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27 Baby Items List With Pictures For First Time Parents

It is an exciting period as you prep yourself for the newborn joining your family. If this is your first time being a parent, it is completely understandable to feel anxious about what is needed to prepare for their arrival. It is highly recommended to get most of the things ready as you may be too busy to shop for these items after the birth. For your convenience, I have created a 27 baby items list with pictures for first-time parents.

Of course most of the time, mommies will be the ones making most of the purchases. However, it is also important to let daddies know what is needed and ask them to help out whenever possible.

Giving birth can be a stressful and tiring process and we want to have enough rest after the baby is born rather than chasing around after items after the birth. Based on my personal experiences, these are a list of items that everything a baby needs in the first year.

Baby Clothing

For a newborn that is between 0-3 months, it is recommended not to buy too many clothes that are just the right size. The main reason is that they will outgrow them very fast. It is wasteful as they can outgrow the clothing in a matter of several weeks.

Something to note is that 100% organic cotton clothing will be a better choice and the main thing is to avoid synthetic fibers. “Baby skin is more delicate and sensitive,” says  Gervaise Gerstner, MD, a New York dermatologist. “Their skin is 30% thinner than adults which means that they absorb chemicals easier”. 

There are a few ways to tackle this situation. Firstly, you can buy clothing that is for 6-12 months. Yes, it seems weird to buy clothes that are much larger than what is required.

However, this will really maximize the usage of clothing bought for them. Also, try to get clothes which show the correct measurements. Some of the sizes will vary from brand to brand.

Lastly, you can also explore asking for hand me downs from friends or relatives whose babies have outgrown their clothing. This will reduce wastage and saves some money for something else.

On the flip side, you may have to bear with the fact that the clothes are worn umpteen times by other babies. Some of them may not be in perfectly good condition. However, you can still filter and remove those you feel are not suitable for your newborn.

#1 Baby Mittens and Booties 

Baby Mittens and Booties are normally required for newborns to prevent them from scratching themselves with their own nails.

They also provide warmth for hands and legs suffering from cold. You may need plenty of them for a start. They tend to fall off easily and you can lose one half of it easily when washing or drying it. 

#2 Electrical Nail trimmer

However, there are also debates on whether baby mittens are must-haves.  If you are frequently trimming the nails of your little one daily using baby electrical nail trimmer , you may not need them at all.

It will drastically reduce the occurrence of scratches. Mittens may also prevent normal development of newborns trying to explore their environment through touch.

#3 Baby Socks

There are no right or wrong for this debate and it really depends on your preferences. 2-3 pairs of baby mittens should be sufficient for your newborn. You can get around 7- 8 pairs of booties or baby socks depending on your preference

#4 One piece stretchy sleepers

One piece stretchy sleepers help to keep your baby warm throughout the night without needing a blanket. They usually have long sleeves and pants to keep the baby cozy. However, always go for those that have zippers in front to make it easy for you to change their diapers. You may need 7-8 pieces of them.

#5 Onesies and pants

In the daytime, your newborn will need comfortable onesies and pants. You can get bundling sets that include a mixture of short and long sleeves for different weather conditions plus pants. 2 sets should be sufficient for a start.

#6 Newborn hats

Based on past beliefs, it is said that the baby tends to lose heat through their head and wearing a newborn hat solves this problem. Contrary to beliefs, research has shown that early skin-to-skin contact between a mum and newborn may be a better solution. (Source)

Personally, I feel newborn hats are completely optional but your newborn will look really cute with it. However, based on my own experience it really depends on your little devil. My son has never liked it and will take it off in an instant when he felt something on his little head. No harm getting 1 or 2 newborn hats to test his/her reaction though.

Winter Babies

#7 Jackets or cardigans

For winter babies in colder climates, additional clothing liked jackets or cardigans may be required. Bunting bags help to keep your newborn warm in car seats and strollers during extreme cold weathers.

#8 Bunting Bag or Snowsuit

JJ cole bunting bag is designed to allow safety straps to rest directly on your child as intended; The removable back panel allows your little one’s back to rest on the car seat. If you prefer to have a one piece clothing which works like a bunting, you can consider getting a snowsuit for your tiny one.

#9 Baby Laundry detergents

There are a few choices when it comes to choosing the right laundry detergents for your baby clothing. Firstly, you can stick to regular laundry detergents that you use for adult clothing. It does most of the work and removes stains well. However, some babies may have sensitive skin to the detergent or allergies to the scent.

