Newborn Essentials for First Time Moms

This list of newborn essentials is designed to be the complete list of everyday, must-have items for new moms. It’s as minimal as possible and has items that are trusted and loved by moms. And almost all of these items were also used daily by me as a new mom.

Whether you’re putting together your registry or trying to figure out what you really need for baby: this list will walk you through what you need along with specific product recommendations.

Click here to see a handy list of all the essentials on Amazon or keep scrolling to read about each one:

SEE THE LIST ON AMAZON

The Complete Newborn Essentials List: Here’s What to Get

TRAVEL

1. Carseat: this is the carseat we love & use! It also fits into several Graco stoller bases for a complete system.
2. Stroller: a jogger stroller that folds up is perfect for going on any path and can travel with you.
3. Baby carrier: for times when you don’t want to put baby in a stroller, a carrier is a must-have. You’ll use this more than you think!
4. Car seat cover: to keep baby tucked away in their carseat (especially when they fall asleep), grab a carseat cover. This one doubles as a nursing cover!

SLEEP

1. Swaddle Blankets: these super soft muslin blankets can be used to swaddle your baby to soothe them and help with nap times.
2. Sleepsack: for a wearable swaddle that your baby can’t wiggle out of, also grab some sleep sacks. This is the brand we loved & used and it’s the only thing our son slept in for a while!
3. Bassinet: this is the BEST bassinet – it can be kept next to your bed and swivels so that you can easily pick baby up (helpful in those first postpartum days when you might be feeling soreness).
4. Bassinet Mattress Pad: these mattress pads go with the bassinet and offer leak-protection as well as some extra padding.

DIAPERING

1. Changing table: the ultimate changing table! Complete with straps. Don’t forget to buy a washable changing table cover (or two) to go with it.
2. Diaper bag: you’ll want a diaper bag with infinite pockets and storage. This one gives you all the right compartments and organization you’ll need while doubling as a stylish backpack.
3. Diapers: most newborn diapers fit babies up to 10 pounds. So buy a could packs of newborn sized diapers, but then be sure to buy Size 1, which your baby will be wearing before you know it. We love the Pamper’s Pure brand because they’re free of chemicals found in many diapers. You could also consider cloth diapering as an alternative: here’s an easy guide to how to start.
4. Wipes: stock up on wipes! Pamper’s Pure is a brand that’s water based & free of many chemicals found in other disposable wipes.

FEEDING

1. Bottles: it may take trial and error to find your baby’s favorite brand of bottle, and these are a popular favorite. They’re designed to mimic breastfeeding and have nearly 10,000+ positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Drying rack: for all those little bottle and pump pieces that you’ll wash. This drying rack is cute and effective.
3. Burp cloths: you can never have too many…these are soft, absorbent, and 100% organic.
4. Diswasher basket: a handy way to add your small bottle & pump parts to your dishwasher.

HEALTHY & SAFETY

1. First aid kit: comes with essentials like a thermometer, nail clippers, and a medicine dropper. A must-have item (this is a good one to add to your baby registry).
2. Baby monitor: being able to watch your baby sleep can bring a lot of peace of mind. This video baby monitor is a mom favorite with 37,000+ positive reviews on Amazon!
3. Nasal Aspirator (aka Snot Sucker): for babies boogers! This one is easier to use than the popular ‘bulb’ shaped alternatives.
4. Diaper rash cream: good to have on hand (especially for sensitive newborn skin) – this one is made with organic ingredients.

CLOTHING

1. Onesies: short or long sleeve (depending on the time of year) are one of the top newborn essentials.
2. Pacifier: if you plan to give your baby a pacifier, have a couple of these on hand.
3. Hats: hats, gloves, and socks are all good items to have to keep your your baby cozy. Gloves will also help prevent them from scratching themself.
4. Laundry detergent: grab a gentle laundry detergent for baby’s clothes. This one is plant-based and free of many common chemicals.

BATH TIME

1. Hooded towel: for snuggling & drying baby after bath time. Also there’s nothing cuter than a baby in one of these!
2. Bath soap: a gentle (plant-based) soap for bath time.
3. Wash cloths: you can never have enough of these! These are super-soft, 100% organic wash cloths. You’ll use these for years.
4. Bath tub: for newborns, it’s helpful to have a mini tub (like this one) or a tub for the sink. This makes bath time easier and is more convenient for bathing a tiny baby. The bathtub shown here is collapsable and can be used into the toddler years! For newborns, also get the newborn insert.

NURSING

1. Pump: a complete pump kit that won’t break the bank. Some insurance providers will give you a pump, so double check what’s covered under your plan before you buy.
2. Nursing tops: nursing-friendly tops like these are a must-have for everyday wear.
3. Washable Breast Pads: if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll want these to catch any leaks. I wore these 24/7 for as long as I breastfed… there’s also disposable ones but these are washable and comfortable.
4. Boppy: this is mom’s best friend! It makes holding your baby while breastfeeding easier and can also be used for tummy time & sitting up when your baby is older.

Shopping for Newborn Essentials: What Do Babies Really Need?

There’s so much to think about when shopping for your newborn and putting together your baby registry. This list is meant to be the true essentials for a newborn, and most will work for babies in their first 3 months.

This list doesn’t include items like a high chair or eating utensils – or even toys and books – because those become important after the newborn stage. They’re items that you can wait to get. Plus, keep in mind that friends & relatives tend to buy clothes and toys for babies, so you may end up with more of those than you need 🙂

‘Nice to Have’ vs. ‘NEED to Have’

Babies don’t do much in the newborn stage! They’ll be sleeping and getting their diapers changed and eating. That means that they don’t need much to start. It’s OK to start simple and build your collection of baby items.

This list is designed to be what’s needed for when you come home from the hospital – all the items that you won’t want to be without. But there’s tons of other newborn products out there that you might be wondering if you need. If you have a question about an item you can always wait to buy it. That’s what we did – we waited to buy as much as we possibly could and found that we didn’t need a lot of products that are out there. There’s tons of products that are aimed at making mom’s life easier with a newborn, but not all are necessary. It’s OK to start with a true ‘essentials’ list and then discover what will work best for your family.

For Mama: Postpartum Must-Haves

As you shop for your baby, don’t forget to get a few items that you’ll want to have for yourself post-partum.

Here’s our Postpartum Care Kit Essentials: the must-haves that will help in postpartum recovery (everything from what to use for relief to the best underwear to stock up on).