First Timer Baby Supplies

[ Baby Home ]

As experienced parents we now know what supplies you really do need and those you can do without as a first time parent. (I've left the 'have' column in case someone wants to repurpose this page as their own registry, just save the file from your browser, open it in a text file and alter as desired.)

Clothing
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
12 0 bodysuits One-piece bodysuits with short sleeves, variety of sizes. Newborn poop leaks out of diapers pretty easy, especially when not fitted on perfectly. You will need to change onesies several times a day because of diaper leaks, spitups, drool, milk spurts, etc.
6 0 pants Pants and leggings
6 0 socks/booties Don't get too many at first, you never know what your baby's foot size will be when they come out. Newborn socks were too small for our daughter, she started out in 6-12 month old socks.
3 0 caps/bonnets Beware of size issues with hats as well as socks.
2 0 fleece or knit jacket With snap front. Get more if you birth in autumn or winter.
Diaper Changing (very important catagory!)
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
Lots 0 Disposable Diapers Small "Tushies" or "Tendercare" brand disposable diapers
Best prices are from Amazon.com and Tiny Tots Togs. So far these are the only gel-free disposable diapers I've been able to find. Get lots and lots and lots, all sizes. Even if you intend on going the cloth diaper route, disposables are useful when running errands and for overnight.
20 0 Cloth Diapers Small "Fuzzi Bunz" brand Lites all-in-one cloth diapers
http://www.naturalmothercompany.com/ or http://www.diapersafari.com/
In my opinion, Fuzzi Bunz are the best cloth diapers.
12 0 Cloth Diapers Medium "Fuzzi Bunz" brand Lites all-in-one cloth diapers
http://www.naturalmothercompany.com/ or http://www.diapersafari.com/
The medium size fits for a shorter amount of time than the other sizes. Get fewer.
30 0 Cloth Diapers Large "Fuzzi Bunz" brand Lites all-in-one cloth diapers
http://www.naturalmothercompany.com/ or http://www.diapersafari.com/
You'll need more larges than any other size as they span the longest age range.
6 0 Cloth Diapers Chinese Prefold Diapers, Regular size
http://www.diapersafari.com/
The Fuzzi Bunz worked so well we ended up not using these. The few times I did try I wasn't happy with the usability. But a few are useful to have as burp & milk cloths.
50 0 Reusable diaper inserts "Kooshies/Kushies" brand washable diaper liners
Tiny Tots Togs / http://www.diapersafari.com/
Essential if you are using Fuzzi Bunz!
1 0 Diaper Cream "Weleda" brand calendula baby cream
Whole Foods / Trader Joe's / http://www.diapersafari.com/
1 0 Baby Lotion Unscented baby lotion
Whole Foods
3 0 BacOut Stain & Odor Eliminator http://www.diapersafari.com/
Very valuable, get lots in large quantities.
2 0 Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Powder Whole Foods / http://www.diapersafari.com/
1 0 Oxygen Bleach I found that regular oxygen bleach works as well as the expensive kind from the health food stores.
36 0 Wash Cloths white cotton terrycloth or unbleached hemp washcloths
Tiny Tots Togs / Babies R Us / Toys R Us / Baby Super
1 0 Disposable Wipes "Tushies" brand premoistened disposable wipes
Tiny Tots Togs / Whole Foods
2 0 Diaper Pail "Diaper Champ" brand diaper pail.
Why two? One for cloth, one for disposables.
Babies R Us
1 0 Diaper Changing Pad "Simmons" brand Contour Changing Pad
Babies R Us / Kiddie World
2 0 Diaper Changing Pad Covers "Simmons" brand Contour Changing Pad Terrycloth Covers in Liliac
Babies R Us / Kiddie World
Getting Around
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
1 0 Stroller "Graco" brand MetroLite/UltraLite Travel System aluminum stroller/carseat/carrier (Green Glen Plaid)
Babies R Us
1 0 Sling "Simply Attached" brand sling
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/baby-belle-bottoms/fubusiatsl.html
1 0 Diaper Bag "Graco" brand Emma diaper bag
Good for starting out, but after a while you'll need a bigger one.
2 0 Car Sun Shade 1 for back window & 1 for side window
Sleeping
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
12 0 Blankets /
Receiving Blankets
(see Babies R Us registry)
1 0 Developmental Mobile Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super / Kiddie World
Bathing
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
6 0 Hooded Bath Towels Hooded terrycloth towels
Babies R Us
3 0 Baby Shampoo / Bodywash "California Baby" brand super sensitive shampoo & body wash
Whole Foods
1 0 Baby Bubble Bath "California Baby" brand aromatherapy bubble bath
Whole Foods
1 0 Baby Oil "Weleda" brand calendula baby oil
Whole Foods
Baby Proofing
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
Lots 0 Outlet Plugs outlet plugs for two-prong outlets
Babies R Us
24 0 Cabinet Latches things that keep the cabinet doors closed
2 0 Hands-Free Safety Gate "First Years" brand
Babies R Us / Toys R Us
Great for blocking off the kitchen and other unsafe rooms that you still need constant access to.
1 0 Swing And Lock Gate "Safety 1st" brand
Babies R Us / Toys R Us
Spring mounted and can be moved and used in various places.
Feeding
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
Misc
Need Have Item Description/Notes/Where To Purchase
1 0 Baby Memories Book "Baby's Record Keeper and Memory Box" by Peter Pauper Press
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 0 The Breastfeeding Book by Martha Sears R.N., William Sears M.D.
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super / Barnes & Noble
1 1 Postnatal Mom & Baby Yoga Video Whole Foods
1 1 Scoop Bib "Baby Bjorn" brand rubber scoop bib
Babies R Us / Baby Depot
1 1 Breastfeeding Pillow "Bobby" brand cresent pillow
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
2 1 Breastfeeding Pillow Cover "Bobby" brand Blue Luxe Slipcover
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
Some 3 Developmental Toys "Lamaze" & "Sassy" brand developmental toys
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super / Kiddie World / Tiny Tots Togs
1 1 Baby Themometer Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super / Kiddie World
1 1 Baby Nail Clippers Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super / Kiddie World

