New Baby or Shopping for Registry? These are the Minimum Essentials from Experienced Parents!
We love to support local, so if you can, please buy these items from your local baby store. If you are buying on Amazon, we are Amazon Associates, so please click on the links on the article to help support the show! We gain a small commission and the price will be exactly the same.
Many people ask us what they think they should put on their registry. So I wrote this list two years ago after having our fourth baby and I’ve revised it again after just having the fifth.
This list encompasses what is needed for a newborn from birth to about 6months.
Note: After having this fifth baby, I am once again shocked at how little a new baby actually needs. Unless you want to go out of your way to dress your baby in cute outfits every day, then babies can literally live in sleepers until they’re old enough to move around. This list is made with that simple baby itinerary in mind—sleep, eat, sleep, eat, sleep, etc.
Scroll down to the bottom for a downloadable pdf summary of this baby minimalist list!
Nursery Essentials:
baby crib or bassinet.
Of course, you will need a place for your baby to sleep! We do advocate for co-sleeping, but personally, I really like the caboose-style arrangement. This is when you remove one side of the crib and place it up against the bed so that the baby has his/her own place to sleep but there is no concern about the baby bumping into you in the night or rolling off the bed. I place a flat sheet and then a fairly flat sheepskin on top of it. The reason for the sheepskin is that it is soft and feels warm to the touch, making for a smoother transfer of the baby in the night after a feeding session. If the bed that you are moving the baby to is cold, it could wake the baby up. Another alternative is to wrap the baby in a cloth or swaddle and this also helps with the transfer.
The bassinet is great as well and we used it with our first baby. In a similar manner to the caboose, the bassinet can be pulled up close to the bed but still allows you to have your own space. We didn’t use ours for long though, since our babies tended to roll early.
A playpen may also be used as a crib. They often have a feature where the bottom can be raised to make it less straining on your back to pull the baby out. Of course, this option is only possible before the baby starts crawling—and at that point, you can lower the bed.
This crib is like a playpen but one side can be pulled down to turn it into a caboose.
1 crocheted baby blanket
You'll want a blanket with holes in it, like a crocheted blanket or afghan. Avoid tassels if possible; when you’re putting your baby to bed in the dark, it’s nicer to have a blanket that can be used in any direction. The blanket is also useful to tuck around the baby when she/he is in the car seat on colder days.
7-10 Baby burp blankets (swaddle blankets work too).
Some babies spit up more than others, but these are handy also for excess milk, drying off the baby’s face, or even providing a clean area for the baby to lie on the ground and get tummy time. Since I feed my babies in bed, I also put one of these blankets under me as I sleep. If baby throws up in the night, this makes for an easy clean-up—I just clean the baby blanket instead of my sheet.
Swaddling the baby helps the baby stay comfortable at night. Babies tend to scare easily and their little arms will fly out—waking them up immediately. Wrap that swaddle blanket tightly around them and your baby won’t wake themself up so easily.
( Sleepers cover the baby's body and limbs). Skip this purchase if you know that your baby is going to be larger than 50th percentile. My babies have lasted in newborn size for only 2 weeks since they were all over 8.5lbs.
Try to buy cotton material with less colour dye and no stitched images on them (they tend to be scratchy!). The Joe Fresh baby clothes are convenient to purchase, but they tend to fall apart quickly and are made for very slim babies. I usually bought second-hand or from Carter’s, but this Gerber pack looks like a great deal. Go gender-neutral if possible so you don’t have to store so much clothing for boys and girls if you plan to have another baby.
12 onesies NB size (covers the torso only).
You may go through multiple outfits in a day—and through the night—especially in the first two weeks. If you don’t want to be also doing laundry every day (!) buy a good number. I recommend 12 as the amount we usually need to manage the newborn stage.
*Skip purchasing these onesies if you know that you will have a big baby.
0-12 sleepers and 12 onesies in size 0-3mo, 3mo, or 3-6mo (these sizes are essentially the same).
