There’s no right timeline for when you’re ready to buy baby supplies. If you experienced infertility or loss or both, this can often be pushed back. Only you know the balance of what’s right for you emotionally, and what you need to realistically be ready for baby arrives (and can be earlier than expected).
No judgement.
When you are ready to get on the purchasing spree for your baby, it can open up information overload choosing what to buy, like a power washer to the face. There are so many things. You might think,
What’s necessary to buy for baby? What’s just a gimmick? Ahh!
Because I found that too, and I hear it all the time from others, here’s a list of baby supplies to consider from real life mamas that we put together to give a bit of guidance.
None of this is sponsored or paid advertising.
This is plain ‘ol advice from moms – input from seasoned moms of multiple kids, new moms, and even a mom who’s a medical family doctor. (These are only moms of singletons, not multiples like twins.)
That said, there is no list that is 100% correct for every single caregiver or baby. It gives you a general idea. Hopefully that’s a gift enough to you!
Supplies for Baby
Anything with an *** next to it = may not be needed until baby is about 6 months or older
IN THE NURSERY | # OF ITEMS |
| Glider/comfy chair & ottoman/stool for breast or bottle feeding | 1 |
| *** Crib and mattress (only need before 6 months if baby not in bassinet/your bed) | 1 |
| *** Fitted crib sheets | 3 |
| *** Fitted waterproof crib sheet/ mattress protector | 2 |
| Some sort of dim light (small lamp or overhead light on a dimmer) | 1 |
| Change table/station/dresser | 1 |
DIAPERS/LAUNDRY | |
| Change pad (for placing on top of change table) | 1 |
| Change pad liners -like these | 2 |
| Change pad covers | 2 |
| Option 1: cloth diapers (or you can use a service too) | approx 12 |
| Option 1: Diaper pail for cloth diapers | 1 |
| Option 1: Diaper pail liner for cloth diapers | 2 |
| Option 1: *** Cloth diaper liners, for when solids start or if using diaper cream -like these | one (1) package |
| Re-usable cloth wipes or disposable wipes – like 1) these with wipes container or 2) these | 6 packages to start |
| Option 1: Newborn disposable diapers even if doing cloth diapers | 1 package to start |
| Option 2: Disposable diapers- premie or newborn to start. Costco or having a subscription on Amazon are cheaper options | 1 package to start |
| Option 2: Diaper genie for disposable diapers | 1 |
| Laundry soap without fabric softener | 1 |
| Diaper cream | 1 |
| Laundry basket if larger home | 1 |
| All natural stain remover – like this | 1 to start |
ON THE GO/TRAVEL | |
| Baby carrier – like Ergo Baby, Becco, Beluga Baby, Evenflo or Baby Bjorn | 1 or 2 kinds |
| Stroller – with rain cover and convert from newborn to sitting up position; optional water bottle holder, diaper bag clips and lower shelf – like Bugaboo or UPPAbaby | 1 |
| Infant car-seat – bucket seat or 10 year all-in-one | 1 |
| Mirror for car -like this | 1 per car |
| Travel crib -like this | 1 |
| Diaper Bag – or can also just use a backpack with lots of pockets | 1 |
| Wet sac for the wet cloth diapers- like these | 3 |
| *** Baby safe sunscreen | 1 |
| Warm blanket | 2 |
| Muslin blanket | 4 |
| Baby sun hat | 1 |
| Optional: Swim diaper and bathing suit | 1 |
BABY ENTERTAINMENT | |
| Optional: Bouncy/vibrating Chair – like Baby Bjorn bouncer | 1 |
| Optional: Baby swing | 1 |
| Floor gym/activity mat | 1 |
| Optional: *** Jolly Jumper | 1 |
| Optional: *** Exersaucer | 1 |
| Board books – including a high contrast infant book | Unlimited |
| Toys | |
FEEDING | |
| Optional: Nursing cover | 1 |
| Optional: Breast feeding support pillow – like My Breast Friend or Boppy – possibly use boppy for the baby to play in when they’re older | 1 |
| Optional: Breast Pump – double electric (Medela or similar), and also a Hakaa | 1 |
| Formula – good to have a bit on hand just in case even if attempting breastfeeding | |
| Optional: Lanolin -for sore nipples | 1 |
| Optional: Nursing pads – reusable or disposable options | 1 package |
| *** Baby high chair/booster chair -for when it’s time for solids | 1 |
| *** Bib – for when they’re ready for solids – e.g. silicone is easy to clean | 2 |
| *** Plates, spoons etc. for when they’re ready for solids | 4 |
| Bottles -like Dr. Brown’s | If bottle fed 5-8 |
| Bottle cleaning brush – like this | 1 |
BATHING/GROOMING | |
| Gentle tear-free shampoo and body wash | 1 |
| Baby nail clippers | 1 |
| Washcloths | 10 |
| Optional: Hooded towels; can use regular towels | 1 |
| Baby bathtub | 1 |
| Lotion – something for sensitive skin | 1 |
SLEEPING/SOOTHING | |
| Bassinet – or bassinest and if you can get it second hand or you have the funds, a Snoo which is new type of bassinet. | 1 |
| Fitted sheet for bassinet | 2 or 3 |
| Pacifiers/soothers – like Medela | 1 to 4 |
| Baby monitor with video or just sound | 1 |
| White noise machine; can get something like this travel one for home too | 1-2 |
| Sleep sack – 0-6 months, 6-12 months & 12-18 months | 3 |
| Optional: Swaddles -like Halo sleep sack swaddle | 2 |
CLOTHING | |
| Separate clothing into (premie) newborn, 3-6 month, 6 months, 6-9 months etc. | ~10 |
| Onesies, pants, a few cute outfits for photos and events | 3 |
| Sleep gowns -like these for newborns | 2 or 3 |
BABY HEALTH | |
| Baby Tylenol or Advil/Motrin | 1 package |
| Vitamin D drops | 1 package |
| Bio Gaia (probiotics) | 1 package |
| Thermometer for babies | 1 |
| Snot sucker – like Nose Frida | 1 |
FOR MOM/ or BIRTHER / BREASTFEEDER | |
| Pads – likely need for ~ 6 weeks post baby or leakproof underwear – like Knix leakproof underwear | 1 package or 2-5 underwear |
| Nursing bras | 2-5 |
| Stretchy tank tops you can pull down to breastfeed in | 3+ |
| Hoodies/zip ups/cardigans (comfy clothes for nursing) | 3+ |
| Comfy pjs that have a top that can be pulled down easily to feed | 2 |
OTHER | |
| Receiving blankets | 3-6 |
| Sleep documents – like Cara Babies, Precious Little Sleep, Sleep Sense | 1 |
This is not medical advice