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!