The Real Newborn Essentials List – Only 37 Things You Need the First Week Home

(Everything else can stay in the box — promise)

You’re staring at a mountain of baby gear and wondering, “Do I really need all this right now?”
Short answer: No.

Here’s the exact list parents wish they’d had taped to the fridge — the stuff that actually got used the first seven days.

Sleeping (6 things)

1. Bassinet or bedside sleeper (Halo BassiNest or Arm’s Reach)
2. Firm mattress + waterproof protector + 2 fitted sheets
3. Swaddle or sleep sack × 3 (Velcro like SwaddleMe or Halo)
4. Sound machine (Hatch Rest Go or $30 Dohm)
5. Blackout curtains
6. Pacifiers × 3 (different shapes — they’re picky)

Quick science: A bare, firm sleep surface cuts SIDS risk by more than 50 %. No blankets, bumpers, or plush toys in the crib until 12 months. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep 2022)

Quick Take from Experts and Parents:
“We bought a $400 Snoo. Baby hated it. Lived in the Halo for 4 months.” — Mom in r/NewParents

Feeding (7 things)

1. Burp cloths × 10 (Copper Pearl or Gerber thick ones)
2. Bottles × 6 (Dr. Brown’s narrow or Comotomo)
3. Formula (one small can of whatever hospital uses — just in case)
4. Nursing pillow (Boppy or My Brest Friend)
5. Nipple cream (Earth Mama or Lansinoh)
6. Haakaa or manual pump
7. Snack stash for you (Liquid I.V., protein bars)

Diapering (6 things)

1. Diapers size N or 1 — 2 packs
2. Wipes (WaterWipes or Honest)
3. Diaper cream (Boudreaux’s Butt Paste or Desitin)
4. Changing pad + 2 covers
5. Diaper pail (Ubbi or Dekor)
6. Small trash can with lid for wipes

Bath & Health (6 things)

1. Baby bathtub or sink insert
2. Hooded towels × 3
3. Washcloths × 6
4. Fragrance-free soap (Aveeno or Cetaphil)
5. Rectal thermometer
6. NoseFrida + saline drops

Clothes (8 things)

1. Onesies × 8
2. Footie pajamas × 6
3. Socks × 4 pairs
4. Mittens × 2 pairs
5. Hats × 2
6. Swaddle blankets × 3
7. Going-home outfit
8. Sensitive-skin laundry detergent (Dreft or All Free & Clear)

Safety & Lifesavers!! (4 things)

1. Car seat (installed and inspected)
2. Baby nail clippers (FridaBaby or Safety 1st)
3. Infant Tylenol, gas drops, vitamin D drops
4. Your postpartum recovery kit (see our guide)

Quick science: Newborns need skin-to-skin contact for temperature regulation and bonding — having easy-access clothes (onesies, sleep sacks) makes it happen more often. (Source: UNICEF Skin-to-Skin Guidelines)

“We registered for 120 things. Used maybe 20 the first month. Wish someone had just handed me this list.” — Dad in r/daddit

Gear That Made a Difference for Parents

• Halo BassiNest “Rolled it right next to the bed. No getting up for night feeds.”
• Hatch Rest Go “White noise on the go — saved us at Grandma’s house.”
• Keekaroo Peanut Changer “Wipe-clean. No laundry after blowouts at 3 a.m.”

You’ve got this.

Week one is survival mode — keep it simple, keep it close, keep the coffee flowing.

One diaper, one feed, one tiny smile at a time. ❤️

How to Build a Baby Registry That Doesn’t Waste Money

Here are the hacks that saved parents hundreds: Babylist + Amazon + Target edition

You open a registry and suddenly 400 things are staring at you.

Half you’ll never use, a quarter will be the wrong brand, and the rest will sit in a closet until you donate them.

Here’s the exact system parents wish they’d known before hitting “add to registry”

The Only Strategy That Works

1. Start with Babylist — pulls from every store + best completion discount (15 % off anything left).
2. Add a few big items to Amazon and Target too (both give 15 % completion discounts you can stack).
3. Use the Lushlife AI to build the real list (ask it “smart baby registry 2025” and watch the magic).

Quick science: Financial stress in the first year spikes parental cortisol and can affect bonding. Cash funds and smart discounts lower that stress and actually improve postpartum mental health. (Source: Journal of Family Psychology, 2023)

The 2025 Hacks That Actually Save Real Money

• Add diaper fund and meal-train cash funds — people love giving money more than another onesie.
  “Our diaper fund paid for 6 months. Best $450 we never spent.” — Mom in r/BabyBumps
• Put ONE crazy-expensive item (like a $1,200 stroller). Grandparents love being the hero.
• Add cheap fillers under $15 — coworkers grab those and you still get the completion discount on big stuff.
• Wait until 32–35 weeks to make it public — prices drop and you avoid duplicates.

Must-Have Big Items (Add these — parents swear by them)

• Uppababy Cruz V2 or Mockingbird stroller
• Guava Lotus travel crib (or rent the Snoo)
• Hatch Rest+
• Owlet Dream Sock
• Lovevery play gym

The Completion Discount Goldmine

• Babylist → 15 % off anything left
• Amazon → 15 % off (Prime)
• Target → 15 % off twice

Stack them: buy leftovers from the cheapest store with the best discount.

“Used Target’s second 15 % coupon on diapers and wipes. Saved $180 in one click.” — Dad in r/daddit

Gear That Made a Difference for Parents

• Babylist registry “No more ‘sorry we only shop at Target’ drama.”
• Amazon Welcome Box (free with registry purchases) “Got $40 of free stuff just for making a list.”
• Target Circle 360 (cheap membership = extra diaper coupons forever)

You’ve got this.

One click, one gift, one less thing to stress about.

One tiny onesie, one giant love at a time. ❤️