New parents go from zero children to full-time responsibility for a baby overnight. There is a seemingly endless series of things to do and worry about. Some of it, like sleepless nights, is unavoidable. Fortunately, getting things ready doesn’t need to be a headache. Everything you need for your newborn baby is right here in one convenient checklist. All you need to do is cross each item off, and you’ll be as ready as anyone can be for having a new baby.
What Is a Newborn Baby Checklist?
A newborn baby checklist is meant for parents, especially first-time parents, to ensure you have all the supplies you need. Bringing a newborn home is a joyous and exhausting experience. It’s easy to miss something when you already have so much on your mind, but having a checklist on hand will get you through your preparations so you can move on to more important matters worry-free.
What Is a Newborn Baby Checklist Template?
A newborn baby checklist template is a simple, preformatted sheet that will help you stay organized. Having a newborn comes with enough challenges, and no one wants to get home and realize they forgot to buy baby wash. Using a premade list template, you can quickly break things into smaller, more manageable sections like bathing supplies and travel needs.
The Ultimate Newborn Baby Checklist
As a new parent, you’re in for sleepless nights and so many firsts it will make your head spin. Let’s simplify the most important day in your new baby’s life. Below you’ll find a straightforward, comprehensive ultimate newborn baby checklist. Everything you need, from a bag for the new mom to take to the hospital to diapers, is right here where you can quite literally check things off as you prepare them. After that, all you have to do is get to the delivery room.
Bathing & Body Care
- Nail Clippers- Newborn fingernails grow approximately about 0.1 mm every day. You may need to clip their nails in just over a week to prevent them from accidentally scratching their face. Keep a baby-size set of nail trimmers on hand.
- Nasal Cleaner- Whether you call it a booger bulb, baby nose sucker, or any other name, these oddly simple snot removers are incredibly helpful.
- Soft Washcloth- Newborns have very delicate skin, so you should avoid rough adult washcloths. Instead, grab a pack of 4-6 baby washcloths for bathing.
- Baby Towel- Soft baby towels are a great way to dry your little one and wrap them up comfortably after a bath.
- Baby Wash- Soap made for adult skin isn’t a great idea for babies. Grab a bottle or two of baby wash. Lavender will help them sleep at night.
- Baby Lotion- Baby lotion typically comes in unscented, a generic baby-powder-like scent and lavender. Since it’s formulated for their skin, this is another excellent way to comfort your new baby, and it’s also a great bonding activity.
- Soft Bristle Brush- Some babies are born with hair. If your little one has peach fuzz, seek out a baby-specific soft-bristled brush. You can also use these super soft brushes to help comb some baby wash or baby shampoo in gently.
- You May Also Want- Medicine dropper and a baby-friendly thermometer.
Clothing
- Onesies (5-10)- Whether it’s summer and you opt for the legless onesie or a warmer footie style in winter, these simple baby garments make diaper changes and dressing much more manageable.
- Socks (5-10 Pair)- Baby feet get cold easily. Fortunately, your newborn won’t be walking anywhere, so shoes are optional at this stage, but socks are a must-have item.
- Hats- Many hospitals send newborns home with hats, even in summer. Like feet, babies’ heads are sensitive to temperature changes. Keep one or two seasonally appropriate, soft, flexible hats on hand.
- You May Also Want- Other clothing options like fancy dress clothing for early pictures and first visits with family.
Diapers
- Disposable Diapers- It’s good to have several different packs of disposable diapers from premie to size 1 or 2 on hand because it’s hard to predict the size a baby will need at birth. You’ll need at least 20 diapers for the first couple of days. You can easily donate any you don’t use to other new mothers or programs that give diapers to those in need.
- Reuseable Diapers- Newborn babies can go through 8-10 diapers per day. It’s wise to stock up on twenty or thirty reusable diapers with pads and plastic or outer rubber pants in several sizes. Please note, that you probably won’t need both disposable and reusable diapers.
- Baby Wipes- Make sure you have 2-4 boxes of sensitive skin baby wipes on hand.
- Diaper Detergent- If you opt for reusable, washable baby diapers, you also need diaper-specific detergent to clean all the urine and fecal matter thoroughly.
- Diaper Pail- Whether it’s a trash can for disposables, or a lidded bucket for reusable nappies, get a dedicated diaper pail. Rinse out dirty diapers immediately after changing the baby and keep the damps in the pail no more than a day before washing.
- Diaper Cream- Rashes are common for babies, so keep a tube of diaper creme in your diaper bag and a spare near your changing area.
- Changing Table & Leakproof Changing Pad- You will need a flat surface to change your baby.
- You May Also Want- A Pee-Pee Tee-Pee or similar cover for little boys who tend to pee when their diapers come off.
