New baby checklist

Just as you protect your baby throughout your pregnancy, you’ll want to keep him or her just as safe and comfortable upon arrival.

See our nursery equipment safety checklist to make sure that everything for your baby (including gifts) meets all safety guidelines. Check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to help you avoid any toys or baby products that may harm your baby.

Traveling

• Car seat — the law requires that you use a car seat to transport your baby in a car or airplane. Infants should ride rear-facing in the back seat until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are 1 year old. Read more about selecting the right car seat.
• Travel bed or playpen
• Stroller (lock the wheels before you put your baby in)
• Infant carrier (sling or front pack)

Sleeping

• Bassinet or crib and crib mattress (learn about crib safety standards)
• Tightly fitted crib sheets (do not use standard bed sheets in a crib)
• Waterproof crib mattress pads
• Baby monitor

Bathing

• Baby bathtub
• Washcloths

Feeding

• Breast pump and breast milk storage bags if you plan to breast-feed. Learn more about the benefits of breast-feeding. Learn about buying or renting a breast pump in our health classes.
• Burp cloths
• Bibs
• Bottles, nipples, and formula if you plan to bottle-feed

Diapering

• Disposable or cloth diapers (you’ll need 10 to 12 diaper changes per day for the first few months)
• Alcohol-free baby wipes
• Ointment or powder (for diaper rash)
• Changing table or dresser top with diaper changing pad and safety buckle
• One-piece outfits that snap or zip down in the front
• Sleep sacks or blanket sleepers
• Undershirts or “onesies” with a snap at the crotch
• Hats for warmth and sun protection
• Socks or booties
• Mittens (protects babies from cold weather and from scratching their faces)
• Baby nail clippers
• Nasal bulb syringe (to clear a stuffy nose)
• Sterile cotton balls (to wipe baby’s eyes)
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs (for cleaning around the umbilical cord stump)
• Thermometer
• First aid kit

Clothing

• One-piece outfits that snap or zip down in the front
• Sleep sacks or blanket sleepers
• Undershirts or “onesies” with a snap at the crotch
• Hats for warmth and sun protection
• Socks or booties
• Mittens (protects babies from cold weather and from scratching their faces)

Care & Grooming

• Baby nail clippers
• Nasal bulb syringe (to clear a stuffy nose)
• Sterile cotton balls (to wipe baby’s eyes)
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs (for cleaning around the umbilical cord stump)
• Thermometer
• First aid kit

Comforting

• Small blankets to wrap around the baby (receiving blankets)
• Rocking chair or glider
• Baby swing
• Teethers and pacifiers (don’t hang these around your baby’s neck)