This newborn essentials shopping list contains my favorite items when it comes to caring for a new baby. We’re not experts or health professionals, so we always recommend talking to your doctor for the best advice. This post contains affiliate links, which may lead to a commission if purchased. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
The first week with a baby has been a wild ride for sure, but I think we’re starting to get into the swing of things. There are a few baby items that have been more helpful than others, so today, I’m compiling a newborn essentials shopping list with my real “must-haves” for new baby life.
Newborn Essentials Shopping List Criteria
Sure, it’s possible to care for a baby without everything on this list. However, I have pretty strict criteria regarding what qualifies as a true newborn essential. Namely, every item on this newborn essentials shopping list is something that we use every (or very close to every) day, and makes our lives so much easier than if we didn’t have it. As in, it’s so useful that nearly every time I reach for it, I consciously think “man, I don’t know what I’d do without this”, type thing.
I’m breaking down this newborn essentials shopping list into five categories.
- Daily care & feeding
- Clothing
- Sleeping & lounging
- Transportation
- Misc
Let’s delve into it all a bit more below!
Daily Care & Feeding
- Wipes
- Newborn diapers
- Nursing pillow & cover
- Changing pad & sheet & liners
- Diaper caddy
- Pump/bottle cleaning system
- Breast Pump & breastmilk storage bags (if breastfeeding)
- Nursing station cart
- Rocking chair
Newborn Essentials Shopping List for Diapering
I did a lot of obsessive research on different wipe & diaper brands before our baby arrived; turns out that they’re all pretty dang similar. (So far, the Pampers Swaddlers are our favorite newborn diaper.) I use the Boppy nursing pillow and cover, which works for me. I’ve also heard good things about the My Breast Friend nursing pillow, which is supposedly a little more firm.
When it comes to diaper changing, I’m including a changing pad, sheet, and covers on this newborn essentials shopping list for sure. I initially gravitated toward the more Keekaroo Peanut Changer, but switched to a more traditional changing pad setup at the last minute. And I’m so glad I did. This changing mat is more comfortable for Elia, and the changing pad liners protect the sheets and make cleaning messes super easy. This is the diaper caddy I bought, which is nice for making changes in different areas of the house.
Breastfeeding Newborn Essentials Shopping List
I knew nothing about breastfeeding before having Elia, and honestly, I wish I’d done a little more research on all that and a little less recreational shopping to prepare for baby. However, we’re catching on quickly. If you plan to breastfeed, you’ll probably want a breast pump — I chose the Spectra S1; no complaints here! In addition, I recommend having a dedicated pump/bottle cleaning system and area. I originally looked into getting a bottle sterilizer, but couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger, and really, it isn’t missed.
Some true newborn necessities that we had to frantically order when Elia came early also include a nursing station cart and breastmilk storage bags. The cart helps so much with organization and charging the pump when needed, and the breastmilk storage bags are really needed from day 1, which I wasn’t prepared for. Don’t make the same mistakes I did!
Finally, I recommend a really comfortable, special rocking chair… since you will be spending lots of time in it! This is the one we settled on, and we absolutely love it. Even though we don’t have a dedicated nursery at this property, it makes our nursery corner so cozy and pretty. It’s also extremely comfortable.
Newborn Clothing
- Sleepers (w/ zipper, footies & mittens)
- Bodysuits (short sleeve and long sleeve)
- Easy swaddles
- Muslin blankets
It’s so easy to get carried away with newborn clothing, isn’t it? It’s all so fun! As far as clothing for a newborn essentials shopping list goes, I’m limiting it to the following.
Sleepers
Sleepers make newborn care the easiest, for sure. I recommend newborn sleepers with the following.
- Zipper (so much easier than snaps or buttons)
- Footies (so much easier than socks)
- Fold-Over Mittens (so much easier than loose mittens)
You can find some on Amazon like this, and I also love these ones from Old Navy. The Old Navy ones work great for us since our baby was born quite tiny, but I’ve heard from others that they run a bit small, too, and might not work for every newborn.
Bodysuits
We dress Elia in bodysuits on warmer days, since the sleepers can be quite toasty. We have already used bodysuits with both short sleeves and long sleeves, so I recommend having a mix of both.
