Babycare
Baby Items Checklist: A Guide For First-Time Parents
8 min read | Updated on 30-03-2023 by HappyPreggie
Shopping for baby essentials will definitely be a priority among all the to-dos on your plate when getting ready for your little one's arrival. After all, you'll want all your baby gear prepared before your baby is born. Being well-prepared can get you through the first days and weeks without making last-minute in-store or online purchases. This will also ensure your baby's needs are well-satisfied.
It's natural to be busy preparing the nursery and buying all the necessary items for sleeping, eating and diapering. However, the number of baby supplies available might surprise any parent-to-be.
Some parents may want all those cool baby products and gadgets which can make taking care of a newborn more convenient. But if you're on a budget or overwhelmed with various choices, you can stick to the basics as long as your baby is well and healthy. Without further ado, let's jump into the list of baby items checklist!
When buying baby clothes, consider how often you plan on doing the laundry and what the weather will be like when your baby is born. Hence, you won't waste money on unnecessary clothing that your baby will never get to wear. Although you might be tempted to get those cute costume outfits to show your newborn off, your baby doesn't really need anything fancy in the first few weeks after delivery. So, sticking to simple, plain, budget-friendly clothing is fine.
It's best to buy only a few newborn clothing items because your baby will outgrow them at lightning speeds. However, you'll still have to undergo many outfit changes because a newborn's clothing can get messy quickly from feeding. So, you can consider buying 4-6 sets of clothes for each size.
What You’ll Need:
Diapers are an obvious newborn basic, but with so many kinds of diapers available on the market, choosing the best can be challenging and stressful. Newborns can go through 8 to 10 diaper changes daily, so ensure you have plenty of diapers on hand to last through the first week. Since it’s impossible to know ahead of time what size your newborn will wear, you should consider buying small packs of a few different sizes. Once your baby is born, you can stock up on more of the right size. Remember that they will also outgrow the newborn size in just a few weeks, so don't stock up too much.
Your baby may also have a nappy rash if they wear a wet or dirty nappy for too long, which causes the skin on their bottom to be damaged and irritated. If this happens, you’ll need a nappy rash cream to help their skin heal and keep them comfortable.
If you need help deciding what brands to choose from, check out our blog on the 10 Best Baby Diapers, 10 Best Baby Wipes and 10 Best Nappy Rash Creams to make your search easier.
What You’ll Need:
Newborns can be bathed daily as long as you use products specifically formulated for their delicate skin. But it's also perfectly acceptable if you want to space their bath times, maybe three times a week. If you choose to space out their bath times, remember to practice an effective daily hygiene routine so your baby can stay clean even when they don't bathe. For example, always clean your baby's bottom when changing diapers. Their diaper area must be kept clean to avoid infections or rashes. You can use gentle baby wipes to keep your little one clean while protecting their delicate skin.
For baby bath items, you don't need to go all-out with your purchases. Simply buy a baby bathtub, baby-friendly soap, and lotion, as their skin can be quite sensitive.
Check out our blogs to help you pick the best baby shampoos, baby wipes, baby lotions and baby toothbrushes for optimal cleaning!
What You’ll Need:
You won't need to stock your cabinets with lots of baby grooming products or a full-fledged first aid kit from the very beginning. However, you'll need a nail clipper to trim your baby's nails, as they can grow quickly and may hurt themselves from scratching. You should also prepare a baby thermometer to check their temperature if they have a fever and a nasal aspirator to clean snot from their nose if they catch a cold.
That said, you'll definitely want to check out these blogs on the Best Baby Nasal Aspirators You Will Find In Malaysia and How Can I Help My Baby With A Cold?
What You’ll Need:
Whatever bed you choose for your newborn, it has been recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room with you for the first 6-12 months. This can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents. Keeping your baby close to you can also make it easier to settle and breastfeed at night.
Blankets, pillows and soft toys are no longer recommended in baby beds, so you can save more here! Having all these in bed can also be dangerous for infants because they create a suffocation risk. Babies should sleep without anything in their crib until they're at least a year old.
Diapers are absorbent these days, so you wouldn't have to change them often at night. However, you'll still want to ensure you have waterproofed the mattress and have extra sheets, just in case. You can also buy a baby monitor if you want to check in on them when you leave the room.
If you need help figuring out where to start, read our blogs on the Top 10 Baby Cots For Your Baby In Malaysia 2022 and 10 Best Baby Monitors In Malaysia 2022.
What You’ll Need:
If you decide to breastfeed, you won't need much more than your breasts - and the contact information of a lactation consultant in case you encounter challenges along the way. A few useful tools like nursing pads, pillows, nipple creams and breast pumps can also make feeding more convenient.
If you plan on formula feeding, you should discuss it with your doctor and research the best formula brands and types. You'll also need some baby bottles to allow for sterilising between feeding sessions. It's also easier to have a bottle brush ready than use the same sponge for your dishes to avoid cross-contamination.
Check out our blogs to see the 10 best brands for nursing bras, nursing pillows, breast pumps and baby bottles you can find in Malaysia.
