This checklist walks through your home room by room, so it works as a set-up plan as well as a shopping list. Stock the bathroom, bedside, feeding spot and laundry area with the basics, buy a small first round, and leave the rest until you know you need it.
How to use this list
Read it once, then walk through each room and check off what you already own. Anything your doctor, midwife or hospital gives you in writing comes first, because they know your situation and a general list does not.
Ask your hospital or midwife what you will be sent home with before you buy, so you do not end up with double the pads or a second rinse bottle.
Bathroom
- Pads in the length and absorbency your care team suggests
- Three or four spare pairs of roomy, breathable underwear
- A peri bottle for rinsing; check first whether the hospital provides one
- Fragrance-free wipes or soft washcloths; the Adult Wipes & Skin Care collection lists packs and washcloths
- A small lidded bin with liners, plus small bags for wrapping used pads
- A clean hand towel and a spare bath towel within reach
Bedroom and bedside
Get the bed layers on ahead of time, so they are already in place the night you come home. The basics are a mattress protector under the sheet and a few underpads on top. One protector the store lists is the Vinyl Mattress Protector, Zippered, Twin; check the size and the product page details against your own mattress. Disposable underpads like the Purenexus Health Disposable Underpads, 23 x 36 in, 50 Count can be thrown out after use, and the Disposable Underpads collection lists other sizes.
Then add what you will want within reach in the middle of the night:
- A spare set of sheets, so a change does not wait on the laundry
- A pad and a clean pair of underwear in a small basket at the bedside
- A water bottle with a lid, a dim night light and a phone charger with a long cable
- A diaper, wipes and a cloth for night changes, if the baby will sleep in your room
Feeding spot
Choose where you will sit for most feeds and stock around it:
- A supportive chair or sofa corner, with a pillow or footstool if it helps you sit comfortably
- Nursing pads if you plan to nurse, plus muslin or burp cloths
- A drink and a snack you can manage one-handed
- A small caddy or basket to hold it all within reach
Feeding questions, such as pain, latch or whether the baby is getting enough, go to a lactation consultant, public health nurse, midwife or doctor.
Laundry and disposal
- A laundry basket or hamper near the bathroom, so used underwear and cloths do not travel far
- A waterproof wet bag for carrying damp or stained items between rooms
- Fragrance-free detergent, if you or the baby have sensitive skin
- A lidded bin in the bathroom and bags for the rest of the house, plus a plan for who takes the garbage out
Read the care labels on anything washable before the first load, so nobody is working out the settings at midnight.
How much to buy first and when to order
| Item | Buy first | Add later |
|---|---|---|
| Pads | One pack, plus a spare in the closet | More once you see how many you go through |
| Underwear | A few pairs | More if the laundry cannot keep up |
| Wipes | One pack | A larger pack once you know they suit you |
| Underpads | One pack of disposables, or two washable pads | A second set if you need one |
| Nursing pads | One pack, if you plan to nurse | A different type if the first does not suit you |
Order a few weeks before your due date, because babies do not always keep to the calendar. Products tagged Ships via Amazon usually arrive in 2 to 4 business days, and the rest in 3 to 5. Standard shipping is $7, or free once an order reaches $100, so one combined order can cost less to ship than several small ones.
Shop this guide
- Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags, 6 Ounce, 100 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Huggies GoodNites Disposable Bed Mat, 9 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Newton Baby Crib Mattress Spare Cover, Breathable & Washable - White
- Coloplast Sproam No-Rinse Body Cleanser, Unscented, 350 ml (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Postpartum & Nursing Care
- See all: Disposable Underpads
- See all: Waterproof Mattress & Furniture Protectors
- See all: Adult Wipes & Skin Care
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
What to leave off until you know you need it
- Medicated creams, sprays, pads, stool softeners or supplements. Add them only if your doctor, midwife or pharmacist suggests them.
- Large packs of scented wipes or strongly fragranced products, until you know your skin tolerates them.
- Big stocks of one baby diaper size. Babies change size, and the diaper sizing guide helps you choose once the baby has arrived.
- Breast pumps, nipple creams and other feeding extras, until you know how feeding is going. A lactation consultant or nurse can tell you what, if anything, you need.
Common questions
What if the baby arrives before everything is set up?
Do the bathroom and the bed first, since you will use both from the first night home. A helper can finish the feeding spot and the laundry corner in an afternoon, working from this list.
Do I need everything on this list?
No. Treat it as a menu. Skip anything that does not fit how you plan to feed your baby, do laundry or share the work at home.
Can someone else buy from this list for me?
Yes. A room-by-room list is easy to share with a partner, parent or friend who asks what you need. Just tell them the sizes and any scent sensitivities.
Where do I keep the extras?
A closet shelf or a lidded tote near the bathroom works well, so the backups are close but out of the way.
If you would like help working out quantities or sizes, tell us which rooms you are stocking through the contact page. We reply within one business day.