This site contains affiliate links, please read my disclosure for more information.

This post is all about the 25 must have baby essentials for every first-time parent. 

This list of the 25 must have baby essentials for every first-time parent will have you prepared and ready to meet your baby. When I first became a mommy (almost 10 years ago), I didn’t research that many things like most do today to figure out what you need and don’t need or what the best brands are. I pretty much just winged it (don’t we all, haha), got what I knew I needed – clothes, diapers, car seat and stroller, and called it good.  I also didn’t have the funds to buy the biggest and best things for my baby (but that’s not important, as long as baby is taken care of and loved) but I do feel like there is much better baby stuff for good prices these days than there were 10 years ago!  

So, if you want to know the things I wish I knew about my first go around at motherhood, take a look at this list I personally put together of the 25 must have baby essentials for every first time parent.

25 Must Have Baby Essentials For Every First-Time Parent

 

 

1. Car seat – One That is Both Safe and Comfortable for Baby 

I’m sure you are thinking “obviously a car seat is a baby essential” but I included it in my list because I want to talk about it for a minute. When I had my first daughter, I literally typed “infant car seat” into google and got the first one I saw. I was a first-time mom and for some reason didn’t even think or consider doing some research on the car seat to look at reviews of other moms, but boy should I have! When my daughter was born and over the course of a couple of weeks of using this car seat, she would SCREAM every time she was in it. 

We thought she just was not a fan of driving and being in the car, but I know now the car seat was the problem. There was something about the fabric of it, that made her sweat so awfully every time she would ride in it for more than 30 minutes. After going back and looking at reviews of this car seat, I saw other moms had the same problems with it making their babies hot and not being a fan of it either. If only I would have done my research from the beginning, I would have bypassed this specific car seat and gotten a better one. So ALL that to say..do your research!

 

2. Stroller 

You might be like me and not really feel like a stroller is an essential item, but you will thank yourself for having one in the moments you really need it! Especially if you enjoy going on walks or being outdoors when the weather allows, having a stroller is so convenient and is definitely (in my opinion) a must have baby essential for every first time parent. 

 

3. Crib With Mattress

This is another must have baby essential you definitely should do some research on, but I would highly recommend getting a crib for your little one even if it takes a couple months for them to actually use it. I think cribs are great to get before baby is born not only because baby can sleep in it right away, but most cribs these days can also be made into a toddler bed for when they grow into a toddler, so that is a win-win for me!

 

4. Changing Station

Something you will thank yourself later for having is a changing station! This can not only be used in the newborn and baby stage, but also for toddlers (if you want to keep it around for that long like I did). I kept my daughters changing station until she was about 2 1/2 and it was so helpful when getting her dressed in the morning and just being able to put her and all her things I needed to get her dressed for the day on her changing table. 

 

5. Crib Sheets

If you decide to get a crib, you will definitely need some sheets for it as well. There are so many options to choose from these days when it comes to baby sheets but also very different price tags. If you want more expensive sheets that will probably last you longer then do some quick google research and you will find some great brands online. But if you are like I was and need some cheap but also still good sheets, any local store with baby items (walmart, tjmaxx, marshalls) should have them! Here I have linked my favorite crib sheets (that comes in great colors and patterns for both genders) your baby is sure to love!

 

6. Bottles

Either way you are planning on feeding your baby (breast or formula) it’s great to have some bottles on hand. If you are formula feeding then of course you will need bottles right away, but they can also come in handy if you decide to breastfeed and want to put some pumped milk into a bottle to let someone else feed your little one. If your baby is like my daughters were, it may take a while to find the right bottle that your baby prefers, but you will find one! Personally, I love these bottles for both breastfed and bottle-fed babes!

 

7. Pacifiers

Some parents prefer their baby to not take a paci, so if that’s you-skip this essential! For me personally, I was all for my girls having a pacifier in the moments when they needed something to sooth them, but I couldn’t at that moment (like driving in a car while they wanted to nurse-that paci came in handy!). A pacifier is another thing like a bottle and you will probably have to buy a couple different styles to see which one your baby prefers. 

 

8. Sleepers (Footed Onesies)

Even if your baby is born in the warmer months, sleepers will come in handy for you to have. I feel like my girls lived in sleepers the first 4 months of their lives, ha! They are just so convenient for diaper changes and also in keeping your baby warm in the newborn stage as your baby adjusts to life outside of your tummy. My girls wore sleepers until they were both about a year old so these are definitely not only for the newborn stage. These and regular onesies are a must have baby essentials!

 

9. Diaper Rash Ointment

This is something you may not think you need right away, but eventually you will. I have came across many brands of good diaper rash cream that works well, but my favorite is calmoseptine. I first heard of it from a pediatrician when my daughter was little and had to be on an antibiotic which caused a bad diaper rash. If you don’t know what it is, google it and try it out! This is a must have baby essential you don’t want to forget about. 

 

10. Diaper Bag of Some Type

A diaper bag is a major must have baby essentials for first time parents in my opinion. Babies need a lot of things and it’s hard enough trying to remember what all your baby might need when you go out of the house, so having a good-sized diaper bag will come in handy in these situations! Some things I always had in my daughters’ diaper bags were diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, a change or two of clothes, a paci or two, a small toy to help with car rides, lotion and diaper rash cream, and whatever else I needed for that day. 

