that fit in the kitchen sink and tuck away nicely when not in use.
• Baby wash
• Baby towel:  Terry-cloth swaddle style is the best.
• Baby lotion:  Or just use a bit of Vaseline.

“Playtime”

Yeah, babies this young don’t really play.  Therefore, you just don’t need much.  Save your space, and your money, and hold off on the fun toys until baby can actually appreciate them.

• Play mat:  Simple is best!  Fear the overstimulated infant!!!
• Bouncy chair OR Baby Swing:  I strongly believe that you don’t need both, especially if you live in a small space, or are on a budget.

Medicine Cabinet

Please follow the instructions on the container as well as your doctor’s instructions in regards to administering medications and supplements to your infant.

• Gripe water
• Gas drops
• Baby Tylenol
• Vitamin D
• Baby nail file:  Filing is much easier than clipping teeny-tiny baby nails.
• Suction bulb
• Hand sanitizer (and lots of soap!)
• Thermometer:  Temporal thermometers are great for doing a quick check, but I always follow up a high read with a rectal temp.

Other Items of Importance

• Freezer meals:  Especially useful around eight weeks when the helpers have most likely gone home and life is morphing into your new normal.  I did not stock my freezer and would have to start making dinner around 3:00 p.m. so my husband and I could sit down to our meal at around 8:00 p.m.  No joke.
• Netflix subscription:  Or other streaming subscription of your choice.  It’s nice to have something reliable to watch on TV during those long nursing/feeding sessions, or when baby is happily snoozing in your arms.
• Cleaning service:  Nobody has the energy to clean a toilet when caring for a six-week old.  So set some money aside now to pay a cleaning service to come in at least once during the first three months.
• TP/paper towels/soap/dishwasher detergent, etc.:  Yes, husband or mom or whoever can run out to get this stuff but its just easier if you are stocked up when you get back from the hospital.  Your husband and any other helpers will also be tired and no one wants to go to CVS at 1 a.m. to buy toilet paper.
• Champagne!!!  Pop the cork and drink a cheers to you, your partner, your baby, and your new life together.

Below is the printable version of this list, which includes a bonus postpartum recovery section.  As an extra bonus, here is the recipe I used for recovery pad-sicles.:  Open very, very large maxi-pad, do not discard wrapper.  Spread evenly with aloe-vera, pour on a small amount of witch hazel, and a few drops of lavender essential oil.  Re-fold, wrap and place in freezer bag.  Freeze pads until ready to use.

Printable Baby Items Checklist!!