Newborn Care Toolkit
The baby registry can make it seem like you need a hundred products. You don't. Preparing your home for a newborn is mostly about a handful of safety-critical items, a few practical setups and a plan for the first two weeks. This guide is the dad's list: what to buy, what to build, what to skip and what to get done before the due date.
Focus first on things the baby needs to be safe, fed, clean and warm. Everything else can wait or be bought later.
A rear-facing infant car seat, a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
If bottle feeding: bottles, nipples, a way to clean them and formula recommended by your pediatrician. If breastfeeding: burp cloths and a comfortable chair.
Newborn diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a few washcloths and a baby bathtub or sink insert.
Several sleepers and onesies, wearable blankets or swaddles, socks and a hat.
This is the most important setup job you'll do. The NIH Safe to Sleep campaign recommends babies sleep alone, on their back, in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface and nothing else in it: no pillows, bumpers, blankets or stuffed animals. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for at least the first several months.
If you're building the crib yourself, follow the instructions exactly, check for recalls at cpsc.gov and make sure there are no gaps between the mattress and frame. The nursery furniture guide covers what to look for.
You won't be allowed to drive the baby home from most hospitals without a car seat. Install it a few weeks before the due date, then have it checked by a certified technician. Use nhtsa.gov/carseat to find an inspection station near you. Many are free.
Practice buckling a doll or stuffed animal so you're not figuring out the straps in the hospital parking lot. Read the car seats and boosters guide for more.
Newborns don't move much, so full baby-proofing can wait until around 4 to 6 months when they start rolling and scooting. A few things are worth doing now: anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall, set your water heater to a safe temperature, and make sure there are no cords hanging near where the baby will sleep.
Save the big gear decisions for later. You don't need a high chair, activity center or large toys yet. For ideas on what's worth buying, see baby and toddler essentials.
Hand-me-downs can save a lot, but some items are safer new. Check any used crib against current safety standards and recall lists at cpsc.gov, and avoid used car seats unless you know their full history.
Preparing your home is half the work. Preparing yourself is the other half. Talk with your partner about how you'll split nights, who handles what, and how you'll ask for help. The prenatal preparation for dads page and the newborn care toolkit cover the next steps.
FAQ
A rear-facing car seat, a safe crib or bassinet, feeding supplies, diapers and wipes, a few sleepers and swaddles, and a way to bathe the baby. Most other items are optional or can wait.
Aim to have the sleep space and car seat ready by around 36 weeks of pregnancy, in case the baby comes early. Remember that the baby will likely sleep in your room for the first several months.
Only the basics: smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, anchored furniture, safe water heater temperature and a clear sleep space. Full baby-proofing can wait until your baby starts moving around.
Keep going
Newborn Care Toolkit for DadsA newborn care toolkit for dads: home prep, sleep and feeding, health basics and bonding in the first months. Practical checklists for the first weeks home.
Prenatal Preparation for Dads, Trimester by TrimesterPrenatal preparation for dads, trimester by trimester: appointments, supporting your partner, setting up the home and planning leave. Start getting ready.Ask a question, meet other dads in the 24/7 room, or join the community for resources and support at every stage.
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