Stockpiling for the basic necessities (especially your baby stockpile) is the most practical and sensible way to help you feel at ease while waiting for the coming of your new baby.
Come to think of it, you won’t have time to be doing some last-minute shopping when you come home from the hospital as you will be reserving all your waking hours focusing on your newborn baby.
“Making the decision to have a child—it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.”
~ Elizabeth Stone
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When Should you Start your Baby Stockpile
Some first-time moms prefer to stock up as soon as they know they are pregnant. Some start after the first trimester. Others wait until the nesting stage (which is around the third trimester).
Practicality-wise, I suggest that you start stocking up as soon as possible. You can do this by using available coupons you find online or from coupon books to save money especially on diapers and wipes.
[Check out Amazon Coupons here as well.]
Personally, I didn’t start until the third trimester.
The Most Important Items for your Household and Baby Stockpile Needs
A lot will say that a newborn will only need so much. I say — get everything you need! Your next baby can always enjoy the hand-me-downs. If not, donating the extras will be great too!
Baby things to stock up on before baby arrives
Here are the most essential baby items to stash away in preparation for your little VIP’s arrival:
Diapers
You certainly have a choice between cloth or disposable diapers. While both have their pros and cons, it is really all up to you if you choose one over the other.
If you plan to go the cloth diaper route, here’s my favorite. Do you like to do the laundry everyday? Then a dozen of these cloth diapers will do.
Just add another dozen for every day you don’t plan on washing.
If you prefer convenience over cost, disposable ones like these are always available.
The brand of disposable diaper to purchase is dependent on your little one’s size and skin sensitivities. Don’t stockpile too much until you get to know which ones will work for your baby.
My little ones have tried different brands of diaper and I should say, these diapers right here are by far the best among the rest.
They run a little big, but it is not a dealbreaker for me. My kids were both in the bigger side as newborns.
Create an Amazon Baby Registry. There’s literally millions of baby products to choose from and you can even enjoy a welcome box if you make one with them. Find out more about the perks here.
Baby Wipes
Unlike diapers, you can stock up on baby wipes as much as you can afford. Just to be on the safer side though, buy the unscented ones. They are made for babies with sensitive skin. (Here’s my favorite right here.)
Diaper rash cream
My babies and I have used different kinds of cream. I suggest you do the same until you figure out what works for your baby.
We have tried the Desitin diaper rash cream, Boudreaux’s Diaper Paste, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, the Forever Living Aloe Propolis Creme and a couple more.
Though I find all of them effective, my little girl screams every time I use Desitin on her. On the other hand, it worked like magic on my little boy.
Boudreaux’s diaper paste has a stronger scent to it that irritates my nose, but a lot of my friends love it!
Forever Living Aloe Propolis is not as fast healing as the other three. However, I will take it any day as it is the most compatible to my little girl’s skin sensitivity.
The house favorite is this cream right here. It is a fragrance-free, multi-purpose ointment so I really LOVE it. In addition, it can be used for a lot of your baby’s skin needs like chapped cheeks, minor scrapes, scratches and many more.
Baby Toiletries
- shampoo
- body wash
- lotion
- baby oil
Know your baby’s skin sensitivities first before stocking up too much of these.
I am a die-hard Aveeno fan, but that is because it works great for my kids. We love this Aveeno calming comfort wash the best!
Related baby article: Baby Bath Time [Essentials and Step-by-step Guide]
Breastmilk storage bags (if you plan to pump)
No matter how you despise the thought of it, you can’t avoid being away from your little newborn baby even for just a little while.
A newborn baby nurses every 2-3 hours. If you are away from her in that span of time, you will have full breasts due to breastmilk production and it is advisable to pump it out to avoid engorgement.
For that, you will need lots of breastmilk storage bags.
[I highly encourage you to invest in this simple step-by-step program that covers everything you need to know about Breastfeeding in 13 easy-to-watch video series here. Stacey (a certified lactation educator) will teach you the most effective positions to breastfeed and the smartest ways to produce more milk. Arm yourself with enough knowledge to be confident enough about breastfeeding. Sign up now!]
Formula (if you don’t plan to breastfeed)
Talk to your baby’s pediatrician if you plan to use baby formula. When I was pregnant with my babies, I got freebies of the ready-to-feed ones from my obstetrician and I used them all to supplement when I thought I didn’t have enough milk.
