Shopping Guide for New Babies – Necessities Every Baby Needs

The day is finally here! The day your surrogate mother has given birth to your beautiful baby. Soon you’ll be bringing your little one home. Are you prepared with all the necessities that every baby needs in those first few weeks at home? This shopping guide will make sure that you have everything you need to make life easier with your newborn baby.

Clothing

At the top of every clothing list for babies is the onesie, the outfit that makes diaper changes fast and easy. Get a mix of long and short sleeved. Other clothing necessities include:

• Pajamas and/or sleeping gowns
• Socks and booties
• Scratch mittens, to protect your baby from face scratches
• Newborn shirt and pant outfits
• Undershirts – look for ones that snap or tie on side for comfort
• Baby carrier or sling
• Sun hat or hat for cold weather
• Sweaters or snowsuit in the winter

Furniture for the Nursery

By the time you bring your new baby home from the hospital you’ll have the nursery all set up and ready to go. Here’s a checklist of must-haves:

• Co-sleeper bassinet or crib and mattress
• At least two mattress protectors
• Fitted crib sheets
• Cotton receiving blankets
• Changing table
• Rocking chair for feeding
• Dirty clothes hamper
• Baby monitor

Diapering Necessities

Plan on changing your new baby more often than you think! Make sure you have the necessary items on hand for diapering to make it as easy as possible:

• Waterproof changing pad with at least two removable and washable covers
• Diaper pail with a lid
• Newborn diapers – have extra packs on hand
• Baby wipes
• Small baby washcloths
• Diaper cream

Bath Time

With so many diaper changes during the day and spit ups after feeding you’ll be bathing your newborn at least once a day:

• Baby bathtub
• Hooded baby bath towels
• Wash cloths
• Baby shampoo
• Baby brush and comb
• Baby nail clippers
• Bath toys

Feeding Time

• Burp cloths and bibs
• Bottles
• Bottle nipples for newborns – have two or more brands available until you know what your baby prefers
• Nipple and bottle brush
• Rack for bottle drying
• Baby formula – have at least one week’s worth

Baby’s First Toys

Your baby probably won’t be lacking when it comes to toys, with gifts coming from family and friends. Here’s a list of perfect first toys for your little one:

• Rattles and linking chains
• Soft blocks
• Board books and soft cloth books
• Mirror for hanging on the crib
• An activity mat for tummy time
• Toys that crinkle and squeak to stimulate

Nice to Have Items

You by all means don’t need every baby item on the market. But here are some items that are nice to have to make life a little bit easier with your new baby:

• Colorful baby mobile to hang over the crib
• Infant or bouncy seat for soothing
• Baby swing
• Baby quilts for comfortable floor play
• Stroller that can be fitted for a newborn
• Stroller rain cover
• Diaper bag with lots of pockets for all the gear your baby needs

You don’t need a lot to get you started when you first bring your baby home from the hospital. For most intended parents, they have everything on this checklist and more by the time they bring their precious baby home.