This post may contain affiliate links that I may receive a commission from if you click & buy. In addition, the information on this site is NOT intended to be medical advice. See my full policy for more information.

Share this post with all your friends!

The first 3 months with your newborn are beautiful, emotional, and let’s be real, completely exhausting. You’re learning how to care for this brand-new little human while running on little sleep and probably a whole lot of coffee. So if you’re wondering what baby really needs during the first 3 months, you’re in the right place.

This baby essentials list is designed to help you feel more confident (and less overwhelmed!) as you prepare. As a mother who went through this phase twice, I like to think I have some helpful wisdom to share.

Whether you’re a first-time mom or just looking to simplify things this time around, these newborn necessities will make a big difference, without overloading your baby registry or your living room.

Let’s dive into the baby essentials for the first 3 months that will actually be helpful so you and your baby thrive.

This post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a commission if you click or make a purchase. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See my full policy for more information.

Newborn Baby Essentials for the First 3 Months

There are endless baby products out there, and many articles like one loaded with the latest (and often expensive) baby gear… but you don’t need all the fancy stuff. You need the essential items that support sleep, feeding, diapering, and your baby’s basic needs.

Below is a realistic list of what’s truly necessary.

1. Newborn Baby Class (Seriously, take one!)

One of the most underrated newborn necessities? A solid understanding of baby basics. Learning how to soothe, feed, and care for your newborn can make a huge difference in those early weeks. Especially when you’re sleep deprived

We love recommending online newborn classes (like Tinyhood’s Baby’s First Year and Beyond – an online collection of classes created by leading certified experts!) that you can take from your couch. No more awkward hospital chairs—just snacks, sweats, and confidence-boosting info for moms and parents to be.

If online classes aren’t your thing, try calling your local hospital maternity ward and see if they’ll be hosting any local classes before your due date. 

Some experts have even created digital guidebooks, like the one below, created by a Labor & Delivery Nurse! Point being, there are many resources out there to ease the transition into parenthood, and I want you to know about them.

2. Essential Baby Clothing for the First 3 Months

If you’re wondering what baby clothes do I need for the first 3 months, here’s a realistic breakdown of what you’ll need:

• Short- and long-sleeved bodysuits 
• Zip-up footed pajamas (Finn & Emma make soft, organic ones we love! Plus, the zipper makes diaper changes such a breeze)
• Swaddle blankets and/or Velcro swaddles (Get one of each, find out what you and baby prefer, and then stock up on that style – I loved the Love To Dream and EmbeBaby swaddles most)
• A few pairs of baby mittens or fold-over sleeve onesies (I wasn’t a fan of mittens as they’d always fall off, but some babies do great with them, especially if they keep scratching up their little face)
• Baby booties or socks if needed, based on the weather & season you’re in.

Mom of 2 Pro Tip: Skip the fancy outfits for now. Your baby will mostly live in pajamas or onesies—and that’s perfectly okay. You’d be surprised how quickly they grow week by week as well.

3. Infant Car Seat (Non-negotiable!)

Before leaving the hospital, you’ll need a properly installed infant car seat. We recommend the Chicco Keyfit 30, known for its high safety ratings and ease of use.

Want to explore more about what makes a car seat safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics has an up-to-date guide that’s worth reading. 

Another excellent resource is Safe In The Seat. The page is run by a mother of two, Michelle, who is also a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Expert.

4. A Safe Place for Baby to Sleep

Whether you choose a bassinet, crib, or bedside sleeper, your baby needs a flat, firm, and clutter-free sleep surface.

This is something I spent so much time researching as a new mom because I had heard so many terrifying stories about SIDS. I looked into everything from mattresses, crib bumpers (which are a big no-no by the way), and more.

So here’s my favorite picks for where the baby will sleep:

• KoolaBaby Bedside Sleeper – Amazing for C-section recovery or night feedings while providing a firm, breathable sleep surface.
• Chicco Lullago – Basic, Affordable, Lightweight, and great for travel.
• Baby Delight Snuggle Nest – A safer option if you plan to bed-share.

And yes, your baby can absolutely sleep in your room, which the AAP actually recommends for at least the first 6-12 months for safer sleep.

5. Baby Feeding Essentials

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing both, here’s what you might need:

• Breast pump (you can often get one through insurance!). My top pick would be the Spectra S1 Breast Pump, or for a hands-free pump, the Momcozy V1 or V2 Hospital Grade Pump. You can use code MomAfterBaby to save 15% off at Momcozy).
• Nursing bras and pads
• Burp cloths (trust me, you’ll need a few good ones)
• Baby formula + feeding bottles (if formula feeding). We’re big fans of Lansinoh Bottles & Dr. Brown Baby Bottles. 
• Bottle brush and drying rack (it made life so much easier having a designated place to keep all of my little one’s feeding supplies in one place after cleaning and disinfecting them).

Need more support with formula & bottle feeding? Bobbie has a wealth of information from experts to help parents feel confident in their formula feeding journey.

6. Baby Carrier or Wrap

Having a baby wrap or sling saved me with my second. He needed to be held all the time. While I loved his snuggles, it wasn’t always the easiest to juggle while chasing my other little one around and juggling his therapy appointments. My go-to wraps and slings that made it manageable?

