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
pajamas
.
___ 3 - 5 soft
knit caps.
___ tons of baby
socks
and booties (these
disappear quickly!)
___ 8 - 12 bibs
___ Baby
sunhat

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.
___ Tiny
mittens
to prevent newborns from scratching themselves.
___ Some baby clothing in size 3 - 6 months to grow
into.
Nursery - Necessities
___ Crib
or Cosleeper or
Bassinet
___ Crib
mattress
___ 2 Crib
mattress pads
___ 3 - 5 Crib
sheets
, Cosleeper sheets,
or bassinet 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 stereo with lullaby
CDs
___ Closet hangers
___ Armoire
or closet
organizer
___ A cradle
with cradle sheets
___ Diaper
stacker

Baby Gear - Necessities
___ baby wrap or other baby
carrier
___ 4 - 6 receiving
blankets
___ Infant
car seat
___ Car
sunshade
(preferably the kind that sticks onto the window).
___ Car
mirror
(so your newborn can see you while facing
backwards).
___ Stroller
___ Highchair
___ Baby
swing
and/or bouncy
seat
___ Tons of burp
cloths
___ Baby spoons, bowls, and plates
___ A mild laundry detergent such as Dreft

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
___ cloth
or disposable
diapers
___ Diaper
pail
___ Baby
wipes
___ travel wipe container
___ diaper
bag
___ changing
pad
___ diaper
ointment

Breastfeeding - Necessities
___ Box of Disposable
nursing 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
___ Breast
pump
, 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
___ Fireplace bumpers
___ 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
___ Pediatrician's phone number (keep by the
phone)
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 / gel
___ Soft
newborn toy
___ Eye dropper or medicine spoon
___ Bulb syringe
___ Wipe
warmer
___ Diaper rash ointment or cream
___ Gas drops
___ Baby
lotion
___ Saline nasal spray or drops
___ Non-latex gloves
___ Baby-safe sunscreen
___ Baby
Sunglasses with UV protection
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
___ Personalized
Plate
___ Handprint
and/or Footprint
keepsake kit
___ Personalized
blanket or other custom item
___ Keepsake
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!
* For our recommendations for books about pregnancy
and baby care, as well as board books and picture books for babies and toddlers,
take a look at our Hip Picks
Bookstore via Amazon.
Did we miss something? Please contact us and let us
know.