Baby Things To Buy Before Birth: A Complete List (2024)

This is a complete list of baby things to buy before birth. This post is sponsored byBabbleBoxx.com.

Let's thank them for supplying us with great new baby must-haves for 2020!

In this post, I'll tell you exactly what you need buy when pregnant to prepare for that sweet new addition. Plus, you'll find out why these things are great to have on-hand before the BIG BIRTH!

What to buy before baby is born:

As an experienced mother, I know what a new baby needs and what is nice to have on hand, even't if it isn't essential.

I'll be sure to identify exactly what baby essentials to buy before before birth and what extra items are nice to pickup, if you can.

1. At least 1 pack of newborn diapers

When I was pregnant for the first time, I had no idea what size my baby would be. Everyone advised my to not waste money on newborn diapers.

That advice was terrible.

My 6lbs, 7oz son was much too small for Size 1 diapers. Actually, you should keep in mind that the baby will drop weight in the first week. So, my 5lb+ son, was basically swallowed by Size 1 diapers.

In fact, we had a hard time finding newborn diapers. We had to search multiple stores which isn't fun for new and tired parents.

Also, using diapers that are too big are the cause of a lot of leakage and blowouts!

So, save yourself the trouble and grab a pack of newborn diapers – just in case. I recommend picking them up 2-3 weeks before your due date, so if your baby is too big for those diapers, you can return them without issue.

2. Swaddle Blankets

Swaddles blankets are a huge must-have for new babies. Not only are they great for actually wrapping your baby up – they can be used for the following things:

• Cleaning spit-up
• Use as a birth cloth
• In place of a changing pad

I highly recommend the aden + anais snuggle knit newborn gift set. This super soft gift set includes:

One knotted gown with an easy-access tie bottom, a one-size-fits-all knotted baby hat that grows with baby, swaddle blanket, and bandana bib. The newborn gift set comes in 3 patterns: navy stripe, rosettes, and heather grey.

This gift set is great for newborns as it's made of premium knit fabric that will comfort a newborn and make mommy happy.

3. Slowest Flow Bottles – Even if you're breastfeeding.

I cannot express this enough – get bottles. I was a breastfeeding mother but having bottles on-hand was a major game changer. This allowed me to pump milk for my husband to feed to my son as I rested or took a shower.

Bottles allow breastfeeding mamas to take a break and other family members to bond with the child as they feed them.

I specifically recommend getting the slowest flow bottle. A lactation consultant taught me this: your breast never changes the speed of the flow – so why should a bottle? You'll see various flows, grab the slowest and never change it!

4. Teething Toys

All the “expecting” books will give you different time frames for teething babies. Every article on the internet tells you something conflicting. This is what I know from experience:

Every baby is different. Some babies start teething as early as a few months, others wait awhile. Some begin to feel the teething pain early on but a tooth that doesn't come for months.

That's why I recommend picking up a good teething toy for your little one before they are born. This will save you the last-minute panic. Plus, you can grab a quality teether like this one: Lil’ Squish Jellyfish Sensory Rattle + Teething Toy from Baby Banana.

Not only is this teether the cutest thing ever, it offers a variety of uses. Baby can shake the Jellyfish rattle and learn hand-eye coordination in the process. Don't worry, mama. This teething toy is made of soft, durable silicone.

5. Diaper Bag

Ditch your fancy handbag, mamas. You'll be using the diaper bag for everything for the next few years! A diaper bag is a major baby thing to buy before birth because you can prepare it ahead of time.

6. Activity Toys

While activity toys aren't essential to have for a newborn, they are great to assist as your baby enters new stages. Plus, activity toys can teach a number of valuable things to your little sunshine.

GUND makes great activity toys for babies. The following toys are soft, machine-washable, and offer different features for baby.

With various 3-D cut-outs and different textures of fabric, the Tinkle Crinkle Activity Ball is perfect to help stimulate those senses. Plus, the colorful multicolored ribbons will keep baby distracted for quite some time.

I personally love the Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar as a baby toy. Each section of the caterpillar offers something new and fun for baby to discover. From different sounds likes squeaks, crinkles, and rattles, to the textured fabric, I bet this will be your new baby's first favorite toy.

