The first few weeks with a newborn are a whirlwind. They consume your entire life between feedings, diaper changes, naps, sleepless nights, cranky crying fits, and snuggling that new little bundle. The last thing you want to do is run out and get soap because you ran out. There are many items you can stockpile before baby comes to avoid extra hassle with a newborn.
Baby Essentials to Stockpile
There are many disposable items your baby will go through so you can have lots on hand. When you stockpile before baby comes, be sure to check the price per diaper and other items. Typically buying the giant size or biggest pack is the cheapest per item or ounce. In this case you know you will use it! However, if there is a special deal going on make sure to run the numbers before you buy to know what size to get to save the most money.
For example, I purchase my baby essentials at target, but only when they are running a baby sale. Every month or two target runs a special where if you spend so much money on baby essentials you get a free gift card. For example, if you spend $100 they will give you $20 gift card. Baby essentials add up fast so it is not hard to spend $100. In addition, they will run deals like spend $75 get a $15 gift card or spend $50 get a $10 gift card. The best deal they run, and this is typically only once a year, is spend $100 get a $30 gift card. The last time they ran this deal I spent $100 3 different times to get 3 $30 gift cards because I knew these were all items my baby was going to use. Now we are stocked up for while!
1. Diapers
If you are using disposable diapers, your baby will go through tons of these. Some days a new baby could go through 10-12 diapers! So this is something you can load up on. You may be worried that you are not sure what brand will work best for your baby. If this is the case, get a couple different brands and try them out when baby comes. Keep the receipt when you buy them in case you need to make a return.
Personally, I found the brand more mattered with my son than my daughter. My son tended to pee through a couple brands of diapers while my daughter could wear any diaper and that was not the case. So for him, if we found a brand of diapers that didn’t work the best, we used those diapers when we knew we would be changing him again soon like close to bed time or close to bath time. We would not use those diapers before nap time or going away somewhere when he could be in the diaper for a bit longer.
In addition to brand, how many to get in each size can bit a little difficult. Depending on how big your baby is when they are born you may not even need newborn diapers. For instance, my daughter was 9lbs 2 oz when she was born so she never wore a newborn diaper. My son was 8lbs 11 oz when he was born and he could fit in newborn diapers for about a week but then he had to transition to 1’s.
I suggest getting a case of newborn diapers but mostly size 1. I would also get a case or two of size 2 diapers so you are prepared when that transition happens. Keep your receipts so you can make a size exchange if needed.
You can tell when it is time to transition to the next size when they are peeing through diapers more often, when poop is coming out the front or back, or when the diaper does not look comfortable on your baby.
2.Wipes
Wipes are another item you will use everyday all day. There are many brands of wipes and types of wipes. Like fragrance free wipes, sensitive wipes, fresh smelling wipes, and cucumber wipes. You may wonder which type of wipe should I stockpile before baby comes.
Similar to the diapers get some of each. If you feel more comfortable using a sensitive wipe with a newborn then by all means purchase those. I didn’t use sensitive wipes – I started out with fragrance free the first couple of weeks, but then quickly switched to the regular fresh scent. I liked the fresh smell when changing poopy diapers and luckily my kids didn’t have any reactions to wipes so I was fine to stick with those.
3. Diaper Cream
A baby goes through a lot of diaper cream. Personally I have found that a boy goes through more than a girl. Also, both of my kids got bad diaper rashes anytime they got new teeth so I went through a lot of diaper cream. Personally, I found triple paste to work the best. I buy the largest size to get the most for my money.
Postpartum Essentials to Stockpile Before Baby Comes
After having a baby there are items you will need and use as you heal. Hospitals provide lots of items that you could use your first few weeks home. These may include pain spray, squirt bottles, creams, ice pack pads, and more. Take advantage and take these items home. Although you can’t be certain exactly how your childbirth experience will go, pads will be essential.
4. Pads
There are different types of pads you will need after you have a baby. The first type of pad you will need are feminine pads. You likely will be bleeding for days after giving birth while you heal.
In addition to feminine pads, you will likely be using ice packs as well. There are a couple options that work as both a pad and an ice pack. The nurses at the hospital taught us how to make a diaper ice pack. You take a disposible diaper and fill it with ice. These were life savors with my son. The hospital also had pads that when you cracked them acted as an ice pack as well.
Also, nursing pads will likely come in handy after childbirth. There are disposable nursing pads and washable ones as well. Personally, I preferred the disposable pads versus another laundry item to do. The disposable pads were relatively inexpensive when bought in bulk. If you choose to breastfeed you may need nursing pads for as long as you do so.
