I had so much fun writing an article on preparing financially for a new baby, that I decided to continue and write an article on forming a new baby shopping checklist for new parents.
I bought too much with my first child. Way too much.
I wanted her to have all the things. Plus, it’s super fun buying for a baby.
Have you seen how adorable itsy bitsy shoes are?
So I’m writing an article about what’s actually needed for the baby. I’ll go through each item and list if it’s a need or want.
At the end of the article, we’ll make a shopping checklist of all of the needs.
I’ll also create a new baby shopping checklist of all of the items in this article, needs and wants, because you will want to definitely put some of you “wants” on your baby registry.
Besides, most likely you’re going to see something on my “want” list that you think is borderline a need.
There are SO many baby items out there. I’m including as many of them as I can think of.
All of the following is based upon my experience having two children. Let’s go!
Baby Room
Let me start by saying that a baby does not need a baby’s nursery in your house or apartment. They are tiny and take up an extremely small space.
If you choose to give the tiny baby a room, fantastic. If you choose not to give the new baby a room, fantastic too.
Both my children were given their own rooms at birth because we had two extra rooms. I don’t think my oldest spent a night in that room until she was past two years old and out of the crib.
My youngest, who came out of the womb independent, started sleeping in her crib in her own bedroom around three months old.
You do what’s best for you and your situation. Now, on to the furniture…
Baby Bedtime
Crib – Need ✅
Yes, you could have your baby sleep with you or in a bassinet or in a pack ‘n play. Eventually though, your baby will outgrow that and need a crib or a bed.
According to March of Dimes, “the safest place for your baby to sleep is by herself in a bassinet or crib”.
I’ve chosen to put the crib as a need and the bassinet as a want because a crib can be a replacement for a bassinet. You can keep the crib close to you.
Crib Mattress – Need ✅
Yes, the crib will need a mattress. Would you sleep on your bed frame?
I don’t think there’s much more to add.
Crib Sheets – Need ✅
I would recommend three at a minimum so that if there are accidents in the crib, you are not waiting for sheets to be washed.
Bassinet – Want ❌
First child – I had both a bassinet and a crib. We used both.
For the second child, I only had a crib and it worked perfectly fine.
The bassinet gives you a little more convenience than the crib does, so it’s a want.
Swaddling Blanket – Need ✅
Hopefully you’ll get a few of these from the hospital. However, after having a baby that was very fussy when she wasn’t swaddled, I am saying this is a need.
If you need some step-by-step guidance on how to swaddle your newborn baby, check out this article on How To Swaddle a Baby.
Sleep Sacks, Sleep Suits, Velcro Swaddling Things – Want ❌
Literally, all you need is a Swaddling Blanket plus the knowledge of how to swaddle your newborn.
Baby Furniture
Changing Table – Want ❌
I never bought a changing table and I’m glad I didn’t. Some people may think I’m crazy but we changed the baby wherever.
We usually changed her on the couch. Never had an issue.
Dresser – Want ❌
Yes, you’ll need somewhere to put the baby clothes.
If you can’t get a dresser that will be the same dresser your child uses for years to come, save it for later. A dresser is not an immediate need.
Honestly, you’ll have so much to buy with a new baby and there will be unexpected expenses. I’m sure you have a couple of drawers somewhere you can spare.
I used a couple cheap hanging closet organizers and placed the baby’s clothes in it for a while. Baby clothes are tiny.
Gliding Chair – Want ❌
This one is hard for me to say. I didn’t use a gliding chair with my first child and was fine.
A rocking chair that did the job.
I purchased a gliding child for my second child and loved it. It was our breast feeding home.
Baby Clothes
Baby Hats – Need ✅
Both my kids wore hats.
I was iffy on if this was a need until I found this adorable article from MilkSnob: Little Heads, Big Protection: The Importance of Baby Hats.
Mittens – Want ❌
First baby – Wore mittens all the time because I was worried she would scratch herself.
Second baby – No mittens. I kept her nails trimmed appropriately.
I will say, if you’re concerned about this, mittens are extremely cheap. They might be a good item to place on your baby registry if you feel like you have to have them.
Onesie Bodysuits – Need ✅
My kids lived in onesies.
