List of basic baby items to buy: Essentials for new expecting parents

Image by Collov Home Design

I was about 5 months pregnant when I started making a list of things that I would need to buy before my baby arrives. The best advice I would give is not to fall into the trap of social media ads selling a million of baby products. These might seem necessary because of the way they market the user scenarios, but they are intentionally designed to make you think that you will need them. The target audience for such products is usually the first-time parents, who will most likely buy these items because of their inexperience.

Living in a place like San Francisco Bay Area meant that I was going to be exposed to a lot of such ads about new local innovations that provide parents with solutions to various everyday hinderances with their babies. In reality, there will be some items that will be very useful, but a large number of these are unnecessary or the baby rejects using them.

As a first-time parent, I wanted to plan everything in an efficient way. I wanted to buy baby furniture and the ‘big’ stuff that would last me for atleast three years or more, or was useful by the time the next baby arrives. And then there were also other things that I wanted to prioritize buying first based on what will be needed in the first 2–3 months after the baby is born. That way, I could spend money slowly, as the baby grew and the needs were changing. For example, I knew that I would not need a feeding chair right away, because the baby will take months and various little milestones to be able to finally sit in a chair. I was actively trying not to overbuy emotionally. Although, I did end up buying a lot of cute clothes, but that was enough to feed my baby-shopping fever.

I am happy to share the list of absolutely necessary things that you will need to buy, in order to be prepared for the first 2–3 months of your baby’s life. I have made categories like feeding, diapering, sleeping and more to make it easier for you to plan in an organized manner.

Bottle Feeding

For pumped milk or formula-feeding babies.

• Baby bottles (I bought 4oz bottles so that they last me atleast 4 months)
• Dish soap (Baby-friendly)
• Cleaning Brushes
• Sterilizer and dryer (For washed bottles, pump parts, teethers, etc.)
• Formula (Only if formula-feeding)
• Kettle for heating up cold breastmilk (Because you cannot heat the breastmilk in a microwave)

Breastfeeding / Nursing

• Nipple shield (Only in case of sore or bitten nipples)
• Nursing pillow (Prevents back, neck and arm pain as the baby gets bigger and heavier)
• Nursing cover (preferably made of soft muslin; needed if feeding in public or while working from home)
• Nursing Chair (Optional. I use my chair to rock the baby to sleep or for pumping; and sometimes to nurse.)

Breastmilk Pumping

• Breastpump (You can get one that is both wall-plugged and portable)
• Pumping bra
• Extra pumping parts (If you cannot keep washing/sterilizing after every use)
• Milk storage bags (Preferably temperature-sensing ones for adults who want to avoid overheating them when used straight out of the fridge/freezer)
• Facial tissues (To dab and dry the nipples after pumping)
• Nipple butter (To apply after pumping so the nipples don’t get sore)

Diapering

Image by Carrie Allen

I tried using both kinds of diapers — the reusables and the disposables. And at the end, the most hygienic and easiest to use were soft cotton-based disposable diapers that I would keep changing every three hours for hygiene reasons. And thanks to that habit, my baby never got a diaper rash. These are the items that you will need:

• Diaper changing station (If planning on changing at a standing height. If it comes with storage, that is a plus!)
• Diaper Caddy (Optional. Only needed if you don’t have a diaper station for quick and easy access to diapers, cream and wipes every use)
• Changing Pad (Preferably a wipeable one. You can also buy disposables that can be reused until they get dirty)
• Diapers (Choose an appropriate size: Premie, Newborn, 1 to 7)
• Wet wipes (Preferably water-based to reduce the usage of chemicals)
• Diaper cream
• Diaper Pail (Only needed once the diapers start getting smelly)
• Diaper rash cream (To be used only if a rash develops)

Sleeping

This is very personal. Every parent and their baby will have a preference. But I will share my experience here.

Initially, I had no idea if I should have been buying a bassinet or a crib or both. But after the baby arrived, I had a very clear picture in my mind of what I wanted to use.

At the hospital, they keep your sleeping baby in a bassinet next to your bed. They do not let you sleep next to a sleeping baby in the same bed. The reason? Well, babies cannot maneuver by themselves at that stage. They are fragile beings and cannot do anything to save themselves from a risky situation. The hospital staff teaches you a very important thing that many people fail to understand — the baby needs to be safe! There is no doubt that mother’s body is the best kind of warmth that the baby can get. But when you are going to be sleeping at the same time as the baby, in order to keep the baby safe from SIDs, the baby should be away from all risky things like blankets, pillows, plushies, etc. and most importantly, the baby needs to be on his/her back.

So in order to make a safe environment like that at home, we got a bassinet that was almost like the one at the hospital. It had features like — bed-facing side could be pushed down if I needed to touch or pick up my baby for any reason. It also had a rotatory top for me to bring the bassinet closer to me while lying in bed or even for the bassinet to hover over my bed for quick reach. I used this bassinet for about 7 weeks and then my baby outgrew it.

