Having a Baby? What to Buy Before Bringing Baby Home From the Hospital

If you are a new mother or father, then making a checklist with all of the baby supplies that you absolutely need is a great idea when you’re getting ready to bring your newborn home for the first time.  There are so many different baby products at baby supply stores, and for a new parent it may be difficult to tell what you can’t live without and which you can skip over. 

Here is a list of some items that you will definitely need when you bring your newborn home.

Clothing

Buy an assortment of newborn clothes.  The most important clothes that you will need for a newborn no matter the sex are gowns and newborn sleepers.  These will keep your baby warm and also make it easy for you to change them regularly.  A good supply of onesies is also a bare necessity.  Also, you need to get a couple of soft baby bonnets so that you can keep their head warm.

Hygiene Items

Before you even think about bringing your baby home, buy a box of newborn diapers.  You don’t want to have to be running out to the store as soon as you get your little bundle of joy home, so make sure that you have enough diapers to last at least a week.  Newborns usually use between 10-15 diapers per day so you will need approximately 70-100 for your first week. 

If you want to try and be Eco-friendly, you can invest in cloth diapers and learn to fold and pin them to keep them in place.  Your parents probably raised you in cloth diapers, washing them by hand and drying them outside on the line, so if you have a lot of free time (and a strong stomach), feel free to have a go.

Cleanup

Buy some burp cloths.  Cloth diapers work just as well, and sometimes they are more absorbent than burp cloths.  You will also need comfortable bibs.

You should also get a big box of wipes. You don’t want to get into a sticky situation and not have enough wipes to keep your baby clean.  Wipes are very versatile, so stock up before your baby comes.  A wipe warmer is also a great purchase, but it’s not absolutely necessary.  You will also need a good diaper pail.  If you get one that can contain the odors, you will keep your baby’s room much cleaner and fresher.

Feeding

Get some bottles, but make sure to pick good ones from the start because often, your baby will get attached to one type of nipple and will not use any other brand of bottle after they become used to the first one. 

If you are breastfeeding, it is still good to have some bottles on standby in case you need to pump, and you can find bottles that mimic the shape of the breast so that your baby is unlikely to experience nipple confusion.  If you are breastfeeding, you will also need a good pump, either manual or automatic.

Bedding

Get your baby some comfortable blankets to sleep in.  Fleece blankets are great for keeping your baby warm, and they are very snuggly so you can keep them wrapped up tightly.  You may also want to get some lightweight blankets as well, in case you would rather wrap your baby in a less heavy material when they sleep.

Baby Furniture

In terms of furniture, you will also need a crib, crib sheets, a crib mattress, and other bedding supplies.  It is good to purchase bath supplies like a baby tub with an infant insert, and baby shampoos or all over body wash as well as fresh towels and ‘baby only’ washcloths.

Car Seat and Baby Carrier

You need a car seat to bring your baby home from the hospital, and it is best to find a stroller that can hold your car seat so that you don’t have to transfer (and wake up) your infant on the go.

Another great item to purchase for travel and walks is a baby sling.  There are a lot of inexpensive versions you can get from infant supply stores and department stores that work just as well and still provide you with the freedom to do what you need to do around the house, while still keeping your baby close and secure.