What you need (and what you don’t) for a new baby

It was the day before Thanksgiving. I was baking pies with my mom in Oregon and my husband was at our house in California. It was 2020 and Covid was in full-swing (months before a vaccine came out!). We got a phone call at 11am. There was a potential match! We got a Zoom call at 3pm. It was a go! We got a call at 9pm. Birthmother is in labor; how quickly can we be at the hospital?

My husband grabbed a few things and raced over to the hospital. I packed up my suitcase and started an 8-hour drive to meet him there. At 10pm, my husband became the first person to hold our daughter. I arrived at 5am and met her for the first time.

After two days in the hospital, it was time for us to take baby home. We had nothing ready. No formula, no car seat, no clothes, no diapers. Did I mention that it was Thanksgiving weekend? Nothing was open- not even Target! My best friend spent two days driving miles and miles to source and collect items for us from friends, family, and strangers on Facebook. By the time we went home, we had pretty much everything we needed (and lots of things we didn’t) for baby’s first month.

If I were to do it all over again, I would have a very specific and limited list of things to have on hand in my home in case of an immediate infant placement. I really think this list can apply to any new baby coming home. They truly need less than you think and WAY less than the media and stores want to convince you of!

So, here is my list, for your consideration:

THE MUST-HAVES, FIRST TWO WEEKS:

-Car seat. The one and truly only thing you absolutely NEED is a car seat. They will not let you leave the hospital without one (and rightly so).

-Formula. Just one or two cans to get you through the first few weeks.

-4 oz Bottles. Again, depending on how often you want to wash them, you could be fine with 2, but I recommend at least 4.

-A microwave sanitizing bag. These are amazing. You can sanitize bottles, binkies, toys, etc. in the microwave in a few minutes, making your bottle prep SO much easier.

-Diapers. Size newborn or 1. Probably a couple of packs to last you a week or two.

-Four onesies. 2 long-sleeve, 2 short-sleeve. The kimono-style is particularly easy with a newborn since you don’t have to put it over their head.

-Two double-zip pajamas / footed onesies. If your baby is a winter baby, then these should be fleece.

-Two receiving blankets. These are for swaddling, sunshade, having something clean to put baby on, etc. etc. Lots of uses!

-A crib / bassinet / co-sleeper. You could even wait on this, depending on your sleeping preferences.

NICE TO HAVE:

-Somewhere safe to put baby when you’re not holding him. A swing, a playmat, a boppy, etc.

-A baby carrier.

-A stroller.

-A baby tub.

-A baby monitor.

UNNECESSARY:

-Everything else. You do not need a nursery with perfect decor. You do not need toys or even a stuffed animal. When your baby is small, all they need is you (and the few things listed above). Don’t let the pressure or expectation of having everything “ready” be a source of stress to you!

You are enough and you are everything to your baby.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! What are your “must-haves” for a baby?