A Doula-Backed Checklist for Smarter Spending
Start Here: You Don’t Need It All
We’ve supported thousands of families through the wild, beautiful mess that is life with a newborn. One thing we’ve learned? Most people are told they need way more than they actually do. This guide is our honest take on what to invest in, what you can skip or borrow, and what will actually support your baby—and your sanity.
While you settle in and figure out the foundational pieces you’d like, finding parents in your community that you can receive or borrow from and then pass on to is key! This will allow you to have a direct line in, and out for the downstream. Find a family or two that you align with aesthetically. Be sure to not say yes to being a downstream for everyone, as you will be quickly overwhelmed by multiples of the same thing and many families’ junk piles. Get a friend who has a baby who is 6 months to a year older (or a doula).
We’ve organized this guide into three practical categories: Buy, Borrow, and Skip. If we linked a product, it’s one our doula team has tried, loved, and confidently recommends. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). For bigger ticket items like strollers, remember you can always get used or lightly used things from Marketplace or other parent groups!
Download Your Newborn Shopping Checklist
From feeding and lactation, diapering to wellness, bath time or for the home, we've curated all the things we think you need (and don't need) to start your family. Get instant access to this live-link shopping checklist by entering your email below.
