When I was expecting my first, I remember having a happy-go-lucky attitude towards all the shopping and prep work that goes into bringing a baby home. I’d heard all the scary stories about being too big and too tired to move a muscle, let alone shop for cribs and clothes. But I felt great, and while I always wanted to buy my baby stuff in person at the store, I kept putting it off because I was mobile and not too big anyways. 

That’s one of the things no one tells you about the first pregnancy, by the way. Because it’s your first, it’s never a “typical” pregnancy. Sure, some months will suck, but your body is still brand new. You’ll have a cute bump because everything stretches just right, and you will probably be quite energetic for the most part because this is your first run. 

Anyway, I digress. When I eventually got round to buying all the essentials, I had put it off for so long that I was almost too late. I ended up buying almost everything online. This was actually when I realized just how limited your options are when you shop for baby clothes online, and one of the reasons why I started MyBabyGrow. But that’s a story for another day! 

Today, I wanted to share a few tips and tricks for buying newborn essentials that will make your life super easy. I’ll also share a concise shopping list of must-have items for moms on a budget, as well as a list of products new moms will likely not think about but are just as important. 

Let’s dive right in! 

What newborn essentials do you absolutely need? 

Here is a list of some of the things I couldn’t live without: 

1. Baby clothes

Before you buy any baby clothes, be sure to check the weight and height guidelines. These will differ from brand to brand. 

Next, keep comfort and ease in mind by going for soft, loose-fitting clothes. Make sure everything you buy is also super durable as you will be washing them quite a lot of times over the next few weeks. 

Also, tassels, dangling strings, ribbons, and anything else that could be a choking or strangulation hazard are a no-no. 

2. Diapering

Here are some of the things you’ll need for diapering:

• Diapers: plan to go through 10-12 diapers a day during those first weeks
• Baby wipes: go for the unscented kind as they are less irritating to the skin
• Diaper rash cream
• Diaper bag: to store all your essentials when you need to head out

3. Baby gear

You’re going to need to invest in quite a bit of baby gear as well, including: 

• Stroller
• Car seat
• Baby carrier

• Bassinet: to keep your little one close and safe at night over the first weeks
• Crib and crib mattress: because they will outgrow the bassinet in no time! 
• Bedding: buy 3-5 fitted crib sheets and some washable crib mattress pads. 

• Baby bathtub
• Soap and shampoo: make sure you only buy no-tears mild formulas
• Washcloths: they are cheap, so buy lots!  

Things you may not think about buying as a new parent 

1. Something for the baby’s constipation

While constipation in exclusively breastfed babies is rare, it is quite common in formula-fed babies. I also dealt with it quite a bit when I was introducing solids. 

Do not use constipation medicines for baby constipation unless your pediatrician says so. Instead, give them a small amount of water. You can also give them 100% apple, pear, or prune juice on top of their usual feedings. These juices have sorbitol, which is a natural laxative. 

2. What about dry skin? 

Your baby’s skin is going to get progressively drier over the first few weeks. Eventually, it will peel and flake off on its own. You don’t have to do anything about it, but you can use some hypoallergenic fragrance-free baby lotion to lessen the effect a bit. 

3. Trimming baby’s nails

Your newborn’s nails will be soft, flexible, and very fast-growing. My baby’s nails also got quite sharp! He clawed his own face once or twice before I realized just how important it is to keep his nails short and clean. 

To clip your little one’s nails, wait for when they are calm and not fussy. Then trim them gently using an S-shaped baby nail file. You can also use a snipper clipper. 

4. Help! There’s snot in my baby’s nose! 

Well, believe me when I say sucking snot out of your baby’s nose will soon become part of your routine. Until then, though, you need to know that when babies get stuffy noses, it’s difficult for them to breathe. This makes them fussy and irritable, and they may also refuse to eat or sleep. 

To alleviate the discomfort, suck the snot out using a baby snot sucker. There are also baby saline kits for clearing their airways naturally. 

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. As you can see, babies need lots of stuff! I hope this list of useful essentials will help make your life a little easier. Good luck!