Preparing for baby: The essentials shopping list

Furniture

• Crib (that meets Health Canada’s safety standards) or another safe-sleep environment (bassinet, baby box)

• Dresser

• Change table or change pads (secured to a stable, convenient and cleanable surfaces)

• Rear-facing car seat (Read our information on car seat safety)

• Stroller 

• Baby tub

Supplies

• Fitted crib sheets

• Breast pump (not always needed, but good to know where to buy, rent or borrow one)

• Breast milk bags or containers for freezing expressed breast milk

• Baby bottles if expressing breast milk or not breastfeeding

• Vitamin D drops (Read our information about vitamin D)

• A thermometer for taking your baby’s temperature

• Infant diapers (cloth or disposable)

• Baby wipes

• Petroleum jelly or zinc-based barrier cream (for diaper rash)

• Soft washcloths and towels (hooded ones are great!)

• Mild soap and mild laundry detergent

• Receiving blankets and small, warm blankets

• Infant sleepers, hats, booties, onesies

• Infant mittens (to cover your baby’s sharp nails)

• Infant snowsuit or bunting bag (for winter babies)

• Pacifier (Read our information on using pacifiers)

• Saline drops and nasal aspirator for congestion

• First-aid kit

For mom

• Vitamin D supplement

• Nursing bras

• Nursing pads

• Lanolin cream for sore or cracked nipples