Are you expecting a baby and thought about Googling: baby essentials first 3 months? These are the tried and tested baby products that you need to know about.
Having a baby is so exciting but as a new mom, it can also be overwhelming trying to figure out what you need and what you do not need. As a mom myself, I am giving you the top baby essentials for the first 3 months that my family loves and swears by!
You are going to learn about the most essential things a newborn baby needs, general baby essentials, baby bottles, baby car seat, baby bath essentials, and so much more baby stuff! After reading this post, you will not have to Google “baby essentials first 3 months” ever again.
This post is all about baby essentials first 3 months and what items every new parent needs to have for the first three months.
Navigation:
- Clothing
- Diapering
- Sleep
- Feeding
- Bath
- Travel
- Miscellaneous
Baby Essentials First 3 Months
CLOTHING
- Newborn onesies (3-4)
Babies typically grow out of this size pretty quickly so do not worry about having too many clothes in this size.
- Sleeper gowns (3-4)
Gowns are LIFE CHANGING in those first few weeks when you are changing your baby’s diaper several times at night. You can layer with a white, short sleeve onesie underneath if it is cold out and a swaddle over the sleeper gown when it is time to sleep.
- 0-3 month onesies (6-8)
Onesies are amazing and depending on the season, pants and a sweatshirt can easily be layered over. My son is still wearing onesies even at 24 months because we love them so much!
- 0-3 month zipper sleep n play (4-6)
Zipper footie pajamas are great once your baby graduates out of the sleeper gowns. You might even find yourself putting these on your baby during the day too because they make diaper changes pretty easy.
- 0-3 month pants/leggings/shorts (4-6)
This is great option for layering depending on the season.
- Socks/Booties (4-6)
Your baby will not need real shoes until he is walking so this should be plenty for the first three months. You really just want to keep your little one’s feet warm and cozy.
- Hats (1-2) – You can expect to mostly use these during the newborn stage unless your baby is also born during the colder months.
- Swaddles (3-4) – Most babies do really well with a swaddle from the get go. There are SO many options out there but these swaddles were my family’s go to. The velcro made it so easy too.
- Sleep Sack (2) – Once your baby can roll over, he can no longer safely sleep in a swaddle and must transition into a sleep sack with arms free. This typically happens by three months old so having a sleep sack on hand will come in handy. I highly recommend the Burt’s Bees Sleep Sack and the Halo Sleep Sack. You can also find similar options from other brands including Carter’s which actually has sleeves for the winter months.
{Related Post: Newborn Necessities}
DIAPERING
10. Diaper changing table or dresser with changing pad
There are few different options when it comes to a changing table. You can buy a true diaper changing table but the con to this is that once your baby outgrows this, it is no longer useful. It also takes up extra space in the nursery, but if it’s something you like then I say go for it!
Another option is a dresser that you put a changing pad on top of. This is what my family used and it worked perfectly. This gives you the ability to use the dresser drawers for clothing and the supplies needed for diaper changes can go in a drawer or in a bin on top of the dresser.
11. Diapers
You should anticipate leaving the hospital with a small stash of diapers but it will make your life easier to already have diapers at home. Newborns go through A LOT of diapers! I recommend having size 1 diapers ready to go and maybe a small pack of size newborn just in case. But in my experience, babies grow out of newborn diapers pretty quickly.
12. Wipes
You can never have enough wipes so stock up on those if you can! Some families like having a wipe warmer but it is not something my family had.
13. Diaper Rash Cream
Diaper rash cream is another must! You will be changing a ton of dirty diapers and you are going to need this right away. We are Team Desitin but there are so many options to choose from.
SLEEP
14. Baby monitor
This is a necessity but can be super overwhelming as a first time mom. My recommendation is go into a store to look at them, read the reviews and talk to friends who have kids. Baby monitors range in price depending on the number of cameras, ability to view on your phone, and so many other things so do your research.
15. Sound machine
Babies are used to the whooshing sound of the womb and the quiet after birth is unsettling to them. We use this stationary sound machine in the nursery (it has both a plug in and battery option- good to have in case you lose power) and we also picked up this travel sound machine for naps on the go. I highly recommend both!
