Amazon and Target both have a list of nearly 400 items they say you need to include on your baby registry. They go way beyond the newborn essentials. That is way too much stuff, and if you’re like me, you’d never use all of it.
When building our registry, I tried to focus on items that we would actually NEED. I scoured minimalist baby registries and gear guides.
Babies don’t need a lot at first. In those first weeks, the newborn essentials are mostly eating, sleeping and pooping.
That means if you’re on a budget, or you don’t have a lot of space in your home, you don’t need to purchase and store 400 items.
The following is everything we ACTUALLY used in the first month of our baby’s life. Scroll to the bottom for the whole checklist.
***Note: This page contains some affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you buy through my link at no additional cost to you. I strive to recommend only things I use myself, or similar items.***
Sleep
Pack and Play – Or a bassinet. Baby will likely sleep in your room for the first few months, so a crib is unnecessary at first. Portable options are great in case you’re planning on traveling.
Fleece Swaddle – I saw these before baby was born and thought they were silly, but we used one in the hospital and my life was changed. I recommend at least one, maybe 2 in case of spit-up. The zippers are better than snaps. Also helpful as the last layer if your house is a little cold and you need multiple blankets.
Receiving blankets (2-4) – Good for swaddling, tucking into a car seat, and can be used to wipe up spit-up in a pinch. We used these as the layer under the fleece swaddle when baby had to stay extra warm.
Thicker blankets (2-4) – You’re gonna have a lot more fabric in your house with a baby. Thicker blankets are good for cuddling, tucking in a car seat, and swaddling.
Feeding
Boppie pillow – I forgot about these and didn’t put one on my registry, but moms to the rescue cause my mom got me one. I don’t think we’d still be breastfeeding without this pillow. It’s also great for bottle feeding. Holding a baby up (5-10 pounds, 10-15 times a day, for 45+ minutes) is HARD. You’re gonna want the pillow.
Burp rags (10) – No matter how you’re feeding baby, you are going to need a lot of these. They don’t need to be fancy. I bought a 10 pack of the Gerber prefold cloth diapers and they’re perfect.
Bottles – If using formula or pumped milk. If you’re mostly breastfeeding, you can get away with few (1-2) or zero of these. You may want more if you are exclusively bottle feeding. Get a drying rack as well.
Pump and bags – If you’re breast feeding and need to leave baby for an extended period, this will be a necessity during that first month. I got a manual one from the hospital and an electric one through my insurance (with Aeroflow) and love both. You’ll also need bags to store milk in.
Nursing cover – This is so helpful if your breastfeeding and need to go anywhere in that first month. I felt so much more comfortable when baby and I are covered. I have a muslin blanket that I tie and use as a cover, as well as this pancho from Amma.
Health and Hygiene
Thermometer – This is important for safety. We had to keep an eye on baby’s temp when we brought her home cause she was so small, but you need to be able to check an infant’s temperature if you suspect they might be sick.
Nail clippers and file – I’ll admit that I’ve been too nervous to trim baby’s nails so far, but it’s going to happen eventually and I figure it’s better to be prepared for when that day comes.
Soft hair brush – Likely unnecessary, but I enjoy brushing my baby’s little head with the soft bristles of our hair brush. Plus it’s supposed to help with cradle cap.
Baby bath seat – I got a hand-me-down Angel Care Bath Support, and I’m a fan. We use it in the empty tub right now for baby’s sponge baths.
Baby soap – Something gentle for baby skin.
Lotion – My baby had some dry skin on her hands and feet that our pediatrician said was normal as she grows. She recommended I use some mild lotion if I wanted to help get rid of it (talk to your own pediatrician for medical advice).
Plastic tub – I got mine from the hospital. We use this as the container to mix our soap and warm water for baby’s sponge baths.
Towel and wash rags – It is largely unnecessary to buy new or baby-specific towels. However, I happened to fall in love with the hedgehog patterns, so here we are. Get them or don’t, it’s up to you.
Diapers, wipes, cream – No explanation needed. Baby’s gotta poop, you gotta be able to wipe it up. You’re gonna need lots of them, but I wouldn’t stock up on too many of one size, especially in the smaller sizes. A bag or two of newborn diapers should be plenty to start with. We needed the premie ones to start and didn’t have any at home. The hospital gave us the first pack and my husband ran to the store as we needed more.
