Baby Gear Checklist

Clothing

• At least 7 newborn outfits, wash 2 and leave tags on the rest in case your baby is bigger.
• You’ll want at least 14 outfits of any given size, I think, since you go through them fast and wash a lot. Little boys especially leak their diaper a lot
• Socks – I’ve found that inexpensive plain white socks stay on better than the rest.  The really soft kind don’t stay on at all.
• Long sleeve onesies with mittens are the way to go until you can file/cut the baby’s nails which is very difficult for the first few weeks.  Gerber makes some kimono style that I love and then you can find other unique ones here and there.
• Pajamas – I liked the gowns and sleep sacks best until they get older and you don’t have to change them in the middle of the night so much, then I liked the footed ones with snaps/zippers
• Shoes – I only buy boot/slippers for baby for the first 6 months for warmth.  From 6-12 months, Robeez and Pediped make great for moving babies.

Baby Care

• Newborn diapers – we used probably 300 of these with my 7lb 12 oz son before going up a size.  With my 9 lb 5oz daughter, newborn diapers only used maybe 100 before switching to size 1.  Pampers Swaddlers were my favorites but to each their own.
• Wipes – my personal preference is Pampers and I don’t like the thick kind.
• Loofa- I actually prefer using this on them for the bath than a washcloth
• Bath Tub – Nothing fancy here, after the first couple of months you’ll likely switch to the sink and then to the tub.
• Rash cream – I prefer Original Desitin (which stays around longer than the Creamy) or J&J 3in1
• Baby Powder – To keep baby dry
• Baby Oil – To add to the bath for moisturized skin.  I like the kind with Aloe and Vitamin E
• Vaseline – A must have for circumcised little boys.  Also, this sometimes works better on diaper rashes than the zinc oxide creams, particularly when the skin is broken because the Vaseline doesn’t sting.  Triple Antibiotic also works well for this type of rash.
• Thermometer – I like the Braun ear kind but the rectal thermometers are the most accurate
• Grooming kit – contains suction bulb, file, comb, brush, droppers and such
• Gas drops – I like Mylicon and Kid-e-Col
• Tylenol/Motrin – get the infant kind and most likely the doctor won’t have you use them until after 6 months of age but you don’t want to be without them when you end up needing them
• Dreft or other hypoallergenic laundry detergent and fabric softener.
• Bath wash – My favorites are Baby Magic, J&J Sleepy Time and Aveeno
• Lotion – I only use the ones with lavender before bedtime.  I like baby oil and the Vaseline cocoa butter product much better for providing moisture.
• Pacifiers – I like the MAMs the best.  Make sure you pay attention to sizes.
• Electric nose sucker – They actually work quite well and are faster than the old fashioned bulbs (I was surprised).  They even play music to distract baby.

Linens

• Cloth diapers make great burp rags – thin ones are great and the most useable but you can also make your own cute and personalized ones out of the thick kind.
• Wash cloths – about 14 if you figure 2/day.  You will use these all through toddlerhood to clean up messy faces. 
• Receiving blankets – I recommend about a dozen and I don’t buy anything less than 35×35 or 40×40.  Dwell Studio and Circo are my favorite brands. They can both be found at Target.  They work much better for swaddling than a “swaddler”
• Baby blankets – you will get many as gifts in all fabrics and sizes, so if you are going to purchase, buy only 1-2 soft blankets that you think you will use to cover baby in the car seat and later in their bed.
• Changing pad covers – at least 2
• Pee Wees Disposable Paper Pads – (they look like the bibs at the dentist’s office) my cousin bought me these and they were SO handy and saved me a ton of laundry, particularly with my baby boy who of course peed all over himself and the pad pretty often.
• Crib bedding – a bumper, mattress pad and 2-3 fitted sheets are really all that’s necessary but the sets are cute…just make sure you get some extra sheets
• Bassinet sheets – 2-3 and I prefer the quilted soft fuzzy kind to make it a more snuggly environment.
• Waterproof Mattress pads – 2 each of Large and small for both the crib and the bassine

Nursery

• Changing Pad – They’re pretty well all the same
• Crib and Crib Mattress – I tend to go mid-range on mattress price/quality here.  Please beware of recalls if you buy a used crib.  All drop-side cribs have recently been recalled due to safety.
• Bassinet – I got the Graco Pack ‘n’ Play with the bassinet feature and changing table on top.  I love it and when baby moves to the crib, I lower the bassinet to the floor so I can corral my crawler while I get ready in the morning.  I understand now they have them with a “newborn napper” on top which I think is even more handy.
• Rocker/Glider – Brand and style aren’t important here, any of them are nice to have.
• Diaper Genie II and Refill Cartridges – I love this product.  Each cartridge lasts about 6 full canister uses.
• Monitor – We’ve been pretty happy with the Sony Baby Call monitor.  I don’t personally think video monitors are necessary but I can see why some parents like them.  We first bought a Graco iVibe monitor and have problems with the rechargeable battery dying quickly and it occasionally beeps out of range when on the base.

