MissionMommy

Expecting a baby? Here is the ultimate newborn baby shopping list — or at least items I bought:

Feeding 

• Breast pump. You might need one to relieve pressure at the beginning and avoid mastitis. It will also come in handy when you need to have someone else baby sit. And, finally, if you’re going back to work, and still want your baby to exclusively eat breast milk. Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump with Metro Bag, $275
• Nursing bras. You’ll need at least 2, depending on how often you do laundry. These are soft and I wear them to bed, too. Bravado Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra Maternity bra, $44
• Nursing tanks. At least 4. A regular tank top with elastic straps works well, too. Nursing Tank Top by Undercover Mama, $25
• Breast Pads. The 4-pack should be good for at least 2 months. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads, 60-Count Boxes (Pack of 4), $25
• Nipple cream, lanolin. Get the smallest package, you really don’t need this past 10 days. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers, 40 Grams, $8
• Nursing pillow. This one takes up lots of room but is great for first time moms: My Brest Friend Pillow, $30
• Nursing cover. I actually did not purchase one, I just use a thin swaddle blanket instead, and tuck the corners in bra straps while breastfeeding. Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover $24
• Bottles. I prefer glass. Born Free glass bottle, 9oz, $5
• Nipples (slow-flow for newborns). Dr. Brown’s 2 Pack Natural Flow Nipple. $4
• Cleaning brush. OXO Tot Bottle Brush with Nipple Cleaner, $7
• Dishwasher basket, for bottle parts. OXO Tot Dishwasher Basket, $8
• Burp cloths. I bought two bags:Dundee Burp Cloths – White, 6-pack, $10
• Bibs. 5 Pack Waterproof Absorbent Terry Bibs, $9
• Rocking chair or a glider. Natural wood & blue fabric glider ($370)

Diapering

• Diapers. I tried the following:
  
  • Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Diapers– great absorbency, and I really liked the wetness indicator.
  • Honest lumberjack diapers – they feel a little rough, ok absorbency, no wetness indicator. They are non-toxic natural diapers.
  • Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers– similar to my review for Honest.
  • Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers– I had really bad experience with these. They leaked several times, flaps tore off as I was putting the diaper on, or they wouldn’t stick at all.
• Wipes. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes– I wanted wipes with no harsh chemicals
• Diaper rash cream.  California Baby Diaper Rash Cream
• Diaper bags. I wanted something eco-friendly and went for disposable ones.  Green N Pack
• Changing table. IKEA Gulliver, $70
• Changing pad. Contoured changing pad, $14
• Pad covers. At least 3. Plush changing pad cover, $11
• Cloths (to go over pad covers and help for easy accident cleanup at 3am, especially if dealing with a baby boy). Bumkins Cotton Premium Prefold Diaper, 6 Pack, $16
• Portable changing pad for your diaper bag. Skip Hop Pronto Changer Diaper Bag, $26

Bath/General Care

• Tub. Infant tub with sling, $29
• Washcloths. 3 packs of cotton washcloths, $3 each
• Shampoo. California Baby shampoo and bodywash, $23
• Hair brush. Baby brush and comb, $5.50
• Nail clippers. Baby nail scissors, $15
• Towels. aden + anais hooded towel, set of 2*, $30
• Cotton balls and Q-tips from Walgreens
• Baby lotion. No harsh chemicals. Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion, 8-Ounce Bottle, $13
• Baby sunscreen. No harsh chemicals. California Baby SPF 30+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen 2.9 oz, $23
• Digital thermometer. Rectal for infants. Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer, $11 
• Baby laundry detergent. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day 2x HE Liquid Laundry Detergent for Babies
• Pacifiers. Soothie Pacifier, $4, and Pacifier Holder, $5.

Sleep

• Pajamas. Footed. At least 5 of those. Carters or Gerber(cheaper)
• Muslin blankets or receiving blankets. At least 4. aden + anais 4 Pack Muslin Swaddle Wrap, $32.
• Swaddles. Summer Infant SwaddleMe $20 for 3-pack
• Crib – IKEA Gulliver, $129
• Crib mattress – IKEA Vyssa Spelevink, $99
• Mattress protector. Organic cotton waterproof crib mattress protector – American Baby Company, $32 2-pack
• Bed sheets. At least 2. 100% cotton fitted bed sheets. Pottery Barn are my favourite.
• White noise. I used youtube clips or white noise apps on my phone. However, I’m not too keen on having transmitting devices near baby’s bed, so I bought the cheapest white noise machine out there. Conair Sound Therapy $10. If you want something cute, take a look at Sleep Sheep, $18

Play

• Portable chair. Something that rocks or bounces. Fisher-Price Newborn-to-Toddler Portable Rocker, $52
• Activity gym. Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym $36
• Oball. Rhino Toys Oball Rattle, $7
• Developmental toys: I like Sassy rattles
• Books

Clothing

• 5 kimono shirts that he wore until the belly button healed. Then we switched to onesies. 0-3M
• 10 onesies 0-3M. I bought green and white
• 5 footed overalls in 0-3M
• 4 swaddling blankets
• 2 hats

Gear

We live in San Francisco (think hilly narrow streets, not ideal for big strollers), and do not own a car (so car seat wasn’t top of my list, I was happy with the cheapest out there). I’m happy with my decision so far and it fits my lifestyle well. The car seat is rarely used, we rent a car for doctor’s visits and that’s about it. 

• Infant car seat: Baby Trend Flex Loc Infant Car Seat – $ 120
• Car seat stroller frame: Baby Trend Single Snap N’ Go Stroller – $81
• Umbrella stroller (for 6+ months), great for travel: Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller, Heritage Buggy – $285
• Everyday stroller once they grow out the car seat/frame combo. Also a jogger: Bumbleride Indie (that’s the one I bought, but for most city-moms, I’d recommend UPPAbaby Cruz Stroller, Tyler)
• Bundleme – for cooler climate: JJ Cole Urban Bundleme, $33
• Sling or a carrier: ERGObaby Original Baby Carrier, $78 with a Heart2Heart Infant Insert, $18

Hospital Bag

• a nursing bra (or two). Breastfeeding for the first time resulted in major nipple soreness. PJ’s or any clothing rubbing against sensitive skin was just not bearable.
• nipple cream (Lanolin) to apply before showering or after breastfeeding if colostrum alone isn’t helping with the soreness
• plastic flip flops
• lagest pads I can find (like purple Always)
• lip balm
• toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, facial cleanser and moisturizer, deodorant, hairbrush and hair elastics/clips.
• shampoo is optional. They had baby shampoo at the hospital and that was fine for the short period I was there.
• an outfit to go home in (leggings and a tunic)
• an outfit to bring baby home in (onesie, footer PJs, warm blanket). He got to keep his hospital hat, so no need to bring one.
• cell phone charger
• camera(s)

Things I brought to the hospital, but didn’t need:

• disposable underwear. I purchased the cheapest granny panties from Walgreens that I was going to toss out after use. Didn’t end up needing them as my hospital provided me with disposable undies.
• PJ’s. I ended up wearing two hospital gowns (one backwards over the other) at all times during my stay. It was really the easiest thing to throw on and off. With all the breastfeeding and doctor checkups, having to fiddle around with regular clothing would have been too much trouble.

I was told that some women like to bring a book or DVD’s to pass time. Time was flying pretty fast for me, so there wasn’t any need for those. Plus there was no way I could have concentrated on a book, there was just so much going on.

I was also told to bring snacks as hospital only provided main meals. I didn’t have much of an apetite or need to snack with all the excitement going on, and hospital meals came in generous portions that kept me full and happy.