Again, my big babies only stayed in the newborn size for a couple of weeks. If your baby likes to sleep on his/her stomach, avoid getting a onesie with a zipper down the centre. Since babies tend to surprise easily when they are very young, when they lie on their stomachs they are more likely to return to sleep easily when they hear a noise. That being said, please do whatever you feel is the safest for your baby sleeping. Some babies who are colicky can’t stand to lie on their stomachs.
If you have a large baby, you may only need this size for one or two months, so 10-12 is more than plenty.
7-10 sleepers and 12 onesies in size 6mo, 6-9mo, 9mo, 6-12mo (these sizes are essentially the same).
Alternatively at this age (especially if you have an early walker or crawler), you can purchase a top and bottom duo. I have early movers, and these need to have clothes where their feet are exposed so they can crawl and stand. Some babies grow slowly and stay in newborn size for a while. Others will switch to size 3 months at only a few weeks old. Then you have to consider the seasons… So I am giving this amount as a reference just in case someone passes you three garbage bags of baby clothes (which happens occasionally) and you’re not sure how much to keep.
A note on baby pants: when purchasing baby pants, take a look at the elastic. It should fit comfortably around your baby’s middle, just where the diaper is, not pressing tightly on the stomach above.
A note on baby socks: although newborn socks are very cute, trying to keep socks on a newborn is difficult, they are always kicking them off. As baby gets older and you need to purchase socks, I recommend getting some that have a grip on the bottom and also on the heel. The little grip on the heel stops baby’s sock from slipping off! I recently purchased these socks from Amazon and I’ve been very happy with them.
Portable Night Light.
Useful at home and when you’re travelling or even just moving around the house, this little light can be dimmed and turned on with just a tap. I can bring it with me in my bed or beside me wherever I may be nursing. It means I don’t have to turn on all the lights when I’m looking for something in the night or even when I just have to go to the bathroom. The dimmer light is also more restful on tired eyes and helps me ease into the night. The baby is less bothered by this little light than by a bright lamp or an overhead light.
Baby swing.
This super useful item will allow you to put down even a fussy, colicky baby and give you some relief. There are some expensive swings on the market, but I’ve used both expensive and cheaper ones and my one advice is to avoid swings that don’t actually swing—those mechanical ones that just move your baby side to side but don’t mimic the natural swinging motions they would have felt in the womb. For example, my boys hated the Mamaroo swing. My second piece of advice is to get a baby swing with a wall adapter so that the batteries never run out! My favourite was the Graco glider (which I got second-hand) but the electrical wiring died after 2-3 kids. So I got a cheaper one, which was also smaller and more lightweight, and it has been fine. Swings only work for smaller babies, so mine usually grew out of their swing at about 3months when they reached upwards of 12-15lbs. But all in all, swings are worth it for even that short amount of time because they allow you to put the baby down at an age when you can place them on the floor.
Feeding Essentials:
2 Nursing bras.
One to wear and one for the wash. Bravado Body Silk is by far my favourite nursing bra but the one I purchased at La Vie En Rose is extremely similar. Since nipples tend to get larger when nursing, these bras are great because they come with a lining. They are also so comfortable that you can wear them through the night. The Bravado “ballet” nursing bra is cheaper but not recommended if you have larger breasts—it doesn’t come with a fastener. The ballet bra is useful for daytime but can be tricky to use at night, for breasts of any size! Consider any nursing bra that has a fastener. Avoid any bras that press anywhere on your breasts (like wires, for example) since this pressure could cause a plugged duct.
Breast pads.
You can get non-disposable ones later, but in the first few weeks you might be filling these up so much you won’t be able to keep up with the laundry! Disposable breast pads keep your bra dry so you don’t have to wash it as much.
Breast pump.
