The Ultimate Baby Shopping List for First Time Moms
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Welcoming a new baby home is such an exciting time, but figuring out what your baby will need can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of baby products on the market, but what do you actually need? I have created a baby shopping list for first time moms that covers everything!
As a mom myself, I remember looking at baby stores and online, feeling totally stressed out. That is why I put together this list of baby essentials, as well as nice to have items.
From how many zippered onesies to which diaper cream to use, here’s your ultimate baby shopping list for first time moms.
Baby Shopping List for First Time Moms
These things to buy before baby arrives are separated into three categories: need, nice to have, and skip. All the listed items are linked to the best baby registry items to buy. As a mom, I have tried these products and they work the best.
Baby Diapering Essentials
Need
- 2 boxes of newborn-sized diapers
- 2 boxes of size one diapers
- 2 boxes of baby wipes (unscented)
- Diaper cream
- Diaper genie
- Diaper genie bags (scented)
Nice to Have
- Diaper balm
- Baby change pad (one that is comfy and easily wipeable)
- Diaper caddy
- Diaper bag
- Diaper genie filters (can use dryer sheets instead)
- Portable changing mat
- Disposable changing pads (public bathroom change tables can be gross)
- Dog bags
Skip
- Wipe warmer
- Diaper ointment spatula
- Washable change pad liners
- Scented wipes (can irritate skin, and trust me, you will get sick of the smell)
Tip: For on-the-go diaper changes, consider carrying dog bags in your diaper bag for easy cleanup. It can be hard to find a garbage can all the time, so I highly recommend carrying dog bags to dispose of diapers and wipes.
Baby Nursery Essentials
Need
- Crib
- Firm and flat mattress
- Fitted crib sheets
- Bassinet or Snoo
- Bassinet sheets or Snoo sheets
- Rocking chair or glider
- White noise machine (this doubles as a nightlight, super handy for nighttime diaper changes)
- Change table/ dresser
- Monitoring camera
Nice to Have
Skip
- Anything in the crib besides the fitted sheet
- Vintage and hand-me-down cribs
Tip: Although blackout curtains are a nice-to-have item, I highly recommend them. It can set your baby up for sleep success. During daytime naps and early daylight bedtimes, having the darkness as a signal for sleep can help your baby settle in for the night.
Baby Feeding Essentials
Essentials for feeding your baby will depend on whether you are breastfeeding, combination feeding, or formula feeding. Having the basics for any one of those feeding options is essential.
Need
- 6-8 bottles and nipple sets
- Baby formula
- 2 packs of burp cloths (you go through a lot of these)
- Nipple balm
- Bottle brush
Nice to Have
- Breast pump
- Bottle soap
- Bottle rack
- Brest friend
- Nursing-friendly tops
- Nursing pads
- Bottle sterilizer or sterilizer+washer
- Bottle maker (This is like a Keurig for formula bottles)
- Insulated bottle bag (super helpful if you are going for a visit somewhere)
Skip
- Wired breast pumps (mobility is crucial)
- Unsupportive nursing bras
- Tracker apps
Tip 1: Tracker apps for feeding can be helpful in the first few days and weeks. But later on, it can cause a lot of anxiety for parents. If you find that you are overanalyzing every detail, maybe it’s time to delete.
Tip 2: For breastfeeding moms, one of the best tips my doctor shared was to freeze a cabbage. Then use the frozen leaves on your breasts. It is so inexpensive and feels fantastic on sore nipples/boobs! Pull apart the leaves prior to freezing.
Baby Bathtime Essentials
Need
- Baby bathtub (one like this that grows with them)
- Baby shampoo and body wash
- Organic cotton bath cloths (nice for sensitive baby skin)
- Baby brush and comb
- Baby lotion
Nice to Have
- Baby hooded towel
- Baby oil
- DermaFrida (washing baby’s hair with this is a game-changer for cradle cap)
- Bath cup
- Bath toy storage
- Water thermometer (this gives you peace of mind in the early days, which is priceless)
- Bath toys
Skip
- Bathrobe (cute, but they don’t use it)
- Knee cushion for parents
Baby Clothing Essentials
Clothing for babies can widely depend on climate and time of year. Here are the basics to have on hand.
Need
- 5-6 zippered footed sleepers (ones with fold-over hands and feet are the best!)