Gear

• Sling – The Moby Wrap receives the best reviews for young and older babies.  I also have a Seven sling which is only good as a hip carrier for older babies.
• Ergo Baby Carrier – This is also a great rated carrier, even for older babies
• Swing – I like the Fisher Price My Little Lamb.  They are the best rated, and have a lot of features including the ability to swing side to side or front to back.  The Graco’s are not well rated.
• Infant Car Seat/Travel System – I loved the Chicco Cortina Travel System.  We also bought extra Key Fit bases for my husband’s car and grandma’s car so the infant seat would click right in.
• Car Seat Cover – for the winter months, these slip over the infant car seat, block wind and keep baby snuggly warm.
• Head cushion – I think this is crucial for the first month at least to give newborn babies more support.
• Convertible Car Seat – We have hand-me-down Britax Marathon which are well rated and we like the best.  We also have a Safety First with the side air cushions and it’s a good seat.  For extra vehicles and for travel, the Cosco Scenera seats are well rated and very inexpensive and they come with a plastic traveling case.
• Umbrella Stroller – These are inexpensive, very compact and the most practical of strollers you’ll use.
• Bumbo Chair – This is a MUST have and you can put baby in there as early as 1 month depending on how well the hold up their head.  They come with a tray and while I love the idea, I can’t say we’ve used it very much.
• High Chair – We don’t use a “high chair” per say but we love the Chicco Hook On “Travel” seats that we leave attached to our kitchen table.  You don’t have to move them to clean under them, they’re not bulky and the kids can sit right at the table with you.  The 360° Seat with the Tray is an improvement on the original and especially handy when baby begins feeding herself.
• Jumperoo – This is one toy that you’ll want for sure for 3-9 months about.  The Fisher Price Rainforest is the best in my opinion but we have a hand-me-down that works just as well.
• Baby Gym – This is a floor mat with the toys and it encourages free play and tummy time.  We love the Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean one.  It beats all the others hands down with features.
• Shopping Cart Covers – They are useful and I like the concept but I always forget mine.
• Travel Mirror – Munchkin makes one that straps onto the car headrest is the most practical.
• Diaper Bag – I love the wipeable kinds but most importantly a big bag is nice so you have room for spare clothes and all the other necessities
• Baby Book – keep track of your baby’s milestones and keepsakes
• Boon Frog Pod – This is not a necessity but it’s a fun and easy way to keep bath toys.  They have additional animals besides the frog.
• Stool – The First Year’s Sit and Store is great for storing toys as well as giving you a break in the tub.  Can be used later as a step stool to the sink or potty
• Faucet Cover – These are very practical and I like the Boon one the best because it acts like a fountain and you can still turn the shower on easily.

Nursing/Feeding

• Nursing Pads – Buy these before you have the baby, you will need them when your milk comes in.  My preference was the J&J brand.
• Nursing Bras – Another thing you need prior to delivering.  I recommend visiting Motherhood Maternity store to get help with sizes:  2 for sleeping (no underwire) and 2 for daytime support (have padding and may have underwire)
• Milk storage bags – Use these for freezing milk or storage if you travel away from baby.
• Breast Pump – This is one area where you don’t want to skimp if you’re a working mom, especially.  Invest in the Medela double pump and you won’t be sorry.  You can buy used pumps to save a buck if you sterilize or replace the milk handling parts.
• Lanolin – can help ease breast soreness but please see my post about this
• Bottles – about 3 of the 4-5 oz and 6 of the 8 oz unless you hand wash daily.  My preference was the Born Free brand even though there are a lot of parts.  You can buy different stages of nipples and bottle parts.  A lot of people like Avent and they have less parts.  I didn’t like the Soothie brand at all. 
• Bottle warmer – In case your baby is picky
• Drying rack – Boon makes a really neat “grass” drying rack now
• Bottle brushes – they wear out so you can’t have too many
• Bibs: Fabric ones for drooling, teething babies and I LOVE the wipeable ones with the pocket for feeding time
• Formula – have a back up can just in case.  I like the Enfamil Lipil because of the DHA
• Boppy Pillow and 1 extra cover – This is more than a nursing pillow.  It is a comfortable way to hold baby (my husband uses it too) and to help baby lay by himself (supervised).  They make other brands but I like the Boppy the best.
• Formula Dispensers – For formula to go, or for cereal later on

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