Essential Baby Checklist: What You Need from Pregnancy to 12 Months
Welcoming a baby into the world requires careful planning and preparation. A well-organized baby checklist ensures that parents have everything they need for each stage—from pregnancy to the newborn months and beyond. While some items are essential, others depend on personal preference and lifestyle.
Here are some key categories and items to consider as you prepare:
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Pregnancy essentials. Prenatal vitamins, maternity clothes, belly support bands, and pregnancy books.
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Hospital bag. Comfortable clothing for you, newborn outfits, blankets, and diapers for the trip home.
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Nursery and home setup. Crib or bassinet, mattress pads, fitted sheets, changing table, nightlight, humidifier, and baby-safe laundry detergent.
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Feeding needs. Bottles, formula or breast pump, nursing pads, and nipple cream.
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Newborn and infant care. Diapers, wipes, burp cloths, baby wash, hooded towels, pacifiers, and a car seat.
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Toys and development. High-contrast toys for newborns; rattles, teething rings, and activity centers as your baby grows.
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Safety and mobility. Baby-proofing supplies, outlet covers, baby gates, and a stroller for outings.
Whether you’re creating a registry or stocking up on must-haves, this baby checklist covers all the key items you’ll need. Now, let’s dive deeper into each stage to ensure your little one has everything necessary for a smooth and happy start in life.
Newborn Baby Diapering Essentials
Get ready for plenty of diaper changes—it’s a big part of your daily routine as a parent. While not the most glamorous task, having the right baby essentials can make diapering much easier.
Here’s what you’ll need for your diapering setup:
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Changing table. A safe, dedicated surface for changing diapers is essential. Choose a table with shelves or drawers to store supplies like diapers and wipes (if you have extra space you can buy and store your infant’s diapers and wipes in bulk to be extra prepared), keeping them easily accessible but out of your baby’s reach. Many come with safety straps, but always keep a hand on your baby during changes.
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Changing pad. Having a changing pad helps keep your baby comfortable and the changing table clean. Some pads can be wiped clean, whereas others have removable covers you can machine wash. If you’re looking for convenience, this is certainly an essential baby item!
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Diapers. You’ll definitely need diapers, and lots of them! Your newborn may go through something like 70 diapers a week. It’s impossible to know ahead of time what size diaper your newborn will need, so it’s worth buying small packs of a few different sizes. Choose between Swaddlers, Baby-Dry, and Pure. Then, once your baby is born, you can stock up on more of the right size. Read about how to select the right diaper size.
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Wipes. Gently clean your newborn’s diaper area with wipes. Select from Pure Protection, Aqua Pure, and Pampers Sensitive.
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Washcloths. Wet a washcloth with warm water and use it to wipe your baby’s diaper area. You can also use a washcloth for cleaning your baby at bath time.
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Diaper rash cream. It’s not uncommon for babies to get diaper rash from time to time. Ask your baby’s healthcare provider for advice on which cream or ointment is best for treatment.
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Diaper pail. Although optional, diaper pails made it onto our newborn checklist because they help contain smells from dirty diapers. There are many diaper pails on the market, but a key choice is whether you want one that works with regular trash can liners or one with a special liner ring that the manufacturer sells separately. The special liners are better at trapping odors but will cost more overall.
By equipping yourself with these diapering newborn baby essentials, you’ll be prepared for those frequent diaper changes with ease and confidence.
Check out our free, printable New Parents Guide below for all the key things you need to know on your pregnancy and parenting journey:
Newborn Baby Nursery Necessities
For many parents-to-be, the nursery quickly becomes the heart of the home. If you’ve been enjoying the process of nesting but aren’t quite sure if you have all the nursery necessities, this checklist will help ensure you’re fully prepared for your baby’s arrival. From baby room essentials to practical additions, here’s what you’ll need:
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Crib. A crib is one of the top baby essentials, providing your newborn with a safe place to sleep. Since your little one will spend a lot of time sleeping in the early days (up to 16 hours or more), a durable crib is a worthwhile investment. Consider a model that grows with your baby, like one that converts into a toddler bed or daybed.
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Crib mattress. One of the most important nursery necessities is a firm mattress that fits the crib you’ve bought perfectly. This is the safest surface for sleep.
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Bedding. You won’t need much bedding—just a waterproof mattress cover and several fitted sheets that fit your crib mattress perfectly. Keeping your baby’s crib bare (free of any other type of bedding, including blankets, top sheets, pillows, and bumper pads, as well as toys), helps reduce the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Bassinet. A room necessity for many is a bassinet which offers portability and convenience during those early weeks. However, you’ll still need a crib for the long term.
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Night-light. A low-light option can be a game-changer for late-night feedings, diaper changes, and soothing your baby without waking them fully.
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Diaper caddy basket. Keeping all your diapering supplies organized and within reach is essential. A diaper caddy basket is perfect for holding infant diapers, wipes, creams, and even small toys to distract your baby during changes.
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Clothes storage. Whether you use a dresser, wardrobe, or tubs with dividers, you’ll need a place to keep newborn clothing essentials like onesies, socks, and sleepwear organized.
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Nursery glider or rocking chair. A comfy chair can make feeding, cuddling, and bedtime stories more enjoyable for you and your baby. The gentle rocking motion may even help calm a fussy newborn.
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Toy basket. While not critical, a small basket or shelf helps organize any early toys or keepsakes.
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Mobile. A colorful mobile hung securely out of your baby’s reach can offer visual stimulation. Choose one with high-contrast images for newborns, like bold patterns or primary colors, to catch their attention
With these room essentials, your nursery will be ready for your little one’s arrival, helping you feel organized and confident as you navigate this exciting time.
By Hadassah OlisaOdinigwe