Feeding
- Breast Pump (Manual or Electronic)- If you plan to breastfeed, it’s wise to pump and keep a small supply on hand for emergency feedings.
- Formula- Even if you breastfeed, it’s wise to have at least 1-5 cans of baby formula on hand to supplement as needed.
- Bottles, Lids & Liners- Whether you pump or make formula, you may want some bottles on hand. Spouses who get up with the baby overnight to let a new mother rest can use these even if you don’t otherwise need them. You should only need 2-3 bottles and a box or two of liners at first.
- Spare Nipples- Keep extra nipples for your bottles in case of damage. Rubber tears or gets dirty.
- Burp Cloths– Spitting up is a natural part of being a baby. Keep five or more soft burp cloths on hand to protect your shoulder and clothing as you burp your baby.
- You May Also Want- Nipple creme for chaffing, a nursing pillow, and nursing pads.
Sleeping
- Crib, Bassinet, or Co-Sleeper- As parents, you have to decide what kind of bed you will use, but these three options work well for newborns.
- New Mattress for Crib- Even if you buy a secondhand crib, a new mattress is a wise choice.
- Fitted Sheets- Newborns don’t sleep with blankets or sheets over them, but you should keep three or four fitted sheets on hand in case of diaper leaks or other messes.
- Sleep Sack- Many parents opt to swaddle newborns because they sleep soundly this way. A Sleep-Sack or similar option is easy to use, and generally, velcros shut securely without being too tight.
- Hand Covers- If you don’t swaddle your newborn, a set of hand-covering mittens can prevent a baby from accidentally scratching themselves with their new fingernails. They haven’t yet learned to control their hand and arm movements.
- You May Also Want- A rocker, swing, and white noise machine to help your little one rest.
Travel & Entertainment
- Car Seat- Newborns need a safe, age and weight-appropriate car seat. Some hospitals check them out before they release a child to travel home. It’s important to know that car seats have expiration dates, so always check the manufacture date. According to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/car-seat-expiration#:~:text), “In general, car seats expire between 6 and 10 years from the date of manufacture. They expire for a number of reasons, including wear and tear, changing regulations, recalls, and the limits of manufacturer testing.”
- Diaper Bag- Any bag will do in a pinch, but a good diaper bag has a folding changing pad, insulated bottle pockets, plus plenty of space for diapers, and more.
- A Toy- Babies don’t need a lot to keep them busy at first, but it helps to keep something around to amuse them with, like a set of plastic baby keys or a soft stuffed toy. Cloth books are also a great option.
- Pacifiers With Clips- A pacifier will help you get from one stop to the next when you need a few more minutes before feeding time. Moreover, it will soothe your babies’ gums and bring comfort. Use the style with clips attached to their shirt to avoid having them fall on the floor.
- A Blanket (In Winter)- When the weather turns cold, you will want a warm blankie to tuck around your little one in the car.
- Sunshade- Newborns have sensitive eyes. A large sunshade made for their car seat or a similar cover will help keep the bright light out of their brand new eyes.
- You May Also Want- A stroller, sling, or other easily portable baby carriers. Your arms will get tired if you need to take a detachable car seat everywhere, but a stroller or strap-on baby carrier will make things much easier when you need to go shopping or walk anywhere.
Other Necessities
- A Folder For Hospital Paperwork- You don’t need a fancy container, but there will be paperwork, so grab a folder or large manilla envelope to keep them all together in one place.
- IDs- It’s easy to forget your wallet. Make sure your IDs are in the to-go bag.
- A To-Go Bag For Everything You Need To Take To The Hospital- You’ll need to ready a bag and leave it by the door for when mom goes into labor. Put IDs, clothing for you and the new baby, and any comfort items like a book to read or favorite handheld videogame device together in the bag a couple of weeks in advance.
- Comfortable Change of Clothing For The Parents- Most new mothers stay in the hospital at least overnight, and two to three days is standard even for healthy babies in many areas. Please make sure the person giving birth has some comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing, and include a change or two for the spouse or anyone who might accompany them.
- You May Also Want- Premade food for the parents because a few simple heat-and-eat meals, so you don’t have to cook right away, might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a lifesaver when you’re tired, and just got home from the hospital. You can freeze some homemade, ready-to-bake favorites or grab microwave meals and frozen pizzas, but either way, you’ll be glad of a simple solution when you get home with the new baby.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a newborn can seem overwhelming. There are plenty of challenges, from ‘pregnant brain’ to heartburn and sleepless nights, but getting things ready doesn’t need to add to your stress. Following this simple checklist will ensure that you have everything ready to go for you and your little one from the very beginning.