[How Many Wipes Does A Baby Use In A Year]

Secondly, you can get laundry detergents made just for baby clothes. These are usually scent free detergents which have fewer ingredients in them to irritate delicate skin. Hence this version of detergents may not be efficient sometimes in removing stubborn stains compared against normal detergents.

Lastly,  it will be using Homemade Laundry Soaps and Detergents. The advantages of this are that it is low cost and you can choose the scent you wanted. You can also create one detergent or soap that works extremely well with your water and washing machine. The only downside is that it takes lots of time to repeatedly create these detergents and soaps for own use.

Nursery Furniture

#10 Bassinet

A Bassinet will be a good option if you plan to sleep with the baby for the first six months. It may also save you some space if your bedroom cannot accommodate a baby crib.  Other advantages include it being very portable and more affordable compared to using a baby crib. You can buy more time to save up for a baby crib till your baby outgrown the bassinet.

[Best Bassinet That Fit Every Parent Needs]

#11 Baby Crib 

This will be the main sleeping place for your baby. To extend the usage of the crib for a few years, do look for 4 in 1 crib models that meet the CPSC and ASTM safety standards.

To save space,  Dream On Me 4 in 1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib is useful as you can convert into a daybed and twin size bed depending on your future needs. You can also adjust the height accordingly as your baby grows bigger.  Their accessories liked twin Size Rail, Bed frame, Bedding and Mattress are sold separately. 

 

[15 Best Toddler Beds in 2019 Reviews]

 

#12 Crib Mattress

Your newborn will spend most of their time sleeping in the first few months. It is important to choose and get them a suitable mattress. There a few things that you will have to take note.

1) Firmness

You may like to ensure the mattress bought are firm enough even for baby to roll on to their stomach You may also need to check if it is suitable for infant use.

2) Right size

Ensure that the crib mattress you are buying fit well within the crib frame. The gap should not be more than 2 fingers. 

3) 2nd hand mattress

Avoid 2nd hand mattress as you may not know the history of it. Mould and bacteria in the used mattress may be harmful to your baby even though it can save you some money reusing the mattress

4) Natural materials

If you are worried about chemicals used to make standard crib mattress being harmful to your baby, you may like to consider those which use organic and natural materials. It will be more expensive but it gives you a good piece of mind while using them.

 Types of crib mattresses

There are basically 3 types of crib mattresses. Innersprings, Foam and double-sided mattress. Innerspring mattress is supported by no of spring coils below and are more heavy and sturdy. They are heavier and also abit more pricey. Depending on the brands you choose, it can easily range from  $90 to $250.

Foam mattress normally made from polyurethane, a foam resin. They are lightweight and cost-effective . It can be purchased at less than $50. You have to ensure that it is of higher density which is firmer for your baby to allow them to sleep on their stomach. A double-sided mattress can be used for a longer time as they have a firmer side for newborns then a softer side for toddlers.  You can get it for less than $100

#13 Waterproof mattress covers

Waterproof mattress covers are useful to protect the mattress for any accidental leakage from your baby diapers. You may need 3 – 4 pieces for a start.

#14 Fitted Crib sheets

Fitted crib sheets ensure that it is still in place after a night’s sleep. It makes your baby’s first bed a comfortable place to sleep and dream. You may need 4 – 5 fitted crib sheets for a start.

#15 Soft Swaddle Blanket

Light Blankets are important to keep your little warm at night.  We highly recommend this very useful multifunctional blanket which can also be used as a swaddle. It is soft on newborn skin and can even act as a play mat. You may need 2-3 of these.

#16 Nursery Glider

If you are planning to nurse at home, you may like to consider getting a nursery glider. It allows you to cuddle and bond with your baby while having a comfortable sleep. Even more, it also provides you with the maximum support for your arms and back while nursing your baby. Check out our reviews on the best nursery glider in the market.

#17 Humidifier

Having a humidifier in your baby sleeping area is important as it provides an optimal health condition for your baby who has a weaker immune system than adults. Having the right moisture levels also allow the baby to sleep better at night even when they are sick.

[10 Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion in 2019]

#18 Baby Monitor

The baby monitor is useful for you to monitor your little one without you by their side. Apart from safety, these cam monitor can also track baby`s habits such as breathing and oxygen level. I find it especially useful when my baby is napping and I can monitor while doing my household chores.

There are many types of baby monitors out there depending on your requirements. There are long-range types for a bigger house, multiple cameras if you happen to have twins or triplets and many others. You can check out some of our reviews below to find one that suits your requirement.

