Newborn Care Essentials: Clothing, Bath Time, and Everyday Must-Haves

BABY'S WARDROBE

When it comes to dressing your newborn, comfort and practicality are key. While baby clothes are undeniably adorable, your focus should be on having just enough of the right items to keep your little one warm, clean, and cozy without overloading your laundry basket. As part of your newborn care essentials, this guide breaks down the wardrobe pieces you’ll actually need from day one, with helpful tips to make those early outfit changes smoother and less stressful. Click here for a printable PDF version of the list.

Here is a list of the minimum number of garments that you will need by the time you bring baby home. 8 shirts or onesies, 8 pants, and 5 nightgowns. You need to be careful around the umbilical cord stump making sure that it is not being irritated by a diaper or waistband. Nightgowns are perfect for this purpose and you can use them until cord falls off.

You will need 2 beanies to keep baby's head warm. 8 pairs of socks or booties to keep their feet warm. 2 pairs of scratch mittens to keep their razor talons from scratching their face or yours. 2 cardigans or jackets to keep their body warm when it is cool out. 5 baby swaddles for sleeping. Swaddles are great because it simulates the pressure that your baby felt in your womb. This pressure is soothing and will help facilitate sleeping.

I am not sure if anyone told you that you will be doing laundry constantly, but you will. It is amazing how much dirty laundry someone so tiny can produce. Between the leaking diapers and frequent spitting up, your baby will be making so many wardrobe changes that it would put the residents of Downton Abbey to shame. For this reason you will need, hypoallergenic laundry detergent. You don't know if your baby has allergies to detergent until their body breaks out in eczema like mine did. I used the name brand baby detergent and then spend hundreds of dollars on a dermatologist appointment and prescription creams. We only use fragrance-free, all-natural, hypoallergenic detergent even though he is 13 now.

Your baby might be tiny, but they'll go through more outfit changes than you’d expect. With frequent spit-ups, leaky diapers, and sensitive skin, having the right clothes and other supplies can make a big difference in your daily routine. Stick with these essentials to keep your baby comfortable and protected, and save yourself time, money, and a few unnecessary outfit changes along the way.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR BATH TIME

Bath time isn’t just about getting your baby clean—it’s also a chance to soothe their senses, build connection, and create a calming routine. But with tiny bodies and sensitive skin, the right tools can make all the difference. This guide covers the simple essentials you’ll need to keep your baby safe, comfortable, and squeaky clean, from their very first bath onward.

Baby needs an infant tub for the daily washing away of urine, feces, and vomit. The one that used had a hammock that stretched over a plastic tub in which I put warm water. I used the hammock apparatus until my son could hold his head up on his own. You can also use one of those large plastic tubs that fit into a kitchen sink. If you go this route, you will need a second set of hands: one to support your baby's head and another to do the washing. Use a floating tub thermometer to make sure that the water is not too hot for baby.

You will need washcloths to wipe down your baby and hypoallergenic baby soap that may or may not be shampoo to cleanse the skin and hair. After you wipe down your baby, use an unbreakable water pitcher to pour warm water to rinse. This is important for sensory integration. You will dry your baby with one of the 3 hooded towels that you have in your arsenal. Use a soft-bristled hair brush designed for babies to comb their hair after you towel dry it.

With just a few thoughtfully chosen items, bath time can become one of the sweetest parts of your day. Whether you’re washing away a messy moment or easing your baby into a bedtime routine, having the right setup helps everything go more smoothly. Keep things warm, gentle, and calm—and enjoy these early, tender moments of care.

OTHER NECESSITIES

You will need baby nail clippers or scissors to trim your baby's razor talons, a bulb syringe to clean snot out of their nose because they have no ability to blow their nose yet, and a baby thermometer to check to see if you baby has a fever when the time comes.

From dressing your baby in soft, comfortable clothes to gently guiding them through bath time and basic care, these early routines lay the foundation for comfort, safety, and bonding. You don’t need an overflowing closet or every gadget on the market—just a thoughtful selection of essentials that support your baby’s needs and your peace of mind.

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