Thank God my kids were not allergic to it!
Baby Bottles
If you don’t plan to breastfeed, don’t forget to prepare some baby feeding bottles.
I believe that 6-8 of the 4-oz bottles will suffice for the first 3 months.
I recommend the following baby bottles:
Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
This baby bottle is designed to closely mimic the breast so bottle rejection is unlikely to happen.
It has dual anti-colic vents that prevent unwanted air and reduce colic.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle
This baby bottle, like the aforementioned, is also anti-colic.
In addition, it is BPA-free and phthalate-free.
This used to be my kids’ baby bottle when they started going to daycare.
Do you want to provide breastmilk for your baby but think you can’t handle the demands of breastfeeding? Stacey at Milkology offers the first EVER online class serving the exclusive pumpers (or the exclusive-pumping-wanna-be)! Check out her easy-to-learn program that covers everything about exclusive pumping here.
Baby Safety and Grooming Kit
- Nail clippers
- Blunt scissors
- Baby hair brush or comb
- Cotton balls
- Gum brush
- Thermometer
- Medicine dispenser
- Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
- Saline nasal drops (drug-free)
- Baby gas spray and drops (natural and alcohol-free))
- Infant Acetaminophen (consult your doctor before giving to babies under 3 months old)
Be sure to assemble an excellent baby care basket for your little one that will take care of the expected or the unexpected incidents. It is better safe than sorry.
Non-baby items to stock up on before baby
Maxi pads
Postpartum bleeding is heaviest up to 10 days after childbirth. Use a reliable maxi pad that will take care of it.
This maxi pad right here was a lifesaver for me. It is designed for the night protection, so you will rest assured that you won’t have much leaks and stains.
Nipple cream and pads
Breastfeeding? I tell you, you will experience sore nipples and you will be leaking everyday.
Ready yourself for those days. Purchase nipple cream and nursing pads in advance.
Pain relievers
Be sure to talk to your obstetrician about pain management. He or she will prescribe the pain killer that will work best for you.
High tolerance for pain or not, you might need a good stash of some for emergency purposes.
Food storage containers or bags
Food will be one of the most common things you will get when you get home.
Be prepared to accept lots of food from family and friends. Store leftovers the right way with these glass food storage containers.
You might want to stash the right amount of food storage bags like these too. You won’t regret it!
Boxed and Canned Food
The quickest and easiest meals to prepare come in boxes and cans.
Woke up at 5 AM to breastfeed your little one and suddenly felt hungry? Open that box of cereal and enjoy a quick breakfast!
Dead-tired because of those sleepless nights and doesn’t have the energy to prepare a meal for the rest of the family? Healthy boxed and canned food are available to purchase everywhere now!
Consider online shopping and shop your everyday food from Amazon. Sign up to Amazon Prime here and enjoy free delivery within 2 days! You can cancel anytime if it doesn’t work for you.
Frozen Meals
Invest a little time and effort to cook a good meal that you can freeze so it will last you a few weeks.
The best meals are always homemade. So freeze meat balls and cook up the easiest spaghetti to go with it. Read up on good recipes that are safe to freeze and make them yourself.
You will also find this cookbook bundle a blessing! Discover incredibly easy delicious meals on here!
The Meal Planning Bundle ( Free Printable PDF)
If you don’t have that much of a passion to cook, frozen meals in a bag are available too. PF Chang’s frozen meals in a bag are my absolute favorite!
Snacks and Drinks
Stash lots of snacks to munch on. Something like granola bars, trail mix with nuts, dried fruits, cookies, crackers and anything you can think of that will help with lactation.
Paper plates, plastic cups, and utensils
You won’t have enough time to be doing the dishes in the first few weeks with your newborn, so consider stocking up on disposable plates and utensils.
Shampoo and Conditioner (Dry and Wet)
It would be hypocrisy if I told you that I religiously took showers when my kids were very little.
Still I would recommend that you at least try. Take that much needed showers using your favorite brand of shampoo and conditioner.
If in any case it is inevitable, use a dry shampoo to help eradicate the greasiness from the hair and feel a little refreshed despite of exhaustion.
Make self-care a habit. As Lalah Delia once said, “Self-care is how you take your power back.”