7. Changing Pad

Changing pads have been a lifesaver for my son when we're on-the-go. Most changing tables don't have the disposable pads these days.

I even came across a few bathrooms without a changing table – so I had to change him on a sink where the changing pad gave him cushion and protection.

You don't need to spend a lot on a pad, either. Actually, you'll notice that many diaper bags include one!

8. Diaper Rash Cream

I didn't realize how much I needed diaper rash cream until I had a son with sensitive skin. Now, I have a full stock because as baby gets older, the more rashes seem to pop up.

Now that I'm a couple years into motherhood, I realize that all diaper rash creams are not created equal. To be specific, I'm now a die hard user of the Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength!

If you want the rash gone quickly and to soothe that baby's bottom, this is the tube for you. We keep a tube in both diaper baskets in my house and in our diaper bag.

As caring mothers, we rely on products that we can trust and this butt paste is one of those must-haves for every diaper bag. Not only does it lessen the rash within hours, it is free from: dyes, preservatives, parabens and talc! Also, this product is pediatrician recommended.

9. Baby Nail Files

Don't waste your money on a baby nail clipper. That's right – you won't need one for quite some time. Why?

Baby's nails are too soft to clip. It can be very easy to harm those little fingers with a clipper. That's why I recommend stocking up on baby nail files.

To add, I would include these in your hospital bag. Many babies are born with very long nails which mean lots of scratches on those soft little faces. You can find these in just about any baby aisle.

10. Hats & Mittens

If you happen to grab the aden + anais kit above, then you'll see the cutest hat included! Keep it. You'll want to keep your newborn nice and warm in those first few weeks, since they cannot regulate their body temperature.

This brings me to the next must-have baby things to buy before birth: baby mittens. I had no idea how much I would need these in the beginning. When my next child is born, I'll be bringing a set of these to the hospital.

Baby mittens protect baby from scratches from those long nails. Plus, they keep baby's hand toasty.

11. Two weeks worth of baby clothes (at a minimum).

We all love dressing our babies up. Actually, I think it's one thing moms look forward to the most. However, I'm not telling you to stock up to make baby look cute.

You will need plenty of baby clothes to get you through those first weeks. First of all, you'll want enough clothes to last the baby a week which means at least two outfits per day. Basically, you want enough backup outfits to change your baby when he or she spits up or has a blowout!

Another great reason to have two weeks worth of clothes before birth, is so you will not need to do laundry in the first week. You're going to be exhausted and in pain – give yourself some time to relax and heal before jumping back into chores.

12. Baby Balm & Baby Lotion (For Sensitive Skin)

To ensure my son's new skin stayed soft in the first few months, we lathered him body in lotion every morning and night. First of all, he loved the massages and we loved to see his soft glowing skin.

The Pipette Baby Lotion offers hydration that is immediate and will last all day. Plus, it's gentle enough for abby's skin all the while restoring baby's natural moisture levels.

I also recommend keeping a tub of the Pipette Baby Balm on-hand to treat try skin on baby, as well as chapped lips and diaper line. This is basically a one-for-all product that can be kept in the diaper bag.

In fact, this product is so well-loved by mothers that it was featured in November 2019's issue of Good Housekeeping as a must-have (page 49)!

13. Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

You cannot wash your baby's clothing in regular detergent or even fabric softener. Your baby needs a laundry detergent that's specifically made for their sensitive skin.

This is great to purchase ahead of time so you can prewash their new clothes before they are born!

14. Car Seat – Installed in your car.

You cannot leave the hospital with your new baby without a car seat that is properly installed in your car. So, buy this ahead of time and install it before the baby is born. Have friends with kids double check it for you. You can even visit your hospital to have them check it for you.

15. A Bassinet

This is one of the products we had to run out to buy the night we brought our son home. The “sleeper” our baby had didn't lay him on a flat surface, so we had to put his safety first.

Be sure to get a bassinet that stands alone and gives baby plenty of space to sleep safely on his or her back – without cushions, pillows, or blankets.

I hope this list helped you get a good idea of which baby things to buy before birth. If you have any questions about what to buy or what not to buy – just ask me in the comments below or send me an email!