16. Bassinet, pack n play or crib
The AAP recommends that babies sleep in a crib, portable crib, play yard or bassinet in the parent’s bedroom for at least 6 months, but preferably a year. The time babies spend in their parents’ room differs from family to family but you will want to make sure you have a setup in your room initially and a plan for when you transition the baby to a crib in his own room.
17. 2-4 fitted crib sheets
There is the potential for many diapers that leak through so having multiple sheets will make your life so much easier! When your baby graduates to his own crib, make sure you have 2-3 mattress protectors as well for this same reason.
18. Swaddles (3-4)
Most babies do really well with a swaddle from the get go. There are SO many options out there but these swaddles were my family’s go to. The velcro made it so easy too.
18. Sleep Sack (2)
Once your baby can roll over, he can no longer safely sleep in a swaddle and must transition into a sleep sack with arms free. This typically happens by three months old so having a sleep sack on hand will come in handy. I highly recommend the Burt’s Bees Sleep Sack and the Halo Sleep Sack. You can also find similar options from other brands including Carter’s which actually has sleeves for the winter months.
FEEDING
19. Baby Bottles (4-6)
Even if you plan on breastfeeding, I recommend having a few baby bottles on hand. There may be a situation where breastfeeding is not an option and/or it will allow your partner to feed the baby as well if you choose to go the bottle route.
20. Formula
If you choose to use formula, the hospital will have formula for you to use during your stay and usually sends some home with you as well. Newborns eat frequently so it is important to have a little stash on hand at home too. I recommend starting with a basic formula. The store brand is nearly identical to the ingredients in the big brand name’s product and is typically significantly cheaper!
21. Burp cloths (5-7)
You will go through these FAST! There are really cute options but these are my favorite cheap burp cloths!
22. Bibs (5-8)
Bibs are another thing you will go through quickly. You should be able to get a few uses of them before you have to wash them but I recommend having a bunch on hand to start.
23. Formula dispenser (optional)
A formula dispenser is optional but it is also LIFE CHANGING for nighttime bottle feedings and bottles on the go. This is my go to formula dispenser but there are so many other similar dispensers to choose from.
{Related: Bottle Feeding Tips for New Moms}
BATH
24. Baby Bath
25. Baby washcloths (5-6)
Little baby washcloths are so much easier to use and more gentle on baby’s skin. They can also be used to wipe your baby’s hands and face once he starts eating solids at 6+ months.
26. Baby shampoo/soap/lotion
There are so many options to choose from choose one with ingredients that you are comfortable with.
27. Hooded bath towel
You can technically use a towel you already have at home but a smaller towel specifically made for babies makes it much easier in those first three months. Plus the hood is perfect for drying the baby’s head/hair.
28. Baby nail clippers + nail file
{Related: How to Give a Newborn a Bath as a First Time Mom}
TRAVEL
29. Car seat/stroller
There are so so so many strollers out there but the best bang for your buck is a “travel system” which includes both a stroller, car seat and car seat base. This allows you to easily clip the carseat into the stroller or the base in the car depending on where you are going.
So if your little one falls asleep in the car, you can pop him right into the stroller when you get to your destination without having to potentially wake him by unbuckling the straps. e car seat clips right. I strongly recommend that you consider this option.
My family swears by THIS travel system.
30. Backpack Diaper bag
I am sure you already have a diaper bag written on your list but I urge you to consider a backpack diaper bag vs. one that goes on your shoulder. It is so much easier to pop the diaper bag on your bag to free up hands to hold your baby, hold the carseat, push the stroller, etc.
I love love love this diaper bag. It has so many pockets including bottle storage, a portable changing pad and a place for wipes on the outside of the bag making on the go diaper changes WAY easier.
31. Portable changing pad
This is a must for when you are on the go. My family loves this changing pad because it doubles as a mini diaper bag with pockets for wipes and a few diapers as well as a wristlet strap.
MISCELLANEOUS
32. Baby thermometer
33. Pacifier + Pacifier Clip
34. Breast pump and milk storage bags (if breastfeeding)
35. Baby Swing
36. Baby sling/carrier
37. Glider with Ottomon