Key TakeAways
New mothers often stress about having everything right for their little new member! But so many advices from each direction can create confusion and chaos. This is why, we have this expert-backed newborn baby shopping list that covers every newborn essential you’ll need.
We have compiled a list of all the baby essentials for newborns in one place for your convenience. Trusted by thousands of parents, Cocoon Care consults parenting experts and experienced parents to give you parenting advice that actually works.
In This Article
Hey there, mommy-to-be… we know you are getting stressed about this new experience and are wondering whether you have everything in place to welcome the new member! But the stress is not good for you, so we have decided to take the matter into our own hands. Once you finish this blog, all the stress on your mind will be replaced with peace and joyful anticipation of the little one.
We have compiled a list of all the baby essentials in one place for your convenience.
Baby Sleep Essentials
Your little bundle of joy is going to sleep a lot in the beginning, so you have to ensure he/she is comfortable while sleeping. Check out these newborn baby sleep essentials:
Sleeping pod
Sleeping pods are an arms-up alternative to traditional swaddles. They allow the baby to sleep without being disturbed by startle reflex. It is essential for babies between 0 to 3 months. There are many benefits of using sleeping pods, such as uninterrupted sleep, better rest, and safety for your infants.
How many sleep pods are required?
You will need 2-3 sleep pods for your newborn baby. Newborns typically sleep for over 18 hours a day, while infants sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, including naps. So, you will need spare sleep pods in case of any accidents..
Baby Swaddle
Baby swaddles help in a smooth transition from the womb. You should invest in good quality swaddle cloth to ensure your baby is cool and comfortable in their swaddles. Swaddles also protect the baby’s limbs, keeping them snug and safe.
Baby Blanket
You need to buy a soft and lightweight blanket for the baby to keep him warm while not weighing him/her down. Baby blankets from Cocoon Care are made from bamboo muslin fabric, which is very soft and comfortable.
How many blankets are enough?
2-3 baby blankets will be enough for your infant’s needs. 2 are required, but it is safe to keep another one as a spare, especially in winter when clothes take forever to dry.
Baby sleepsuits
Sleepsuits are another major item on your newborn baby items list. You need to buy comfortable and lightweight onesies and night suits for your baby to wear while sleeping. This will keep your baby cool and ensure that he/she sleep well.
How many sleep suits should I buy?
You should add 5-7 sleep suits to your baby essentials checklist. Since this will be the closest layer to your baby’s skin, it needs to be washed and dried regularly.
Baby Wardrobe Essentials
Stack up your baby's wardrobe with all the essentials in advance because once the baby comes along, you won’t have much time:
Bodysuit
Babies spoil their clothes often, so you might need to change their clothes multiple times a day.
Bodysuits are the easiest clothes for infants, so you should have multiple of these.
How many bodysuits for a newborn?
7 to 10 bodysuits are basic newborn essentials. Every baby must have at least 7 bodysuits because you cannot wash every piece of clothing every day.
Baby Rompers
You can get soft baby rompers from Cocoon Care that get softer after every wash. The secret is bamboo fabric, which is 3 times softer than cotton.
Muslin kimono vest
Kimono vests are easy to dress and undress, making them a baby essential. Especially if you are a first-time parent, you must invest in muslin kimono vests.
How many rompers should my baby have?
Ideally, your baby should have at least 10 baby rompers. It can be more depending on how frequently you do the laundry and how much help you have around the house.
Muslin dresses
Muslin dresses keep your infants cool and comfortable and ensure they do not get overheated in the swaddle or sleeping bag.
How many dresses are needed for newborn girls?
You should get 10-12 dresses for your newborn girl for easy rotation.
Baby Bath Essentials
Bathing your baby is a task! And we want you to be prepared for it. Here are some baby bath essentials that are absolute must-have baby items:
Hooded towel
Make your baby your personal ‘jaadu’ with a cute hooded towel. Hooded towels are very convenient and functional.
How many hooded towels do I need?
You should get 2-3 hooded towels. You don’t need a lot of these as the baby will only use them twice or thrice a week. In winter, do not try bathing your newborn every day.
Baby Accessories
Check out these baby essentials checklist for baby accessories:
Cloth nappy
Cloth nappies are better for your infant’s skin. Instead of using disposable plastic diapers, you should go for cloth nappies.
How many nappies are needed?
