What are some of the necessities for a baby?

When preparing for a new baby, there are so many things you will need. It can be overwhelming, but here at Hip and Little, we insist that shopping should be fun! Here is our new baby checklist for the necessities, as well as a few cute optional items. Use it to plan your registry or your own shopping excursions.

Clothing - Necessities:

___ 6 - 12 bodysuits or baby Ts (depending on how often you want to do laundry). Shirts that snap or tie on the side are helpful for babies who don't like things going over their heads.

___ 6 - 9 pairs of soft, comfy pants.

___ 3 - 5 newborn gowns. These are great for quick diaper changes, especially when baby is sleepy.

___ 6 - 12 soft pjs.

___ 3 - 5 soft knit caps.

___ tons of socks and booties (these disappear quickly!)

___ 8 - 12 bibs

Clothing - Extras

___ 2 sweaters if the weather will be chilly.

___ 1 adorable take-home outfit.

___ Christening or other newborn welcoming ceremony clothing.

___ Tiny little fancy outfits that may never be worn.

Nursery - Necessities

___ Crib (unless you are planning on cosleeping).

___ Crib mattress

___ 2 Crib mattress pads

___ 3 - 5 Crib sheets

___ Cosleeper and sheets

___ Crib mobile (and possibly one for the changing table as well).

___ Dresser and/or changing table. There are many cute combos now that have a removable changing table top on a child-safe dresser.

___ Changing pad.

___ 2 - 4 Changing pad covers.

___ Shelves and bins for books and toys.

___ A clothing hamper

Nursery - Extras

___ Crib bedding set

___ Rocking chair or glider

___ Nursery artwork

___ A fun, colorful rug

___ A moses basket

___ Washable curtains (avoid having window blinds in the nursery because of safety issues).

___ Lamp (preferrably one that is not too bright, so it doesn't wake your baby further in the middle of the night) or nightlight.

___ Music box or radio with lullaby CDs

___ Wooden closet hangers

___ Armoire or closet organizer

___ A cradle or bassinet

___ Diaper stacker

Baby Gear - Necessities

___ A baby carrier or sling

___ 4 - 6 receiving blankets

___ Infant carseat

___ Car sunshade (preferably the kind that sticks onto the window).

___ Car mirror (so your newborn can see you while facing backwards).

___ Stroller

___ High chair

___ Baby swing and/or bouncy seat

___ Tons of burp cloths

Bath - Necessities

___ Baby bathtub

___ 2 - 4 hooded towels

___ A dozen or so washcloths

___ Baby soap and shampoo

___ Cotton swaps and alcohol (for umbilical stump care).

___ Bath toys

Diapering

___ diapers

___ diaper pail

___ baby wipes

___ travel wipe container

___ diaper bag

___ changing pad

___ diaper ointment

Breastfeeding - Necessities

___ Box of disposable breast pads

___ 6 - 8 washable breast pads

___ 5 - 7 nursing bras

___ nursing tops and pajamas

___ Lanolin nipple cream (such as Lansinoh)

___ Boppy or other nursing pillow

___ Phone number of your local La Leche and/or lactation consultant

___ Breastpump, bottles and accessories (if needed)

Bottle Feeding - Necessites

___ 6 - 8 bottles

___ Newborn nipples

___ Bottle brush and drying rack

___ Bottle sterilizer

___ Formula

Safety - Necessities

___ Outlet covers (enough for your home outlets, plus a few for travel).

___ Cabinet locks

___ Baby monitor

___ Safety gates

___ Oven lock

___ Toilet locks

___ Earthquake straps (if you live in a earthquake-prone area)

___ Cord winders

___ CPR / First Aid class for you and family, babysitters, etc.

___ First Aid kit

___ Spout cover for bath tub

___ Playpen

Baby Health/Care

___ Pain reliever / fever reducer as recommended by your pediatrician

___ Thermometers (rectal and ear)

___ Baby size nail clippers

___ Hair brush

___ Teething ring / toy

Saving Memories

___ Camera (still and/or video)

___ Film, photo paper, and/or video cassettes

___ Scrapbook or photo album

___ Baby book and/or journal

___ Picture frames

___ Handprint/footprint keepsake kits

___ Personalized blanket or other custom item

___ Storage box for keepsakes such as the hospital bracelet, first haircut curls, etc.

It seems like a lot, but remember that you will receive much of these items as gifts and you can spread the rest out over time. Enjoy shopping for your baby!

*Someone to help out with the household chores for a week or so. This doesn't include your partner, he'll be almost as sleep deprived as you.

*Lanolin cream for my poor overworked boobies!

*FOOD! I sat down to a dozen mini sausage rolls at some stupid hour one morning. The first few weeks after your milk comes in you will eat like you haven't since you were a growing teenager. I actually ate a man sized pub meal which the guys struggled to get through. They were being piggy, but I wasn't!!

*A packet of the organic cotton night breast pads. They're available online. During the day I used cheap ones from Target, but these were essential for nights or I'd leak through everything.

*Decent maternity bras, but you should have them already. Buy the best even if they are ugly.

*A baby chair. My aunt bought a little vibrating rocking chair. I almost died when I found out how much it was, but it is the best piece of apparatus we have. Not the vibrating part so much, though that helped keep her asleep at times. Being able to put her somewhere where she could sleep upright was really important as she was a winter baby. We tried propping her up in her bassinette, but she slipped down under the covers and nearly suffocated. So don't do that! The chair was better! She's had lots of day time use too, as she's wanted to be upright and looking around from the very beginning; and it's somewhere you can strap them into while you go put washing on the line. Especially good now she's rolling around.

sensitive diapers and wipes

side snaps shirts

mittens and socks/booties

flannel receiving blankets

waterproof multi-use pad/changing pad

(for changing around the house)

nursing pillow ("My Breast Friend")

Breast cups/shields

Lansinoh

lots of nursing bras

tons of washcloths and breast pads

wipes warmer

my helper (husband)

Then, the regulars like a crib, stroller, car seat, extra onesies/clothes, dresser/changer combo, "Sound Sleeper" (makes different noises to keep baby calm/asleep), bassinet, glider

There are tons of things you'll want and need but this is my list of things I couldn't live without. I have so much more that I bought and use.

baby needs a place to sleep, everything else is just crap, you can always do without. But get a nice playpen, it can serve many purposes, and they also come with a built in changing table. you really dont want your baby to be able to fall when its sleeping. but the best advice, just love it the best you can, everything will fall into place, it always does somehow.

#1 for me I think was the little bouncer seats with the toys that hang down. You can get one at Wal-Mart for around $20 I think. When he/she gets crabby.. they LOVE to sit in those and watch the toys! You can also get ones that rock or vibrate to help put them to sleep! (although it may cost a little bit more)

Our playpen that also has a built in changing table and basinett, I use it more than I thought I would.

My son hasnt even slept in his baby bed yet, he's 5 weeks

Cloth diapers for burping pads, a lot of t shirts and onseies, and of course diapers. You will be changing your baby's clothes a lot due to spit up and well spit up.

i would have to say a swing,the playpen that has a changing table and a bassinet, a boucy seat and lots of love from both of its parents

Well I think Rae Rae said it all, that will get you on the right track. But the MOST IMPORTANT nessesity is you love!

Baby Milicon! (or any other brand of infant gas medicine).