You can buy a cheap one (under $25) if your milk is coming in well. You don’t need to buy this item until after the baby is born. If your baby is not taking to the breast, buy a good quality one if you can afford it—you’ll be using it a lot (eg. for a preemie, though, the hospital may offer you one). I recommend a breast pump for first-time moms because it helps to relieve your breasts if the baby is sleeping and you're feeling engorged and uncomfortable. I found I was most engorged with the first baby but I rarely used the pump with my fifth (and never with my fourth).
Baby Bottle.
Get a baby bottle just in case you can't breastfeed. As I discovered, there are many different nipple sizes and shapes. Pick one that is appropriate for a newborn or preemie. Also, get a small amount of formula. You can use the bottle and formula later when your baby starts eating if you don't use them at first. Don’t open the formula until you’re ready to use it since it expires after a short time. If you need to use formula full time but are not sure which brand to pick, you can ask the brands to send you samples to try. Some babies can be picky.
baby bibs.
Baby bibs can also double as drool-bibs or slobber bibs or spit up bibs—you get the idea. Some babies drool so much during teething, they need to wear bibs all the time. I like a bib that is round and covers as much of the torso as possible. The bandana style has been in fashion, but I find they bunch up at baby’s mouth or don’t tuck around the neck quite as well. I like these bibs that have a piece of rubber at the bottom so that baby can have something to chew on.
high chair.
You need a place to put baby when she is ready to feed—sometimes as early as four months! If your baby is ready to feed this early, then you might want to consider a Bumbo, a special kind of baby seat that helps the baby sit up straight.
Once baby is sitting up, consider a portable high chair. Often when we are invited over for dinner, I bring the diaper bag—and the high chair. Once baby is old enough, she will start to grab your plate! So it is nice to have her on her own so you can eat without having your dinner end up on the floor. Sometimes we feed the baby her food just before dinner, then keep the baby in the high chair while we sit down for dinner and give her at the same time little bits of food to eat from our own plates. (If you are curious to learn more about Baby Led Weaning, you can read this book.)
Baby Food.
It’s amazing how quickly babies grow up! I still can’t believe our little newborn is now shouting at me for steak. It seems like yesterday all she could care about was milk! Thankfully with online ordering it was so easy for me to get some reusable baby squeeze packs (also known as baby food pouches) shipped to me as quickly as possible. In the best of worlds, I would always be making my own purees. My kids have liked potato, apple, squash and pear as their first nibbles. I use the Instant Pot to quickly cook up the food or a Baby Bullet to puree our dinner. But if you are in a pinch, get some high-fat yogurt, pour it into this pouch, and you have a baby snack ready to go. The great thing about the pouch is that it can sometimes be less messy than feeding baby with a spoon. The second great thing about a pouch is that it is travel-friendly!
Hygiene & Health Essentials:
Diapers and wipes.
This goes without saying, but you will need diapers and wipes. You may go through 10-12 newborn diapers in a day in the first couple of weeks, so you’re looking at roughly 75-150 newborn diapers as a start. Usually after about a month, my babies graduate to size 1, but this differs from baby to baby. Remember that the smaller sizes are cheaper, but getting the right size for their weight is worth it to avoid spillovers.
Baby butt cream for diaper rash.
If you leave a wet diaper on a baby for too long, they may develop diaper rash. As annoying as it can begin to be to change diapers frequently, a clean diaper will prevent this skin irritation and your baby will generally be happier. As my sister says, they cry for only a few reasons: they’re hungry, they’re tired, they have a tummy ache, or they’ve soiled their diaper. I’ve also seen that certain perfumed diapers can also create diaper rash, Pampers, for example, uses a scent on their diapers. This bothers some babies, but not all. Some babies have sensitive skin and simply wiping them with a regular baby wipe will cause their skin to turn red. There are sensitive-skin baby wipes, but I know a mom who had to use a hair dryer when she wanted to dry her baby’s bottom. If the baby’s bum looks red, add butt cream! I like both one with Calendula (I love the smell) but my aunt found only Sudocrem worked for her (I use it too and it lasts forever).