Both my kids were also pretty big babies and did not stay in newborn clothes very long.
Don’t purchase too many newborn onesies. However, think about how often you will want to do laundry. Once a week maybe?
Luckily, onesie bodysuits come in large packs that you can get for pretty cheap.
Pants – Eh, Want ❌ Unless cold weather and then it’s a Need ✅
If you want to purchase pants, try to find some ones that coordinate with the bodysuits you have.
Socks – Need ✅
Who likes cold feet? I don’t. I doubt babies do too.
Baby Bath Time
Bath Tub – Want ❌
Although there are some pretty cute bath tubs for baby, it’s not a need.
The sink or plastic tub will work. Mayo Clinic has a great article on how to do a baby bath.
Baby Towel – Want ❌
Utilize a soft towel that you enjoy using yourself. No need to purchase a baby towel.
Grooming Kit – Need ✅
You can purchase a complete grooming kit that comes with a comb, brush, nail clippers, and lots of other items that will be useful. These are very fairly priced.
Wash & Shampoo – Need ✅
Baby’s skin is sensitive.
I like Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo – available here on Amazon.
Nursing
Breast Pump – Need ✅
One thing I’m glad I invested in was a great breast pump.
I breast fed for around eight months with my second child. What I saved in formula costs far outweighed the cost of the breast pump.
I was able to pump and store in the refrigerator.
Bottles – Need ✅
Even if the plan is to breast feed, bottles will be needed.
Side Note: Sometimes I would pump and let my husband feed the children my breast milk in a bottle. This was not only to get my daughter used to being fed with a bottle, but also give my husband some bonding time.
Nursing Pillow – Want ❌
I had a nursing pillow with my second child. Was it seriously nice to have? YES.
But not a need. A pillow you already have can serve the same purpose.
Bottle Warmer – Want ❌
The bottle doesn’t have to be warmed in a warmer. You can place it under running water to get it warmer.
Alternatively, you can place the bottle in a tub of warm water and let it sit.
Bottle Cleaning Supplies – Want ❌
There are so many different items out there…
- Dishwasher rack
- Bottle Brushes
- Drying racks
- Bottle Sterilizer
- Bottle Sponges
- Baby Bottle Washer
Out of all of these, the only thing I would lean to purchase would be a simple bottle brush.
Although you can use a typical dish brush/sponge that you likely already have, the cleaning of bottles can be tricky at times.
Baby Gear
Car Seat – Must Have Need ✅
You’re not stepping foot out of the hospital with that baby without a car seat.
High Chair – Want ❌
I do feel like you will eventually need some type of high chair.
However, for a new baby, know that this is quite far out. You’re looking at not needing a high chair for six months.
If you get a high chair off of your baby registry, great. If not, save it for six months from now when you have less on your immediate purchase list.
Stroller – Need ✅
This was a hard one. Do you absolutely have to have a stroller for your baby to survive? No.
But can you get errands completed or go on walks outside for your mental health or even have a decent trip to the monthly doctor check up? Yes, but you may be grumpy after.
Get the stroller. If money is tight, borrow, rent, or buy a used stroller.
Baby Carrier – Want ❌
If I decided to have a baby tomorrow, a baby carrier would be on my list of wants after I purchased all the needs. It was a go-to item for my first baby. Second, not so much.
If you have a vision of your baby snuggled up against your chest while you clean the kitchen or go on a walk, add it to your want list. I loved having my Bjorn carrier.
Baby Monitor – Need ✅
This does not have to be an expensive baby monitor with a camera. However, I do suggest having a monitor so you can walk out of a room for as long as you’d like without worrying.
Baby Diapering
Diapers – Need ✅
Babies go through sizes quickly in the beginning. You’ll do more diaper changes than you realize.
If you received a ton of newborn diaper sizes from friends or family, know that you can trade them in at most places without a receipt for a larger size if needed.
Baby Wipes – Need ✅
My kids are grown and we still like having baby wipes around.
Wipe Warmer – Want ❌
Honestly, I don’t see any benefit to this. The baby wipes I used were never freezing cold.
My babies never cried when I placed a baby wipe on them that had not been previously warmed.
Diaper Pail – Want ❌
Big X on this. You do not need this. It’s literally a trash can that holds in the diaper smells.
