The long awaited day is almost here! Soon you will have a precious baby in your arms and you want everything to be perfect!

Bringing home a newborn baby, especially the first, can be overwhelming. These big changes and unknowns can cause stress for a new mom. Take the stress out of your prep with this newborn baby checklist. It will help you have the confidence of knowing that you are ready!

The following newborn baby checklist can be used as a guide in your quest to be prepared for your newcomer. While no checklist will prepare you for EVERYTHING (like finding out your mother-in-law is coming to “help” for a few weeks), this one should be close!

Clothing – Newborn babies reach the next size very quickly! Don’t go crazy shopping for the tiny pieces of newborn clothing, or you may find that your baby has outgrown them before you’ve had a chance to try them on! By the time your baby weighs about 8 to 9 pounds, you will need the clothes for 3 months (this will last until your baby weighs about 12 pounds). Some larger babies even skip newborn size entirely!

The amounts listed here are based on the assumption that you will wash your clothes at least twice a week.

• 5-10 newborn size outfits
• 2 sweaters
• 5-7 sleepwear
• 2-4 portable blankets or sleeping bags
• 4-6 onsies
• dress clothes
• 2 pairs of mittens (to prevent scratches)
• hats: one for warmth and one for shade
• snowsuit: DO NOT wear it when your baby is in their car seat
• 6-10 pairs of socks (more is better because they are so small that they are lost or “eaten” in the washing machine)
• accessories, such as shoes, hair decorations, jewelry
• mild laundry detergent

Bathroom and toilet – When my first baby was born, we had very few baby supplies and nothing to bathe. Do you know what we discovered? Not really
need much. He cleaned himself up perfectly when I showered him in the bathroom sink and washed his hair with the hose from the kitchen sink.

So why did I include most of the following items on this newborn baby checklist? Convenience. There is A LOT to say for convenience when you have a newborn baby at home!

• bathtub or baby bath sponge
• 4 baby wipes
• 2 hooded towels
• baby lotion
• baby brush
• children’s nail clippers
• baby shampoo / bath gel
• bath thermometer

Nursery items – A beautifully decorated nursery is a fun way to get ready for your new baby. Adding some personality to the nursery and then putting away the items you will be using makes it start to feel like it is REALLY coming soon! To consider:

• to train
• baby size hangers
• rocking chair
• cd player with relaxing cds
• Night light
• nursery decor: wall hangings, window curtains, bed skirt

Diapering – “Changing a diaper is very similar to receiving a gift from your grandmother; you are not sure what you have, but you are pretty sure you are not going to like it.” (Foxworthy) No baby checklist would be complete without “covering” this.

• wet wipes, either commercial or homemade
• changing mat with waterproof pad
• 3 washable changing covers
• gel alcohol
• remedy for diaper rash
• clean hotter
• diaper disposal or lined diaper pail
• basket or diaper holder to keep diapers in order If you use disposable diapers:
• 10-12 disposable diapers per day OR if you use cloth diapers:
• 24-36 cloth diapers
• 8-10 diaper covers
• inserts and liners
• diaper pins if the chosen system requires them
• diaper sprayer

Feeding – Once you have decided whether to breastfeed or bottle feed, you will need to consider what items you will need to help you have a healthy baby.

Breastfeeding needs:
• 3-5 nursing bras
• nursing pads, washable or disposable
• breast pump
• nipple cream
• breast milk storage containers
• breast feeding pillow
• nursing cover
• 10 burp cloths

Bottle feeding needs:

• Bottles (BPA Free) – Start with a few until you know what your baby will prefer
• nipples (transparent silicone)
• formula – don’t fill up until you know you will be “okay” with your baby
• 10 burp cloths
• bottle brush
• bottle warmer
• clothes line
• sterilization bags

Asleep – Newborn babies spend about 18 hours out of 24 sleeping. At least
Some of that time you will want to leave it to attend to your own needs. Your baby’s safety during this time is paramount. Providing a safe, comfortable, and familiar place to sleep will help your baby establish good sleep habits that, in turn, will make YOUR sleep easier. Will need:

• place to sleep: crib with mattress, portable crib, bassinet, bassinet basket or co-bed
• 2 mattress protectors
• 3 fitted sheets
• 6-8 receiving blankets
• baby monitor
• a small fan for air circulation and white noise

Travel – Whether it’s across town or across the country, you’ll want to show off your baby (or at least restock on diapers). Traveling with a newborn is more complicated than grabbing your keys and heading out the door, but you’ll be prepared for any trip if you have:

• Car seat
• diaper bag
• replacement car seat cover
• walker
• baby carrier or baby carrier
• blankets of different thicknesses
• car seat travel bag for air travel
• carry cot

Health – Nobody likes to think that their baby will get sick, but it will likely happen sooner or later. Be prepared by having the following items on hand:

• nasal aspirator / pear syringe
• petroleum jelly
• digital thermometer
• rubbing alcohol and swabs (for umbilical cord care)
• Infant Acetaminophen – Use with newborns only under the advice of your pediatrician
• saline nasal spray
• a great pediatrician
• Don’t forget to add your baby to your health insurance policy!

Safety – Your newborn will not be able to move for a few months, but you will want to have the safety features in place long before that happens.

• security gates
• corner / edge bumper
• security locks
• outlet caps

Development and entertainment – Most of your newborn baby’s early development will come from hugging, singing, talking, and interacting with those who love him the most. Some items that will stimulate and entertain you while you are busy will be beneficial to both of you.

• baby mobile or plastic mirror for the crib
• some toys of different textures
• baby swing and / or hammock
• baby book to record all milestones

A common “new mom” mistake is taking care of her baby to the exclusion of taking care of herself. Don’t forget to make “mommy care” a priority, too. Add
your favorite bubble bath to your newborn baby’s checklist, and then use it!