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Newborn essentials checklist: what you really need for baby

A complete newborn shopping list by category: sleeping, feeding, changing, clothing, bathing, safety and travel, with the true must-haves marked.

By the Prego team · Updated · 3 min read · How we create content

A 3D clay crib with a mobile, a baby bottle and a rattle on a soft blue background

Baby stores can make it feel like you need everything. You don't. Babies need somewhere safe to sleep, a way to eat, diapers, clothes and a car seat. Everything else is nice to have.

This list matches the baby shopping list in the Prego app, which tracks more than 70 items by category. Items in bold are the true essentials for the first weeks.

Sleeping

  • A crib, bassinet or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress
  • Two or three fitted sheets and a waterproof mattress protector
  • Baby sleeping bags or swaddles (no loose blankets in the crib)
  • A baby monitor
  • A night light and blackout blind
  • A white noise machine (optional)

Feeding

If you are breastfeeding:

  • Nursing bras and breast pads
  • Nipple cream (lanolin)
  • A nursing pillow
  • A breast pump and milk storage bags (useful later, or if you plan to pump)

If you are bottle feeding:

  • Six to eight bottles and a bottle brush
  • Formula (ask your provider or pediatrician which type)
  • A sterilizer and drying rack
  • A bottle warmer and formula dispenser (optional)

Either way: plenty of burp cloths and muslins.

Changing

  • Diapers: newborn and size 1. Babies use around 8 to 12 a day at first
  • Wipes or cotton balls and water for the first weeks
  • Diaper cream
  • A changing mat and cover
  • A diaper bin or sealable bags
  • A changing table or dresser (optional; a mat on the floor works fine)

Clothing (newborn and 0 to 3 months)

  • Six to eight bodysuits (vests)
  • Six to eight sleepsuits
  • Two or three hats and socks or booties
  • Scratch mitts
  • A snowsuit or warm outer layer, depending on the season
  • A going-home outfit

Buy only a few newborn-size items. Many babies outgrow them within weeks, and some never fit them at all.

Bathing and baby care

  • A baby bathtub or bath seat
  • Mild, fragrance-free baby wash
  • Soft towels and washcloths
  • Baby nail clippers or a file
  • A digital thermometer
  • A nasal aspirator
  • A soft hairbrush

Safety

  • A first aid kit
  • Baby-proofing (socket covers and stair gates can wait until your baby starts to move, around 6 months)

Travel

  • A rear-facing infant car seat, installed before your due date
  • A stroller or pram
  • A diaper bag
  • A baby carrier or sling
  • A portable travel crib (optional)

Play

Newborns need very little: your face and voice are their favorite toys. A play mat, a few rattles and soft books are plenty for the first months.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start buying baby things?

Many people start in the second trimester, when energy returns, and aim to have the essentials ready by week 36.

How many diapers do I need for a newborn?

Expect 8 to 12 a day in the first weeks. A couple of packs of newborn size and a few packs of size 1 is a good start; babies outgrow newborn size quickly.

Can I buy a second-hand car seat?

It is safest not to, unless it comes from someone you trust and you know it has never been in a crash, isn't past its expiry date and has all its parts and instructions.

Sources

General information only, not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor or midwife.

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