Anyone who has had a child or is expecting one knows that there is a seemingly endless amount of things you should have at home so you are prepared for the big day. Thank God we get 9 months to shop for all this stuff, cause it can be very overwhelming. Some may get a lot of these items as hand-me-downs from friends, neighbors and family. But if you’re like us, you’ll basically be starting with an empty room.

Don’t let the list scare you too much. I started with a very thorough nursery and clothing list from MommyGuide.com (which no longer seems to exist) and what you see below is what our list ended up being. I looked at a couple other lists online as well to make sure everything was covered. You may find you don’t need certain things because you’ll be raising your child differently (disposable diapers, for example, versus cloth or none at all) but each layette list is meant to be a jumping off point. You can decide what it truly important for your own baby as you go along.

The list is color coded: essential items, things you’ll find nice to have and other things that are more or less luxury items.

Again, don’t let the length of the list scare you! This is just to get you thinking about what you’ll be needing and where you’re going to put it all!

HOME-FROM-THE-HOSPITAL GEAR:
Keepsake “Home from the Hospital” outfit (keep in mind to accommodate car seat restraint)
New born car seat (rear-facing for safety; required in all US states)

NEWBORN CLOTHING NECESSITIES:
6 Kimonos (shirts that tie at the side) or baby-Ts/undershirts (shirts that fasten in the front)
4 Footed Coveralls/Sleepers (Terri cloth are comfortable and absorb moisture)
1 Snowsuit or Bunting with hood (during winter months; extra big to fit over clothing for easy travel)
5 Booties or snug socks (think white and warm; get the kind that won’t get kicked off)
3 Hats
2 Blanket Sleepers
2 pairs of mittens
2 Sweaters
2 Pants (no jeans)
Onesies/ Short-sleeve bodysuits
Rompers (Long Sleeved

3-6 MONTHS CLOTHING NECESSITIES:
7 Onesies/Short-sleeve bodysuits with snaps at the crotch (only 3-6+ months sizes)
4 Rompers (Long Sleeved; leg snaps are best – best for 3-6+ months)
1 lightweight, brimmed hat for a summer baby
5 Other outfits for baby
5 Booties or snug socks
4 Bibs (bigger is sometimes better)

HEALTH & BABY CARE, HOME SAFETY:
1 Infant Acetaminophen (aka Tylenol, “just in case”) (consult doctor before using)
Saline Nose Spray (in case baby gets a cold) (consult doctor before using)
Baby Decongestant (in case baby gets a cold) (consult doctor before using)
Liquid Benadryl (to have on-hand if needed) (consult doctor before using)
1 Diaper Rash Cream or Ointment (Desitin, A&D or Baby Gold Bond Powder)
Vicks Vapor Rub (they have baby strength; use as directed) (consult doctor before using)
1 Thermometer (rectal or thermoscan)
1 Box Q-Tips
1 Pack Cotton Balls (for washing baby’s face)
1 Bottle Rubbing Alcohol (for umbilical cord care)
1 Nasal Aspirator/Bulb Syringe (for baby’s nose)
Calibrated medicine dropper or syringe for measuring dosages (useful for feeding a baby medicine)
Baby brush & comb (probably not needed)
Ivory Snow, Dreft or other gentle laundry detergent (if baby has sensitive skin, especially if cloth diapering)
Nursery Monitor – Philips Avent SCD520 Baby Phone
Safety Gates
Night Lights
Drawer Latches
Outlet Plugs
Appliance Locks
Toilet Locks

DIAPERS & DIAPERING:
6 Dozen Disposable Diapers (about a one week supply; consider getting one size up from newborn size as you can always roll the diaper down if you need to accommodate for the umbilical cord)
1 Diaper Bag with lap pad
4 Dozen (48) Cloth Diapers, Disposable Liners, Washable Liners
Baby Wipes (for newborns, try to snag some of the ones at the hospital that you just add warm water too – these are the best, especially for baby’s with sensitive skin)
3 waterproof lap pads (for changing table or floor, & diaper bag for travel)
Disposable waterproof lap pads (30 on hand)
1 Diaper Pail with Tight Cover (an alternative is to use plastic grocery bags to tie baby diapers in and then toss in the general garbage)
BabyBjorn potty chair
4-6 Safety Diaper Pins or Clips
3-6 Waterproof Pants, diaper covers (aka “bum covers”) or wraps to use with cloth diapers

FEEDING:
1 Breast Pump (Medela Harmony manual pump)
3 nursing bras/tank tops
Nursing pillow/Boppy pillow
Lansinoh (pure lanolin for nipples)
3 Burping cloths (for your lap or shoulder during burping; you can use extra cloth diapers)
Nursing/Breast Pads (20 throw away or 6 cloth)
4 4oz. Bottles (with storage lids; for storing breastmilk)
4 4oz. Nipples (newborn size; this may not apply to you if you are exclusively breastfeeding)
1 pack small blank stickers to date the bottles for freezing
Bottle Brush (if applicable)

NURSERY FURNITURE:
Crib – with a firm mattress – IKEA Leksvik
Changing Table (and waterproof changing pad) ) – IKEA Leksvik
High Chair/booster seat (once baby can sit up – 4-6 months)
Playpen/Pack-And-Play/Portable Crib (we use our porta-crib to visit friends so baby has a place to sleep)
Rocking or gliding chair
Infant Swing
Exerciser or stationary activity center
Stroller
Dresser or Bureau
Bouncing/vibrating seat for baby

BEDDING & LINENS
2 Fitted Crib Sheets
2 Waterproof Mattress Covers/Pads
2 Lightweight Blankets
2 Crib-Size Blankets (heavier than other blankets)
1 Stroller or Car Seat Blanket (larger than the other blankets; can be used as a play mat for baby so not too fluffy)
1 Bumper Pad Set with top and bottom ties
1 Mobile (or other crib items, like attachable light-up toys/mirrors/musical crib toys)
3 Receiving Blankets (for swaddling or matching clothing)

BATHING:
1 Baby Bath Tub or foam bathing aid
Bath toys
2 hooded bath towels (not essential, but good because babies lose most of their heat through their heads)
1 Gentle baby bath such as Baby Magic or Johnsons & Johnsons
1 Baby Shampoo (or just use baby bath at the beginning)
1 Baby safe scissors or clippers (or you can use your teeth, but you will need to trim baby’s nails often)
4 Baby washcloths (only if they are softer than your normal wash cloths) or sponge
Baby powder & lotions (completely unnecessary, but you may want these – no talc-based powders in baby’s diaper area)

OUTINGS & TRAVELING:
Car seat (you must have a car seat to bring your baby home from the hospital; see above “Home-From-The-Hospital Gear”)
Stroller (you will eventually (when baby can sit up) want a small umbrella stroller, but for now, stick with a pram or stroller that can hold the infant car seat)
Baby slings, wraps – sew own or buy
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Synergy
Sun shades