The Newborn Checklist: What you need for the first few months

Think of the essentials—food, clothing, and shelter. Everything else that’s out of that trio are wants, not needs.

The newborn checklist shouldn’t simply be a listing of all the products that the store or brand carries—you’ll be surprised that you’ll end up needing and using 1/8 of what you bought. The time, money, and energy you’ll end up saving from refraining from purchasing the non-essentials can be redirected to your newborn—isn’t that great?

Here’s what you’ll need for the first six months of your newborn:

Diapers. You’ll soon wonder how such a little baby can go through a huge pack of diapers so quickly. And since diapers don’t have an expiration date, buying it in bulk, as long as it’s appropriate for your baby’s weight and size, is alright.

Baby wipes. The myriad of uses for baby wipes go beyond wiping your baby’s bottom during nappy changes. From cleaning up spit-ups to disinfecting toys and surfaces, baby wipes will be a mainstay in your purse, even when your child is already potty trained. Considering the number of variants out there, start out with the basic ones with no fragrances or colorants.

Side-tie tops or onesies. There are a lot of cute choices for baby clothes out there that are oftentimes irresistible to not purchase, but your newborn will grow in size and centimeters all too quickly, he or she will outgrow their clothes in the blink of an eye. Some mothers even opt to skip buying a lot of newborn clothes, and go straight to buying clothes for 3 months and up.

Burp cloths. Much like baby wipes, burp cloths, especially the long ones, will be beneficial to buy in bulk, and in the long run. It can also act as a carrying blanket for guests. When your child grows up, it can be used as a face towel.

 

 

Breast pump. Whether you choose a manual breast pump or electronic breast pump, what matters is that you’re comfortable with it, and it helps you express milk so that your breastfeeding journey will be one that you can sustain for a long period of time. It wouldn’t hurt if it’s easy to clean, too.

Milk bottles. Milk bottles, if cleaned and taken care of properly, can last for years, and even be handed down to any future siblings. Unlike nipples that you’ll need to change every couple of months, investing in quality, hospital-grade milk bottles, will greatly help you and your child sustain your breastfeeding journey.

Baby bottle liquid cleanser. Most liquid cleansers for your baby’s things are made out of food grade material, meaning if you accidentally don’t wash off all the liquid cleanser from your baby bottle, it won’t harm your baby. Remember to read the ingredients of your baby bottle liquid cleanser though, just to be safe.

Portable bathtub. Giving your newborn a bath is an art—a terrifying one to do for new moms, to be honest. Having a dedicated bathtub will greatly help though, and will help your child feel safe while bathing.

Baby bath products. Much like adults, products that work for one child might not work for yours. Read through the ingredient list, and try out products made especially for babies. These products usually have less chemicals, and undergo rigorous testing to ensuring that it’s safe for sensitive skin.

It’s overwhelming to be a new mom, but once you get into the routine, you’ll get used to it. Remember that it’s perfectly okay to ask and accept for help—you’re no less of a loving mom when you do. Best of luck, and enjoy every minute of being a new mommy!