Home Essentials to Stockpile Before Baby Comes
Stockpile those items you regularly use, that you need to live day to day. Also, you will be at home more with a newborn so using more home essentials than you normally would if you were at work and out and about more. Take that into consideration when thinking about what to stockpile before baby comes. For more on the best items to stockpile and to save money click here.
5.Toiletries
Stock up on the following toiletries to avoid unnecessary errands with a newborn:
- shampoo
- conditioner
- body soap
- deodorant
- tooth paste
- lotion
- any other daily items you use
6. Paper Products
There are various paper products that we use regularly. Some of them we use daily so it is ok to buy a lot and others we use but depending how much depends on the person. Purchase paper products accordingly to give you a large enough supply to last for at least 3 months. Stockpile before baby comes the following paper products:
- toilet paper
- paper towel
- napkins
- paper plates
It is helpful those first few weeks to limit dishes and use paper plates.
7. Household Disposable Products
Finally, make sure to have enough trash bags, hand soap, dish soap and dishwashing detergent on hand. If you use bottles or are pumping you may be running your dishwasher almost every day so keep that in mind when getting dishwasher detergent.
In addition, stock up on laundry detergent, dryer sheets or any other laundry items you use. Baby skin is generally sensitive so start with a free and clear detergent for your baby. You do not need to get the expensive brand – any free and clear detergent will do. For instance, All and Purex both have a free and clear detergent. Lastly, get a baby stain remover like Dreft. Babies soil their clothes regularly and unless you want to buy and throw out a lot of onesies and pants, get several bottles of baby stain remover.
Food/Meals to Stockpile Before Baby Comes
Cooking and preparing food will be the last thing you have time for with a newborn; however, you will still need to eat. Prepare meals and purchase extra food to stockpile before baby comes.
8. Freezer Meals
Because it is hard to predict exactly when your baby is coming and when you will need a meal, make and freeze as many meals as you can before the baby comes. Believe me these meals will come in handy after the baby is born. For easy freezer meal ideas click here.
9. Non Perishable foods
Non perishable foods are cheap and easy to stockpile before baby comes. They also have a long shelf life so you do not have to worry about using them right away and expiring. Get foods that are ready to eat or require a small amount of prep. For example, dry cereal, oatmeal, canned soups and fruits, microwave noodles with a jar of pasta sauce, are all pretty quick and easy to eat with a newborn.
10. Healthy Snacks
Sometimes preparing a meal and actually sitting down and eating a meal is difficult to do with a newborn baby. Instead, have healthy snacks and foods ready to grab and eat when you can. Purchase items that are easy to eat while multitasking, require little or no prep, and are easy to clean up. For example, pretzels, granola bars, snack crackers, string cheese, nuts and dried fruit like raisins are all great snacks.
What Not to Stockpile Before Baby Comes
We went over all the things to stockpile before baby comes, but there are specific things you should not stock up on at this point. This is because certain items will depend on the baby’s size, health, gender, temperament, and sleep habits. Furthermore it will depend on your postpartum experience, how you are healing, and what kind of birth you had.
Then there are certain things you just don’t know what you and the baby will actually use until the time comes. For example, do not stock up on newborn clothes because your baby could come out weighing 9 lbs and then they would not fit. Besides, it is better to have a baby in clothes too big than too small.
Unfortunately, there will be baby items that you bought or registered for that you liked that you will rarely use. Each baby and motherhood experience is different and that is ok. For this reason check out Best Baby Items to Buy Used or Barrow, so you don’t waste tons of money on items you don’t use.
Then, there are many things that society or your friends and family tell you that you need when having a baby that aren’t necessarily true. In the end, go with your gut and keep your receipts. For more on baby things you really don’t need and what not to register for click here.
Final Thoughts on What to Stockpile Before Baby Comes
The goal of stockpiling before the baby comes is to make your life easier and to avoid extra hassle when you have a newborn. Having a newborn is stressful enough, you shouldn’t need to worry about running out of toilet paper and running to the store with a new baby. Be sure to add stockpiling before baby comes to your to do list and save some sanity when your baby arrives. For more on how to prepare for a baby, check out my ultimate baby planning guide – 30 things to do to prepare for a baby here and grab your free printable checklist below.
Let me know what you think of the list in the comments below. Is there anything you would swap in or out on the list?
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- What Clothes Does a New Baby Actually Need
- 30 Things to Do to Prepare For a Baby
- What Paperwork to Prepare and Expect When Giving Birth
- 10 Things to Know to Prepare Yourself For Life With a Baby
- 15 Items to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
- How to Prepare Your Home For a Baby
- 25 Baby Things You Don’t Need – What Not to Register For
- 20 Best Baby Items to Buy Used or Borrow
- 12 Household Items to Use as Baby Toys
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