Important Things To Stock Up On Before Baby Arrives

As your due date approaches, it’s very common to feel the urge to start nesting. Nesting means your motherly instincts start to kick in, and you’ll want to start preparing your home for your baby. In addition to cleaning and organizing, you’ll likely feel the need to figure out what things to stock up on before baby arrives.

Making a list of things to stock up on before baby arrives helps you feel prepared before you go into labor. Also, it will make life easier after you bring your baby home.  

Those first weeks, or even months, can feel overwhelming at times with your newborn. Therefore, it will feel like a weight off of your shoulders to know that you have all the essentials ready at home. 

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Household Items To Stock Up On Before Baby

When thinking of things to have before baby arrives, it’s crucial to ensure you have enough household essentials to last you about a month, if not more.

The following list of household items to stock up on before baby should cover just about all of the necessities you’ll need.  

• Paper Towels: Paper towels are always helpful in cleaning up messes throughout the day.

• Toilet Paper: Toilet paper is pretty self-explanatory.

• Napkins: If you’d rather use napkins over paper towels for meals, make sure to have plenty stocked. 

• Biodegradable Paper Plates/Utensils: If you’re someone who despises doing dishes or you don’t want to have to find time to clean up after meals, it will be a good idea to get some paper plates and biodegradable utensils to use for a bit.

• Aluminum Foil & Press N Seal: After having a baby, friends and family will likely bring you some meals. Having enough food storage items is vital for storing leftovers.

• Ziplock Bags: Similar to foil and cling wrap, you’ll want to make sure you have enough zip lock bags to store small leftovers.

• Kleenex: When stocking up on paper products, it’s a good idea to have plenty of facial tissue. This is especially true if you are due in the wintertime when runny noses are more common. 

• Hand Soap: Hand soap is another self-explanatory item. But when you have a newborn, you’ll want to make sure you have enough extra soap stocked. Between diaper changes and visitors, it’s beneficial to know you won’t run out. 

• Disinfecting Wipes: Disinfectant wipes are another one of the essential things to stock up on before baby. Wipes provide a quick and easy way to clean up any mess.

• Dish Soap/Dishwasher Pods: If you choose to skip using paper plates and utensils, check that you have enough liquid dish soap and dishwasher detergent. 

• Laundry Detergent: Life with a newborn can quickly get messy. Between spit-up and blowouts, you’ll want to ensure you have enough laundry detergent on hand. If you’re going to use a more gentle detergent for your baby, remember to stock up on that as well. 

• Garbage Bags: Garbage bags are another item you never want to run out of. 

• Batteries: Batteries are often forgotten when brainstorming things to buy before baby arrives. But, between electronic baby items, household items, and even things like smoke detectors, you’ll want to be stocked up on batteries. In addition to AA and AAA batteries, you’ll want to check if you need any C, D, or 9V batteries. 

• OTC Medications: Another item you won’t want to run out of is over-the-counter medications. Before your due date, check if you have enough Ibuprofen (or preferred pain medication), antacid, multivitamins, and any other OTC products your family uses. 

• Cleaning Supplies: When checking your home for items you’ll need to get, make sure to check your cleaning supplies. You’ll want to ensure you have enough kitchen and bathroom cleaners.

• Sponges: Whether you’re cleaning the house, baby bottles, or the dishes, it’s great to have a few extra sponges around.

• Pet Food and Supplies: If you have pets, make sure you have enough food and treats for them. Also, if your pet needs any other supplies, like cat litter, for example, it’s essential to stock up on that as well.

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Toiletries To Stock Up On Before Baby

The following list of things to stock up on before baby arrives is toiletries. Similar to household supplies, you’ll want to check that you have enough toiletries to last you for at least a month after you have your baby.

• Shampoo and Conditioner: It can be nice to splurge on nicer quality shampoo and conditioner to use after delivery. Any little thing that helps you feel good is worth it!

• Toothpaste and Mouthwash: Brushing your teeth is an essential part of your day. You won’t want to have to go to the store because you ran out of toothpaste. 

• Floss: Like toothpaste, you won’t want to run out of floss!

• Body Wash: As I mentioned above about the shampoo and conditioner, it can be nice to splurge on a special body wash to use once you get home. Make sure your partner has enough, too!

• Face Wash: If you use a special face wash, ensure you have enough to keep up with your routine!

• Chapstick: Chapstick is essential year-round, but especially in the winter months. 

• Lotion: Like chapstick, lotion is imperative to keep your skin feeling soft all year. 

• Deodorant: Deodorant is important for an obvious reason.

• Razors and Shave Cream: Shaving likely won’t be at the top of your to-do list after getting home from the hospital. But, it’s good to be prepared just in case. Also, make sure your partner has enough, too.

• Postpartum and Breastfeeding Essentials: Last on this list of toiletries to stock up on before baby is postpartum and breastfeeding essentials. Be sure to check out our detailed list of postpartum must-haves and our breastfeeding essentials checklist. These items are equally important to have on hand as the other items on this list. 

