With literally hundreds of thousands of baby items available just between Amazon, Etsy and Target, how does one decide what they actually need for their new baby? Let alone pick a good baby shower gift? Well, the first step is to focus on practical newborn must haves because odds are you aren’t going to be putting that newborn in a 3-piece suit on day, 4 no matter how cute it is!
Notice how I wrote the word practical newborn must haves?
Between my own 2 pregnancies and a few dozen close friend’s new babies, I’ve taken all of that knowledge and experience and have compiled a list from a practical standpoint!
Below are the items I think are practical, broken into categories of newborn necessities, and should definitely be added to your newborn baby shopping list!
Newborn Must Haves: Nursery
A Crib (and crib mattress)
Obviously, you need somewhere for the baby to sleep. If you are going the bedside bassinet route for the first few months, you can put off spending money on a crib that will go unused (trust me 😉)
A Bassinet
A bassinet makes it on the newborn necessities list (and the newborn baby shopping list below) because I can’t tell you how helpful it was having my babies in a bassinet next to the bed for the middle of the night feedings!
A Waterproof Crib Cover
Since most crib mattresses double as a toddler mattress, you will want to make sure you are keeping it protected with a waterproof crib cover. Babies (and toddlers) are messy and I can basically guarantee you that bodily fluids are going to be hitting that mattress at some point.
Crib Sheets
No need to go sheet crazy, you just need one for the bed and one sheet as a backup, that is a total of 2 crib sheets that you actually need!
Tip: Buy crib sheets that are neutral color or theme and use them for the next baby.
A Place to Change Diapers
When it comes to newborn necessities, you don’t need a changing table. However, you do need a place to change their diaper. We used our ottoman 96% of the time downstairs and most of the time we changed the baby on our bed upstairs with a blanket underneath them. Think about what spaces you spend the most time in at home and where the baby will be sleeping those first few months before spending money on a changing table.
Newborn Must Haves: Linens and Things
Swaddles, swaddle blankets, burp cloths, burp rags, think blankets, light blankets, receiving blankets…just to name a few.
Grab some receiving blankets and skip the burp cloths/rags because they are usually a bit larger and serve so many other functions! You can use them for a nursing cover up, a blanket, to clean up spills and spit ups, change the baby on top of them if you find yourself without a great setup to change them while you are out, just to name a few!
Bibs
Don’t overdo it in the bib department. No need to grab several of the 10 packs of bibs, although the cute prints are tempting, you will most likely end up with a drawer full of half unused bibs by the time you they don’t wear them anymore!
I recommend grabbing 1 pack of the larger bibs because they will fit as baby grows and you won’t have to buy new ones! Bibs can be used to help protect their clothes while they begin to eat solids (or drink from a bottle) but also to help keep their clothes dry when they become drool-monsters during the teething phase!
Newborn Must Haves: Bathroom
Baby Bath
You could also use a sink for giving the baby a bath, but I highly recommend having a bath designed for baby. Both children loved their tub that transitioned with them as they grew. From having a newborn sling insert to cradle them, to the seat insert that helped stabilize them as they were learning to sit up, I felt it was well worth the $40 to skip the sink baths.
Bathing Essentials
There are SO many cute things in this department but go ahead and skip the unnecessary themed towels and washcloths galore. You can use your current washcloths or pick a pack of washcloths that are a reasonable solid color so you can use them after baby grows.
Personal Care Items
Again, there are so many cute things in this department but skip the 32 piece set of baby care items- most of those packs are made horribly and Mom won’t use most of it. Instead, make sure and get her:
- A Nose Frieda- Don’t mock it until you try it.
- A GOOD thermometer
- Baby wash and lotion that is fragrant free. Babies have delicate skin so make sure that you buy quality items so it keeps baby’s skin safe (we only use the Seedlings line from Young Living Essential Oils) CREATE A PAGE FOR OILS ON THIS AND A MINI NEW MOM KIT!!!
- Baby sized nail clippers
Newborn Must Haves: Feeding
A Good Pump
Even if you are going to be breastfeeding, you need to have a good breast pump to help build your supply. If you are a working mom, having a good breast pump is one of my top tips for pumping at work!
Bottles
I suggest buying a small set of bottles to have on hand but save your big bottle purchase later down the road. If you are nursing, you won’t need bottles very often (until you head back to work) and if you are bottle feeding baby, you don’t want to overbuy a bottle system just to find out it is not a good fit for the baby.
You will be just fine without the sanitizer, the microwave cleaning bags, the warmer and every size nipple and flow under the sun.
A Bottle Brush
It’s so simple, it is easy to forget!
Milk Storage Bag
Nothing screams practical newborn necessities than freezer bags specifically designed to safely store expressed breastmilk!
Nursing Pillow
There are several good nursing pillows available . I used one with both kids because it gave the proper support to myself and the baby while breastfeeding. Having a good latch is an important part of being able to breastfeed successfully so it is a very practical item to have with a new baby!
The Absolute Newborn Necessities
A Car Seat
I suggest getting an infant carrier car seat versus a convertible one. Being able to move the baby while they stay sound asleep in their car seat is invaluable! You can look at these other features that infant car seats generally have if my reason doesn’t convince you!
A Stroller
The most practical, and helpful stroller is one that is called a car seat- stroller combo! The infant carrier car seat clicks into the stroller. Having this feature makes it super easy transporting the new baby in between places without waking them up
Diapers and Wipes
If you are a new mom, skip the pink ruffle socks and grab an extra pack of diapers and wipes! Especially if you are having a girl, people loooooove to gift baby clothes! My strategy is let other people buy the clothes and save your money for the newborn necessities that aren’t as fun to gift (like nipple cream!).
If you are reading this because you are looking for a gift idea, the new mom might not know it yet, but she will be forever grateful that you skipped the pink ruffle socks and grabbed a pack of diapers and wipes instead!
Tip: Buy sizes 1, 2, and 3. Often times people grab newborn size diapers and the new baby will grow out of them before you’ve used them all! And make sure to buy wipes that are fragrance-free!
Baby Clothes
Obviously baby clothes are on the list of newborn necessities. But odds are, you will be gifted plenty of clothes so stick to buying the few clothing items that you see and absolutely fall in love with!
Newborn Must Haves: For Mom
There is always plenty of attention on what the new baby needs, these items are specific practical items for mom:
Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration is key for a new mom! If you are pumping or will be pumping at work this is one item that will get a TON of use! I suggest buying a reusable water bottle that is at least 24 ounces or bigger to minimize the amount of times you have to fill it up.
Nursing Pads and Nipple Cream
Not glorious items, but make sure they are on the newborn baby shopping list!
Comfortable Pajamas
You could go the uber-practical route and just try and use these items from pre-pregnancy, but I think it is super practical to buy a pair of pajamas that are not maternity but ARE comfortable to wear after having a baby, usually wearing 1 size up from my pre-pregnancy size fits me well the day I’m home from the hospital.
Nursing Tank Tops
Nursing tank tops are an extremely practical item for a new baby. Babies access their food supply a lot, so being able to just pop a clip with one hand and begin nursing is well worth grabbing 1 or 2 nursing tank tops. They also fit for months after having a baby and can be worn as a pajama top for the duration you nurse to make nighttime feedings/early morning feedings convenient.
For a few more ideas of things you can spoil the new mom with, check out these essentials for working moms!
Newborn Baby Shopping List
Simply put, this list doesn’t have a thousand and one items listed because there just are not that many PRACTICAL baby items out there that you have to have!
Don’t forget to save this list of newborn must haves to give you a jumpstart on your newborn baby shopping list!
To Save, Pin Here!
