Baby bare minimums
This post covers what you actually need the first week or two, which really isn’t that much. In particular, I recommend you don't buy diapers until the baby is born and you know what size you need (mine both skipped right past newborn size). Someone can pick them up for you during your hospital stay, or you can order them online to be at home waiting for you. The list below is tailored for couples with one partner giving birth, but I think it’s pretty adaptable to other circumstances.
Last updated: March 8, 2021
What you need at the hospital
Phone chargers.
Change of clothes for partner, including a warm sweater.
Light robe for you (optional, but nice).
Chapstick, face mask, earplugs.
Flip-flops or slippers. Waterproof options are nice because you can wear them in the shower.
Nursing Timer app for your phone, or something similar that tracks nursing length and, frequency, and the number of poops and pees. The nurses will keep asking you, and you'll be way too addled to remember.
Breast pump, manual and electric (if you're planning to breastfeed). This can help you kickstart/boost your supply, and the lactation consultant at the hospital can help you figure out how to use it. Health insurance should cover it; if you have a choice, I liked the Spectra much better than the Medela.
One full-sized swaddle blanket for baby, to practice swaddling while the nurses can help.
Car seat. They won’t let you take the baby home without one.
One cute baby outfit for ride home.
Don’t need: Diapers and wipes for the baby, undies and pads for you. The hospital will provide these.
What you need the first day home
For the baby:
Changing pad and something to put it on; we used a dresser. Changing pad covers are optional IMO.
Wipes. You’ll develop Firm Opinions about which brand you like pretty quickly, but I recommend starting with any unscented variety.
2 swaddle blankets, the large square muslin ones. The Aden + Anais brand is lovely.
Something for baby to sleep in. Can literally be a cardboard box.
Onesies with long sleeves and feet. Around 5, maybe 10 if you don’t have a washing machine.
Nail file or clippers, I like these ones.
Eye dropper (if you’re having trouble feeding the first few days, it’s a sanity saver. We used the one that came with our baby Tylenol bottle).
Have on hand just in case: baby Tylenol and baby Benadryl, baby thermometer (which is just a regular thermometer, but you reserve it for baby bums), nose sucker (ugh; make sure it comes with saline solution).
Fan or white noise machine.
For the birthing/nursing parent:
Maxi pads (the awkwardly big kind. You'll need these even if you have a C-section, I believe)
Toilet paper (lots) and paper towels
Nursing supplies, especially lanolin cream, coconut oil, Hakaa, and nursing bra (unpadded is probably more useful at first). See my Breastfeeding and pumping post for more info.
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Information is provided for educational purposes only.