Baby thermometer.
I like the ear thermometer because it is quick and easy to use but forehead thermometers are even easier. Babies don’t always like having a cold piece of metal stuck under their tongue or under their armpit for any length of time. Fevers often appear alongside teething, so it’s good to check temperature when the baby’s unusually fussy.
Baby Wash.
There are all kinds of baby wash, try to find one that is scent-free since the fragrance may irritate the baby’s skin. One thing to note for boys is that if you put them into regular bubble baths, they are at risk of developing balanitis, or inflammation at the head of the penis if they are sensitive to the soap and/or fragrances in the soap. What I do with my boys is just put them into plain water and at the end of their bath time, I rub them down with some soap and rinse them off.
Cleaning & Maintenance:
Stain Removal and a Bucket.
I like Oxyclean for stain removal or Shout spray, but I do recommend getting ready with stain removal options. Baby poop is a bright yellow mustard colour. Sometimes blow-outs as we call them can happen once a day and it can be a lot to keep up with. One easy method that my mother taught me is to have a bucket in the tub filled with water and Oxyclean so that when your baby has a blowout, you can just put the clothes in there and let it sit until you're ready to do laundry. If your baby has had a blow-out and you don’t have time to let the item soak, spray it with the Shout spray and then wash it. The longer a stain sits on an item of clothing, the harder it is to clean. Usually the window of time to deal with it is about 15min. If it takes you longer than that to address the stain, throw it into a bucket with Oxyclean and deal with it later.
Fragrance-free laundry detergent.
Some babies are fussy about smells, rough clothing, and all sorts of chemicals. Finding a very natural detergent that has little or no fragrance is a good place to start. I really like Rockin’ Green Dirty Diaper detergent that is all-natural and is great for stain removal and deodorizing. I’ve also recently tried detergent sheets and found they’re pretty good for lighter washes.
Travel Essentials:
I really like the Ergo 360. Having the baby on you gives you more freedom to move around, go for a walk without managing the stroller, take care of other kids if you have them, and let the baby nap if you’re out visiting. I have also found that with my kids, it became their “safe space” if when we were visiting they started to get overwhelmed by new people and noise. Don’t forget to consult with hubby about colour so he can feel comfortable wearing the baby too.
Stroller.
We absolutely love our UppaBaby stroller. I am absolutely satisfied with mine and that I’ve happily used it with 5 children over 7 years. The company has excellent customer service and will even replace parts that were damaged when flying. They are expensive, but I have seen my sister go through 3 strollers—so we decided to get a one-and-done. There are other stroller brands similar to this one, but this is the one which was available to us in our area. You can clip the car seat directly onto the frame, and the wheels hold up to slush, snow, and even cross-country trekking (though you might have to pull it backward at parts). In any case, it is extremely durable. You can fit up to three children and there is a lot of room for groceries, bags, coats, etc. in the large pocket at the bottom. Be aware that if you want to add the second seat, there is a cost to it.
Car Seat.
Just a note here that car seats do expire, so it may be tempting to get one second-hand but do check the date on the car seat to see if it is worth your money. Also check to see that it is compatible with your stroller. Sometimes you can buy a piece to make it compatible.
diaper bag
While any bag will do, consider having a designated bag as your diaper bag. I find the most useful is a small backpack. The bigger the bag, the more stuff you will cram into it! Diapers, a mini container of diaper cream, wipes, an extra set of baby clothes, a water bottle, and some snacks for yourself are probably all you will need to put into it.
Mother's Essentials:
Epsom salts for a healing bath for yourself.
