Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist To Keep You In Budget
I figure it is an absolute necessity to have a newborn baby essentials checklist so that you do not overspend and buy things you do not need! Being a Mom of a toddler and baby I can advise you on the necessities for new baby. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed when you go shopping as there is so much you can buy! Excitement and a little bit of nerves take over so that is why it is important to be prepared! Of course the shop attendants will talk you into everything so that is why it is important you have a newborn baby item checklist! I decided to break everything down into sections. Please remember this is only everything you will need, just what you need at the start! I remember trying to buy lots and then people gave me gift cards which could have helped me out!
I really hope you find this first baby checklist helpful and cost effective too!!
Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist By Section
I will keep this short and sweet because I could literally write tens of thousands of words about items needed for new baby
Hospital
- For changing :-diapers, cotton wool (baby wipes are considered too harsh on newborn skin so luke warm water and cotton will is recommended )
- To wear – short sleeve vests, babygros, bibs, going home outfit, hat, mitts, coat/cardigan
- Feeding – bottle/breast, formula if required (here in the UK they provide you with enough formula until you get home)
- Baby bath provided in hospital
At home
There are lots of necessities for first baby, the good news is that you can use most of them for second babies too [just make sure to pick neutral colors ;)]
Sleep – Your first baby checklist needs to include items like a bassinet or crib, crib sheets (several as some babies like to be sick or sometimes leak out of their nappy), sleeping back, a baby sleep monitor. You might also want a cot mobile but I feel this is something you can buy later.
Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet, Falling LeavesThe Gro Company Hippo Hop & Spot (Twin Pack) 0-6m 1. 0 Tog
Feeding – this depends on whether you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed. I do not want to sound negative but you might want to buy some bottles or already prepared bottles in case breast feeding does not work for you. If you go down the breast feeding route you will need a breast pump an if you go down the bottle feeding route you will need formula, bottles, steriliser and bottle brush to clean bottles before they go in the steriliser.
Changing and Health– diapers and lots of them!! Buy them in bulk as it works out cheaper. A rough estimate is 8-10 nappies daily in the first month [300 nappies]. With regards to this newborn baby essentials checklist diaper brands in my experience are not important! I HAVE NEVER USED Pampers or Huggies and my babies diapers rarely leaked. As well as this you need cotton wool, wipes, diaper pail to store smelly nappies (brilliant for night time changes when bin is far away), changing mat, diaper bags, diaper bag. With regards to health and hygiene you will need nail cutters and a thermometer.
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Disposable Diapers ONE MONTH SUPPLYAmazon Elements Baby Wipes, Sensitive, 480 CountDiaper Dekor Classic Diaper Pail – WhiteSummer Infant Quickchange Portable Changing Pad, BlackSkip Hop Duo Signature Carry All Travel Diaper Bag ToteMetene Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer for Infants
Transport – probably one of the most expensive items needed for new baby. Yep you need a pram! When I was buying I paid a bit more and got a 3 in 1, where I got a car seat, carrycot for sleeping and the pram. It saved me so much time looking at these individually. My little girl used the car seat until she was 13 months and then she had to transfer into a bigger one. The carrycot was used until she was 3 months and then she moved into a cot. The stroller part of the pram is still in use and she is 2 and a half. You might also want a baby carrier, here again I never had one but these are good thing to buy with gift cards or money you receive whenever baby is born.
Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System, SandstoneBaby Wrap – Ergo Baby Carrier by CuddleBug – Available in 9 Colors
Bathing – A baby bath and some hot water is what you need initially as products are too harsh on newborn skin.
Play/Relax – we all know that newborn babies spend on average 20 hours a day sleeping, but what about the small amount of time they are awake and not feeding?! I used vibrating bouncers for both my infants from birth until they could sit up unaided. You could also invest in a baby swing which also acts as a rocker, although I never bought one of these. To be honest a bouncer is one of the things that should be on your newborn baby essentials checklist as you will use it when you get home. Bouncers are great for small naps and if you need to free your hands to make a coffee or dinner! I also find they great toys to help baby reflux stop; should your little one be prone to this!
Fisher-Price Auto Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, Aqua StoneFisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker, Dark SafariGraco Simple Sway Baby Swing, Abbington
I really hope this newborn baby essentials checklist helps you prepare for your first baby!!
A frugal tip I could give you is not to buy it all at once and spread the expense over several months!