Infant Essentials: The Complete Checklist

Preparing for a baby can be overwhelming with endless product options. This guide cuts through the marketing hype to focus on what you actually need for your baby's first year.

Sleep Essentials

Must-Haves

Safe Sleep Space

• Crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards
  • Budget: IKEA Sniglar ($90)
  • Mid-range: Delta Children ($200-300)
  • Splurge: Newton Baby crib ($600+)
• Firm, flat crib mattress (no memory foam)
  • Recommended: Graco Premium Foam Mattress ($100)
• Fitted crib sheets (3-4 sets for easy washing)
• Wearable blankets/sleep sacks (avoid loose blankets until 12+ months)
  • Halo SleepSack (various TOGs for different temperatures)

Sleep Environment

• White noise machine (helps baby sleep and blocks household noise)
  • Recommended: Hatch Rest ($60) or simple fan
• Blackout curtains (helps with naps and early mornings)
• Video baby monitor (optional but helpful)
  • Budget: Infant Optics DXR-8 ($150)
  • Splurge: Nanit Pro ($300)

Nice to Have

• Rocking chair or glider for nighttime feeds
• Nightlight with red light (doesn't interfere with sleep)
• Swaddles for newborns (0-3 months)

Skip It

• ❌ Crib bumpers (unsafe—SIDS risk)
• ❌ Expensive bedding sets (you can't use most of it safely)
• ❌ Sleep positioners or wedges (unsafe)

Feeding Essentials

Breastfeeding

Must-Haves

• Nursing bras (2-3 well-fitting, wireless)
  • Recommended: Kindred Bravely, Bravado Designs
• Breast pump (if returning to work)
  • Insurance often covers—check before buying
  • Popular: Spectra S1 or S2, Medela Pump in Style
• Nursing pads (reusable or disposable)
• Nipple cream (Lansinoh or Earth Mama)
• Breast milk storage bags (if pumping)
• Haakaa pump ($15—manual pump to catch letdown)

Nice to Have

• Nursing pillow (Boppy or My Brest Friend)
• Nipple shields (if needed for latch issues)
• Lactation consultant visit

Formula Feeding

Must-Haves

• Formula (pediatrician recommended or generic brand)
• Bottles (4-6 to start, try different brands to find baby's preference)
  • Popular: Dr. Brown's, Comotomo, MAM
• Bottle brush and drying rack
• Formula pitcher (Dr. Brown's—makes prep easier)

Nice to Have

• Bottle warmer
• Formula dispenser for on-the-go

Combination Feeding

Get both sets of basics if doing both breast and bottle

Skip It

• ❌ Bottle sterilizers (dishwasher or boiling water works fine)
• ❌ Wipe warmers (baby doesn't need warm wipes)

Diapering Essentials

Must-Haves

Diapering Supplies

• Diapers (Newborn and Size 1—start with smaller packs)
  • Disposable: Huggies, Pampers, or store brands
  • Cloth: Bumkins, Alva Baby (if cloth diapering)
• Wipes (water wipes for newborns, then any brand)
• Diaper rash cream (Aquaphor, Desitin, or Boudreaux's Butt Paste)
• Changing pad or portable changing mat
• Diaper pail (Diaper Genie or Ubbi—helps with odor)

Changing Station Essentials

• Changing table or dresser with changing pad
• Basket for diapering supplies
• Hand sanitizer nearby

Cloth Diapering Basics (If Choosing This Route)

• 24-36 cloth diapers
• 6-8 diaper covers
• Wet bag for outings
• Diaper sprayer (for solids)

Skip It

• ❌ Diaper warmers
• ❌ Fancy diaper pail refills (regular trash bags work)

Clothing Essentials

Newborn (0-3 Months)

Must-Haves

• Onesies/bodysuits (6-8 short sleeve, 6-8 long sleeve)
• Sleepers with zippers (6-8—easier than snaps at 3am)
• Socks (lots—they fall off constantly)
• Hats (2-3 for temperature regulation)
• Going-home outfit

Seasonal Add-Ons

• Winter: Snowsuit, fleece jacket, mittens
• Summer: Lightweight rompers, sun hat

3-12 Months

Must-Haves

• Size up as baby grows (babies wear each size 2-3 months)
• Pants with elastic waist (easy diaper changes)
• Lightweight jackets (layers are key)

Money-Saving Tips

• Accept hand-me-downs
• Shop consignment/thrift stores
• Buy neutral colors for reusability
• Don't overbuy newborn size (babies outgrow fast)

Skip It

• ❌ Shoes (until walking—socks are fine)
• ❌ Excessive outfit sets (comfort > cuteness for daily wear)
• ❌ Clothes with lots of buttons or complicated closures

Bathing & Grooming

Must-Haves

Bath Time

• Baby bathtub or sink insert
  • Budget: Summer Infant Fold-Away ($15)
  • Splurge: 4moms infant tub ($50)
• Hooded towels (2-3)
• Gentle baby wash & shampoo (fragrance-free)
  • Recommended: Cetaphil Baby, Aveeno Baby
• Soft washcloths (6-8)

Grooming

• Nail clippers or file (or just use your teeth—seriously, many parents do)
• Soft brush for cradle cap
• Thermometer (rectal for newborns, forehead/ear for older babies)
  • Digital rectal thermometer is most accurate

Skip It

• ❌ Baby lotions (unless needed for eczema)
• ❌ Baby powder (not recommended)
• ❌ Cotton swabs for ears (never put anything in ear canal)