Then the next stage was switching to a convertible crib that we placed right next to our bed. We put an infant-friendly mattress at the highest slot on the crib (that is recommended for infants). When I started using this, I did feel that I could have used it from day one instead of a bassinet if I did not have a c-section because the operation had made me incapable of a lot of movement in the beginning. Inability to get up freely and quickly forced me to use the bassinet next to my bed for quick and easy access to the baby.

Here is the list of items I think you will need:

• Bassinet (Optional. Needed especially if you have a c-section. Should be placed right next to your bed)
• Standard sized Crib (More useful for extended period if it is a convertible crib — that can be later converted to a toddler bed as well)
• Crib mattress (preferably the one that comes with a side for infant and the other side for toddler)
• Waterproof fitted sheet (Optional. This goes on top of the mattress to save it from any kind of stains and keeps the mattress dry at all times.)
• Crib sheet (Preferably made of a soft and natural fabric like 100% cotton)
• Sleep sack (I prefer these over swaddling that is usually only good for two weeks of baby’s life)
• Swaddles (Only mainly used for the first two-four weeks of baby’s life)
• Infant pillow (These are very thin and can be used after 3–4 months of baby’s life)
• Lightweight and breathable baby Blanket (Only to be used after 3–4 months of baby’s life)

Bathing

Image by Carlo Navarro

Bathing a newborn is very challenging because of their fragility and the fact that they cannot hold their neck up themselves yet. When the baby is born, a small part of umbilical cord is left on their belly button that dries in about fourteen days. During that two-week period, you are not suppose to let it get wet by any chance, it shouldn’t even touch water. This helps to keep away from any infection and helps it dry sooner.

So during that two week period, I avoided the belly button area from any sort of wetness and kept it dry while showering my baby. I used to wipe my baby’s body clean with a soft muslin cloth dipped in slightly warm water with a little bit of baby wash in it. Then I would use a clean wet wash cloth to remove the soap. I would also use a wet wash cloth for cleaning his head to softly rub the baby shampoo in and then another wet wash cloth for taking the shampoo out.

Once the dried part of umbilical cord falls off, then you can shower the baby in newborn inserts provided with most baby bathing tubs. Here is the list of items you may need:

• Baby Oil (If you want to give oil massages to the baby prior to showering)
• Bath tub with newborn insert
• Soft muslin swaddle (Either to keep under the baby while showering on new born inserts or for swaddle baths)
• Wash Cloths
• Baby shampoo and body wash (Also comes as a single product)
• Towel (Preferably soft muslin or cotton)

Grooming

• Soft Hair brush
• Cradle cap brush set (Optional. Only needed if the cradle cap really bothers you)
• Baby Nail cutter
• Baby Nail Filer (Electric ones are easier to use.)
• Hair cutting set (Baby/Kid-friendly set will have tools with rounded edges to prevent any accidents)
• Body Lotion
• Nose bugger extractor

Baby on-the-go

Image by Kelly Sikkema

When you leave your house with the baby, there are a few things you will definitely need like Diaper bag, car seat, etc. And then there are items you decide on taking with you, depending on where you are going like stroller, baby carrier, baby lounger etc. Here is the basic general list of items to take with you when on-the-go with your baby:

• Baby Carrier (Sizes based on the weight of the baby)
• Stroller (A foldable one that is easy to store in your trunk. If planing on having more kids, I would recommend a stroller that can be converted into a double stroller later.)
• Car seat (Easier if compatible with the stroller)
• Diaper Bag (See what goes in the diaper bag below)

Diaper Bag

Is Diaper bag only for diapering stuff? The answer is “No”. You use it for taking everything you will need for the baby when outside your home. It will have feeding, diapering, extra pair of clothes to change, teethers, pacifiers and small toys. When buying a diaper bag, there are many things to keep in mind — like does it have thermal pockets? Is there enough space for it to carry stuff worth one whole day? Is it waterproof? Is it washable? Keep in mind that you don’t need any other features, but you can sure want them. Here is the list of items you will definitely need in your diaper bag:

• Bottles
• Thermos for storing lukewarm water (For making fresh formula)
• Formula container
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• An extra pair of clothes
• Pacifier & pacifier cleaning wipes
• Facial tissues
• Bib
• Other small items (Depending on the stage of your baby, you might need teethers, small rattles or toys, etc.)

Medical Kit

• Snot sucker (Manual or electric; for blocked nose)
• Humidifier (Prevents blocked nose from drying up)
• Thermometer
• Diaper rash cream
• Tylenol for infants (Ask your pediatrician for the right dose)
• Gas passer (There are some great ones for gas and colic relief)
• Infant syrup for coughs, runny nose, etc. (Ask your doctor)
• Baby medicine dispenser (Nipple-shaped)

Exercise/Toys

• Tummy time toys
• Play gym for infants (With colorful items hanging off it)
• High contrast colorful items to exercise baby’s sight
• White noise generator (For soothing the baby)