- 2-3 zippered rompers (depending on area/ time of year)
- 5 each of onesies (t-shirt and long-sleeved)
- 3-5 pants
- 3 no-scratch mittens
- 4-5 bibs
- Sun hat
- 2-3 hats
- 4-5 socks
- Slipper booties
- Baby bunting suit (so handy for a cold weather climate)
- Seasonal outfits (shorts, holiday, snow suit)
- 5-6 swaddle bags (having a few is great)
- 3-4 muslins (great for blocking the sun and putting on the floor)
- 1 stroller blanket
- Baby laundry detergent (first 12 months)
Nice to Have
Skip
- Clothes with a lot of buttons
- Baby shoes
- Parent and baby zippered in one jacket
Your baby will likely be in zippered onesies for most of the early months. I highly recommend buying the zippered ones over the magnet or buttoned ones. It can be challenging to learn how to change a newborn, so clothing with zippers makes it way easier on you.
There is a lot of information about buying newborn clothes vs not, and skipping to the 0-3 months size. I recommend having some newborn-sized items, such as zippered onesies, but you don’t need a lot. My baby was 8 lbs 11 oz and fit easily into newborn size (for like a week haha).
If your baby is wearing an announcement outfit or a coming-home outfit, again, I highly recommend something easy to put on, such as a zipper or pull-over item.
Tip: avoid any pajamas that are fleece. These can cause overheating and potential rash.
Baby Gear Essentials
Need
- Stroller
- Car seat
- Travel crib
- Baby carrier (an excellent way for hands-free time is babywearing)
- Baby bouncer (need this, trust me)
- Pacifiers
Nice to Have
- Pacifier clip
- Car seat mirror or car seat camera (peace of mind)
- Playmat
- Stroller fan (also great to use during labor)
- Stroller bunting bag (these are so great for cold weather, regular blankets get kicked/fall off all the time)
- Stroller rain shield
- Stroller cup holder and organizer (mom needs a coffee)
- Baby swing
- Travel white noise machine (sound of the car works fine for car naps, but nice to have if sleeping over somewhere)
- Car seat canopy (these are great because they are multipurpose)
Skip
- Multiple strollers (unless you need a running stroller)
- Shopping cart cover (when they are young, baby wearing, or stroller works)
One item that I swear by is the baby bouncer. It is a great secure and safe place to put baby down, when your arms need a break. This item is not for sleeping.
Baby Toy Essentials
You will find that toys have a funny way of accumulating as soon as you have a baby. You just need a few basic things.
Need
Nice to Have
- High contrast board books
- Rattles
- Kick piano (babies love this)
Skip
- Stuffed animals
- Flash cards
- Loud and overstimulating toys
Baby Health & Safety Essentials
Need
- Nail file
- Nail clipper
- Ear cleaner
- First aid kit
- Baby thermometer
- Baby aspirator
- Medicine of choice for teething/ fevers
Nice to Have
Skip
- Baby powder
Baby Essentials That You Don’t Need Right Away
There are some items that you won’t need right away when you have a baby. Anything around eating solids won’t be required until 5-6 months. Baby-proofing items also won’t be necessary until your child is mobile, but you can install them earlier if you prefer.
- Sleepsacks (after they can roll over)
- Highchair (use starting around 5-6 months)
- Outlet covers, baby gates, cupboard latches (once they are mobile, babyproofing is needed)
- Baby open cups, sippy cups, baby cutlery, silicone plates, and bowls
- Playpen
- Push toys
Baby Registry Tips
- Start early and add as you go
- Ask friends/ family about their favorite baby registry items
- Register on a website with easy or free delivery
- Include items for a wide variety of budgets
- Include items for as the baby grows (IE, add some 6-12 months clothing)
- Include postpartum essentials
- Don’t send out the registry until you have it complete
- Use our baby registry checklist to mark off received items
Tips for Borrowing Baby Items
- Confirm with the person if they would like the items back
- Keep a note in your phone about who you borrowed what from, with date and return/ allowed to keep
- Wash and clean all items before returning
- If you have damaged an item and cannot repair it, offer to purchase a replacement for the person.
- Gift the person something small as a thank you (potted plant, a nice lip gloss, water bottle, flowers, etc.). If it were just one small item, a thank-you note would be sufficient. Free download below.
Picking out your baby essentials is such a fun expereince and hopefully we took away some stress and made it easy with our ultimate baby shopping list for first time moms!
This post was all about a baby shopping list for first time moms.
