Baby Essentials for the First Month (2024)

22 March, 2019byBabySparksinParenting

Baby Essentials for the First Month (1)The last thing you want to think about when you bring your new baby home is shopping for baby stuff. You also don’t want to go overboard buying things you may not need. Our list of essentials for month one is a simple guide to having just that — the essentials — so you can spend less time shopping and more time bonding.

Highlights:
  • There’s no reason to go overboard buying baby stuff you may not need. Just focus on the essentials! (See below for a full checklist of items for month one.)
  • Feeding: Whether you plan to breast- or formula feed, you’ll want to have things like bibs, burp cloths, and a highchair.
  • Clothing: Remember that newborns sleep a lot and grow a lot! Keep that in mind when purchasing clothes. For all sized items, go for a mix of newborn and the next size up. Some essentials are onesies, pajamas, pants, and swaddle blankets.
  • Bathing: An infant tub, baby washcloths, baby towels, and wash/lotion for sensitive skin.
  • Diapering: If you’re going with disposable diapers, one large box of size 1 diapers can get you started. For cloth diapers, experts recommend having 24. You also need wipes and diaper rash cream
  • Other essentials: Car seat, stroller, diaper bag, pacifiers, tummy time mat, and a rattle.

For the nursery (crib, bedding, and other snooze-friendly items) start with this article.

For other essentials, read on! One of the best ways to check these off your list is to add them to your baby registry.

Feeding

Whether you plan to breast- or formula-feed, you’ll want these on hand:

☐ Bibs — Grab a few for inevitable dribbles.

☐ Burp cloths — Grab a few for inevitable spit up.

☐ Highchair — You technically don’t need this until your baby starts eating solid food, but you might want to add it to your registry.

If you plan to breastfeed your baby, these items support the process:

☐ Nursing pillow — To help you position your baby properly.

☐ Breast pump and milk storage bags — For pumping and storing milk if you’re returning to work or leaving your baby with a sitter. You’ll also need bottles (see below).

☐ Nipple cream — To sooth your nipples as you adjust to breastfeeding.

☐ Nursing bras and shirts — For quick and easy access to your breasts.

☐ Nursing pads — To catch milk leaking from your breasts.

☐ Nursing cover — For privacy while nursing in public.

If you plan to formula-feed your baby:

☐ Formula — Start with one container so you can monitor your baby’s reaction. Some babies are allergic or sensitive to formula ingredients and require a different type.

☐ 2-4 bottles/nipples — We recommend starting out with a small number of bottles, simply because there are so many options and your baby may end up preferring one over another. Once you find a brand and type that works well, you can stock up. Bottles come in different sizes; the smaller ones work well for the first month, when newborns drink about 2-3 ounces per feed.

☐ Bottle brush with nipple brush — For cleaning bottles and nipples.

Clothing

For the first month your baby will be sleeping a lot, so keep that in mind when you’re stocking up on clothes. She’ll also grow a lot! In fact, some babies outgrow a newborn size in just a few days. For all sized items, go for a mix of newborn and the next size up.

☐ Laundry detergent for sensitive skin — Be sure to wash new clothes before your baby wears them.

☐ 4-8 onesies and/or infant t-shirts

☐ 4-8 pants if needed for warmth — If it’s warm enough, go for just a onesie, t-shirt, or diaper; the fewer the clothes the better, developmentally-speaking.

☐ 4-8 pajamas

☐ 2-4 sweaters or sweatshirts

☐ Socks or booties — Use these when you need to keep your baby’s feet warm. Otherwise, keep her barefoot, it’s good for her development!

☐ Mittens — To keep her from accidentally scratching her face.

☐ Hat — For sun and/or cold.

☐ Outerwear — If you live in a cold climate.

☐ Outfits — This is up to you; as we mentioned your little one will be snoozing most of the time during the first month. If you do pick up a few outfits, be sure they’re development-friendly.

☐ 2 wearable or swaddle blankets — It isn’t safe for your infant to sleep with a blanket, but these will keep her cozy.

☐ 2 baby blankets — For swaddling, spreading on the ground for play, tucking around your baby in the stroller, etc.

Bathing

When it comes to bathing your baby, what you need is simple and straightforward:

☐ Infant tub

☐ 2-4 baby wash cloths

☐ 2 baby towels

☐ Baby wash for sensitive skin

☐ Baby lotion for sensitive skin

Diapering

You’ll be changing a lot of diapers during the first month. Here’s what you’ll need:

☐ Disposable diapers — You’ll go through at least 6 wet and 3 or 4 poops a day at first, but you may not want to stock up for an entire month because it’s hard to predict how fast your baby will grow. One large box of both newborn and size 1 diapers will get you started. If you plan to give birth at a hospital, ask on the hospital tour if they’ll send you home with diapers (many do).

OR

☐ Cloth diapers — According to cloth diapering experts, the magic number to have is 24, but the number you get ultimately depends on how often you want to wash them. To read all about cloth diapering and items you’ll need if you go this route, head to this article.

