My Parenting Site

Newborn Essentials

What do you need in those first few weeks after you bring your baby home? We read what the experts had to say, and then we checked in with parents and found that people have very different ideas of what's essential. (And when you consider that humans raised babies for thousands of years without plastic bottles or rubber crib sheets, it's clear that "need" is a fuzzy concept.)

Still, your baby will require a few basics:
A place to sleep, a safe seat in the car, clothes to wear, diapers, and some key items for eating, getting around, and staying safe. Let's take a closer look.

Clothing:

In general, you want soft, comfortable clothing with no irritating tags or seams. You'll be changing your baby's clothing several times a day babies are messy so make sure outfits are uncomplicated and open easily for diaper changes.
Babies outgrow newborn sizes quickly, so buy big at least three months ahead. But do choose one or two newborn outfits that you love just for the psychic lift of dressing your new baby in an outfit you consider adorable. While we've included rough guidelines on quantity, how many of each item you need will depend on your own preferences and how often you plan to do laundry.

One-piece outfits (4-7):

One-piece bodysuits (often called "onesies") dramatically simplify dressing. Look for clothes made in a soft fabric with wide head openings and loose-fitting ankle and leg cuffs. Also, look for finished seams (so there are no rough or scratchy parts), and avoid zippers (which can pinch tender skin), and try to get them in a soft fabric.

One-piece pajamas or nightgowns (4-7):

Nightgowns with drawstrings at the bottom are useful because you won't have to fuss with snaps during nighttime diaper changes. Make sure that whatever you choose is warm so your baby is more likely to sleep comfortably.

Cotton shirts (4-7):

Choose soft shirts, preferably with snaps at the neck for easier fitting. Undershirts are good for layering and will also protect your newborn's skin from any seams or roughness in his outer garments. Choose undershirts that snap under the crotch so they don't ride up.

Sweater or jacket (1):

Most babies don't like having clothes pulled over their heads, so warm up your baby with a sweater or jacket that buttons down the front.
Fleecewear or snowsuits: If you have a winter baby, we recommend finding a one-piece fleece suit to keep him warm on your outings. They're often hooded and come in many styles. Snowsuits are a little more expensive, and not necessary since your baby is unlikely to be playing in the snow. In either case, buy big.

Socks and booties (4-7):

Stores may sell shoes for newborns, but you don't want them for the simple reason that your baby isn't walking. So warm your baby's feet in socks or booties.

Cap or bonnet (1-3):

You'll want a broad-brimmed hat for a summer baby, or a soft, warm hat that covers the ears for a winter baby.

Diapers:

Much about your life in these early weeks involves changing diapers. So you'll want to be prepared. About 80 percent of parents opt for disposable diapers. Others choose a professional diaper service, and even fewer wash their own at home.
Decide which kind of diapers you want to use and stock up ahead of time. Keep in mind that you'll be going through ten to 12 diapers each day during the first few weeks. If you do plan to use disposables, we recommend buying at least three large packs (about 150 diapers). If you plan to use cloth, you'll need six to ten packs (12 diapers per pack) of pre-folded diaper-service-quality diapers. For cloth, you'll also need a diaper pail, diaper covers, and rubber pants. Go with diaper wraps made with Velcro otherwise you'll be stuck using pins or clips.

Getting Around:

Front pack or sling: Newborns love being held close; the warmth of your body and the thump of your heart will soothe like nothing else. A pack or sling also leaves your hands free to do other things.

Stroller:

For a newborn, you'll want a stroller that reclines babies shouldn't be propped upright until they're about 3 months old or until they've developed strong neck muscles. If you're shopping for a new stroller, look for wide wheels, adjustable straps, and easy steering.
Mealtime:


Bibs (4):

Bibs keep spit-up and drool off clothes need we say more?
Bottles and nipples: Even if you plan to breastfeed exclusively, having a few bottles and newborn nipples at home is a good idea. If you plan to use formula exclusively, you'll go through roughly ten 4 ounce bottles a day.

Sleeping:

Crib:
You can get by without a crib at first your newborn can sleep in a padded laundry basket or drawer if necessary. But unless you plan to have your baby share your bed, you'll need a crib eventually. You'll also need a firm mattress, a couple of sheets, and blankets.

Receiving blankets (4):
Use this versatile item to swaddle and comfort your baby, as an extra layer for warmth, in place of towels, for catching spit-up, or whatever else you can think of.
Safety

Car seat:
The law requires that your child sit in a car seat while riding in any car even on the way home from the hospital. For a newborn, you have two choices: an infant seat designed to be used until your baby weighs 20 pounds, or a convertible seat, designed to be used by both babies and older children (though not at the same time).

Plastic bathtub:
Using a tub specially designed to hold a wriggling baby will keep yours safe and give your back a break as well.

For Mom:
You'll need to stock up on a few things as well.

Nursing bras (2-4):
Because pregnancy changes the size and shape of your breasts, it pays to buy nursing bras from a store or catalog that takes returns. For comfort, buy 100 percent cotton without underwires. Some nursing bras unhook from the strap and others unsnap between the cups. You may want to try a couple of styles to see which you like best.

Nursing pads (disposable or washable):
Inserting two of these in your bra can keep your shirts dry between feedings. Like diapers, pads come in both cloth and disposable styles. For disposables, look for pads with a self-stick strip. Cloth pads are usually made of flannel and need to be washed frequently.

Maxi-pads/Panty liners:
You'll want a couple of boxes of overnight-quality maxi-pads. When the lochia discharge slows, usually within two or three weeks, you'll also want a couple of boxes of panty liners.