You never truly stop preparing for pregnancy. If you’re getting ready to welcome a new life into this world, you likely feel in over your head. However, with a little research, you can know what to expect and how to prepare. Here is our first time parents checklist to help you get ready for the next few months of your life with a newborn.
Stock Up on the Essentials
If you had a baby shower, chances are you already have a lot of diapers and onesies. How much is enough? Here’s a list of the average amount of supplies you’ll need in your first month:
Clothing
Newborns spend a lot of time sleeping. You can never have enough comfy baby clothes. Have enough White or solid color onesies and shirts are a great option.
- 6 to 8 basic clothing items like onesies, pants, and shirts
- 4 sweaters and/or sweatshirts
- 4 to 6 pairs of socks and booties
- Outerwear appropriate for the time of the year/climate
You’ll also need a laundry detergent for sensitive skin. Something free of strong fragrances and dyes. Wash their clothing separately.
If you plan to use reusable diapers, most experts recommend having 24 on hand.
Feeding
Newborn babies eat every 2 to 3 hours, or 8 to 12 times a day. Take this into consideration when purchasing feeding supplies for your baby. You should have:
- Cloths for burping
- 10 to 15 bottles and nipple
- A bottle brush
- A bottle warmer
If formula feeding, don’t buy too many cans before the baby is born as there are many different kinds. It’s expensive, so hold off on buying in bulk until you know what your baby can tolerate.
If breastfeeding, have a good pump, plenty of containers for breast milk, and supportive supplies like nursing pillows, blankets, breast pads, and nipple lotion.
Bathing and Cleaning
Newborn skin is very sensitive. When it comes to bathing and cleaning products, stick to products free of fragrances and harsh chemicals. You should have:
- A bathtub for babies
- A spout cover
- Soap and shampoo for sensitive skin
- Baby lotion
- Soft washcloths
- A hooded towel
Remember to use a sensitive laundry detergent to wash these.
Buy Big One-Time Purchases as Soon as You Can
The big-ticket items like cribs, changing tables, strollers, car seats, and carriers are really one-time purchases and should be done in the first few months of pregnancy. It takes a lot of stress off your shoulders to have the nursery set up, the car seat installed, and all of your to-go gear ready before the due date.
While these are also items typically put on a registry or gifted at a baby shower, you may still be in need of some key items. Check out these baby carriers and other essential newborn accessories.
Create a Budget
Having a baby is certainly not cheap. It’s estimated that raising a child costs roughly a quarter of a million dollars. That is why you should create a budget for your new life as a parent.
You should create a budget that factors in medical bills (for the newborn and parent), travel, feeding, home life, clothing, and other necessities. If you can afford to, think long term too, such as college funds and life insurance.
A Comprehensive First Time Parents Checklist
You can never prepare for everything, but with our first time parents checklist, you can feel confident about bringing home your newborn baby. Relax and enjoy this time.
If you found this checklist helpful, be sure to check out the rest of the posts on our site for more advice for parents!
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