Imagine this: You’re on the sofa, skimming baby blogs by the dozen, reading detail-rich articles on *how* you should prepare for your new arrival. Given that you’ve already bought half a dozen soft, stripy babygrows (because how on Earth could anyone walk past those?), you’re wondering now, what else do I need? If you’re a first-time parent, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, scouring the internet for the magic list that shows all (or at least most) items on the essentials list for baby, all in one place. You’ll get no arguments here. Let me be your friend who’ you the fun, no-stress way.

 

The Basics You Can’t Skip

 Here’s a handy checklist of essentials because – trust me – you’d rather not get caught without these, whether you go the minimalist route or the Pinterest-perfect nursery. They’re absolute must-haves: 

 

  Diapers  

 You will use so many diapers in the first couple of weeks. Fortunately, you can get some of the cost back because you can use the leftover diapers for your next kid. And also drool clutch. Buy all the sizes (your pregnancy-clothed stocks should provide a good guideline), and be sure to try disposable and cloth (you might end up preferring one over the other) and make sure that the diapers for girls snap shut on the front.

 

 Tips Have diapers for this in every room, the smallest stack in the living room. You never know when you walk in on a movie that you’ll have a front-row seat to a dirty diaper and be forced to do a ninja diaper change in the living room! 

Onezie onesies – These Guys…. um, are your friend. From those 3 a.m. diaper changes to the projectile spit-ups that will pepper the front of your shirt in the middle of the day, you are going to want a stockpile of these handy. Get them in different sizes—babies grow FAST.   

Crib/Bassinet—Your baby’s sleeping accommodations are important. Some parents opt for a bassinet next to the bed in the first few months or a crib in the bedroom, while others go for a crib in the nursery right away. Either way, just make sure it’s comfy and safe. 

Car Seat – If you’re taking the wee urchin anywhere (even home from the hospital), you have no choice. If necessary, have it screwed in place by a certified individual and read all the instructions.

 Baby-Skills fact: Most hospitals won’t let you take your baby home until you show you can safely buckle him or her into a car seat. 

 

   

 

 Stocking Up the Changing Station

 And finally, the all-important changing station. A change table with or without drawers or, at the very least, a changing mat can do the trick; ideally, it will be within arm’s reach of the following necessities:

Wipes –  wipes and more wipes. You go through them faster than you can say ‘diaper blowout’. Get mild, unscented ones to protect his skin. 

Diaper Cream —Take it from us; you will need it. Babies’ skin is extra sensitive, and you never know when a diaper rash may crop up. Keep a tube or jar within easy reach, and slather it on! 

Extra Clothes – Spit-up? Check. Pee in the middle of a diaper change? Double-check. You may be surprised how many outfits you must change daily, so keep some extra clothes by the changing station.

Distraction Toys – Babies are wiggly little things, especially the older ones. A nifty little rattle or toy can keep a baby busy just long enough for you to finish a nappy change before you get a bit of surprise spray all over your fingers! 

 

 Feeding Frenzy: What You Need

 A lot of your life, the first few months will be feeding, whether breastfeeding, bottle feeding or a combo:

Here’s what to get ready.

Bottles and Nipples—Even if you intend to breastfeed, having a few bottles on hand is a good idea. You may want to pump and give someone else the feeding shift. Differing rates of nipple flow for different stages of the baby’s development (they’re often faster and slower) are also great. 

Breast Pump (To Go) ­– If you’re breastfeeding but need to go back to work or just go out at night ­– it’ll happen, I promise! – and a good breast pump makes the process so much easier.

Burp Cloths — With spit up. Who knew babies could shoot it all over the place as much as they do? It’s always handy to have a couple of these. 

Formula (if formula-feeding) – The array of formulas alone is enough to give almost any new mom a headache. You’ll crunch through at least half a dozen as your baby grows, so just start with a well-known brand and see how it goes. Switch it up if it’s problematic. 

High Chair – It’s smart to have this around before you even think you’re ready for it, so that when it’s time, you don’t have to deal with shopping and shipping.

 

  (And just for fun: any thoughts on how you’ll start on solids?  The most fun and messiest part of baby-feeding is here!

 

Sleep, Sweet Sleep (Eventually)

 Sleep. Glorious sleep, never enough of it, never, not even close for us parents. Here’s how to set up a great sleep environment for your baby (and possibly get some yourself!)

Swaddles — Your baby survived the past nine months by feeling safe and snuggled, and he or she still likes those advantages when it comes to feeling calm and sleeping better. Swaddles can be a parent’s dream.

White noise Machine—Believe it or not, white noise actually helps babies sleep better. Babies have heard this sound periodically throughout their pregnancy (the whooshing sounds of their heartbeat and blood in their belly). It can help drown out unexpected household sounds, such as the doorbell or your dog barking. 

 

Baby Monitor—If you have a nursery for your baby, this is handy so you can get up to tend to your other babies. And if your little one sleeps in another room, like mine does, you’ll want to be able to peek in on them without getting up and waking them up every five minutes. Some monitors even have video, in case they roll over, so I can keep an eye on them to make sure they’re breathing.

Pacifiers—Whether you intend to use them or not, it’s a good idea to have two on hand. Some babies will love them, and others won’t, and they can sometimes help to quiet a fussy baby to sleep. 

 Are You Ready for Bathtime? Wet little ones can be very awkward and slippery for first-time parents, but don’t worry: once you have the right equipment, bathtime can be fun and a nice time for you and your baby to bond.

Baby Bathtub– You could always just bathe your baby in a sink, but it’s really handy if you have a bathtub made specifically for a baby, as it allows you to immobilise them in one place to wash them gently.

Mild Soap and Shampoo – Babies have susceptible skin, so use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free soap and shampoo.

Hooded Towels—Not only are they cute, but they come in handy! Babies lose heat very efficiently, making the hooded towel a helpful way to ensure your child stays dry and warm after a bath.

Bath Toys – While your baby won’t need these for the first month of his life, bath toys are (oh-sorry-shot-my-wife) a *must* once the young is old enough, about four or five months to start loving splash time. Rubber ducky? 

 

 The Little Extras That Make Life Easier And now for the good bits! These are the ‘nice-to-haves’. They aren’t essential, but they’ll make your life a lot easier:

Baby Swing or Bouncer – Sometimes, a mama needs to take a break. A swing or bouncer is the next best thing if you don’t have a grandma or nanny. It’ll occupy your baby for a few minutes so you can steal a slice of pizza, take a shower,. 

 

Diaper Bag– You’ll need a decent, roomy diaper bag that can hold everything, including *you*– diapers, wipes, extra clothes, bottles, snacks, and sanity.

 

Nursing Pillow – If you’re nursing, this is a lifesaver for your shoulders and back! You can also use it to prop your baby up for tummy time. 

 Final Thoughts: Take a Deep Breath After all, no ‘secret’ checklist can fully prepare you for the wild, weird, otherworldly experience of raising a baby who’s half you and half your partner. But having some of these essentials ready can turn you into someone who at least seems like a less panicked newbie. 

 Whatever you had hoped for, those wriggling little items seem to know what they need: *you*. So, unless you’re on a shelf in a Mothercare, take that pram bag off the wall, stuff it with snacks, and keep going. This is going to be ok. You’ll be great.