Related Posts:

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Best Video Monitor with Longest Range

Newborn Feeding

 

#19 Milk bottles

There are many milk bottle Brands out there. However, I would suggest buying two different Brands and test out with your baby. Based on which one he/she prefers, then you can narrow down to one particular brand. The choice is very subjective and it really depends on the preference of the baby.

Based on my experience, if it is the wrong milk bottle and head, the baby may drink the milk from the milk bottle at a slower pace or seems uncomfortable during feeding. For a start, you may need 7 – 8 four-ounce bottles with nipples and 5 – 6 eight-ounce bottles with nipples

#20 Breast pump

There are various types of breast pumps in the market, manual and auto. They can be 1 sided or 2 sided. I would highly suggest getting the 2 sided auto version even though it will be more expensive than the manual ones. It will save a lot of time and effort for your breastfeeding efforts.

You still can multi-task with other chores while using the hands’ free version. Furthermore, it will encourage you to continue to provide high nutrition breastmilk for the baby. Breast milk is catered for the baby specifically in the first 9 months and is easily digestible. Check out also the 8 importance of breastfeeding.

It beats all the milk powder in the world and helps to build a strong immune system for your child. If this is your first time buying a breast pump, you may like to check out our comprehensive buying guide here.

 

[Best Breast Pump for Working Moms 2019]

#21 Formula milk powder

Sometimes due to some reasons, you may find it more convenient to provide formula milk to your baby rather than breastfeeding. That is perfectly fine and there are a lot of good choices for you in the market. Check out the 7 advantages of bottle feeding a baby.

Do note that sometimes formula may cause constipation or issues like gassy tummy, fussy eating, and tummy upsets. Based on my own experience, I would normally go for the more reputable brands liked Similac and find milk formula that provides similar nutrients like breastfed milk. If you have a colicky baby, you may need to switch milk formula to improve the situation.

Related Posts:

Best Formula for Sensitive Tummy and Constipation

Best Formula for Colic

#22 Diaper Bags

Diaper Bags is really an indispensable item especially when you need to bring your newborn out of the house. There will be a lot of things to bring with you and you will need a bag to have a lot of pockets to compartment the items. I would normally go for something that is easy for travel, more durable and waterproof. [This diaper bag actually lasted me for 2 of my children.]

[Best Diaper Backpack That Fit Every Parent Needs]

#23 Toys

There are not many toys you can get for newborn babies. Suitable toys should be soft and cuddly and maybe have some music or light function. I normally look for something that they can self entertain, safe and good for baby development.

Some toys help to build motor and grasping skills while others will help your kids to gradually stand and walk. Here are some Growth and Development Activities for Infant between 0 – 3 months.

Related Posts:

Best Baby Toys That Light Up 2019 Reviews

Best Toys for Babies Learning to Stand

Best Toys for Babies Learning to Walk

Best Baby Toys For Airplane Travel

#24 Baby Carrier

In theory, you can use the baby carrier to carry a newborn. However, do take note that a newborn neck is only strong enough to support their head after around 4 to 5 months.

Most baby carriers are hard and firm to provide this kind of support. A baby carrier is extremely useful to carry your newborn handsfree instead of carrying with your bare hands. It saves energy and you can perform other tasks at the same time when your hands are free.

[Best Baby Carriers for Newborn That Fit Every Parent Needs]

#25 Car seat

If you plan to drive your newborn around in your car, do note that car seats are compulsory across all the states and associated territories of the USA. (Source) Choosing a car seat really depends on the size of the baby and also the size of your car. There are also many factors liked whether it fits within your budget and safety measures the car seat have.

[Safest and affordable infant car seats in 2019]

#26 Stroller

For newborns, a stroller may not be required as soon as possible as you can use baby carriers, or baby sling to carry them around. However, it will be very useful as your newborn grows up. There are many types and varieties in the market and it can be overwhelming for a first-time parent.

For myself, I went for a stroller that is more sturdy, preferably with one hand close and light as I use public transport sometimes. However, it really depends on your preference and what you plan to use the stroller for.

[How to Choose the Best Stroller for Your Baby]

#27 Baby Proofing

It is recommended that you start baby-proofing your house room by room to ensure it is safe for your baby when he/she starts to get mobile. You may like to ensure sharp edges of furniture, electrical plugs or staircases entrances are baby proofed. Check out our step by step guide and list of baby proofing products here.

Final thoughts on Baby items list with pictures

I hope that this comprehensive 27 baby items list with pictures for first-time parents will be very useful as you get ready the baby essentials for your newborn. Feel free to share and comment below if fellow parents would like to share their experience or felt I have left out anything which I can update into this article. You may also like to check out 19 Best Baby Bath Products With Pictures For First Time Parents