Full Newborn Baby Shopping List with Pictures in 2025

Getting ready to welcome your baby can feel like a mix of excitement and confusion. One minute you think you’ve ticked everything off your newborn shopping list, and the next you’re wondering, “When is this baby even coming? Am I really ready? Did I forget something important?”

You’re not the only one. When I was pregnant with my first, I bought everything I could afford—and probably a few extras I didn’t need. I even made a personal shopping list with pictures, but for some reason, it always felt like something was missing.

I went to the market more than three times in my third trimester and still felt like I hadn’t gotten everything. There was always one more cute outfit to buy, or a fancy baby lotion I thought I needed.

The truth is, many of us end up buying things we never actually use. For me, one of those things was a cradle. Honestly, most babies—especially here in Nigeria—prefer being close to their mums, and mine ended up sleeping right next to me most nights.

To help you avoid the same back-and-forth, I’ve put together a complete newborn shopping list with pictures. It’s a simple guide to make your baby prep easier and more focused.

What is the first thing you should buy for your baby?

The first thing you should get for your baby is a soft, comfy cloth to wrap them in right after delivery. Remember, this baby has been in your womb for 9 months—naked the whole time, from a tiny embryo to a full-grown little human. That first cloth matters. It’s their first feel of the outside world, so make it soft, warm, and gentle.

Next up are the basics—diapers, wipes, and anything that touches their skin. Try to go for products that won’t trigger any reactions. Trust me, you don’t want to be dealing with rashes in the first few days of their life.

And if, for any reason (especially medical), you won’t be breastfeeding, then formula should be next on your list. Your baby will want to eat almost immediately, so put some thought into what goes into that tiny tummy. It’s their first real meal outside the womb—make it count.

Full Newborn Baby Shopping List with Pictures in 2025

When I was pregnant with my first baby in 2021, the first person I ran to for advice was my mum. But she just smiled and said, “My last baby is 20 years old, o! Things have changed.” That’s when I knew I had to figure this shopping list out on my own.

So, I got creative. I reached out to a few friends who had babies recently (shoutout to all the 2020 mums!) and started putting together a list that made sense for today. And honestly? That saved me. By the time the baby arrived, I wasn’t scrambling—I had everything we needed.

One thing that really helped was how I organized my list. I stopped thinking about random items and started imagining a full day alone with my newborn. What would I need from morning to night? Feeding, changing, bathing, dressing, playing, sleeping—all of it.

I even looked up baby milestones from birth to one year just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything important. That’s how I came up with a system that actually works.

Here’s a peek at how I grouped everything:

• Newborn Clothes
  
• Bathing Essentials
  
• Feeding Essentials
  
• Newborn Care Essentials
  
• Carrying & Mobility Items
  
• Sleep Time Must-Haves
  
• Play & Development Items
  
• Laundry & Drying Essentials

1. Newborn Clothes

If you can, try to shop for baby clothes that’ll last up to 9 months. Babies grow super fast (like, blink and they’ve outgrown it fast), so thinking ahead will save you stress—and extra market runs.

You’ll also need a variety of clothes for different temperatures, times of day, and those “oops, we need a new outfit again” moments.

If you’re on a budget (which is totally fine), try to get at least one piece of each type of clothing below. You can always add more later, and mix different brands or qualities as you go.

Here’s a full list to guide you:

• White short sleeve pindowns – 
• Coloured short sleeve pindowns
• White long sleeve pindowns – for cooler nights or when your baby is under a fan or AC.
• Coloured long sleeve pindowns
• Rompers or playsuits (coloured or patterned)
• Footie pajamas (set of 4 or 6) 
• 2-piece bodysuits 
• Baby cardigans 
• Baby pants or leggings 
• Cotton singlets – innerwear, especially in hot weather.
• Tops and polos with matching shorts 
• Socks 
• Mittens
• Caps/hats.
• Baby bibs
• Aprons 
• Mouth towels 
• Onesies with zippers or snap buttons 
• Swaddle blankets or wearable swaddles

2 Bathing Essentials

Let’s talk about baby’s bath time—one of those sweet, splashy moments you’ll either love or need to brace yourself for.  Either way, you’ll want to make sure your little one’s skin stays soft, healthy, and rash-free from day one.

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to bath products. Every baby’s skin reacts differently, and you might not know what works until you try. But to stay on the safe side, paediatricians usually recommend starting with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products—brands like Classic kids care newborn set are gentle go-tos for many mums. I had to take care of my  pregnancy induced acne also and rock a postpartum glowing skin.  Below is all I got for my baby. 

• Bathing soap – liquid or tablet, just make sure it’s baby-safe and gentle.
  
• Baby body lotion 
• Baby oil 
• Bathtub
• Washcloths or sponges
• Towels 
• Hair brush/comb set 
• Bath toys 
• Shower cap 
• Bath storage basket 
• Nail care set 

3. Feeding Essentials 

Here’s something they don’t always tell you: newborns usually won’t get a proper bath until 24 to 72 hours after birth—but they will definitely need to eat fast. Especially if your baby is on the bigger side (3.8kg or more), feeding usually happens within the first two hours after delivery. So, it’s super important to be ready.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, paediatricians recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. But life happens—some mums face medical issues, latching struggles, or just need a break. Whatever your situation, the key is being prepared. Your newborn shopping list for feeding must include the list below:

If you’re breastfeeding:

• Nursing bras – go for soft, stretchy ones with easy access.
  
