Be Baby Prepared: A Complete Newborn Checklist

Are you excited about having a newborn but overwhelmed by what need and don’t need from the baby shop? Wish there was a complete list of the needs and don’t need out there? You’re in luck!

In this article, you’ll have a complete newborn checklist you can keep and prepare for your new bundle of joy. Read on to discover this complete checklist and watch your worries fade away!

1. Babyproofing

The necessities after 4 months:

Cabinet latches
Drawer Latches
Outlet covers
Gates at the bottom and top of all stairs
Fireplace bumper
Furniture anchors

Nice to have:

Corner guards for low tables
Toilet lock

2. Nursery

For nursery furniture, they’re some must-haves for your baby’s needs.

Needs:

Crib mattress
Crib or co-sleeper

For nice to have:

Bassinet(only safe up to 3 months or 15 lbs)
Rocking chair
Humidifier
Changing table
Hamper
Dresser
Baby monitor

You don’t want a second-hand crib for safety reasons.

3. Linen

For linen you’ll need:

2 fitted crib sheets
4-6 thin cotton receiving blankets
2 waterproof mattress protectors
1-2 heavier blankets for colder climates

You don’t want pillows, sleep positioners, or mattress padding due to SIDS risk.

If you’re co-sleeping you’ll need:

4 fitted crib sheets
3 waterproof pads for under your baby
Light comforter away from your baby’s head
Sleepsack
A firm mattress no airbeds

4. Breastfeeding

For breastfeeding you’ll need:

2-3 nursing bras
Nursing pillow
2-3 boxes of nursing pads
At least 6 cotton bibs
6 or more burp cloths

It’s nice to have:

Breast milk storage containers or bags
Breast pump
Bottles if someone else will be feeding the baby as well
Nipple cream for the first few weeks

5. Formula Feeding

For formula feeding you’ll need:

Bottle drying rack
8 bottles with newborn nipples. You might need to try out different brands to see what your newborn prefers
Bottle-cleaning brush or dishwasher basket
Insulated cooler/carrier
6 or more burp cloths
6 or more cotton bibs
Several weeks of baby formula

It’s nice to have:

A bottle steriliser
Dry formula dispenser

Optional:

Bottle warmer
Bottle proper

6. Diaper Must-Haves

For diapers you’ll need:

A diaper pail and liners
Diaper bag
Diaper cream
Unscented baby wipes
6-10 cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 boxes of disposable newborn diapers

It’s nice to have:

Non-talc powder so the area will dry faster
4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads that go under the baby’s bottom

Some optional items are:

Wipe warmer
Diaper stacker

7. Going Out

For going out you’ll need:

A sturdy car seat, check out this review
Stroller
A front carrier

It’s nice to have:

A sling for newborns
A stroller that your car seat fits into
Rain cover for the stroller
Sunshades for car windows
Infant headrest for the car seat if it doesn’t come with one
Warm blanket for cold weather

8. Baby Clothes

4-8 one-piece pajamas
4-8 onesies
4-8 undershirts
1-3 sweater jackets
1-3 rompers
4-7 socks
1-3 hats, a soft cap that covers ears for the winter, and broad-brimmed for the summer
No-scratch mittens
Bunting bag

It’s nice to have:

A special outfit to bring baby home in
A wearable sleep sack
Diaper covers

Optional:

Shoes. Your baby won’t be walking so shoes are optional and more for fashion

9. First Toys

These aren’t required but they’re nice to have for your baby:

Crib mirror
Soft blocks
Rattles
Soft books
Plastic links
Attachable toys to the stroller
A plush that crinkles, shakes and rattles
Activity playmat/gym
Baskets to store toys in such as the living room, baby’s room, and kitchen

Don’t get car seat toy bars which could cause more of a risk for an accident.

10. Calming Items

For when your baby is fussy and can’t relax, it’s important to have different relaxing items to soothe them.

Some relaxing items you’ll need are:

Relaxing music such as lullaby CDs or similar
Mobile for over the changing table or crib
Several pacifiers

It’s nice to have a music box made for the crib.

11. Sitting

For when your baby is ready for sitting, it’s important to have these in advance. Some sitting items are:

Stationary activity centre
Bouncer
Blankets and quilts so they can lay on the floor

It’s nice to have:

A swing
Portable play yard
Moses basket(you can only use this up to 3 months)

Due to safety concerns, you won’t want a jumper or walker.

12. Medicine Cabinet

The medicine cabinet is vital for your newborn’s safety and health. It’s important to keep it fully stocked with a variety of items which include:

Petroleum jelly
Thermometer
Infant Tylenol
Electrolyte drink
Nasal aspirator
First aid kit

It’s nice to have:

Vapour cream or bath
Saline nose drops
Teething ointment
Antigas medicine

13. Bathing

For your baby’s bathing and grooming you’ll need:

4 washcloths
Baby bath wash
Cotton swabs
Cotton balls
Bath seat for after 6 months
Infant tub for after the umbilical cord falls off
Baby shampoo
Nail clippers
Baby comb or brush
2 hooded towels

Nice to have:

Bath toys
Faucet guard
Bag for bath toys
Bath thermometer to make sure it’s not too hot

Optional: Baby-size robe.

14. Solid Food

You don’t have to worry about solid food eating until 4-6 months.

For solid food eating you’ll need:

Plastic bibs
Infant feeding spoons and bowl
A high chair

It’s not necessary but nice to have:

A baby food mill, you can puree your baby’s own food
Mess mat that goes under the high chair

Newborn Checklist

In this guide, you found the complete newborn checklist for what you’ll need for when your baby comes home. You should feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed with this complete checklist.

Before you know it you’ll have your newborn home, so it’s important to get started on this checklist sooner than later!

Would you like to learn more about kids and parenting? Check out some of our other posts!