One of the most relaxing things for me post-birth was a warm Epsom healing bath while watching a TV show. Epsom salts relax your sore muscles, help reduce swelling, and even help reduce stress and improve sleep.
postpartum clothes
Don’t be upset or even surprised if you don’t fit back into your antepartum clothes after the baby is finally out. It takes time for your body to adjust and you may have a bit of a bulge around your hips and stomach for a while, months or longer. I continued to wear my pregnancy pants for a few weeks after birth because I didn’t want to feel anything tight around my waist. You might be fitting into a size larger or more than what you might be used to in your tops because of your larger breasts. In order to avoid having too many clothes, I avoided specifically breastfeeding clothes, only getting about three or four dresses that allowed were specifically for breastfeeding. I got flowy tops and button-down dresses to fill in the rest of my wardrobe. These I can wear even when I am not breastfeeding. I got pants that had some structure but allowed a stretch at the waist. Whatever you choose, make sure that they are something you like, that the material is soft and cozy, and that they are something other than grey or black (unless that is your thing!) Make the clothes easy to match and hide everything else that doesn’t fit you right now.
Here's a list of items to consider for a winter baby:
- Baby jacket, hat, and winter suit: When buying winter clothes, I recommend avoiding spending too much money on newborn sizes since babies grow out of them quickly. Instead, consider using a 6-month size suit for newborns. Alternatively, you can use a car seat winter cover while driving and tuck your baby into your own winter coat using a jacket extension if you’re going for a walk.
- Jacket extension: This accessory can help you wear your regular winter coat during pregnancy by expanding the belly area.
- Car seat winter cover: This cover can be very helpful for keeping your baby warm and protected while in their car seat during the winter.
- Sleep sack for winter baby: This is a cozy and safe way to keep your baby warm and comfortable while sleeping during the colder months.
other items that are super helpful but not absolutely necessary:
Playpen (also called pack and play): this is great for travelling (camping, hotels) as well as for allowing the baby a place to play if you want to be outside (gardening for instance) and the baby has started moving around. I use my playpen every time I want to go to the bathroom, for example, or take a shower.
- Dr. Sears Baby Bible: This book is a great reference tool for parents who need a refresher on baby basics and for new parents. Dr. Sears et al. follow attachment theory parenting, which encourages bonding with your baby through touch and developing an intuitive responsiveness to your baby’s needs. For example, they advocate baby-wearing, co-sleeping and are against the cry-it-out methods of sleep training.
-The Birth Partner: My husband read this book before our first baby was born and it provided invaluable advice as to how he could take the lead in case I was in some way incapacitated. It did so happen that when I was in extreme pain experiencing birth contractions for the first time, I was able to ask him about pain control and he could advise me (based on what he knew to be my preferences) as to what my options were. This book helped my husband feel confident and prepared to be able to support me in the birthing moment.
-Lanolin: this is a kind of heavy cream, naturally derived, that allows your nipples to heal. I found it was particularly useful with my first baby but I never used it again for the subsequent babies.
-Protein Bars and Ready-Made Snacks: I found that after the baby was born I was having trouble finding the time to make food! It is so important to keep your calories when you are nursing and post-partum. Don’t worry about losing weight yet, your body needs the fat to take care of that ravenous newborn. I know everyone is different, but it took me months to lose the baby weight. It’s better first to focus on eating healthy, and the best way to avoid dipping into ice cream and chips is to have some healthy snacks on hand.
-Meal Train: On that note, you may be able to ask some friends to organize a meal train for you. There is a website now for this, but you can easily do it with a shared Excel sheet. I found it useful to have one to two delivered meals a week. One tip is that let the person know who is bringing you the meal that may or may not be up for visiting. Everyone is excited to see the baby and you may feel obliged to visit, but you don’t have to. Just thank them for the meal, write a thank you card later, and be grateful. I know it’s hard to ask for help and not feel like you’re giving anything in return, but it’s so important to protect your “nest” and your rest and give your body that time to recover. If you are overtired, you won’t be in a good mind to care for you baby. And if you’re breastfeeding and overtired, you may find it difficult to produce enough milk. So even though you have good intentions, just be grateful for the help and be honest about your limitations.
To get a free printable checklist, click the button below to download: