[Kiersten]

I am an expecting mom due in August. I have no idea what I actually need or what the world says what I need.

Any suggestions on what is actually needed for a new baby?

What are the must-have essentials for a newborn? As a new parent (or someone preparing for a baby), I want to make sure I have everything needed for my little one. From clothing and feeding to sleep and hygiene, what are the absolute necessities?

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[Michele]

A crib, blankets, diapers, clothes, formula ,bottles,wipes . So many more things you might need, every baby is different some like soothers, swing … market place is the cheapest

[Lisa]

The world will tell you everything is *needed*. In actual fact, you can get by pretty inexpensively. Marketplace, garage sales, buy nothing groups, thrift stores are all great resources.

Babies outgrow diapers and people give them away, for instance.

I bought most things used and sold many of the items for close to what I paid for them.

I’d start with the basics and add as needed.

[Jennifer]

Basics -Diapers, swaddlers, nursing supplies or bottle feeding supplies, 7 one piece sleepers, 7 t-shirts, burping cloths, a bassinet or cosleeper, thermometer, baby tylenol, baby nail clippers, Desitin and A&D ointment, mild baby soap/shampoo, a tummy time blanket or mat, a few safe toys, nightlight, baby tub, infant car seat

[Johnson]

A crib
A car seat
I co slept until baby slept through the night but still you want the crib

Clothes
Diapers
Bottles
Formula or as a backup

I breastfed but that meant learning as much as I could
I bought cloth diapers and a diaper genie
And just for me, us

I bought myself a glider rocking chair
Eventually I got a vibrating seat
A baby swing
Wipes I learned to make
Baby soap & shampoo

A stroller but that probably can wait
A wrap
A harness to wear baby
Front
Back

Both or versatile
That’s my short list
My baby is 24

Bless you

[Karen]

A crib/crib sheets, sleepers with 2 way zippers, onesies, a car seat and a backseat mirror, a mat if you only have hard floors with a blanket to lay on it, diapers, bottles, pacifiers, a few receiving blankets and something so you can wear your baby.

Later add a wearable sleep blanket, a stroller, non-electronic toys and board books.

Most all of the tiny baby stuff is expensive, used for a VERY short time, and in the big picture it’s rarely used.

Baby resale shops are your best bet.

The tinier the baby, the better condition everything is in.

[Jackie]

If your a stay at home mom, breast feeding not much in my opinion. Infant car seat, diapers or cloth ones, mild soap, a bassinet, sleepers that have hand covers and unzip at top and bottom, recieving blankets and regular baby blankets.

I think those are all the basic necessities. You can use any barrier like aquaphor or…. For rash.

You can also use aquaphor on all the baby skin or a gentle lotion

[Carole]

A crib. Doesn’t need to be expensive. Car seat. You don’t need lots of clothes up to 24 mo because they grow so fast that a few things in each size is good to start.

A humidifier is great to have.

Diaper bag or backpack.

Nothing wrong with used as long as you have cleaned/sanitized for anything except bottle ripples, get those new.

[Janet]

You don’t need all of that fancy baby equipment. Don’t be afraid to accept used clothing from friends/family.

Especially for infants and young children.

They grow so quickly most items will still be in good shape.

Good luck with your new baby.

[Ann]

Roomy standard backpack for a diaper bag.
5 to 10 onesies in each size 3 to 24 months
5 to 10 zippered footed pjs, in each size to 24 months, can be worn anytime

Diaper cream with 40 % zinc oxide
5 fitted crib sheets
Easy to use stroller

Car seat
Handful of baby toys and tethers
Pop up baby activity mat

[Cheri]

Car seat that hooks into the stroller and also comes with a base for the car. I use the same 1 for 3 kids.

My kids did not like the swing, the jumper, the playpen or the crib and I never owned a changing table.

They did like the boppy pillow and the little chair that you sit in. The bottle warmer, wipe warmer and diaper pal all waste of money.

Literally buy some dog poo bags and wrap the diapers up in those.

[Aviva]

I always when with the least expensive things except diapers. You’ll have to find the ones that work for your baby and then they are worth their weight in gold.

You might find that your needs change frequently so investing in a top line stroller might not be the best investment.

I always got cheap strollers just for this reason.

[Courtney]

Skip the wipe warmers, baby detergents, and diaper genies. Second hand baby equipment and clothing are great, but glass bottles and new nipples are better than used plastic.

We use free and clear detergent anyways so it’s fine for baby.

I breast fed and pumped, was able to get supplies through medical insurance- you should call to see what you can get, I was even able to get a few hundred milk storage bags every few months.

Congratulations and good luck!

[Shelley]

Don’t waste money on expensive kid bedding. You don’t use it so it’s a total waste of money.

Get WAY less clothes than you think you need. They grow so fast they often only wear an outfit 4 ot 5 times before outgrowing it.

Dont waste money on other diaper rashes.

My son screamed at all of them but when I used Boudreaux’s Butt Paste you could see instant calming on his face.

[Shauna]

Keep it simple:
-Apply for WIC if you qualify. You’ll receive formula for baby and food for you or if you exclusively breastfeed, you’ll receive a double food package for you.

– a few baby bottles
– microwave bottle sterilizer
– a few receiving blankets
– a few burp cloths
– towel for bathing baby

– a small amount of clothing in each size, second hand if you can get any. Babies grow super fast!

-baby bathtub (I did sponge baths for the first few months and used the basin from the hospital with a washcloth). Always test water temp with your elbow.

– car seat is a must
– stroller
– body baby carrier was my favorite. I preferred over stroller
– diaper bag or a tote you might already have
– gas drops in case for baby

– diapers ( diaper rash suggestion: air out baby’s butt. I would leave baby without diaper during a nap with a thick layer of butt paste, I lay a towel on top of changing pad- supervise baby most importantly)

-pacifier
– baby lotion
– baby wash
– clear and free detergent
– baby swing
-hylands teething tablets

– a thermos for water to mix formula. One hot, one bottle for room temp water – you’ll only need a drop of the hot; always test on wrist for temperature.

– baby books can be read online at first to baby
– a memory book is always nice to have

– remember to cherish every minute, it goes fast!

– love yourself and always remember that you matter too!
Hope some of this helps, congratulations and wishing you and baby a safe delivery.

[Jennifer]

While adorable/fancy clothes are fun, you don’t need more than 1 “dress up” outfit per current size.

I loved all the adorable dresses when my daughter was born, but she outgrew them before she could ever wear them!

Buy swaddle blankets that velcro closed. Life savers!

[Helen]

A roof over the head. Food (for Mom until baby is weaned). Honestly you can be as basic as you need to be. If you want to be frugal, go secondhand on as much as you can. A crib.

If you anticipate a baby shower, think about blankets and simple toys there, and gift cards for baby clothes (people will go ahead and coo and choose baby clothes anyway but gift cards give you freedom to choose some too or to use for diapers.)

Think about whether you want to breastfeed or formula feed.

If choosing breastfeeding, research formula feeding as well just in case it doesn’t go the way you plan immediately.

Choose a few books you’d like to read to baby because although some people consider books a luxury, truth is that the earlier you read, the greater difference you make to them, such as them learning to read and write, learning to listen, learning speech skills from watching you read.

Library card. Drop in on baby sessions and chat to your local moms.

Chances are that they may be all too happy to offload stuff their kids have developed past such as baby clothes.

[Susan]

Very little, onesies, recieving blankets & a fleece blanket. They grow so fast. Check once upon a child/ thrift. The little stuff can be bought brand new at second hand prices.

Are you planning on breastfeeeding? If so a couple small bottles for wzter. Diapers…cloth or disposable.

[Nicole]

We are doing cloth diapers and it’s saved us a few times when money has been tight and we have been glad we didn’t need diapers or formula since I exclusively breastfeed and don’t pump.

Turns out you only need maybe 7 clothing items – all short sleeve leg free onesies. They grow fast.

Don’t need toys until 3 months. Your hands are best, then house hold items – wooden spoon, toilet paper roll, etc.

Car seat, stroller bassinet are all we needed. All second hand. You need two receiving blankets. You will probably want a soother.

For yourself postpartum, get adult disposable undies (I splurged on Rael Organic), a peri bottle, and don’t feel bad about stocking up on cheap store bought frozen dinners.

[Kris]

Crib or pack and play (my son slept in a pack and play), diapers, basic onesies, bottle variety pack until you know what type the baby will take, A&D ointment was my preferred but cream.

Spend the most on car seat and stroller as they get used the most.

I like my Graco car seat and stroller.

[Author]

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