Health & Safety

Must-Haves

Car Safety

• Infant car seat (rear-facing, essential for leaving hospital)
  • Budget: Evenflo LiteMax ($100)
  • Mid-range: Graco SnugRide SnugFit ($200)
  • Splurge: UPPAbaby Mesa ($350)
• Get installation checked at fire station or certified tech

Medicine Cabinet

• Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol—for fever after 3 months)
• Infant ibuprofen (Motrin—after 6 months)
• Nasal aspirator (NoseFrida or bulb syringe)
• Saline drops for stuffy nose
• Thermometer
• First aid kit basics

Safety Gear (Install Before Baby Arrives)

• Outlet covers
• Cabinet locks (install around 6 months when mobile)
• Baby gates (for stairs when crawling)

Nice to Have

• Humidifier (cool mist for colds)
• Baby Tylenol/Motrin dosing syringe

Skip It

• ❌ Teething tablets or gels (not recommended)
• ❌ Unnecessary supplements (unless prescribed)

On-The-Go Essentials

Must-Haves

Transportation

• Stroller (choose based on lifestyle)
  • City living: Compact/umbrella stroller (Baby Jogger City Mini)
  • Suburban: Full-size stroller (Chicco Bravo, UPPAbaby Vista)
  • Runners: Jogging stroller (BOB Revolution)
• Baby carrier (for hands-free baby wearing)
  • Structured: Ergobaby, Lillebaby
  • Wrap: Solly Baby, Moby

Diaper Bag Essentials

• Diaper bag or backpack
• Portable changing pad
• Diapers (3-5)
• Wipes
• Extra outfit
• Burp cloths
• Bottle (if bottle feeding)
• Pacifiers (if using)
• Hand sanitizer

Nice to Have

• Car seat/stroller travel system (combo purchase)
• Stroller organizer for your essentials

Skip It

• ❌ Stroller bunting (use blankets or coat)
• ❌ Expensive diaper bags (any backpack works)

Feeding & Soothing Gear

Must-Haves

Soothing

• Pacifiers (if choosing to use—try different brands)
  • Most popular: MAM, Philips Avent
• Burp cloths (6-10)
• Receiving blankets (4-6 for swaddling, tummy time)

High Chair (around 6 months for solids)

• Budget: IKEA Antilop ($25—can't beat it!)
• Mid-range: Fisher-Price SpaceSaver ($60)
• Splurge: Stokke Tripp Trapp ($250)

Nice to Have

• Baby swing or bouncer seat
• Play gym for tummy time
• Teething toys (6+ months)

Skip It

• ❌ Baby food makers (blender works fine)
• ❌ Bottle warmers (warm under tap water)

Nursery Furniture

Must-Haves

Furniture

• Crib (convertible cribs grow with baby)
• Dresser (doubles as changing table)
• Storage bins for toys and supplies

Nice to Have

• Glider or rocking chair
• Bookshelf
• Rug

Skip It

• ❌ Changing table (use dresser top)
• ❌ Expensive nursery sets (buy pieces separately)

Budget Breakdown

Total Estimated Costs

Minimalist Budget (~$1,500)

• Sleep: $400 (crib, mattress, sheets, sleep sacks)
• Feeding: $300 (pump/bottles, accessories)
• Diapering: $200 (diapers for 3 months, changing supplies)
• Clothing: $200 (basics, hand-me-downs)
• Car seat: $150
• Health/safety: $100
• Miscellaneous: $150

Moderate Budget (~$3,500)

• All of the above + nicer versions
• Stroller: $400
• Baby carrier: $100
• Nursery furniture upgrade: $500
• Baby monitor: $150
• Swing/bouncer: $150

Comfortable Budget (~$6,000+)

• Premium everything
• Additional convenience items
• Designer nursery
• Top-tier stroller system

Money-Saving Tips

Buy New (Safety First)

• Car seats
• Crib mattress
• Breast pump (unless from trusted source)

Buy Used or Accept Hand-Me-Downs

• Clothing
• Toys
• Books
• High chair (check for recalls)
• Stroller (if no damage/recalls)

Register Strategically

• Use completion discounts (Amazon, Target—15-20% off)
• Ask for gift cards for consumables (diapers, wipes)
• Register for a range of price points

Where to Shop

• Budget: Target, Walmart, IKEA, Amazon
• Mid-range: Buy Buy Baby, Babylist
• Secondhand: Once Upon a Child, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist
• Eco-friendly: The Honest Company, Earth Mama

Timeline for Purchases

Before Baby Arrives (Weeks 30-36)

• Crib and mattress
• Car seat
• Changing supplies
• First-size diapers and wipes
• Newborn clothing
• Feeding supplies

First Month

• Assess what you actually need based on baby's preferences
• More clothes in current size
• Stock up on diapers in next size up

3-6 Months

• High chair
• Larger toys
• Next season's clothing

What You ACTUALLY Need in the Hospital

Hospital Bag Checklist

For Baby:

• Going-home outfit
• Car seat (to leave hospital)
• Blanket

For You:

• Robe and slippers
• Nursing bras
• Comfortable going-home outfit
• Toiletries
• Phone charger

Hospital Provides:

• Diapers, wipes, burp cloths
• Baby clothing (ask to take extras home!)
• Peri bottles, pads, mesh underwear

Final Thoughts

Remember:

• Babies need surprisingly little gear
• Your baby will tell you what they prefer (bottles, pacifiers, swaddles)
• It's okay to wait and buy as needed
• Expensive doesn't always mean better
• Every family's essentials list looks different based on lifestyle

Start with the basics, then add as you go. You've got this! 🍼

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Disclaimer: Product recommendations are based on general popularity and safety standards. Always check for current recalls and safety guidelines before purchasing baby products.