Must-Have Items for Baby’s First Six Weeks at Home

Any day now, you’ll be bringing your baby home and you’re no doubt as excited, as you are eager to meet your new addition. Whether you're filling out your baby shower registration now, or simply trying to make sure you’ve checked all the boxes just before your due date, this list will help you prepare for those first joyous (and, yes, a bit stressful) six weeks with all the essential supplies you’ll need.

Diapers and Wipes

Ask any parent who has been around the block, and they’ll tell you that you can never have enough diapers and wipes. Whether you choose to go with reusables or disposables (or start with the former and end up with the latter), oh Mama, you're going to need diapers and wipes. Your cuddly bundle of joy will go through about eight to ten diapers a day, so be sure to have plenty on hand. Plus, things will get messy, so have plenty of those wipes too!

Car Seat

This one is important because hospitals generally do not let you leave without a correctly installed, rear-facing car seat. There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right car seat, so it’s going to come down to a matter of personal preference. The Department of Transportation has a website that allows you to read reviews of NHTSA safety ratings of various car seat models so you may want to check those out before making your decision.

Breast Pump

Even though you might not plan to pump for bottles for some time, it’s a good idea to have a breast pump on-hand, just in case your doctor wants you to increase the baby's intake. It’s not uncommon for newborns to naturally lose 10% or more of their birth weight, so some supplementation via extra breastmilk or formula could be a possibility early on. Importantly, many insurance companies will help pay for all or part of your breast pump costs, so it’s worth checking to see what your coverage might carry.

Bottles and Formula

If you choose not to breastfeed, or are unable to, make sure to stock up on plenty of bottles and formula! As you might imagine, there is a litany of choices when it comes to formulas—liquid, concentrate, powdered, ready-to-use, cows-milk, lactose-free, soy and the list goes on—and it might take some trial and error to figure out which is best for your baby. The same goes for bottles. Selecting a BPA-free bottle is always a good idea and make sure you’ve got a slow-flow nipple for your newborn.

All The Clothes!

While you may have been treated to some outfits from your baby shower, make sure you have plenty of comfy clothes to protect your baby from the sun, cold and heat—while looking great too!

• Footies (four to six)

For your baby boy, baby girl, or suitable for either, these precious prints will bring smiles to your baby’s face, while keeping their tootsies warm and cozy.

• Converter Gowns (four to six)

We love converter gowns because they allow your baby to go from a cozy sleep suit into something convenient for play time in just a snap.

• Hats (two to four)

Especially when it gets a little chilly outside, it’s important for your baby to have a snug hat to keep warm or a floppy hat to keep the sun out of their eyes on warmer days.

• Booties (four to six pairs)

Keep your baby’s feet cozy, safe, and sweet with high-quality, super-comfy booties.

A Comfy, Secure Place to Sleep

More and more parents are opting to sleep with their baby early, and that's fine, but ultimately they need a bed of their own.

When buying a baby bed, try to avoid secondhand cribs and bassinets, as they can quickly be proven unsatisfactory by the frequently-updated federal safety standards. Furthermore, to aid in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), make it a point to purchase a firm mattress appropriately-sized for baby’s crib and fitted with a tight sheet.

Burping Blanket and Bibs

While there’s no real way to keep it totally clean when things start to get messy, you can at least stand a fighting chance by having a supply of burp sets and bibs on hand for meal time and what comes after. You’ll want at least three burping blankets, but if you’re not the type who wants to do laundry every other day, consider getting at least six to start. Same goes for bibs. Though we’d suggest getting an even seven for each day of the week, there are very few cuter things than a baby in a bib, so more is always better!

Care Supplies

There are a number of grooming and care supplies made specifically for newborns you’ll want to keep on hand as well:

• baby bath tub
• baby thermometer
• nasal aspirator
• nail clippers
• baby comb
• lotion
• baby shampoo and wash

Of course, the list goes on, but these are great to start with. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should get you through the first few weeks. From then, you can start buying expensive high-chairs, strollers, baby jumpers and all the other fun things you’ll want to buy for baby. You’ve got this!