• Nalakai Ring Sling – Lightweight, beautiful, and at an affordable price
• Wildbird Ring Sling — Breathable fabric that comes in gorgeous colors and patterns
• LILLEbaby Carrier – Supportive, versatile, and perfect for long-term use

Carriers are great for so many reasons in the newborn stage. For instance, they help with bonding, allow for hands-free parenting, and can even help calm your fussy baby sometimes. 

7. Newborn Baby Care Kit

You don’t need anything fancy, but a baby care kit should include:

• Soft brush (this is helpful for managing cradle cap)
• Nail clippers or a small baby nail file
• Nasal aspirator
• Thermometer
• Baby-safe diaper rash cream (look for zinc oxide or lanolin-based options if it’s not included in your care kit)

8. Diapering Must-Haves

Alright, moms, I know you’re dying to know if you should stock up on diapers or not. Yes, you’ll go through a lot of diaper changes in those first few months. Personally, I don’t think you need to overstock the small sizes because your baby will outgrow them quickly.

What we did was whenever we’d have extra diapers of any size, I’d take them back to the store to exchange them (as long as the box was unopened).

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Diapers (you can decide whether you want to go organic or traditional disposable diapers, or cloth diapers)
• Baby wipes (an unscented sensitive skin formula if needed)
• Diaper rash cream
• Changing table or changing pad
• Diaper caddy to keep all of your baby’s diapering needs close by, especially overnight.
• Optional, but highly recommended: Diaper pail – we love ours and found it to be super helpful for containing odors from pee & poop filled diapers.

9. Diaper Bag (That Doesn’t Look Like One)

You’ll take this everywhere. I personally love the KeaBabies diaper backpack — it’s roomy, affordable, stylish, and has lots of compartments. It’s also VERY affordable compared to many other ones out there.

10. Sound Machine for Baby Sleep

White noise can soothe your baby by mimicking the womb. It also helps drown out noisy siblings, pets, doorbells, or any other chaos that could be going on in your home while your baby is trying to sleep or rest.

The Hatch Baby Rest is our all-time favorite. Why? There are a few reasons:

• You can control it from your phone
• Use it as a nightlight
• Create a schedule that will automatically turn on during nap and sleep times
• Adjust sounds or timers as your baby grows through toddlerhood and beyond
• Travel-friendly

Most importantly, this is a product you’ll buy once, and get to use for MANY years ahead. I say this as a mom who has used her Hatch Rest for the last 6.5 years! Check out this video where I talk about my experience using the Hatch for more details.

11. Stroller or Travel System

If you haven’t picked out your stroller yet, I highly encourage you to get a stroller + car seat combo. These can get pretty bulky, so you’ll want to be sure you choose a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver stroller system.
I used the Chicco Bravo LE Quickfold and loved how easy it was to fold, store, and take anywhere. The best part was the car seat being able to easily click in and out of the system so that I didn’t have to unstrap my son every single time we got in and out of the car.

What Baby Needs First 3 Months: Quick Checklist

Here’s your baby shopping list for the first 3 months—no fluff or influencer-based products, just the essentials from one mom to another:

• Safe infant car seat (stroller travel system highly recommended)
• Safe sleep space
• Diapers + wipes
• Diaper bag + diaper caddy
• Zip-up sleepers, bodysuits
• Swaddles
• Bottles + feeding supplies (if bottle feeding)
• Sound machine
• Baby wrap or carrier
• Small baby bath
• Basic baby health/grooming kit

Common Newborn Questions Answered

What baby clothes do I need for the first 3 months?

I know you may expect a long list for this one, but we’re sticking with simple here. Stick to zip-up pajamas, bodysuits, a few mittens, swaddles, and maybe booties if it’s cold. Don’t overspend, my friend, babies grow so stinking fast.

What do babies need at 3 months?

By 3 months of age, babies are starting to enjoy tummy time more and engaging with toys. Some helpful items to consider would be:

• Tummy time mats
• Black-and-white or high-contrast toys (Lovevery makes GREAT box sets with everything you’ll need)
• Soft rattles

When should you start buying baby essentials?

Most moms start buying small essentials around the time they’re 20–30 weeks along in their pregnancy. But there’s no pressure. If you’re overwhelmed, focus first on the non-negotiables, like a car seat, safe sleep supplies, feeding supplies, and diapers. The rest you can add to your baby registry list and snag whatever hasn’t been purchased after.

What baby things can wait?

Here’s what you don’t need right away:

• High chair
• Shoes
• Tons of baby clothes
• Fancy gadgets
• Baby food gear (save that for 6 months+)

Final Thoughts on What Baby Needs: Keep It Simple, Mama 

The truth? Your baby doesn’t need 100 things. They need you—your love, your care, your presence. Everything else is just there to make your life a little easier. So if you’re staring at your registry wondering, “Do I really need this?”—you probably don’t.

Focus on these baby essentials for the first 3 months, give yourself grace, and remember: you’re doing a great job already.

Share this post with all your friends!