Planning is key as you prepare to welcome your baby into this world. Newborns are resource-intensive and need many big and small things that you must prepare to ensure that you aren’t left scampering at the last minute.
This is where a newborn baby care checklist comes into play. Creating a comprehensive checklist for newborn baby care can help you feel more prepared and confident as you embark on this incredible journey.
In this comprehensive guide, we have broken down all the categories of items that your newborn would need and the things you need to buy before you meet your baby earthside.
Why is planning a newborn baby care checklist essential?
Before we walk you through the list of all the newborn baby care essentials, let us walk you through the why. Many first-time parents wait until their baby is born to prepare for their needs, but they need to realize how late they are.
Here are some of the key reasons why creating a newborn baby care checklist is vital:
Welcoming a newborn into your life is a significant change and brings in a lot of emotions, which can be overwhelming. Preparing, shopping, and getting things in order with all those emotions can be too much.
Many items on a newborn baby care checklist are essential for ensuring the baby’s safety, so it makes sense why you need to buy them ahead of time.
Since babies have delicate skin and unique health needs, preparing ahead of time ensures you have access to the proper baby soap, shampoo, and lotion the baby needs.
Whether you plan to breastfeed or use formula, having the necessary supplies ensures your baby is well-fed and nourished.
Lastly, you can’t forget about the comfort. Newborns require a lot of care and attention, so buying them items that ensure they are snug and comfortable should never be an afterthought.
Knowing you have everything you need to care for your newborn can provide peace of mind, reduce stress, and allow you to focus on enjoying your baby’s first days and weeks.
What are the categories to prioritize when making the newborn baby checklist?
When it comes to preparing the checklist, there are a few different categories that you need to prioritize and focus on.
They include:
- Baby nursery essentials
- Feeding essentials
- Diapering essentials
- Clothing and bedding
- Baby toiletries
- Health and safety essentials
- Baby furniture and gear
So, as you plan things, sit down with a pen and paper and get ready to jot down all the staple requirements that are integral for optimal care of your newborn.
Breaking down the newborn baby care checklist – Category by Category
To make things easier for you, we have sorted all the essential needs based on the above mentioned category and the items you need to include in each category.
1. Baby nursery essentials
Creating a safe, comfortable, and well-equipped nursery for your newborn is essential. Think of this place as a safe space for your baby.
Following are a few items to prioritize:
Crib and mattress – Since your baby will spend a good amount of their time in their nursery and the crib, buying a stable, safe, and good-quality crib and mattress is a must. You need to cross-check and ensure that the crib meets the safety standards to reduce the risks significantly.
Bedding – There are a few integral items like fitted crib sheets, waterproof mattress protectors, and lightweight blankets that you need for your baby’s comfort.
Changing table – If you have the budget, means, and space, investing in a changing table is a great option, too.
Baby monitor – Since babies spend a reasonable amount of time sleeping in their nursery, investing in a good baby monitor will help you keep an eye on them while you get work done.
2. Feeding essentials
Whether you plan to breastfeed your newborn or bottle-feed them, certain items are integral to simplify that process for you and the baby.
If you are breastfeeding:
- Nursing bras
- Breast pump
- Breast pads
- Nipple cream
- Nursing pillow
If you are bottle-feeding:
- Baby formula
- Bottle and nipples
- Bottle sterilizer
- Bottle warmer
Some newborns have a particular aversion to the formula, meaning you have to test and see which formula would work the best for your child. Ideally, if your baby is not responding well to the formula you are feeding them, it is best to consult your pediatrician for further advice.
Irrespective of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, invest in some good-quality and soft burp clothes, too.
3. Diapering essentials
The third category you must focus on in the checklist includes all the diapering needs. Since newborns go through many diapers quickly, planning is essential.
Diapers – A steady supply of newborn-sized diapers in your home should be stocked to the brim. There are disposable diapers, and then you have cloth diapers, too.
Wipes – Similar to diapers, newborns go through wipes quite a lot, too. You want to invest in gentle and good-quality wipes for your newborn, too.
Diaper bag – Having all the essentials is necessary when traveling with your newborn. Investing in a versatile and multifunctional diaper bag is thus a must.
4. Clothing essentials
Baby clothes are abundant, and when you welcome your newborn, chances are you will be showered with hundreds of cute pairs of clothing items.
Some of the best newborn clothing picks we’d recommend are:
- Onesies and bodysuits
- Sleepers
- Socks and booties
- Hats
- Mittens
Since newborns often outgrow their clothes in a few months, there’s no point in investing in expensive clothing.
Swaddle blankets are another essential that deserves to be mentioned here. Newborns often find the feeling of being tightly wound comforting since it mimics the feeling of being in the womb. So, investing in good-quality swaddle blankets is also a must before your baby arrives.
5. Baby toiletries
Babies have very sensitive skin, and while most babies don’t need extra toiletries right after birth, keeping things stocked is always a good idea. When buying toiletries, focus on buying gentle, baby-friendly toiletries.
Some of the important inclusions are:
Baby soap and shampoo – Mild and hypoallergenic options.
Baby lotion – Gentle, fragrance-free and moisturizing.
Baby nail clippers – Ideal for trimming the nails so they don’t scratch themselves.
Baby hairbrush – Gentle grooming tools that are not rough on their delicate skin.
6. Health and safety essentials
Since the health and safety of your newborn are paramount, certain items are integral to include in your newborn baby checklist.
First-aid kit
When preparing one, focus on items that your newborn might need during times of emergency or crisis, including a digital thermometer, baby-friendly pain relievers, bandages, and a nasal aspirator.
Car seat
Next is a car seat (if you own or drive a car). You want to invest in a properly installed rear-facing car seat.
Smoke detectors
Babies are susceptible to smoke and fumes, so ensuring that your home is equipped with all the necessary smoke and fume detectors for gases like carbon monoxide is crucial for their health.
Baby proofing supplies
Newborns are entirely dependent on their parents for getting around. However, as they grow, they gain freedom and become more mobile. You need to ensure that your entire home, backyard, pool area, etc., is baby-proofed with safety gates, cabinet locks, and corner protectors.
Baby medications
Babies, after their birth, are still in their developmental stage where their immunity isn’t fully ready. So, they are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Hence, keeping all the necessary medications at home, like Vitamin D drops, medicines for cough, congestion, etc., is a must.
7. Baby furniture and gear
The last category that should be in your newborn baby checklist includes all the necessary furniture and gear. The purpose of this category is to prioritize your baby’s comfort and convenience.
Baby swing or bouncer – Ideal for soothing a fussy baby or keeping them entertained.
Baby carrier or wrap – A carrier or wrap is vital if you want to carry your baby around while getting things done around the house.
Stroller – Essential for taking your baby out on walks.
Bassinet – If you plan to co-sleep for the first few months after your baby’s arrival, invest in a good-quality bassinet.
High chair – When your baby starts eating solid or self-weaning, this is a good option to have around.
Playpen – It is not a necessity, but it is still a worthy investment you can consider.
Conclusion
Newborns, like we said, are resource-intensive. They require a lot of things for their comfort and well-being. Being prepared with all these essentials before your baby gets here is a great way to unwind and spend quality time with your newborn once they are in your arms. Although the entire checklist seems quite long and extensive, all of these are essentials you can’t miss out on.