Newborn Starter Kit | Preparing for Baby's Arrival

Your Newborn Starter Kit: What You Need for Baby's Arrival

Is your baby due in a few weeks? You've probably spent time considering major purchases like strollers, car seats, high chairs, cribs, and your hospital bag list. But have you also considered the smaller, less expensive, yet essential items? These can make the challenging first days and weeks at home much more manageable.

If you haven't created a newborn checklist yet, we know you're busy. Let us help! Our complete newborn kit, created with real advice from parents, will reduce the stress of the first few days, allowing you to fully enjoy this special time. Here's what we'll cover:

1. Essential supplies for infant feeding
2. Essential products for bathing newborns
3. Baby Clothing and Accessories Checklist
4. Diaper Changing Essentials
5. Essentials for new parents

Essential supplies for infant feeding

A well-nourished baby is a happy baby, so whether you're breastfeeding or switching directly to formula, your basic newborn kit will include several items you'll need to ensure your little one feels comfortable while feeding. Here's what we recommend keeping on hand:

For breastfeeding mothers:

• Nursing bras: allow your baby quick access to the breast and ensure maximum comfort for you too.
• Breast Pads: Make sure any leaks are kept at bay with breast pads.
• Nipple cream: It's no secret that hungry babies can cause a bit of discomfort, so cream is essential.
• Breast pump: This is essential between feedings and if friends or family are caring for your baby for a day.
• Breast Milk Storage Bags: Hygienically store expressed breast milk in these bags.
• Nursing tops: Complete your nursing bra, allowing you to breastfeed your baby easily, wherever you are.

For mothers who bottle-feed:

• Sterilized water: You can sterilize water by boiling it and letting it cool completely. Let the water cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes. Always check the water temperature on the back of your hand or wrist before breastfeeding.
• Several bottles: you will need these to feed your little one during the day and at night.
• Nipples – Every time you feed your baby, you will need to change the nipple on the bottle.
• Bottle Warmer – Make sure formula is warm for your newborn with a bottle warmer.
• Bottle Sanitizer and Nipple Brushes: Keep Everything Clean at All Times!
• Plenty of formula – Sometimes, it's a good idea to stock up on formula and keep it in the pantry, ready for use. You'll need to change the formula as your baby grows, from birth to adulthood, to keep him healthy and satisfied.

What you will also need for mealtime

• Burp cloths: You'll wonder how you ever managed without them. Great for wiping up a variety of liquids, spit-up milk, pee, runny poop, tears (yours and theirs), and much more.
• Baby wipes: If your baby (or you!) makes a mess, baby wipes can save the day. Made with just water and a drop of fruit extract, WaterWipes® are the world's purest, vegan, cruelty-free, and gentlest baby wipes, and are the closest alternative to cotton wool and water.

Let me be clear: you can never have enough wet wipes or burp cloths during the first few weeks. Newborns drool, spit up, and drool almost constantly. And don't get me started on the many, many explosive diaper accidents.

Essential products for bathing newborns

Getting your baby used to water is important from an early age, and bath time can be fun for both of you. Here are some tips for your newborn's basic kit to ensure you have everything you need for their first bath .

• Baby tub: These are usually portable, and some fold up to save space. You can choose a simple plastic tub or find tubs with built-in thermometers and scales!
• Bath Pillow: Make sure your little one feels comfortable with a bath pillow you can place in the tub.
• Wipes – Grab some soft wipes to gently clean and rinse your baby.
• Baby soap: Choose a baby soap that is gentle on sensitive skin.
• Clean pitcher: You can use this to pour a little water on your baby to clean them and keep them warm during bath time.
• Towel or hooded robe: Wrap your little one in a towel or hooded robe after bath time. We love the ones with animal ears!

Baby Clothing and Accessories Checklist

It's easy to get carried away when shopping for newborn clothes, but the reality is they'll grow so fast that you won't be able to enjoy them all!

Whether it's spit-up after a feeding or diaper leaks , newborns go through an incredible amount of clothing every day, so make sure you have plenty of onesies and bibs on hand. Here's a list of baby supplies, including clothing and accessories:

• Bodysuits, rompers, and onesies – Clothes like T-shirts and sweaters are cute, but you'll be undressing and dressing your baby so often that open-front onesies are always the best choice. You'll need several—say, two for each day of the week, plus a few for sleeping.
• A coat or jacket: ideal if you live in a cold state or if winter is approaching when they are born.
• Hats – Heading out in the cold? You'll need cute, warm hats. Check out our guide on what to pack for your baby and discover the complete list of essentials.
• Blankets – Keep your newborn warm with a blanket or two. Non-woven blankets are a great idea because they keep baby warm while still being breathable.

Diaper Changing Essentials

It's safe to say you need to stock up like there's no tomorrow. Either you do it, or you risk going to the supermarket with puffy eyes.

• Diapers: A newborn goes through up to 12 diapers a day, so be sure to purchase accordingly during the first few weeks, whether you prefer disposable or cloth diapers.
• Changing table – We recommend having more than one changing table: one for the nursery and one to take with you around the house. A foldable one for when you go out is also a good idea.
• Diaper rash cream: Keep a tube or jar of hypoallergenic, dye-free, and fragrance-free cream on hand in case your newborn starts to show signs of diaper rash. See our guide to newborn diaper rash for more tips.
• Wet wipes: Use wet wipes during diaper changes to clean your baby's bottom and genitals. WaterWipes are the world's purest baby wipes and are safe for newborns and even premature babies.

We had set up a cute changing table in the nursery, complete with diapers, wet wipes, cotton pads, and creams. But sometimes, if the diaper was particularly full or Gruff was particularly irritable, it wasn't practical to move it from where it was, so we had a second changing table that we always carried around the house with us.

For all the details on this thorny topic, check out our expert midwife's diaper changing tips !

Essentials for new parents

When writing your newborn checklist, you don't just want to prepare for the baby—it's important to also have everything you need to stay healthy, both mentally and physically, while caring for your little one.

• Comfortable trousers or joggers with a high waist
• Wide and flowing tops
• Comfortable pajamas/dressing gown
• Loose and comfortable underwear
• Postpartum bath oils and creams
• Stay hydrated and ensure a nutrient-rich diet.
• Ask for support when you need it!

We hope this guide to the newborn basic kit and newborn checklist helps you prepare for the arrival of your new treasure. Our tips on trusting your parenting instincts can also be helpful.