My Essential Baby gear List

So we are into the final stretch, less than six weeks until the due date. With that in mind and now that we have a designated nursery we figured it was time to slowly start collecting all the gear and supplies we would need during the first three months. We decided to focus only on the first few months as other items could always be bought or borrowed as needed and we didn’t want to over clutter the house. So items like feeding chairs and most toys we are ignoring for now.

 

I made a list of essential items I figured we would need straight away. This is my own personal list and not everyone may agree but it is based on quite a bit of research and cross-checking with other peoples lists. I am planning to breast feed initially (so fingers crossed that works out) and we have also decided to use disposable nappies for new-born stage and only graduate into cloth diapering later on (which we will try on a trial basis and see how we get on).

Checklist: Baby Essentials (0-3 months)

Clothing:
[ ] 4-8 undershirts or onesies
[ ] 4-8 one-piece pajamas (or nightgowns until the cord falls off)
[ ] 1-3 rompers
[ ] 4-7 pairs of socks
[ ] 1-2 pairs of scratch mittens – not 100% sure on this one yet
[ ] 1-3 hats

Sleeping:
[ ] Bassinet
[ ] 2-4 fitted water proof sheets
[ ] 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets (can double as burp cloths or nursing covers)
[ ] Sleep sack or swaddle blanket

Diapers:
[ ] Changing table pad
[ ] 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers
[ ] Diaper pail
[ ] Disposable wipes, baby ointment and barrier cream to prevent rash

Bathing:
[ ] Baby soap
[ ] Soft washcloths
[ ] 1 plastic infant tub
[ ] 3 soft hooded towels

Feeding:
[ ] 2 - 4 nursing bras
[ ] Pump (not immediately necessary)
[ ] Milk storage bags (not immediately necessary)
[ ] Breast pads + Nipple cream

Basic care:
[ ] Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors
[ ] Baby thermometer
[ ] Petroleum jelly, surgical spirits and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)
[ ] Bulb syringe or similar for suctioning mucous


Transport:
[ ] Infant or convertible car seat (with optional mirror to see baby while driving)
[ ] sunshades for car windows
[ ] Sling or baby carrier
[ ] Stroller (not immediately necessary)

It may seem like a lot of items but this really is a much pared down list compared to some I’ve seen. We decided to not rush out and buy many items but put out feelers instead. We have been pleasantly surprised at the response, friends, co-workers and even neighbours have pledged us all sorts of stuff. We even have big ticket items like car seat, stroller and bassinet sorted. Most people seem happy to let us sort through their garage for useful items. We have also received free samples of lotions, shampoos and nappies from antenatal classes and various stores. It makes me happy to think we have nearly everything on our list and we haven’t spent anything yet. 

I am starting to think the baby sector might be a bit like the wedding sector – lots of pressure to buy everything new and shiny and make a big production out of the whole affair. Since our wedding is what started me on the path to anti-consumerism and minimalism I am stoked I can apply the same principles before getting sucked into the baby marketing machine (which mostly seems to be about scaring parents – ie you need this product for your child’s safety/development/health etc).

I try to remind myself every now and then that our parents got by without all this stuff and we turned out mostly fine :)