Food To Stock Up On Before Baby

Running to the store to buy anything can seem like a massive chore when you have a newborn. You and your partner will be exhausted those first few weeks.

Therefore, it’s best to stockpile as much food that makes sense for your family. I have found that you can easily shop for a month’s worth of food at once when you are prepared with a simple meal plan.

While you might not be able to stock up on things like milk, eggs, or produce easily, making a trip to the store for a few things is much faster than shopping for a week’s worth of food. 

The following list of food to stock up on before baby will ensure that you have all the staples ready for any meal. 

• Cereal and Oatmeal: Stocking up on your favorite cereal or oatmeal isn’t only for breakfast. It’s also great for a quick lunch or dinner if need be. 

• Cheese/Cheese Sticks: Cheese is an excellent dairy staple to have because it typically has an expiration date that’s farther out.

• Yogurt: Yogurt is another dairy product that usually doesn’t expire for a while. 

• Peanut Butter and Jelly: PB&Js are an easy lunch option, and both peanut butter and jelly have good shelf lives. 

• Crackers or Chips: Crackers and chips are always a simple snack option.

• Granola Bars: Granola bars make wonderful snacks, especially if you plan on breastfeeding. The oats in the granola can help keep your milk supply up.

• Canned Tuna: Tuna with crackers is another excellent snack or even lunch option that’s ideal to have around. 

• Meat (like ground beef or chicken): Buying meat and freezing it ahead of time is fantastic to do before going into labor. Having meat stocked in the freezer ensures that you have a significant ingredient for dinner, for example. 

• Coffee: Coffee is crucial, especially as a new parent. Make sure you stock up on your favorite coffee and don’t forget filters if you use them!

• Boxed Pasta and Jarred Sauce: Having plenty of pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine in the pantry will be great for when you need a quick and easy dinner.

• Boxed and Frozen Sides: If you have meat stocked in your freezer, it can be beneficial to keep sides like rice and frozen veggies stocked as well. 

• Condiments: Condiments are easy to stock up on because they have a long shelf life. 

• Cooking Oil or Butter: Having cooking oil and butter is important for cooking many things, so you won’t want to run out. 

• Sugar, Salt, Pepper: Like cooking oil, you’ll want to have enough sugar, salt, and pepper. It can be easy to overlook these items, so make sure to check what you have. 

• Easy Frozen Meals: Lastly, frozen meals are another great thing to keep around. For example, frozen meatballs can easily add protein to a pasta dinner. Or, you can get ready-made things like lasagna for an even simpler meal.

Tips For Stockpiling Essentials Before Baby Arrives

Check What You Already Have 

Before you go shopping to stock up on the items you need, it’s essential to check what you already have at home. While it’s beneficial to have about a month’s worth of items stocked up, you don’t want to go overboard and buy too much of what you already have.

Try To Have Enough Supplies For The First Month

When making your shopping list, try to buy enough food, toiletries, and household essentials to last you the first month home with your baby. 

As I’ve mentioned above, you or your partner will likely have to run to the store to get things like produce or milk. But that’s a much faster shopping trip than going for a week’s worth of food. 

Also, it’s helpful to make sure that you have all of the newborn essentials and nursery must-haves that you’ll need for your baby.

Shop Close To Your Due Date

If you’re expected to deliver your baby around your due date, try to shop as close to that date as you feel comfortable. When buying things like food, shopping close to your due date will ensure that you are fully stocked when you come home from the hospital.

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Make A Simple Meal Plan

Another helpful tip to use when planning what food to stock up on before baby is to make a meal plan. Now, don’t be intimidated by a meal plan; your meal plan can be as simple as you want it to be! 

When I make our meal plan, I use a calendar and plan a whole month’s worth of dinners at once. It saves so much time and energy when dinner time rolls around.

Also, I never worry about planning out breakfast or lunch because those are much simpler meals. We typically have the same items to choose from for those meals. 

Prep Some Freezer Meals

If possible, prep some freezer meals to have ready once you get home from the hospital. For example, lasagna is such a delicious and straightforward freezer meal; you pop it into the oven when you’re ready to eat it! 

Another easy freezer meal idea is to make up some taco meat to freeze. Then, you thaw it, heat it, and you’re ready to go!

If you need more inspiration for freezer meals, this article tells you everything you need to know, including recipes and shopping lists!

Clean Out Your Pantry Beforehand

Before going shopping to stock up before baby, it’s helpful to clean out your pantry, cupboards, and storage areas.

Not only will you be able to get rid of things that might have expired, but then you can inventory what you have and prepare space for the things you’re going to buy.

It’s effortless to forget things while pregnant, so I hope you found this list of things to stock up on before baby helpful! Being prepared with food, toiletries, and household essentials will ensure less stressful trips out after bringing your baby home. 

Before you go, check out these related articles:

• Everything You Need To Know About Newborn Bathing
• The Simplest Tips For Postpartum Weight Loss
• How Many Diapers Do I Need For The First Year?
• Birth Affirmations That Will Empower Your Labor
• The Best Reasons To Be A Stay At Home Mom

What things to stock up on before baby did you find most helpful? I would love to know in the comments below!

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