Everything you need with a baby on the way: the complete checklist

A good checklist is not only focussed on baby stuff, but also takes your needs into account. We’ve thought of that too! You can download the full checklist below, but we also wrote down the most important things for you to think about.

For yourself

During and after birth there are some medical supplies you need to stock up on. For example an umbilical clamp, bandages and special underwear for right after birth. There are ready made maternity packages that have all the essentials. You can either buy them (at the bigger baby shops) or you get it for free with your insurance company (this is country and insurance specific, so always check if this option applies to you). Check if it contains everything you need and add some extra stuff if necessary.

You might also need some additional medical aid for your home. It might be advised to get a stool for the shower or to put your bed on spools to make your first days postpartum easier. Ask your aftercare provider about it and also where to get it!

Hospital birth

Want (or have) to give birth in the hospital? Make sure your bag is ready to go! What you need to pack is specific to your needs, but there are some basic essentials. Make sure to pack comfortable clothes, not only for during labour and delivery, but also for after. And don’t forget your toiletries, with all your favourite Naïf products of course  ;). Phone, camera and all of the chargers might come in handy, but also take something to do, like a nice book, and make sure you pack some snacks. Trust us!

Your baby also has some needs after birth. Pack some cute outfits (in multiple sizes!), a jacket and a blanket.

Home birth

First tip: make sure you also have a bag ready when you wish to have a home birth, just in case you need to go to the hospital after all. You also need some additional things when you wish to birth at home. Something to protect your mattress, a bucket and emergency light (flash light) are important, can you imagine if there’s a power outage? Want to give birth in a bath? Usually it’s not possible to use the one in your bathroom, so you might need to rent one specifically made for giving birth. You can ask your care provider for help!

For the baby

Clothing

Alright, your little one is here, congratulations! After all the medical necessities it’s much more fun to shop for a baby. But where to start? Well, your mini me needs clothes. You can find the amount in the checklist, but in general you should get some onesies and some nice sets (keep in mind what the weather will be like when you’re due) and most importantly: hats! Babies can’t regulate their temperature very well in the beginning, so a hat will keep them warm and cozy.

Tip: Buy clothes in different sizes! You never know what size your baby will be at birth, so be prepared. Size 44 is very small and often not necessary but it might be nice to at least have a onesie ready, you can always buy more if needed! But make sure you have enough clothes in size 50 and 56, chances are you need these a lot!

Care products

What’s better than bonding with your newborn through a nice care routine. What you need? A changing table with some care products! You can find inspiration on how to decorate your nursery/changing area right here. Go for soap free products that are mild for the sensitive baby skin. Like Naïf bath or baby oil. Which products do you need (and don’t need!) for your baby? We got you! Also make sure you have enough (hydrophilic) cloths, you can use them for eeeverything!

Sleep

The first months your little bundle will sleep a lot (unfortunately not always when you want to sleep). Make sure you create a nice space for them. You can get a crib or co-sleeper and decorate it with sheets that fit your style.

Food

And last, but not least. Your baby needs to eat to be able to grow. Are you planning on breastfeeding, make it easier by getting a special nursing bra and comfortable clothes. Maybe you also want to pump, so you will need to get one. Not sure about it yet? You can often rent a breast pump, this way you can try it before you buy it. Immediately want to start with formula? You need bottles (at least 2), something to clean them with and of course the formula! Which formula you need is very specific to your and your baby's needs, so you can always ask a professional for advice. Know that the rules on formula for newborns are very strict (at least in Europe) and the quality is high no matter the brand!

Collecting everything for baby’s arrival can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s also super fun! We hope this checklist will make it a bit easier for you, so you can also enjoy shopping. To make sure that you really have everything ready before birth we advise you to ask your care provider if something's missing.

Note: rules and regulations might be different in your country, so always check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re good to go.