New Parents Checklist: Everything you need before your baby arrives

New parents need a lot of stuff. Refer to the checklist prepared by our experts based on interaction with new moms. Read below and decide what you need to buy and prepare yourself well for the baby’s birth. This checklist can help you in a great way to avoid any last-minute panic.

Feeding

• Nursing pillow – Encourages better posture during breastfeeding, alleviating strain in your back, neck, and arms
  Available at Amazon

• 2-3 nursing bras
• 2-3 boxes of nursing pads
• 6 or more cotton bibs
• 6 or more burp cloths
• Breast pump (electric if you’ll use it every day at work, else you can use hand pump as well)
• Breast milk storage bags or containers – Comes handy to meet their growing and changing breast milk supply.
  Available at Amazon

• Several bottles and nipples (if someone else will be feeding baby pumped breast milk)
• Nipple cream (for the first few weeks)

Clothing

• 8 undershirts or one-piece (mix of short-sleeve and long-sleeve)
• 5 nightgowns (for use until the cord falls off) – Maternity sleepwear could cover your pregnant belly comfortably.    Available at Amazon
• 8 one-piece stretchy sleepers
• 5 pairs of pants
• 2 newborn hats
• 8 pairs of socks or booties, to wear with nightgowns and outfits
• 2 pairs of scratch mittens, to keep baby from scratching his face
• 2 cardigans or jackets, more in winter
• Bunting bag or snowsuit for winter baby
• Laundry detergent for infants

Blankets

• 3 large cotton blankets
• 8 receiving blankets (they also make handy burp cloths)

Diapering

• 2 packs of newborn diapers to start
• Wipes
• Diaper rash ointment
• Waterproof changing table pad
• 2-3 changing table pad covers (usually cotton or terry cloth)
• Diaper pail or trash can with a lid

Also consider buying-

• 4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under baby’s bottom (protecting the cover that’s protecting the pad — you won’t be sorry)
• Baby cream (if your baby has dry skin)
• Non-talc powder (to help the diaper area dry faster)

Bath time

• 1 plastic infant tub
• 12 washcloths, not used on baby’s bottom
• Baby soap or cleanser
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby soft-bristled hairbrush
• 3 soft-hooded towels
• Nail scissors (nail clippers)
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls

Bed time

• approved crib and matching crib mattress
• 3 waterproof mattress covers
• 4 fitted crib sheets
• 4 light blankets that fit in the crib
• Sleep sack
• Soothing

Several pacifiers (try different types of Pacifier to know which suits well for your baby)

• Changing table
• Lullaby CDs or other soothing music

Baby Proofing (after 4 months):

• Gates at the top and bottom of all stairs
• Cabinet latches
• Drawer latches
• Outlet covers
• Fireplace bumper
• Furniture anchors

Share in Comments your experiences to help other moms prep well.