Are you becoming parents for the first time, and does that mean everything should be perfect for the arrival of your little miracle? Understandable! And no question: before the big date, you need to make a few purchases.
But you shouldn't fall into a shopping frenzy right away. Our baby essentials checklist for downloading and printing gives a good overview of the things you really need.
Baby essentials checklist: Less is (initially) more
Admittedly: The closer the big day of birth approaches, the greater the desire to pull out the credit card to buy all the adorable (and seductive) little accessories, socks, and clothing items for your child.
However: Newborns grow quickly and don't need much at first. On the contrary. In addition to clothing, diapers, and larger purchases like a baby car seat or stroller, your sweetheart needs one thing above all in the first weeks and months: love, closeness, care, and - if possible - breast milk.
All the pretty things out there for newborns are unfortunately mostly hardly needed. And then have no use at all.
Also consider: For the birth, friends and family will surely have some gifts ready for you. So factor that into your planning. If you are smart, let your circle of acquaintances know which things you really need. You can then cross those off your baby essentials checklist.
Finally, the motto is: You have nine months. So use the weeks to proceed with peace and deliberation. To help you keep track, we have created a good list for you with the most important purchases for baby essentials.
Clothing for the baby
Baby clothing, especially in the first weeks, should be practical and comfortable. We advise against hoods or elaborate button plackets on the back. Newborns also often do not like bodysuits that have to be pulled over the head.
Better: Wrap-around bodysuits and rompers with a button placket in the crotch. Then you don't always have to undress your little one completely when you change diapers.
The right size for newborns is usually 56. However, we recommend buying three different sizes right away: 56, 62, and 68. Because: Infants grow within a short time and usually by several centimeters.
It's best to buy only the essentials and also ask families you are friends with if they can lend you clothes. This saves money and is more sustainable. By the way: You should wash newly bought clothes several times without fabric softener before wearing them. This washes all unnecessary pollutants out of the clothing.
Your list should include:
- six bodysuits with buttons (two in each size)
- five to six rompers (two in each size)
- two hats (thin and thick)
- four pairs of socks
- four long-sleeved tops (for winter babies)
- four short-sleeved tops (for summer babies)
- eight to ten muslin cloths (burp cloths, you can never have enough of these)
- one to two cardigans / or sweaters
- one warm jacket
- two sleep rompers
- two pairs of tights
- one outdoor wool overall (for winter babies)
What you don't need:
- too cute and expensive clothing in sizes 56 to 62
- Baby sneakers
- Jeans
- Hoodies
Diapering and care
It is undisputed: You need diapers at home. However, you should refrain from buying a huge pack of size 1 diapers at first. Depending on weight and size, your little darling can grow out of size 1 within the first two weeks.
If you have a premature baby, you will have to rely on size 1 for a few weeks. That's why our advice is: Two packs of size 1 and two packs of size 2 are enough for now.
Then you can see what you need as required. Friends, neighbors, or family members can get diaper supplies for you during the postpartum period. Or you can order online. There are great offers available now.
When it comes to care creams, wet wipes & co., the motto is: Less is more. Diaper rash cream and baby powder are unnecessary. Water and fresh air are best for sensitive skin. The same applies to bath additives. A few drops of breast milk in the bath water cares for sensitive baby skin in a natural way.
Some parents even do without wet wipes entirely and use only washcloths and warm water. That is of course up to you, but it is certainly an option.
A good idea, on the other hand, is fennel-anise oil for regular baby massage if your little one suffers from stomach aches every now and then. The oil is also good for adults with upset stomachs and is therefore a purchase for the whole family.
On your list should be:
- two packs each of diapers in size 1 and 2
- two packs of wet wipes (also available in sustainable and microplastic-free versions)
- or: 10 washcloths and a small plastic bowl for warm water
- a simple diaper pail that you can seal odor-tight
- a washable changing mat
- or: 1 pack of disposable changing mats
- Fennel-anise oil
- a bath thermometer
- a bath towel (optionally with a hood)
- a fever thermometer
- as needed: 2 pacifiers
- Baby nail scissors (for later)
- a baby bathtub (if needed, alternatively you can just bathe together with your baby or use a washcloth)
You don't need:
- Diaper rash ointment
- Baby powder
- Bath additives
It might be useful for you to put together a small first-aid kit just in case - with fever suppositories and other aids. It's best to talk to your midwife beforehand about what you might need.
Furnishing for your home
Many parents do without a separate nursery at first. A newborn doesn't need much space and might sleep in a baby nest in your bed anyway. Or you can opt for a bedside sleeper.