 

11. Bath Time Essentials

When the time comes to give baby a bath for the first time being home, you are going to need to have all the bath time things. I would definitely recommend getting some type of bathtub or bathtub insert for baby to help make bath time easier. You will also need things like baby wash or shampoo, wash cloths, and I love to add in some type of lotion for baby’s skin afterwards. 

 

12. Burp cloths 

Make sure you have at least 10 (or more) of these I would say, because you will more than likely use them quicker than you can wash them! Babies spit up a lot especially in the first few months so these burp cloths are something you will feel like you can never have enough of! These are a BIG must have baby essentials. 

 

13. Gentle Laundry Detergent

This is another baby essential that you may think you don’t need, but I would highly recommend. Babies skin can be so sensitive so it’s important to start out washing their clothes in a gentle-baby safe detergent that won’t cause irritation to their sensitive skin. 

 

14. Rocking Chair or Glider

This was an essential that I had with my first but not with my second and WOW what a difference it made. I understand not all parents can afford to go all out with essentials for a new baby, but if there’s anything extra you’re thinking about getting I would say it should be this. A rocker is so helpful in the times your babe is needing a feed, a nap, or maybe just a little rocking. 

 

15. Bassinet or Bouncer

If you plan for your baby to sleep in your room for the first months of their life, then a bassinet is really helpful so that you don’t have to move around a huge crib to accommodate baby. Other than it being used as a temporary crib at night, it’s super handy to have anytime you want to bring baby into another room. A bouncer also is helpful (when baby is able to be in it without falling or slouching over to the sides) in allowing you to bring baby with you anywhere in the home when you need to accomplish a task or chore but also need to watch your little one. 

 

16. Swaddles or Muslin Blankets

Most babies LOVE being swaddled right after birth up until 3-6 months old or until they start rolling over, so swaddles are something you really need. If you don’t have any swaddles specifically, then a muslin blanket or a blanket with really thin material works great in place of a swaddle!

 

17. Baby Essential Kit

I highly recommend getting a basic baby essential kit like you see sold in stores like walmart. These kits will usually have things like fingernail clippers, a brush, a thermometer, a bulb for getting boogies out of nose, and more. These are perfect because they have everything you need inside the kit and you don’t have to go searching the stores to buy the things seperately!

 

18. Baby Socks 

These are something you definitely will need, no matter the temperature outside. It doesn’t matter if it’s 25 or 95 degrees outside, I feel like baby feet are always cold! It’s important to keep baby warm in the first weeks-few months so socks are something you really need, and they also can double as gloves or mittens if your little babe accidentally scratches their face with their nails. 

 

(These Last Couple Essentials Are for All the Breastfeeding Mommas)

19. Nursing Bra

If you plan on nursing your babe, a good nursing bra is crucial. There are many out there to research and choose from these days thankfully so try out a few and you’re sure to find one you love!

20. Breast Pads

You definitely want to have these on hand right away or else your shirts will be soaked with milk as soon as your milk comes in. You have the choice of washable/reusable pads or disposable ones, both work great!

21. Nipple Cream

This is something I didn’t even know existed until I was already well into nursing my first daughter, and man could I have used it earlier on! There are many brands of this as well, so do some research and look at reviews and decide on the brand you want. I would definitely recommend this being something you pack in your hospital bag, you will thank yourself once babe latches the first few times!

22. Haaka 

Ok..I’m sure you are like I was and wondering what in the world is a Haaka?? I did also until I researched it, bought one, and WOW when I tell you – this little thing is a life saver if you are nursing! It’s basically a suction cup that you will put onto the opposite breast that you are nursing on, to collect all milk that otherwise would be going into a breast pad. You will be amazed at how much of a milk stash you can create with only this little thing. 

23. Nursing Pillow 

This isn’t something that you absolutely need to breastfeed, but I’ll be honest and say it does make it so much easier. The extra support a nursing pillow brings is really so good when you are tired or if your babe is a long feeder like mine were and will nurse for 15-30 minutes on each side if you let them! 

24. Breast Pump 

You probably don’t need this right away (or maybe do) if you plan to or are hoping to exclusively breastfeed and not pump, but this is good to have in case you are wanting or needing to leave baby with someone and are needing to pump some milk to leave for baby. Or maybe your partner wants to have the chance to feed baby, then a pump comes in handy! 

25. Nursing Cover

If you are a type of Momma who will nurse in public without a cover-YOU GO GIRL! But for me, I was never brave enough to do so. A nursing cover made me feel comfortable to nurse my baby out in public and not get awful looks, so I would recommend getting one to keep in your diaper bag..even if you don’t end up using it!

 

Hopefully this list of 25 must have baby essentials for first time parents helped oyu out and gave you even a little bit of clarity on what essentials you need in preparation for your new baby.
Congratulations, this is only the beginning!!

If you loved this post, check out my related posts about reclaiming your joy as a mom and the best side hustles for stay-at-home moms!