Baby & infant essentials checklist
0–12 months. Everything to think about, by category, with links to our picks.
Essentials checklist
A starting point, not a rule. Every family and every baby is different. Follow each product's instructions and age limits.
Feeding
- Bottles and nipples: a few to start, in the size and flow for your baby’s agePopular pick on Amazon.ca: Dr. Brown’s Options+ anti-colic bottles
- A bottle warmer or sterilizer, if you want one (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Grownsy 8-in-1 bottle warmer, Dr. Brown’s sterilizer & dryer
- If you pump: a pump and milk storage (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: haakaa manual breast pump, Lansinoh milk storage bags
- Bibs and burp cloths: a handful of eachPopular pick on Amazon.ca: PandaEar silicone bibs (3-pack), Comfy Cubs muslin burp cloths
- When you start solids: first spoons and bowls, and a high chair or booster. Check the product’s minimum age.Popular pick on Amazon.ca: NumNum Pre-Spoon (2-pack), Munchkin Stay Put suction bowls, Ingenuity 6-in-1 high chair
Sleep
- A safe sleep space: a bassinet or a crib with a firm, flat mattress that fits snuglyPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Dream On Me 5-in-1 convertible crib, Graco Premium crib & toddler mattress
- Two or three fitted sheets for that mattressPopular pick on Amazon.ca: KeaBabies organic crib sheets (2-pack)
- Swaddles for the early weeks (stop once baby shows signs of rolling) and sleep sacks after thatPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Momcozy muslin swaddles (4-pack), Yoofoss cotton sleep sack
- A sound machine or night light (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Dreamegg white noise machine, Auxmir rechargeable night light
- A monitor (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: VTech VM819 video monitor
Diapering
- Diapers in newborn size to start (babies grow out of sizes quickly, so avoid stocking up too early)
- Wipes and a diaper creamPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Sudocrem diaper rash cream, Pampers Sensitive wipes
- A changing padPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Blissful Diary changing pad
- A diaper bagPopular pick on Amazon.ca: RUVALINO diaper bag backpack
- A diaper pail (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Ubbi steel diaper pail
Bath & care
- A baby tub or bath support. Never leave a baby alone in the bath.Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Skip Hop Moby bath tub, Angelcare bath support
- Hooded towels and washclothsPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Hooded baby towels (2-pack)
- A gentle baby wash and lotionPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Aveeno Baby daily lotion
- A nail file or baby nail trimmerPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Safety 1st nail clippers
- A room thermometer (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: TempPro room thermometer
Clothing
- Bodysuits: several, in the sizes for the next few monthsPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Simple Joys by Carter’s bodysuits (8-pack)
- SleepersPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Simple Joys sleep & play footies (3-pack)
- Hats, socks and mittensPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Baby cap, mitten & sock set
- Layers for the season, and outerwear when it’s cold
Travel & gear
- A rear-facing car seat before the first car ride. Look for the National Safety Mark and follow the seat’s manual.Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Graco Extend2Fit car seat
- A strollerPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Ingenuity 3Dquickclose compact stroller
- A carrier (optional)Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Infantino Flip 4-in-1 carrier
- A travel system, if you’d like a car seat and stroller that work togetherPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Graco FastAction travel system
Play & learning
- A play mat or activity gym for floor time. Always supervise.Popular pick on Amazon.ca: Baby Einstein Kickin’ Tunes play gym
- Soft board booksPopular pick on Amazon.ca: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (board book)
- A few safe toys, teethers and rattlesPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Dr. Brown’s Ridgees teether, Bright Starts Oball set
Safety & childproofing
- Start before crawling: outlet covers, corner guards and cabinet locksPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Safety 1st outlet plugs (24), Corner protectors (12-pack), Cabinet & drawer locks (10-pack)
- Baby gates for stairs and doorwaysPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Safety 1st walk-through gate, Evenflo top-of-stairs gate
Ready to shop?
See everything we recommend for this stage: Baby & Infant picks. Looking for something special? Browse our Christmas and birthday gift guides.