Easy Swaddles
The ones with the velcro make life so much easier! These are the one we have. She sleeps so much better in them. I’ve been meaning to dedicate a few hours to learning how to swaddle properly… but let’s be real. I have no idea when that will happen. These easy swaddles have really helped us put Elia to bed at night, and keep her nice and cozy. And they make midnight changing & feeding that much easier, too.
Muslin Blankets
Another key item on the newborn essentials shopping list is muslin blankets, for sure! I love the Aden & Anais brand; their designs are too cute, and the quality is great. We use these for swaddling, for cleaning up messes while feeding, for keeping her warm when we take her out… just about everything. They’re all over the house and we like it that way, since having one within reach when we need it is so key.
Other newborn clothing items that haven’t been quite so essential include bows, hats, headbands, dresses, sweaters, and the like. They’re fun to buy for sure, so have at it! But I didn’t include them in this newborn essentials shopping list, since they don’t really make newborn care any easier.
Sleeping & Lounging
Newborn Essentials Shopping List for Sleeping & Lounging
When it comes to a newborn essentials shopping list for sleeping & lounging, I was surprised how much the different options came in handy for different uses. We already went over the importance of blankets & swaddles. In addition, I recommend a few more stations for sleeping and lounging during the day. Our baby swing is really helpful for rocking Elia to sleep when she is bored or fussy, and we can’t hold her in that moment. Some people prefer a bouncer — we haven’t used ours quite yet, but I know we will when she gets a tad bigger.
We use the Pack & Play playpen so much during the day — it’s kind of her “daytime” crib, while she sleeps in her “nighttime” crib during the night. We love that the Pack & Play is on wheels, so we can move her around to be with us. In addition, I really recommend having a baby lounger — we got the Snuggle Me Organic, which we love. Others use the DockATot for the same purpose. It keeps her a little more comfortable and snuggled while we supervise, and it’s easier to move around than some of the other options. (I like to use it on the couch next to me while I work on the computer.)
Finally, one of the most important pieces that many people forget in their newborn essentials shopping list is a versatile night light. We love this night light — it’s easy to change the brightness with taps, and the best part is that you can pick it up and carry it around with you. Honestly, one of the best returns-on-investment in this entire newborn essentials shopping list is this night light.
Transportation
We haven’t transported our newborn baby much of anywhere exciting yet, and still, we’re using all the transportation items on this newborn essentials shopping list. First of all, a newborn car seat is a true must, since the hospital most likely won’t let you take your baby home without one. (Thank goodness Ian had time to install ours the morning I went into labor!) In addition, I recommend having a baby carrier like the Ergobaby (we have the Ergobaby Omni 360) that can go on in a pinch. Another favorite among moms is the Solly or Moby Baby wrap. They’re super comfortable and cute, but they do take a minute longer to put on, and are overall geared a little more towards women. So I recommend having both the baby carrier & a baby wrap.
Finally, a stroller is a must-have on any newborn essentials shopping list. Especially for leisurely walks in crisp fall weather like we enjoy. We went with the Graco Modes Nest stroller, and we love it. It has just the features we need and want, and we’re not paying extra for bells and whistles or trendy name brands.
Misc Newborn Essentials Shopping List
Finally, I’m just adding a miscellaneous category to this newborn essentials shopping list. Even though these don’t fit anywhere in a traditional baby supplies compilation, they’re must-haves for us. First of all, if at all possible, I really recommend getting an extra freezer for storage. We quickly filled up our freezer with postpartum meal prep and milk. It’s such a relief to know that freezer space isn’t in short supply, and we can freely buy the frozen foods and store breastmilk as we need.
Second of all, a go-to water bottle for mama is truly a must on any newborn essentials shopping list. I’m not really going into postpartum recovery here, but keeping mom hydrated is so important for newborn care as well. I recommend a water bottle with a straw and flip top like this one. It makes it easier to grab a one-handed drink and avoid water spills. (Because let’s be real… there are plenty of other spills going on without adding water spills into the mix.)
Newborn Essentials Shopping List Summary
This sums up my newborn essentials shopping list thus far. Granted, our daughter is only a week and a half old, so more essentials may arise. I’ll make sure to update the list as need be. What are your recommendations for baby items to make life easier? Did any of your favorites make the list? I’d love to hear your baby picks as well!