Changing pad and cover – We have ours at the changing station attached to baby’s crib (for when she moves in eventually). Your back will thank you if you have a raised place to change baby’s diapers.
Clothes
Note, 5-8 of any size is plenty. That number is mostly arbitrary, but you’re going to be doing lots of laundry now anyway. Get more to extend the time between washes.
For sizes, start with some newborn and 0-3 months. The store has more if you need them. I highly recommend checking second-hand. We didn’t have any premie clothes when baby was born, so my husband ran to Once Upon a Child with $20 and got everything we needed.
Sleepers (5-8) – Zippers. They’re your best friend, especially if it’s a two-way zip. Wear them at night and during the day. No one judges a newborn for being in their pj’s and zippers make everything so much easier.
Onesies (5-8) – We have short and long sleeves for our spring-time baby.
Pants (5-8) – To go on over the onesies.
Jacket (2) (girls/boys) – I have a spring-time baby, so a cardigan-weight jacket has been perfect as an extra layer in the house or while traveling. Remember, puffy layers shouldn’t be worn in the car seat.
Socks and mittens – Socks to keep the feet warm and mittens to keep baby from gouging her eyes out with those little claws I’m too scared to cut.
Hats – My mom says all babies need a hat. They do help with temperature control. Get a few cause baby is going to spit up all over them at some point.
Travel
Car seat – I love our infant carrier and car base set because the carrier clips into the stroller while baby is too small to fit in the seat.
Stroller – Possibly the only thing keeping me functioning right now. I love our daily walks, and I’m convinced the fresh air is helping baby sleep at night.
Baby carrier – Used for moving around the house when baby doesn’t want to be put down, and we’re starting to use ours for some short hikes now that baby is a few weeks old. I have an Ergobaby Omni Classic that should last from infancy to toddlerhood. Make sure you know how to safely use the carrier you get.
Diaper bag – I know it doesn’t seem like it at first, but you will eventually leave the house (even if it’s just to the hospital for your one and two weeks check-ups). My diaper bag was gifted, and I’m a big fan of all its pockets. See what I pack in my newborn’s diaper bag here.
Play
Thick blanket – I lay a thick (firm) blanket on our floor for tummy time. You can get a specific play mat, but that works for us at this point.
Toys – You don’t need much this first month. We have a few things to keep tummy time interesting. I put a stuffy on both sides for baby to turn her head and look at. We also have a black and white book we prop open that she seems to enjoy looking at.
Books – These are maybe more to have something to say when you’re tired and running out of words for baby. Ours seems to like the pictures, especially those in Big Red Barn (a favorite from my own childhood).
For Mom
Nursing bras (4-7) – I got some of the ‘nighttime’ style, as well as those with lots of clips. If you’re breastfeeding, do yourself a favor and avoid clips until every is very well established. I pretty much lived in the ‘nighttime’ style bra because it is so much easier to just move fabric out of the way than it is to unclip everything while holding a hungry baby.
Nursing shirts – I hate buttons and always have. For the first month, I lived in some tank tops with the ‘nursing flap.’ I didn’t love dealing with lots of clips, zippers, or too much extra fabric in this first month. T-shirts that you lift up are also effective.
Pads – Butt and boob pads are both necessities. You’re going to be leaking in every direction, and it’s best to be prepared.
Nipple butter – This stuff is a lifesaver for sore nipples. Plus, my lactation consultant said she uses it on dry and cracked skin now that she’s done breastfeeding.
Comfy sweatpants – Your size changes so much in that first month. If you’re at home, do yourself a favor and avoid hard pants.
Chocolate and easy snacks – Being prepared for massive hormone crashes means having lots of snacks on hand. And chocolate. Chocolate fixes everything (especially at 2 am when baby is crying, you’re crying, and no one is getting any sleep). You got this, mama.
Conclusion
That’s 43 items, not 400, and our baby survived just fine.
Will we need more as the months go on? Possibly.
Can we cross those bridges as we reach them? Absolutely.
If you get things from others, you’ll likely have way more clothes than you know what to do with. Now, you know what else to ask for.
Is there anything I missed that you consider essential? Let me know below!
Leave a Reply