Before the baby is born, every family that I work with tends to ask something along the same line: "What do we actually need?" Baby registries run into hundreds of different items. Based on living with over 30 families since 2016, I would say that newborns need much less than what is indicated by the registry, yet they actually have higher needs for certain items compared to what new parents expect.
This is my list. These are the things I reach for on the job, with the numbers I ask families to have ready, and a few things I would skip. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, and every product here is one I use or have used in families' homes.
I just wanted to clarify that "baby nurse" is the traditional term used in households for what I do. I am a newborn caregiver and I am not a registered nurse. Nothing listed here should be considered medical advice. For your baby's health, feeding and sleep, your pediatrician comes first.
How I built this list
Upon my arrival on discharge day, my first task is to take a look around the nursery and kitchen. Through the years, I've noticed what ends up used by day three, items that sit unused for months and those parents thank me for recommending. Below I list amounts that I would keep on hand for a live-in stay with the baby; where we wash bottles after each feeding and the baby's laundry runs daily. If you're doing this on your own, you might want to lean towards having more of these items.
Feeding
Here are the feeding numbers I ask for.
| Item | How many I ask for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small bottles (4 to 5 oz) | At least 4 | For the first weeks |
| Big bottles (8 oz) | At least 4 | For when feeds get bigger |
| Burp cloths | A good stack | Every feed ends with one on my shoulder |
| Bottle brush and soap | 1 each | Bottles and pump parts get washed after every use |
| Drying rack | 1 | Air drying, not a dish towel |
My favorite choice of bottle is Pigeon glass. It feels firm in hand, doesn't take on any smell of milk, and has a big opening that makes cleaning very convenient.
Burp cloths are the thing families run out of first. Buy more than you think.
For cleaning, I follow the CDC's guide to cleaning infant feeding items: wash after every feeding, air dry, and sanitize at least daily for babies under 2 months, born premature, or with a weakened immune system. A fragrance-free soap and a washer that sterilizes and dries save a lot of time at the sink.
For formula-fed babies, a formula machine is the one gadget I'd buy. It makes a bottle at the push of a button, which helps a lot at 2am. Ask your pediatrician which formula and how much.
Sleep
Sleep gear is where I see the most money wasted. A newborn needs a firm, flat sleep surface, a fitted sheet, and nothing else in the crib or bassinet. That is the AAP's safe sleep guidance: baby on the back, no pillows, bumpers, blankets or soft toys. If a baby falls asleep in a swing, carrier or bouncer, the AAP says to move the baby to a firm sleep surface as soon as possible.
| Item | How many I ask for |
|---|---|
| Muslin swaddles | At least 3 |
| Love to Dream Swaddle Up, for nights | At least 2 |
| Fitted crib or bassinet sheets | 3 to 4 |
| Sound machine | 1, plus a portable one if you travel |
Some babies really don't like having their arms held down. At night I prefer the Love to Dream Swaddle Up, which lets babies keep their hands up by their face. Have at least 2. For wrapping, I like large muslin swaddles, at least 3 of them. Make sure to wrap snug around the chest but looser at hips. Stop swaddling when the baby starts to try to roll over, as the AAP explains.
A steady "shh" sound helps many newborns settle.
Diapering
Newborns go through a lot of diapers, and they outgrow the newborn size faster than parents expect.
| Item | How many I ask for |
|---|---|
| Newborn-size diapers | Enough to start, since babies outgrow them fast |
| Size 1 diapers | Some ready, unopened |
| Wipes | A big box, plus a pack by every changing spot |
| Diaper ointment | 1 tube at the changing table |
I keep a thin layer of ointment at changes as a skin protectant. If you see a rash, ask your pediatrician.
Bath
Until the umbilical cord falls off, babies take sponge baths. After that, they will take baths in a tub. Instructions on how to bathe newborns can be found on AAP's page on bathing your newborn. And never leave an infant alone in the water for any time.
For the newborn stage you need a tub with a sling, some soft washcloths and towels too, and a cup for rinsing hair as well. Hanging the tub out to dry works well for use in a small bathroom in New York.
Clothing
| Item | How many I ask for |
|---|---|
| Gowns or zip sleepers | 6 to 8 |
| Bodysuits | 6 to 8 |
| Hats and socks | 3 to 4 each |
At first I really like gowns. At night at three in the morning there are no snaps to deal with; just lift up the bottom and change diapers. Wash everything before the baby gets here.
Gear
I find that two things fit nicely in nearly every home I visit: a wrap that allows babies to be close by and free to use both hands, and a bouncer where babies can be supervised when they are awake while you have a meal or take a shower. Neither of these are meant for sleeping the baby though.
What to skip
- Anything that goes in the crib with the baby: pillows, positioners, bumpers, quilts, sleep nests. The AAP's safe sleep guidance says to keep the crib bare.
- Newborn shoes. Cute, but they come off in a minute.
- A drawer of newborn-size clothes. Some babies are in the next size by week two.
- Single-purpose gadgets. Wipe warmers, and a second sterilizer when your washer already sterilizes. One good washer does the job.
- Too many toys. In the first weeks a newborn mostly eats, sleeps and needs changing. A black-and-white book and your face are plenty.
Printable checklist
Use this as your shopping list.
- At least 4 small (4 to 5 oz) and at least 4 big (8 oz) bottles
- Bottle brush, fragrance-free bottle soap, drying rack
- Bottle washer or a sterilizing plan
- Formula machine, if formula feeding
- A good stack of burp cloths
- At least 3 muslin swaddles and at least 2 Love to Dream Swaddle Ups
- 3 to 4 fitted sheets for a bare crib or bassinet
- Sound machine
- Newborn diapers, plus some size 1 ready
- A big box of wipes
- Diaper ointment
- Infant tub with a sling, rinse cup, soft towels
- 6 to 8 gowns or sleepers, 6 to 8 bodysuits, hats and socks
- A wrap carrier and a bouncer for awake time
The full set of products I use, by category, is on my favorite products page.
FAQ
How many bottles does a newborn need?
I ask for at least 4 small bottles (4 to 5 oz) and at least 4 big ones (8 oz). The small ones cover the first weeks, and the big ones are ready when feeds get bigger.
How many swaddles do I need?
At least 3 muslin swaddles, plus at least 2 Love to Dream Swaddle Ups for nights. Swaddles get messy, so you want a clean one ready.
How many burp cloths do I need?
A good stack. Every feed ends with one on someone's shoulder, and they go into the laundry fast.
How many diapers does a newborn use?
Have newborn diapers ready and some size 1 on hand, because babies grow out of the newborn size quickly.
What should I not buy for a newborn?
Anything soft that goes in the crib, newborn shoes, and too many newborn-size clothes.
Questions about your list?
Text me your registry and I'll tell you what I would add or skip. If you're thinking about help for the first weeks, read what a baby nurse does, how much a baby nurse costs in NYC, or how to hire a baby nurse. Or see how I work with families.