Plus, most of them you have to buy overpriced trash bag refills for.
I will say that there are some that you can put standard trash bags in. If you’re manually placing this onto your own personal need list, please at least go with a diaper pail that takes regular trash bags so you aren’t spending your future dollars on a high priced refill.
Here’s an Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail that takes regular kitchen trash bags.
Diaper Bag – Want ❌
A diaper bag is a fancy backpack. If you have a backpack around your house, it can be used as a diaper bag.
This may be controversial. Do you need a bag to carry your baby’s things when you go out? Absolutely.
Could it be a plastic bag? Yep. Is that super cute? No. Does a plastic bag have thermal compartments? No, but neither do all diaper bags so I’m sticking with my answer.
Diaper Cream – Need ✅
I like Desitin Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Cream.
Other Items
Bibs – Want ❌
We barely used bibs for my new baby. See below “Burp Cloths” instead.
Burp Cloths – Need ✅
Unless you want to buy a whole lot more clothing, you need bibs or burp cloths. I’ve picked burp cloths out of the two because they’re cheap.
Cloth diapers can also be used as burp cloths.
You can find them for less than $1.00 each. You can place them exactly where you want them unlike bibs.
If you have other cloth items already at home that you can use, by all means, go for it and skip bibs and burp cloths.
Need Checklist
Let’s sum up the needs in a complete list of items in the “Need” category for your new baby shopping list.
I consider these essential items.
New Baby Shopping Checklist:
- Crib
- Mattress for Crib
- Crib Sheets
- Swaddling Blanket
- Baby hats
- Onesie Bodysuits
- Socks
- Grooming Kit
- Baby Wash & Shampoo
- Breast pump
- Bottles
- Car Seat
- Stroller
- Diapers
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Cream
- Burp Cloths
- Baby Monitor
How much is all of this? That depends on you.
Some items, like diapers, you have to purchase from a store. The name brand will influence the price, but you cannot buy these used.
Other big ticket items, like the crib, can be purchased used. You can also spend well over $1,000 on a new crib.
For used items, check out GoodBuy Gear, Once Upon a Child, Facebook marketplace, or check in with friends and family.
Here’s a cute, printer friendly version:
Want + Need Checklist
I’ve also created a new baby shopping checklist of all the wants and needs together.
There are a few reasons for doing this:
- You want to put some of your wants on a baby registry. People need “fun” options that aren’t only diapers and baby wipes. You’re likely to receive a mixture of both.
- Some of my “want” items you may not agree with. If you feel as though it’s a need for you and you can afford it, put it on your personal list.
- Some of my “need” items you may not agree with. Maybe you feel like a baby monitor isn’t necessary because you will be in the same room with your baby 24/7 and never walk away.
Complete New Baby Shopping Checklist:
- Crib
- Mattress for Crib
- Crib Sheets
- Bassinet
- Swaddling Blanket
- Sleep Sacks, Sleep Suits
- Changing Table
- Dresser
- Gliding Chair
- Baby hats
- Mittens
- Onesie Bodysuits
- Pants
- Socks
- Bath Tub
- Bath Towel
- Grooming Kit
- Baby Wash & Shampoo
- Breast pump
- Bottles
- Nursing Pillow
- Bottle Warmer
- Bottle Cleaning Supplies
- Car Seat
- Stroller
- Diapers
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Cream
- Wipe Warmer
- Diaper Pail
- Diaper Bag
- Baby Carrier
- High Chair
- Bibs
- Burp Cloths
- Baby Monitor
Final Thoughts
Purchasing baby products is super fun because everything is adorable.
It can quickly get out of hand and you wind up spending more than you ever imagined.
Creating a realistic budget as early as possible is a good idea to help you tackle purchasing the baby supplies you need without going overboard.
Take your new baby shopping checklist and add a dollar value to each item. Total it up and see if it’s in line with your budget.
If you have room to spare, great work!
If you see yourself coming up short, you have two options:
- Eliminate some of the items that are not a need.
- Create more income between now and the time the baby arrives.
Baby’s needs during those first few months are minimal. They need you, clothing, food, and shelter.
New moms can get overwhelmed by so much during this time – don’t let all of the ads for must-have baby products fool you.
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