Bath Soap
You need some bath soap as well. Store a handful of your most favorite brand and never worry about running out.
Related article on what to prepare before baby: Hospital Bag Must-Haves [Plus a Practical Checklist]
Toothpaste
Buy a few packs of toothpaste to stash away as well. Brushing your teeth is another form of self-care and you know that too.
Hand soap and sanitizer
Antibacterial hand soaps and sanitizers are important to keep your hands clean at all times.
Yes, your newborn baby sometimes needs to be exposed to a little germs so he can build immunity to it. However, don’t fall for that excuse every time.
Our babies need a clean environment no matter what.
Toilet Paper
If you find cleaning your butt with soap and water a little tedious, stock up on good quality toilet paper.
This ultra plush toilet paper is the best in overall performance. Our family has been using this for 8 years now.
Paper Towels
Life with a newborn is messy. So these paper towels will come in handy. After disinfecting your changing tables or kitchen sink, wipe them with paper towels to dry.
Tissue paper
Keep a few boxes of tissue paper for back up just in case you run out of burp cloths.
You can use these on occasional baby snots too.
Laundry detergents
Think freshening yet gentle for laundry detergents. Your little baby is so delicate you don’t want to expose him to harsh chemicals.
Dish soap
There are a lot of dishwashing liquids you can choose from, but I suggest you get something that is not harsh and cruelty-free like this dish soap right here.
Disinfectant wipes
Accidental pee, poo, and spit-ups on the floor are inevitable. Be ready at all times!
Trash bags
Taking care of a newborn can insanely accumulate a fair amount of trash. Diapers ring a bell? Ha!
Batteries
You will never know when that battery-operated baby monitor or noise machine acts up. That being said, keep those batteries in reserve.
Coupons
Now stay with me here! You’re probably thinking that I am a weirdo for even suggesting that coupons are necessities.
However, hear me… Your household and baby items CAN ADD UP!
Every little thing can help, even if it means scouring for coupons.
If you are lucky, you might be living in an area that publish free local newspapers with freestanding inserts! Save those inserts as most of them are coupons you can use.
If not, Sunday newspaper subscriptions are available. The dollar stores also sell newspapers for cheap.
Paying for your newspaper not tickling your fancy? Try asking your family and friends for help with your baby stockpile by telling them to save their newspaper coupon inserts. Most people don’t want those anyway.
Better yet, visit coupon sites and find numerous printable coupons for free!
Related article: 13 Items Not to Put on your Baby Registry [No Regrets]
Options to Consider when Stockpiling for Baby and Non-baby Essentials
There will always be apprehensions, of course!
First, you might be worried about not buying enough necessities. Second, you might be anxious about stocking up too much of the wrong thing. Finally, you probably are living in a smaller house.
Although this may be true for some of us, there really isn’t anything to be apprehensive about as there are numerous delivery services that offer free shipping out there.
Consider the ease of such services with Amazon, Target or maybe Boxed.
Stock up with Amazon
Save up to 15% off through Amazon’s Subscribe and Save Shop.
Stock up with Target
Another option is to check out Target Subscriptions. You can subscribe to it and save 5% off every order. Get it shipped free on your schedule as well.
You are free to skip a delivery or change the frequency and quantity of your orders as long you do it within 10 days.
Plus if you subscribe using Target’s REDcard, you can save up to 15% when you shop for baby essentials. You can also enjoy a lot of perks and extras with the REDcard.
Related article about baby: Sweet Bedtime Stories for Babies [15 of our Favorites]
Conclusion on Non-baby and Baby Stockpile
We will do everything humanly possible to prepare for our baby’s arrival. However, as we are only human, we tend to forget.
This list of non-baby and baby essentials to stock up on will help you get a head start.
Start your baby stockpile as early as now, Mama! You got this!
Talk to you soon,
Do you have other things on your Baby Stockpile list?
Did I miss something? Write it down in the comments and let me know. Don’t forget to share with your friends!
This list hits spot on! My last baby just turned two and I stockpiled while we were still expecting him!
Trista Hughes- Intentional Motherhood
https://www.tristahughes.com/intentional-motherhood-and-simplicity/
Hi Trista! I made sure to only recommend a baby stockpile that is not only practical but also all-inclusive. I’m glad you agree to it! Thank you!