Newborn Essentials: What You Need At Home

Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is a major milestone. While you can never be truly prepared, there are some essentials you'll need for your baby's first day home. Here is a checklist of the most important things to help you get ready for your little one's arrival.

Car seat

Convertible seats face toward the rear until your baby is at least 2 years old or has reached the maximum weight and height limits recommended by the manufacturer. A child who reaches the height and weight limits before age 2 is safest in a bigger convertible seat and kept rear-facing. Kids who are small can remain in rear-facing seats even after age 2. (Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for when to turn the seat.) Never put a rear-facing infant or convertible seat in the front seat of your car — always use the rear seat. Passenger-side airbags in the front seat cabin are hazardous for both rear- and forward-facing car seats, and most accidents happen at the front passenger area of the car.

When buying a car seat, there isn't one type that is safest or best. Get one that fits and can be correctly installed in your car. A higher price doesn't necessarily indicate a seat's quality — it could simply mean the seat has added features that you may or may not want or need. Be sure to register your new seat so you can be notified of any problems or recalls.

If you borrow a car seat, make sure that it's not more than 6 years old and that it was never in a crash. Avoid seats that are missing parts or aren't labeled with the manufacture date and model number (you'll have no way to know about recalls). Also, check the seat for the manufacturer's recommended "expiration date." If you have any doubts about the seat's history, or if it's cracked or shows signs of wear and tear, don't use it.

Consider buying, renting, or borrowing a car seat before your baby is born, when you have time to choose carefully. Ask at your prenatal classes, healthcare provider's office, hospital, or insurance company about rental or loan programs for car seats — they're quite common. If you're bringing your baby home from the NICU, bring the car seat to the hospital ahead of time so the staff can see if it will work for your baby. If special health concerns rule out a standard restraint, ask your child's doctor to recommend car seats for children with special needs.

Feeding tools

Breastfeeding Tools:

If you plan to breastfeed, there are several tools that can enhance comfort and convenience for both you and your baby:

• Nursing bras and nursing tanks are essential for breastfeeding moms. It's recommended to have at least two in rotation.
• Nursing pads are useful to prevent leakage through shirts. Reusable cotton or bamboo nursing pads are more comfortable and environmentally friendly than disposable options.
• A nursing pillow is a must-have to keep your baby in an optimal position during breastfeeding. Look for one with a clipping strap to hold it in place.
• A nursing cover can provide privacy and shelter while breastfeeding in public or around other people. A receiving blanket can also be used as a nursing cover.

Bottle-Feeding Tools:

If you choose to bottle-feed or need to supplement breastfeeding, here are some tools you will need:

• Baby bottles and nipples are necessary for feeding your baby formula or expressed breast milk. You can choose from glass or BPA-free plastic bottles and various nipple shapes and sizes.
• Formula is essential if you are bottle-feeding. Consult your baby's healthcare provider to choose the best type and brand.
• A bottle warmer is useful for safely and evenly heating stored breast milk or formula, saving time and ensuring the milk is at the right temperature.
• Milk storage bags are handy for compactly storing expressed breast milk. They are usually single-use and allow for direct pumping into the bag.
• A bottle brush is essential for thoroughly cleaning bottles.
• A bottle sterilizer is convenient for keeping bottles and nipples hygienic, although boiling water or a dishwasher also work. Some sterilizers come combined with a bottle warmer.
• A bottle-drying rack is a helpful designated space for drying bottles, especially if your regular dish-drying rack is often full.

General Feeding Tools:

There are also some general tools that are useful for all feeding methods:

• Burp cloths are a must-have to protect your clothing when burping your baby. It's recommended to have at least 15-20 burp cloths ready, and cloth diapers or flannel receiving blankets are highly absorbent and effective options.
• Bibs are essential for protecting your baby's clothes from milk, formula, and drool.
• Receiving blankets are thin blankets that can be used for nursing covers, burping cloths, or swaddling your baby.
• A high chair or feeding chair will be useful once your baby starts eating solid foods.

Diapering supplies

Diapers

It is impossible to know what size diaper your newborn will need, so it is worth buying small packs of a few different sizes. You will likely need newborn and size 1 diapers, and you may go through something like 70 diapers a week.

Wipes

You will need wipes to gently clean your newborn's diaper area.

Washcloths

Washcloths can be used to wipe your baby during diaper changes and at bath time.

Diaper Rash Cream

Babies sometimes get diaper rash, so ask your baby's healthcare provider for advice on which cream or ointment to buy.

Diaper Pail

Diaper pails are optional but can help contain smells from dirty diapers. There are two main types: those that work with regular trash can liners and those with a special liner ring sold by the manufacturer. The special liners are better at trapping odors but will cost more overall.