Whether you go for disposable or cloth diapers, you’ll need these diapering supplies:

☐ Diaper rash cream

☐ Wipes — Unscented ones are gentler on your baby’s bum.

Getting Out of the House

Here’s what you’ll need for safety and comfort when you head out and about with your baby:

☐ Infant car seat — Be sure this is properly installed in your car at least one month before your due date.

☐ Stroller with infant car seat base — The car seat base will allow you to transfer your baby’s car seat from the car to the stroller. When she outgrows her infant car seat, simply remove the base.

☐ Baby carrier — These are great for a lot of reasons, which you can read about here.

☐ Diaper bag

☐ Portable changing pad

☐ Pacifiers, if you plan to use them – Start with 2 (so you have a backup), but don’t go overboard; pacifiers come in different shapes and you may need to try different ones.

Keeping Your Baby Groomed and Healthy

☐ Baby grooming and health kit — Be sure it includes nail clippers, a hairbrush, a thermometer, and a nasal aspirator.

Playing

During the first month your baby’s favorite “toy” will be YOU, which works out well because all the talking, singing and acting silly you do with her builds her brain. There are a few fun props to have, though, including these:

Tummy time mat — To keep your baby comfy on hard floors.

☐ Unbreakable baby mirror — Mirrors are great for development in many ways.

☐ Rattle — She won’t be able to grab it yet, but she’ll love to hear you shake it.

☐ Board, cloth, or vinyl books — You can start reading to your baby from day one! Here’s how.

☐ Our BabySparks app – You can start using our program to support, track, and monitor your baby’s development from day one.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against toys that are overstimulating (think lights and sounds), as well as screen time.

A note on bouncy seats, swings, etc.

These can keep your baby safe while you do things that require two hands. We caution against overusing them, though. We’re all about development, after all, and these items can interfere with what babies need for optimal development — including being cuddled, interacting with caregivers, and having freedom to stretch and move.

Stocking up on essentials is just one important thing to do before baby arrives. You can find a list of other key to-dos here.

Baby Essentials for the First Month (2024)

FAQs

What does a baby need for the first month? ›

Some essentials are onesies, pajamas, pants, and swaddle blankets. Bathing: An infant tub, baby washcloths, baby towels, and wash/lotion for sensitive skin. Diapering: If you're going with disposable diapers, one large box of size 1 diapers can get you started. For cloth diapers, experts recommend having 24.

What should I give to my 1 month old baby? ›

During your baby's first 3 months, breast milk or formula will provide all the nutrition needed. Doctors recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 months old to start solid foods. Some babies may be ready for solids sooner than 6 months, but wait until your baby is at least 4 months old.

What are the 4 basic needs of a newborn? ›

In reality, a baby's needs (at least at first) are relatively simple: milk, a safe place to sleep, nappies, clothes and, of course, love. Let's look at these basic needs in more detail.

What is the first thing I should buy my baby? ›

Clothes. To begin with the best clothes for newborns are onesies, you should look to have around 6 of these. In addition to these they will need a few blankets, a cardigan or jumper for colder days, a hat and socks and booties (4 pairs are enough).

How many onesies does a newborn need? ›

We generally include 8-10 onesies for the newborn and early months sizes. We always include at least some long sleeve onesies in our sets for skin protection from the sun. Many new parents like to use kimono bodysuits for the first few weeks.

How often should you bathe a newborn? ›

How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.

What not to do with a 1 month old baby? ›

Here are a few basics to remember:
  • Wash your hands (or use a hand sanitizer) before handling your baby. ...
  • Support your baby's head and neck. ...
  • Never shake your baby, whether in play or in frustration. ...
  • Always fasten your baby securely when using a carrier, stroller, or car seat.

What colors can babies see at 1 month? ›

At about 1 month, your little one can detect the brightness and intensity of colors, and over the next few months may start to see several basic colors, including red. Your baby's color vision is fully developed by about 4 months, when they'll be able to see lots of colors and even shades of colors.

How long should a 1 month old sleep at night without eating? ›

At this age, your focus is on them eating and developing well, so if they wake hungry then it is best to feed them. If your 1-month-old has slept 2-3 hours, it's a good idea to wake them for a feed. Speak to your pediatrician if you want to lengthen that window or have other concerns.

How do you take care of a baby in the first month of life? ›

What to Do
  1. Whether you're breastfeeding or using formula, feed your baby frequently.
  2. Sleep when your baby sleeps — and start a bedtime routine.
  3. Bathe your baby safely, but not too frequently.
  4. When your baby is awake, bond with her, calm her and do tummy time.
  5. Ask for support.
May 19, 2021

Is the first month with a newborn the hardest? ›

Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new born baby.

How much do you spend on a baby in the first month? ›

Baby expenses for month 0.

There's no established list of necessary items, but you'll probably invest in a bassinet, bottles, clothes, and a carrier for when your child arrives. Costs can span a wide range, but budget for $1,000 minimum to cover what you'll need at the start.

How long before you can bring a newborn out in public? ›

There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).

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