What You’ll Need:
You'll be surprised how much you'll bring your baby out and about. A baby car seat, stroller and carrier can make your life much more convenient when transporting them around.
You will need a car seat when you ride home from the hospital and for every car ride after that, so you'll want to prepare this in advance. Make sure the car seat you choose is suitable for a newborn's size and weight, and ensure the seat is properly fitted to the car before your due date.
A stroller can help you get around without carrying your little one in your arms all the time, so you should definitely consider getting one for long-term use. Ensure that the stroller you choose meets the latest safety standards!
Meanwhile, a baby carrier is handy when you want to keep your baby close while being hands-free. This can also allow you to bond with your baby while doing house chores much easier! Remember that some baby carriers need a newborn insert, so follow the safety guidelines when using a baby carrier.
When being away from home, there are many things that you'll want to bring along. In this case, you'll be thankful if you have a diaper bag that can fit all your baby's necessities.
If you're unsure how and which is the best choice, check out our blogs on the best baby car seats, baby strollers, baby carriers and diaper bags.
What You’ll Need:
A baby checklist is only complete with toys and baby gear for playtime. Toys are one of the baby's necessities because having your baby play with toys is integral to their development. You can start giving them toys around the first month as they become attuned to the world around them. Interaction with toys can also help your baby learn and develop social, problem-solving and emotional skills.
Newborn and young babies won't enjoy many toys other than simple rattles or books with high-contrast patterns that can catch their attention. Soft toys with many exciting features can be an excellent choice to support their development. With all baby toys, it's crucial to ensure there are no small parts that could lead to choking.
Newborns can benefit a lot from tummy time. You can place your little one on a thin, soft play mat to give them somewhere to enjoy a few minutes of tummy time a couple of times daily. Be sure that you or your partner is always closely supervising their tummy time to prevent any safety hazards.
What You’ll Need:
There are many things to do as your due date gets nearer, and preparing for your little one's arrival can be daunting. Feel confident to use this baby checklist to discover what you'll need, including some other 'nice-to-haves' items you'll want to consider. Once you have all these necessities ready, you'll feel more prepared and secure for the day you bring your baby home.
(Image credits to iStock)
It's natural to be busy preparing the nursery and buying all the necessary items for sleeping, eating and diapering. However, the number of baby supplies available might surprise any parent-to-be.
Some parents may want all those cool baby products and gadgets which can make taking care of a newborn more convenient. But if you're on a budget or overwhelmed with various choices, you can stick to the basics as long as your baby is well and healthy. Without further ado, let's jump into the list of baby items checklist!
Baby Clothing
(Image credits to Freepik)
When buying baby clothes, consider how often you plan on doing the laundry and what the weather will be like when your baby is born. Hence, you won't waste money on unnecessary clothing that your baby will never get to wear. Although you might be tempted to get those cute costume outfits to show your newborn off, your baby doesn't really need anything fancy in the first few weeks after delivery. So, sticking to simple, plain, budget-friendly clothing is fine.
It's best to buy only a few newborn clothing items because your baby will outgrow them at lightning speeds. However, you'll still have to undergo many outfit changes because a newborn's clothing can get messy quickly from feeding. So, you can consider buying 4-6 sets of clothes for each size.
What You’ll Need:
- Sleepwear
- T-shirts
- One-Piece Outfits
Baby Diapers
(Image credits to Freepik)
Diapers are an obvious newborn basic, but with so many kinds of diapers available on the market, choosing the best can be challenging and stressful. Newborns can go through 8 to 10 diaper changes daily, so ensure you have plenty of diapers on hand to last through the first week. Since it’s impossible to know ahead of time what size your newborn will wear, you should consider buying small packs of a few different sizes. Once your baby is born, you can stock up on more of the right size. Remember that they will also outgrow the newborn size in just a few weeks, so don't stock up too much.
Your baby may also have a nappy rash if they wear a wet or dirty nappy for too long, which causes the skin on their bottom to be damaged and irritated. If this happens, you’ll need a nappy rash cream to help their skin heal and keep them comfortable.
If you need help deciding what brands to choose from, check out our blog on the 10 Best Baby Diapers, 10 Best Baby Wipes and 10 Best Nappy Rash Creams to make your search easier.
What You’ll Need:
- Baby Diapers
- Baby Wipes
- Nappy Rash Creams
Baby Bath Items
(Image credits to Healthline)
Your newborn will have sponge baths in the beginning until their umbilical cord stump falls off. However, you’ll soon need some sort of seat or tub for bathing, so make sure the one you choose suits a newborn or comes with a newborn insert to suit your baby’s small size.Newborns can be bathed daily as long as you use products specifically formulated for their delicate skin. But it's also perfectly acceptable if you want to space their bath times, maybe three times a week. If you choose to space out their bath times, remember to practice an effective daily hygiene routine so your baby can stay clean even when they don't bathe. For example, always clean your baby's bottom when changing diapers. Their diaper area must be kept clean to avoid infections or rashes. You can use gentle baby wipes to keep your little one clean while protecting their delicate skin.
For baby bath items, you don't need to go all-out with your purchases. Simply buy a baby bathtub, baby-friendly soap, and lotion, as their skin can be quite sensitive.