Changing Table

You will need a safe space to change your baby's diaper. Changing tables usually have drawers or shelves so you can keep diapers, wipes, and fresh clothes within reach. Some also come with a strap to help secure your baby and prevent falls.

Changing Pad

A changing pad helps keep your baby comfortable and the changing table clean. Some can be wiped clean, while others have removable covers that can be washed.

Portable Changing Pad

A portable changing pad ensures you always have a clean space to change your baby's diapers when you are on the go. They usually roll up compactly to fit in most diaper bags.

Diaper Bag

A diaper bag is essential for carrying all the things you need when you are away from home with your baby. They come in a range of designs, from functional to fashionable.

Milk Storage Bags

If you are breastfeeding, these bags allow you to compactly store your breast milk. You can usually pump directly into the bag, and they are typically single-use.

Bottle Brush

A bottle brush will help you thoroughly clean the inside of bottles.

Bottle Sterilizer

While not essential, a sterilizer can be useful for keeping bottles and nipples hygienic. However, washing them by hand or in the dishwasher works just as well.

Bottle-Drying Rack

This is not essential, but it can be helpful to have a designated space to dry bottles, especially if you don't have much room on your dish-drying rack.

Clothing and blankets

Newborns need several changes of clothing every day, so it's a good idea to have a variety of clothing types and sizes on hand. Here are some recommended items to have ready for your newborn:

• Short- and long-sleeved onesies
• Nightgowns for use until the umbilical cord falls off
• One-piece sleepers with zippers for convenience
• Scratch mittens to prevent your baby from scratching their face with their nails
• A snowsuit, depending on the climate and the time of year your baby is born
• Heavier baby blankets
• Dressier outfits (optional)
• Pajamas, sleepers, or sleeping sacks
• Undershirts and one-piece outfits with snaps between the legs for easy diaper changes
• T-shirts to go with leggings or pants
• Leggings or stretchy pants
• A sweater or jacket to keep your baby warm
• Socks or booties
• A hat with a brim to protect your baby from the sun
• A knit hat or cap to keep your baby's head warm if it will be cold when they are born
• A bunting bag or snowsuit for cold weather
• Mittens for cooler months
• A special outfit for holidays or special occasions (optional)

It's also important to note that newborns grow out of smaller-sized clothes quickly, so it's a good idea to buy bigger sizes as well. Additionally, don't forget to include layers unless you live in a particularly warm climate. As a general rule, dress your newborn in one more layer than you're wearing yourself.

When it comes to blankets, receiving blankets are thin blankets often sold in packs of two or more. They are versatile and can be used as nursing covers, burping cloths, or for swaddling your baby. Swaddle blankets are also useful during the first few weeks, as they can help you swaddle your baby more easily, especially those with hook-and-loop fasteners. Heavier baby blankets are also essential to keep your newborn warm.

Nursery furniture

Crib

The crib is one of the most important items of furniture in the nursery. Your baby will be sleeping for at least 16 hours a day in the early days and weeks, so a safe crib is essential. Cribs can be expensive, but you can get many years of use out of them if you choose a style that converts into a toddler bed and then a daybed. Some models can even convert into a full-sized bed. It's safest to buy a new crib to ensure it meets all the latest safety standards.

Crib Mattress

A firm mattress that fits the crib perfectly is one of the most important newborn baby essentials. This is the safest surface for your baby to sleep on.

Bedding

You won't need much bedding for your newborn. Just a waterproof mattress cover and several fitted sheets that fit the crib mattress perfectly. Keeping your baby's crib bare, free from blankets, top sheets, pillows, bumper pads, and toys, helps to reduce the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Bassinet

Some parents prefer to use a bassinet in the first few weeks. They are small and portable, taking up less room than a crib and can be easily moved from room to room. Your baby will eventually need a crib, but a bassinet is a good option for the early days.

Clothes Storage

You'll need a place to put your newborn's clothing. You can use drawers, shelves, baskets, tubs, chests of drawers, or wardrobes.

Nursery Glider or Rocking Chair

A comfortable chair in the nursery is the perfect spot for breastfeeding, bedtime stories, and last-minute cuddles. It may help make nighttime feedings less disruptive for your baby, and the rocking motion may help calm you and your newborn.

Changing Table

You'll need a safe space to change your baby's diaper. Changing tables usually have drawers or shelves so you can easily reach for diapers, wipes, and fresh clothes without taking your hand off your baby. Some changing tables also come with a strap to help secure your baby and prevent falls.

Night-Light

A night-light is a true newborn necessity. It lets you see where you're going and what you're doing in the middle of the night for feedings without having to turn on any bright lights.

Toy Basket

Your newborn baby will likely acquire some toys, and it's handy to have someplace to put them. If you have shelves, you can also store toys there.

Frequently asked questions