Local Baby Supply Stores

Babies R Us
865 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose

Baby Super
1523 Parkmoor Avenue, San Jose

Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory
Westgate Mall, Saratoga

Kiddie World
North San Tomas Aquino Road, Campbell

Tiny Tots Togs
Railway Street, Downtown Campbell

Things We Found We Did Not Need

0 0 nightgowns/saques One-piece nightgowns with elastic or drawstring bottoms. Our daughter hated wearing these, she couldn't stand to have her legs confined, so we didn't use these. Well, actually, we did, I just cut off the elastic bottoms and made them into nightgowns.
0 0 kimono undershirt I found the kimono style shirts to be a hassle to put on and they kept ridding up. Onesies are better for newborns.
0 0 Flushable diaper insert packages Never really ended up using these. Not exactly sure what they're for, I suppose you put them in the diaper so the poop doesn't completely soil the cloth diaper. But isn't alot of the point of using cloth that the baby has cloth against their skin instead of paper? Whatever. Don't need it.
0 0 Disposable Diapers I no longer recommend these as I found out that they use the toxic super absorbant gel in them. "Nature Boy & Girl" brand disposable diapers from Norsea Natural Products (http://www.norseanatural.com/)
Purchase from: http://drugstore.com
0 0 Cloth Diapers Small "Bumkins" brand all-in-one cloth diapers
http://www.diapersafari.com/
I experienced alot of problems with leaks with these. They may fit a chubbie body type better since the leg holes are pretty big. On skinny kids they don't fit very well.
0 0 Diaper Covers "Polar Babies" brand "Happy Pants" diaper covers
The Fuzzi Bunz worked so well we ended up not using these. The few times I did try I wasn't happy with the usability.
http://www.diapersafari.com/
0 0 Diaper Fasteners "Snappi" brand diaper fasteners
The Fuzzi Bunz worked so well we ended up not using these. The few times I did try I wasn't happy with the usability.
http://www.diapersafari.com/
1 1 Co-Sleeper Crib Arms Reach brand Mini Co-sleeper
http://www.armsreach.com/
Baby Super
Great concept, but if you end up doing the family bed thing you won't need it.
1 0 Crib Cover "Cozy" brand crib tent
Babies R Us / Baby Depot
No crib, then no tent needed.
1 1 Baby Monitor "Graco" brand Family Listen 'n Talk Monitor
(or any other baby monitor with two hand units and walkie talkie feature)
Babies R Us / Baby Super / Baby Depot
This baby monitor sucks. They all suck. Get a video monitor instead.
4 2 Bedding "Arms Reach" brand fitted mini co-sleeper bassinet sheet, unbleached or white
No crib, then no bedding needed.
1 0 Safety Pillow "Basic Comfort" brand Head-N-Back Sleep Pillow
Babies R Us / Baby Depot
Not really necessary, newborns often can't roll over anyway, and if you sleep together, you'll wake up if the baby moves around.
1 1 Baby Tub "Safety 1st" brand Comfy Bath Center (with drain & thermometer)
Babies R Us
1 1 Outlet Plugs "Safety 1st" brand deluxe press fit outlet plugs for three-prong outlets
Babies R Us
1 1 Breastpump Kit "Advent" brand "On the Go Kit"
Includes: ISIS pump, carrying case, 2 4oz bottles, 2 9oz bottles, 2 newborn nipples, 2 storage caps, 2 dome caps, 2 cool packs, 8 disposable breast pads
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
Hand pumps suck. Get or borrow a quality electric on instead.
1 1 Express Bottle Warmer "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 1 Microwave Steam Sterilizer "Advent" brand
Includes: steam sterilizer, 2 9oz bottles
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 0 4oz Feeding Bottles (3pk) "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 1 4oz Breastmilk Containers (4pk) "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 1 Newborn Nipples (2pk) "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 1 Slow Flow Nipples (2pk) "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super
1 1 Bottle Brush "Advent" brand
Babies R Us / Baby Depot / Baby Super