First Time Mom & Newborn Baby Essentials Checklist

Hello Mommies! I created this post especially for first time moms who are clueless on what to buy or what they should know. I was very blessed to have an older sis to help me out and can imagine how stressful it can be for someone who has no help or guidance.

Being a first time mom can be very overwhelming and my goal is to help make your journey easier.

Please use these tips only as a guide and feel free to adjust accordingly as they are based on my own research and experience and may / may not be suitable for you 💕

Nursing & Feeding 🍼

👉🏻 Milk bottle - at least 6 pcs

👉🏻 Manual pump - 1 pair

👉🏻 Electric pump - 1 pair

👉🏻 Bottle warmer - 1 pc

👉🏻 Milk bottle storage (to put bottles in after they are sterilised)

👉🏻 Bottle steriliser

👉🏻 Breastfeeding pillow (not necessary but helps with the shoulder and back aches)

👉🏻 Lactation massager (helped me so much when ducts are clogged)

👉🏻 Pacifier

👶🏻 Tip: I used this only during Ellery’s first 3 weeks and stopped because I heard when used long term her teeth won’t grow out nicely. I’m not sure how true this is but use it at your own comfort level. During her first month when she cried at night and already had enough milk, the pacifier was a real life saver. Some moms are afraid their baby will get used to the pacifier but babies are very smart and can adapt eventually.

👉🏻 Milk storage bags (If you pump 3 times a day, you need at least 90 pieces)

👶🏻 Tip: I personally didn’t use milk storage bags because I didn’t have that much milk anyway. I think it’s good to stand by if you have a lot of milk but if not storing in the Hegen bottles was good enough for me

👉🏻 Formula milk

👶🏻 Tip: I actually didn’t prepare this because just thought I would have breast milk but it took a week for my milk to come in and Ellery was in NICU so the nurses got her started on Enfamil. FM is readily available in supermarkets and pharmacies anyway so you can just get it when you’re discharged from hospital if necessary.

Clothing 👗

👉🏻 Swaddles (10 -12 pcs)

👉🏻 Zip up swaddles (1-3 pcs)

👶🏻 Tip: I bought a couple of zip up swaddles that is supposed to be more convenient to wear but Ellery didn’t like it after her first month so you may not want to get too many)

👉🏻 Burp cloths / Bibs (10—12 pcs)

👉🏻 Onesies (7 long sleeve 7 short sleeve):

👶🏻 Tip: Zip up onesies are the easiest baby clothing to wear when you are changing baby’s diapers so often.

👶🏻 Tip: Babies grow super fast so you might not want to get too many clothes in NB sizing. I got some in 0-3months.

👶🏻 Tip: If you can do laundry every single day, 7 pcs of long sleeve and 7 pcs of short sleeve should be more than enough but you may want to get more if you don’t plan on doing it everyday. Nonetheless babies spill out milk / have pee and poo leakages so it’s good to standby enough clothing 😂

👉🏻 Mittens and booties/ socks (5 pairs)

👶🏻 Tip: Babies wear this only for first month so don’t need too many

👶🏻 Tip: Just get them all in white, the last thing you want to waste time on is sorting out and matching the different coloured pairs. Also you can reuse them this way if you have a different gender baby next!

👉🏻 Hats (1-2pcs)

👶🏻 Tip: No need too many as baby will hardly be going out during the first month anyway.

Diapering 💩

👉🏻 Diapers (NB 2 pack)

👶🏻 Tip: Don’t buy too many packs. They outgrow so quick. Anyway online delivery takes only a few days so you can just get then when you are finishing your packs.

👶🏻 Tip: Diapers are very personal to moms and babies so better to buy 1 pack from 2-3 brands to try out first instead of a whole carton of the same brand. After trying so many, I personally found Merries suited my children best.

👉🏻 Diaper organiser

👉🏻 Diaper rash cream

👉🏻 Baby wipes (10-20 packs, you will be needing a lot of this):

👶🏻 Tip: I used to think you didn’t need quality baby wipes, I mean it’s to clean poo after all. But having good quality wipes makes such a huge difference. When you are changing baby’s diapers so often, a thick wipe that has (more than) enough moisture makes your diapering activities a lot easier. I got Pigeon at first and the the quality is definitely not as good compared to Cloversoft and Oldam.

👉🏻 Changing tray

👉🏻 Waterproof changing mat

👉🏻 Diaper bin with lid

Nursery

👉🏻 Cot and mattress

👉🏻 Cot bumper

👉🏻 Bedsheets (3-4 pcs)

👉🏻 Waterproof protector (3 pcs)

👉🏻 Infant pillow

👉🏻 Blanket (3pcs)

👉🏻 Drawer chest for clothes

👉🏻 Clock