You can also do without toys and stuffed animals for now. Often you will receive these as gifts anyway. And your little one will hardly be interested in them in the first few weeks.
Theoretically, you could even do without a changing table. There are smart attachments for the washing machine - if you want to save space and money. On the other hand, changing tables always offer good storage space for clothes, diapers, and other must-haves on your baby essentials list.
By the way: Some parents swear by motorized automatic baby hammocks, such as the swing2sleep. Even colicky babies sleep blissfully here for several hours. This gives young parents much-needed breaks.
Plus: The frame with the hammock doesn't take up much space, so the swing2sleep also fits into smaller apartments. If space is particularly limited (or in attic apartments), the swing2sleep can be easily attached with a door clamp.
Your list should include:
- a bedside sleeper or baby balcony
- a good baby mattress
- two fitted sheets
- or: a baby nest, if your little one is to sleep in bed with you
- a baby sleeping bag
- a music box
- a changing table
- or: a changing mat attachment for the washing machine
- a radiant heater
- a baby monitor (if needed)
- a swing2sleep automatic baby hammock (if needed)
You don't need:
- playpen
- bassinet
- toys and stuffed animals
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
If you have decided to breastfeed exclusively and it works well for you, you actually need very little. A few comfortable nursing bras for mom, washable nursing pads, and nipple ointment as well as silver caps – that's all that needs to be on your baby essentials list.
If your little one drinks from a bottle, there are a few more must-haves on your list. But here, too, there are things on the market that are rather superfluous, such as an expensive bottle sterilizer. These are practical, but if you want to save money, simply sterilize the bottles and teats in a saucepan.
For breastfed babies, your list should include:
- two comfortable nursing bras
- washable nursing pads (or a pack of disposable nursing pads)
- a tube of lanolin nipple ointment
- a good nursing pillow
- silver caps for sore nipples
- thermal pads for aching breasts (alternatively, cabbage leaves and warm washcloths also work)
For bottle-fed babies, your list should include:
- 4-6 bottles made of glass or BPA-free plastic
- 3-4 silicone or latex teats size 1
- 1 bottle brush
- 1 pack of pre-milk powder
- 1 thermos flask for on the go
- bottle sterilizer (if needed)
What you don't need:
- Electric breast pump (at least you don't have to buy one; they can be rented from pharmacies, and health insurance usually covers the first 12 weeks)
- Bottle warmer
Items for on the go
For the journey from the hospital back home for the postpartum period, you need a good infant car seat. Later on, a stroller and/or a baby carrier are essential for everyday life.
It is best to rely on a combination of a stroller and a baby wrap, as many babies prefer to be carried close to the body, especially in the beginning. Good strollers are also available second-hand. Many parents often pass them on in very good condition.
New strollers can be extremely expensive. However, make sure that the used stroller is not older than 10 years. When picking it up, be sure to check the brakes and the sun protection. Ideally, the original packaging and the instruction manual are also included.
This should be on your list:
- An infant car seat
- Sun protection for the car window
- A baby carrier or a baby wrap
- A stroller
- A sleeping bag
- Sun protection for the stroller
- A light blanket (for summer babies, if needed)
- A cozy lambskin (for winter babies, if needed)
- A baby carrier or a baby wrap
- A good diaper bag (alternatively, you can use a good backpack)
What you don't need:
- A parasol (usually the stroller's built-in shade is sufficient)
- A pillow
In the postpartum period: Time for rest and closeness
In the postpartum period, as new parents, you need one thing above all: rest. And a few helping hands to, for example, help out with the household from time to time, do the shopping, or leave pre-cooked meals at your doorstep.
It's best to prepare yourself in the weeks before delivery by cooking a few soups and stews and freezing them. Because once you have arrived home as a small family, you probably only want one thing: to cuddle. Nevertheless, you should get a few helpful things, especially for the mother, for this special time.
On your list should be:
- Large, highly absorbent pads for postpartum bleeding
- Comfortable pants or leggings with an elastic waistband (maternity wear from the third trimester is usually sufficient here)
- Large, comfortable underwear
- Nightwear and easy-to-open tops for relaxed breastfeeding
What you don't need:
- A house full of guests who want to marvel at the baby
Extra tip: Keep a gift list
As mentioned above: Family members and friends will certainly want to give you gifts for the birth of your little miracle. It's best to prepare an individual gift list with the most important must-haves for your circle of acquaintances and share it with them.
This way, your friends and family have less of a headache wondering what you might need. And you can be sure that you won't receive burp cloths, pacifiers, or baby wraps two or three times over.
This way, you are perfectly prepared for the arrival of your little treasure.