Check out our blogs to help you pick the best baby shampoos, baby wipes, baby lotions and baby toothbrushes for optimal cleaning!
What You’ll Need:
- Baby Bathtubs
- Baby Shampoos
- Baby Wipes
- Baby Lotions
- Baby Toothbrush
Baby Grooming and First Aid
(Image credits to VeryWell Family)
You won't need to stock your cabinets with lots of baby grooming products or a full-fledged first aid kit from the very beginning. However, you'll need a nail clipper to trim your baby's nails, as they can grow quickly and may hurt themselves from scratching. You should also prepare a baby thermometer to check their temperature if they have a fever and a nasal aspirator to clean snot from their nose if they catch a cold.
That said, you'll definitely want to check out these blogs on the Best Baby Nasal Aspirators You Will Find In Malaysia and How Can I Help My Baby With A Cold?
What You’ll Need:
- Nasal Aspirators
- Nail Clipper
- Thermometer
Baby Sleep Needs
(Image credits to Whisbear)
Whatever bed you choose for your newborn, it has been recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room with you for the first 6-12 months. This can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents. Keeping your baby close to you can also make it easier to settle and breastfeed at night.
Blankets, pillows and soft toys are no longer recommended in baby beds, so you can save more here! Having all these in bed can also be dangerous for infants because they create a suffocation risk. Babies should sleep without anything in their crib until they're at least a year old.
Diapers are absorbent these days, so you wouldn't have to change them often at night. However, you'll still want to ensure you have waterproofed the mattress and have extra sheets, just in case. You can also buy a baby monitor if you want to check in on them when you leave the room.
If you need help figuring out where to start, read our blogs on the Top 10 Baby Cots For Your Baby In Malaysia 2022 and 10 Best Baby Monitors In Malaysia 2022.
What You’ll Need:
- Baby Crib or Cot
- Baby Mattress
- Baby Monitor
Baby Feeding Supplies
(Image credits to Connecticut Children’s)
If you decide to breastfeed, you won't need much more than your breasts - and the contact information of a lactation consultant in case you encounter challenges along the way. A few useful tools like nursing pads, pillows, nipple creams and breast pumps can also make feeding more convenient.
If you plan on formula feeding, you should discuss it with your doctor and research the best formula brands and types. You'll also need some baby bottles to allow for sterilising between feeding sessions. It's also easier to have a bottle brush ready than use the same sponge for your dishes to avoid cross-contamination.
Check out our blogs to see the 10 best brands for nursing bras, nursing pillows, breast pumps and baby bottles you can find in Malaysia.
What You’ll Need:
- Nursing Bras
- Baby Bottle
- Nursing Pillow
- Breast Pumps
Baby Travel Gears
(Image credits to MetroResidences)
You'll be surprised how much you'll bring your baby out and about. A baby car seat, stroller and carrier can make your life much more convenient when transporting them around.
You will need a car seat when you ride home from the hospital and for every car ride after that, so you'll want to prepare this in advance. Make sure the car seat you choose is suitable for a newborn's size and weight, and ensure the seat is properly fitted to the car before your due date.
A stroller can help you get around without carrying your little one in your arms all the time, so you should definitely consider getting one for long-term use. Ensure that the stroller you choose meets the latest safety standards!
Meanwhile, a baby carrier is handy when you want to keep your baby close while being hands-free. This can also allow you to bond with your baby while doing house chores much easier! Remember that some baby carriers need a newborn insert, so follow the safety guidelines when using a baby carrier.
When being away from home, there are many things that you'll want to bring along. In this case, you'll be thankful if you have a diaper bag that can fit all your baby's necessities.
If you're unsure how and which is the best choice, check out our blogs on the best baby car seats, baby strollers, baby carriers and diaper bags.
What You’ll Need:
- Baby Car Seat
- Baby Stroller
- Baby Carrier
- Diaper Bag
Baby Playtime
(Image credits to iStock)
A baby checklist is only complete with toys and baby gear for playtime. Toys are one of the baby's necessities because having your baby play with toys is integral to their development. You can start giving them toys around the first month as they become attuned to the world around them. Interaction with toys can also help your baby learn and develop social, problem-solving and emotional skills.
Newborn and young babies won't enjoy many toys other than simple rattles or books with high-contrast patterns that can catch their attention. Soft toys with many exciting features can be an excellent choice to support their development. With all baby toys, it's crucial to ensure there are no small parts that could lead to choking.
Newborns can benefit a lot from tummy time. You can place your little one on a thin, soft play mat to give them somewhere to enjoy a few minutes of tummy time a couple of times daily. Be sure that you or your partner is always closely supervising their tummy time to prevent any safety hazards.
What You’ll Need:
- Baby Toys
- Baby Clothbooks
- Playmat
There are many things to do as your due date gets nearer, and preparing for your little one's arrival can be daunting. Feel confident to use this baby checklist to discover what you'll need, including some other 'nice-to-haves' items you'll want to consider. Once you have all these necessities ready, you'll feel more prepared and secure for the day you bring your baby home.
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