• Nursing pads 
• Breast pump
• Milk storage containers or bags 
• Nursing pillow 
• Nipple cream 
• Burp cloths 

If you’re formula feeding or combo feeding:

• Baby formula – choose one recommended by your paediatrician.
• Feeding bottles 
• Extra nipples 
• Bottle brush
• Bottle sterilizer 
• Bottle warmer 
• Formula dispenser 
• Bips

4. Newborn Hygiene Care Essentials

You’ve got the baby clothes ready, feeding sorted, and bath time handled—super mom, you’re about 70% prepared for your little one’s arrival.

But what about everything else? Once the basics are in place, it’s easy to forget the smaller—but equally important—items that help with daily care.

Well, beyond feeding and bathing, your baby will need a whole lot of tender loving care—and a few extra items to stay clean, comfortable, and happy.

These care essentials may not always get the spotlight, but trust me, they make your day-to-day so much smoother.

• Diapers – disposable or cloth, whichever you prefer. Start with one pack until you figure out what works best for your baby’s skin.
• Fragrance-free Baby wipes.
• Changing mats.
• Diaper rash cream.
• Cotton wool or cotton pads – useful for cleaning a baby’s navel.
• Baby-safe detergent – for washing baby clothes, towels, and bedding.
• Thermometer: Everyone thinks that a first time mum is paranoid when your baby has a fever. Check with your thermometer. 
• Nasal aspirator.
• Baby nail clippers or files.
• Basic first aid items – like alcohol wipes, baby-safe antiseptic, and a soft baby comb.
• Hangers.
• Pegs.
• Mosquito net or baby bed net.
• Soft brush and comb set.
• Baby-safe surface disinfectant.

5. Newborn Sleeping Essentials

Let’s talk about sleep—or the lack of it in those first three months.

The truth? You’ll probably be awake at odd hours, and your baby might not even care about that beautiful cot you picked out. Most newborns prefer to be cuddled up on your bed or in your arms. It’s sweet… and exhausting. That’s why comfort—for both of you—is key.

One of the best things I did was upgrade to a bigger bed. It made all the difference, especially when my baby insisted on sleeping right next to me (and spoiler alert: even when they grow, they’ll still want to snuggle in!).

But aside from that, here are some must-haves to help your baby sleep better—and help you catch a few more winks too:

• Baby cot or bassinet
• Baby mattress (firm, breathable) 
• Waterproof sheets
• Mosquito net 
• Light blankets or sleep sacks
• Rocker or baby bouncer 
• White noise machine or mobile 
• Night light or dim lamp 
• Extra crib sheets
• Swaddle wraps or velcro swaddles

6. Newborn Carrier  Essentials

Now that you’ve got the sleep situation covered and your little one is all set to snooze comfortably, you might be wondering, “How am I going to get this baby around?”

Let’s face it, once your baby arrives, you’ll need to carry them with you for pretty much everything—whether it’s for doctor visits, family strolls, or even a quick run to the store. So, the question becomes: how will you carry the baby around safely and comfortably?

For me, I had a bunch of options for different needs. From simple baby wraps for quick trips to a stroller for those peaceful evening walks, I covered all my bases, and they made my life so much easier. Here’s a look at what worked for me:

• Baby carrier or wrap
• Stroller
• Car seat (if you have a car)
• Diaper bag for outings
• Baby bag organizer (optional, but helpful)

7. Newborn Laundry & Drying Essentials 

From milk spills to diaper accidents, babies certainly know how to keep you on your toes! So, what’s your plan for laundry and drying all those tiny clothes?

You’ll need a well-thought-out newborn shopping list for washing and drying their clothing. The first step is choosing a baby-friendly detergent that’s gentle on their sensitive skin. Here’s a full list of everything you’ll need:

• Baby-friendly laundry detergent – hypoallergenic and gentle on baby’s skin.
• Laundry basket – a designated one just for baby’s cloth will help keep things organized.
• Drying rack
• Pegs or clips

8. Newborn Play & Development Essentials

As your baby grows, you’ll be tracking milestones like weight, height, and developmental progress. And while every baby moves at their own pace, one thing’s for sure—playtime is key to helping them hit those big milestones!

Think about it: when baby’s ready to crawl, usually around 6 to 8 months, that tummy time mat becomes their best friend. It’s all about learning to push up, roll, and eventually crawl their way into the world. And once they start moving (oh, they will!), you’ll want some knee pads to protect those little knees from the inevitable scrapes.

Below is my ultimate list for play time and developmental essentials:

• Play mat or activity gym
• Rattles, teethers, and soft toys 
• Books with simple pictures or textures 
• Walker or baby push toy
• High chair – around 6 months, when your baby starts solids, a high chair doubles as a comfy seat for mealtime and playtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Choosing what’s best for your baby can feel like a balancing act between your climate, lifestyle, and budget. For first-time mums, creating a newborn shopping list can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. 

And guess what? It’s perfectly okay if you’re not sure what’s enough—after all, your little one deserves all the cuteness in the kiddie store!

But don’t worry! I’ve been there, and I’m here to help. Through my own experience, I’ve created a list that covered all the essentials I needed until my baby turned one (aside from the clothes, of course—those sizes change every month!). I’ll walk you through exactly what worked for me, so you can shop smarter and feel confident.

References

• Johnlewis.com – The ultimate baby checklist
• Pinterest.com – NEWBORN BABY SHOPPING LIST