During pregnancy, it is very common for soon-to-be mothers to go through a nesting phase where you will get an uncontrollable urge to clean and prepare your home for the arrival of your baby.

There are so many things to do when prepping for your baby’s arrival. From setting up the nursery to gathering all the essentials for sleeping/eating/diapering, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! With so many things to consider and often tons of advice from family and friends, things can get a bit confusing.  How many onesies do I need?  How many diapers will I use per day?  What do I need to bath my baby? 

The questions are numerous but we are here to help! We've created a shopping list of all the must-have baby items (broken down by category!) to get before your bundle of joy arrives. Hopefully, this checklist will help you determine what you'll need to purchase as you get ready for your baby's birth.  We've highlighted some of the main essential items below. For a complete list, you can download our full Newborn Essentials Checklist.

Bedtime

Crib/Mattress - Your baby needs their own place to sleep.  Please resist the urge to let your baby sleep in your bed because it is a potential suffocation risk!

Baby Monitor - You will want to keep an eye on your baby without needing to go into their room (and risk disturbing their slumber!).  It's also entertaining to just watch your baby wriggle around :)  

Swaddle Blanket - Newborns have a Moro reflex which will cause them to startle themselves awake with their flailing arms.  Proper swaddlingwill prevent this and help your baby sleep better! 

Bathtime

Bathtub - Your baby needs a place to bathe!  The sink is not a good option!

Towel - Keep your baby warm and dry with a hooded-towel.  Make sure the towel is big enough to fully wrap your baby so they don't catch a cold!

Changing table/pad - Yes you can change your baby on your bed, but using a dedicated changing pad will be a life-saver for those times your baby leaks a #1 or #2! Easy to wipe up clean! 

Clothing

Onesies - Have at least 3-5 onesies your baby can cycle through. They will get dirty and will need to be washed often so make sure you have enough between laundry loads!

Mitts - Helps prevent your newborn from accidentally scratching their own face.

Feeding

Bottles - Sometimes your baby just won't breastfeed! If you need to pump milk or use formula, then a bottle is absolutely necessary. Pro tip: Get anti-colic bottles to minimize discomfort from too much air.

Bibs - Rashes develop on a baby's face and neck folds when wet or damp.  Keep your baby clean and dry with some fashionable bandana bibs!

Out & About

Stroller - If you take your baby out with you, you don't want to be holding them all the time.  When you need your hands free, you will be glad you have a stroller.

Carrier - For those who want the convenience of hands-free, but want a bit more exercise, consider a carrier instead of a stroller!

Pacifier - We weren't sold on pacifiers at first, but this essential item was a godsend on many occasions where nothing else would calm our baby down.

Teether - When your baby starts teething, s/he will surely start chewing on anything they can get their little mouths on. A lot of babies like to chew on their crib, so why not substitute it with an all-natural wood teether!

Diapers - No explanation necessary.  A newborn will go through 6-8 diapers a day so make sure you are fully stocked!