You should get as many nappies as you can. Newborns poop multiple times a day, so have at least 20 nappies to be on the safe side. You do not want the stress of washing nappies because you are running out of clean ones.
Washcloth
Washcloths are required to clean stains, spills, and burps. It is important to clean these washcloths regularly.
How many washcloths should I keep?
You should keep 3-4 washcloths as you will be using them quite frequently.
Cap mitten socks
Caps, mittens, and socks are the basic essentials for babies. They not only protect your baby from scratching themself, they also look super cute.
How many caps, mittens, and socks does a baby need?
Unless you live in colder climates, your newborn doesn’t need caps. Mittens and socks are required but only if the baby is cold. So, this depends on the region, climatic conditions, etc.
For a safe side, you can buy 3-4 sets of caps, mittens, and socks.
Baby bibs
Baby bibs made of soft bamboo fabric are the newborn must-haves. They are very useful during feeding and burping.
How many bibs are required for a newborn?
Bibs are a major part of the newborn essentials list. Buy 5-7 baby bibs, as this is something that will catch your baby’s spills.
Burp cloth
You should have a burp cloth to protect your clothes, as well as your baby’s clothes while burping.
How many burp cloths should I buy?
You should have 4-5 burp clothes, so while one dries, you have another to use.
Headwear
Make your little one look like a doll with our cute and soft headwear.
Baby Play Time Essentials
Here is a baby essentials list for playtime:
Soft toy
You should have at least 5-6 colourful soft toys for your baby to keep him/her engaged.
Teether
When we are making a newborn essentials list, how can we miss teethers? Good quality teethers are very important for the health of your baby. Your little one can chew on teethers and soothe their gums.
Rattles and Musical Toys
Rattles and musical toys are very essential for your baby’s sensory development. You should have 4-5 rattles with different sounds.
Essentials You Don’t Need Immediately
Here are a few things your newborn does not need immediately, so you can avoid shopping for them:
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Shoes for newborns
Soft socks keep tiny feet warm; shoes look cute but completely unnecessary early on.
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Fancy or occasion outfits
You won’t be taking your newborn baby to parties, so avoid wasting time on fancy clothes. Plus, kids feel comfortable in soft clothes.
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Too many toys
You don’t want to overstimulate your baby. Few rattles are more than enough.
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Pillows and soft bedding
These aren’t safe for newborn sleep and are best avoided altogether. Use sleep pods and swaddles for naps.
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Heavy blankets
This one is a big NO. They can cause overheating. Sleeping bags or light wraps are safer for newborn essentials.
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Decorative nursery items
Pretty to look at, but your baby won’t notice them yet. Save your money and energy on actual newborn essentials like nappies and onesies.
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Baby walkers or jumpers
It’s too soon for walkers.
Conclusion
Now that you have a list of all the baby must-haves, all you need to do is follow this baby checklist and embrace motherhood. Say goodbye to any stress or anxiety, and be ready to welcome your little baby into this world.
For all your baby necessities, you can check out Cocoon Care. Cocoon Care believes that your child deserves the softest, finest, and safest clothes. This is why all our clothes are free from dyes, chemicals, and bleach. Made from bamboo fabric, our clothes are organic and very lightweight, making them perfect for newborns.
FAQs
1. What are the absolute essentials for a newborn baby?
Focus on basics, not fancy stuff that may look cute but are not basic essentials. Here are the absolute essentials for a newborn baby:
- 7-10 pairs of soft clothes
- 18-20 nappies
- Baby bibs and wipes
- 1-2 gentle blankets
- 3-4 swaddles
- Feeding supplies
- Basic skincare
2. When should I start buying newborn baby essentials?
The sweet spot for newborn baby essentials shopping is the early third trimester. You’ll have enough energy to plan calmly without last-minute panic buying.
3. How many clothes does a newborn really need?
Your newborn needs about 7-10 everyday outfits, a couple of sleep suits, and 18-20 nappies. Having a few extras for spit-ups will comfortably get you through laundry cycles.
4. Are organic or chemical-free clothes necessary for newborns?
Yes, definitely, you should prefer organic and chemical-free clothes for newborns. Soft, dye-free, and well-washed cotton is perfectly fine and gentle on newborn skin.
5. Why is breathable clothing important for newborns?
Babies can’t regulate body temperature well. Breathable fabrics help release excess heat, keeping them comfortable and reducing the risk of overheating.
