The long-awaited day is almost here! Soon you will have a beautiful baby in your arms and you want everything to be perfect!

Bringing home a newborn baby, especially your first, can be daunting. Such big changes and unknowns can cause stress for a new mom. “De-stress” your preparation with this checklist for newborn babies. It will help you have the confidence of knowing you are prepared!

The following newborn baby checklist can be used as a guide in your quest to be prepared for your new arrival. While no checklist will have you prepared for EVERYTHING (like finding out your mother-in-law is coming to “help” for a few weeks), this one should be close!

Clothing – Newborn babies grow to the next size very quickly! Don’t go crazy shopping for the tiny newborn clothes, or you may find that your baby has outgrown them before you’ve had a chance to try them on! By the time your baby weighs 8-9 pounds, you’ll need the 3-month clothing (this will last until your baby weighs about 12 pounds). Some larger babies even skip newborn size altogether!

The amounts listed here are based on the assumption that you will wash your clothes at least 2 times per week.

• 5-10 newborn size suits
• 2 sweaters
• 5-7 sleepwear
• 2 to 4 portable blankets or sleeping bags.
• 4-6 onsies
• dress clothes
• 2 pairs of mittens (to prevent scratches)
• hats – one for warmth and one for shade
• snowsuit – DO NOT wear when your baby is in their car seat
• 6-10 pairs of socks (more is better because they are so small that they get lost or “eaten” by the washing machine)
• accessories, such as shoes, hair ornaments, jewelry
• mild laundry detergent

bathing and grooming – When my first baby was born, we had very few baby items, and nothing to bathe. Do you know what we discovered? we really didn’t need much. It was perfectly clean when I bathed him in the bathroom sink and hosed his hair off from the kitchen sink.

So why have I included most of the following items on this newborn baby checklist? Convenience. There is a LOT to be said for convenience when you have a new baby in the house!

• baby bath or baby bath sponge
• 4 baby wipes
• 2 hooded towels
• baby lotion
• baby brush
• children’s nail clippers
• baby shampoo/bath gel
• bath thermometer

nursery items – A beautifully decorated nursery is a fun way to prepare for your new baby. Giving baby’s room personality and then putting away the items she’ll use makes her start to feel like she’s REALLY coming soon! To consider:

• to train
• baby hangers
• rocking chair
• cd player with relaxing cds
• Night light
• nursery decor: wall hangings, window coverings, bed skirt

diapering – “Changing a diaper is a lot like getting a present from your grandmother: you’re not sure what you’ve got, but you’re pretty sure you’re not going to like it.” (Foxworthy) No baby checklist would be complete without “covering” this.

• baby wipes, either commercial or homemade
• changing mat with waterproof pad
• 3 washable changing pad covers
• gel alcohol
• remedy for diaper rash
• clean heater
• diaper disposer or diaper pail with bags
• basket or diaper basket to keep diapers organized If you use disposable diapers:
• 10-12 disposable diapers per day OR if you use cloth diapers:
• 24-36 cloth diapers
• 8-10 diaper covers
• inserts and linings
• diaper pins if the chosen system requires them
• diaper sprayer

Feeding – Once you’ve decided whether to breastfeed or bottle feed, you’ll want to consider what items you’ll need to help you have a healthy baby.

Lactation needs:
• 3-5 nursing arms
• nursing pads – washable or disposable
• breast pump
• nipple cream
• breast milk storage containers
• nursing pillow
• nursing cover
• 10 burp rags

Bottle Feeding Needs:
• baby bottles (BPA-free) – start with a few until you know what your baby will prefer
• nipples (transparent silicone)
• formula: do not store until you know it will “fit” your baby
• 10 burp rags
• bottle brush
• bottle warmer
• clothes line
• sterilization bags

slept – Newborn babies spend approximately 18 out of every 24 hours sleeping. At least Some After that time you will want to leave him to attend to your own needs. Your baby’s safety during this time is paramount. Providing a safe, comfortable and familiar place to sleep will help your baby establish good sleep habits which, in turn, will make YOUR sleep easier. Will need:

• sleeping place: crib with mattress, portable crib, bassinet, bassinet, or co-sleeper
• 2 mattress toppers
• 3 fitted sheets
• 6-8 receiving blankets
• baby monitor
• a small fan for air circulation and white noise

Travel – Whether it’s across town or across the country, you’ll want to show off your baby (or at least restock on diapers). Traveling with a newborn is more complicated than grabbing your keys and walking out the door, but you’ll be prepared for any journey if you have:

• Car seat
• diaper bags
• replacement car seat cover
• walker
• baby carrier or baby carrier
• blankets of different thicknesses
• car seat travel bag for plane travel
• carry cot

Health – Nobody likes to think that their baby will get sick, but sooner or later it will happen. Be prepared by having the following items on hand:

• nasal aspirator/bulb syringe
• petroleum jelly
• digital thermometer
• isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs (for umbilical cord care)
• infant acetaminophen: use with newborns only on the advice of your pediatrician
• saline nasal spray
• a great pediatrician
• Don’t forget to add your baby to your health insurance policy!

Security – Your newborn won’t be able to move around for a few months, but you’ll want to have safety features in place long before that happens.

• security gates
• corner/edge bumper
• security locks
• outlet covers

Development and Entertainment – Most of your newborn baby’s early development will come from the hugs, singing, talking and interaction provided by those who love him most. A few items that stimulate and entertain you while you’re busy will benefit both of you.

• baby mobile or a plastic crib mirror
• some toys of different textures
• swing and/or hammock for babies
• baby book to record all milestones

A common “new mom” mistake is caring for her baby to the point of not caring for herself. Don’t forget to make “mommy care” a priority, too. Add you favorite bubble bath to your newborn baby’s checklist, and then use it!