Feeding Essentials Checklist for Newborns
A Calm, Real-World Guide for Moms Who Want to Get it Right
Feeding a newborn is a full-time gig. There are the cluster feeds. The random cries that might just be hunger, again. The milk stains. The guilt when you wonder if they’ve had enough. Also, the joy when they finally doze off, full and warm.
You might still be pregnant and prepping, or already deep in night feeds and nipple cream, this guide is here for one reason: to help. Not overwhelm. Not pitch you 20 things. Just gently guide you toward the feeding essentials that make your life easier, and your baby’s tummy, happier.
We’re Laadlee, and we’ve been in this space for years, curating gear, listening to mothers, and obsessively reading the fine print on baby safety standards. This checklist is part science, part wisdom, and fully built for you.
Why Feeding a Newborn Feels So… Constant
Here’s the truth: it’s supposed to.
Newborns have tiny stomachs. Like, cherry-sized tiny. They physically can’t take in much at once, which is why you’ll find yourself feeding them 8, 10, sometimes 12 times a day. According to the CDC, this is completely normal.
What’s more, their digestive system isn’t fully mature. They depend on enzymes in breast milk (like lipase) to help break down fats and proteins, something research in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights as critical in early feeding.
While exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO for the first six months, not every mom chooses or is able to go that route. Formula feeding, combo feeding, pumping, it’s all valid.
Feeding Checklist — Built by Laadlee, Backed by Moms
You can’t control everything, but having the right tools makes the ride a little smoother.
1. Bottles (Start with 4–6)
It doesn’t matter whether you’re formula feeding or pumping, you’ll need bottles.
And enough to get through at least a full day without washing every hour.
What matters most:
- Go for anti-colic designs that minimize air bubbles
- Choose wide-neck bottles as they’re just easier to clean
- Look for soft, breast-shaped nipples to avoid nipple confusion if you’re switching between breast and bottle
Laadlee tip: We love Philips Avent, Spectra, Medela feeder, and Marcus for their consistent quality and parent-friendly design.
Fact: Studies confirm anti-colic airflow design reduces gas discomfort in newborns.
Check out our top anti colic bottles.
2. Breast Pump (Manual or Electric)
There’s no “right” time to get a breast pump, but if you’re planning to express milk at all, sooner is better.
Manual pumps are great if you’re just relieving pressure occasionally. Electric pumps (like Spectra breast pumps or Medela) are life-savers if you’re planning to pump daily.
Good to know: Clinical evidence shows that early and regular breast milk expression is associated with increased or sustained milk supply, especially in the first 6 weeks.
Reality check: You don’t need to pump on a schedule from day one. Just having the option gives you breathing room.
Explore our best-rated Breast Pump.
3. Sterilizer & Warmer
Boiling bottles every time you use them? It gets old. Fast.
Bottle Sterilizers, whether steam, UV, or combo, take the guesswork out of hygiene. Bottle warmers gently bring milk to body temp, which is easier on baby tummies and sleep cycles.
Expert Advice: The WHO recommends sterilizing all feeding bottles and equipment until at least 6 months of age.
Laadlee insight: If your baby’s fussy at feeds, check the milk temp. Even a few degrees too cool can cause rejection.
Shop for bottle sterilizers & warmers
4. Store It Safe: Milk Storage Bags & Bottles You Can Trust
If you’re pumping, you’ll need a way to store milk safely in milk storage bags in the fridge or freezer.
Look for:
- Leak-proof seals
- BPA-free materials
- Labels you can read (midnight brain is real)
NCBI guidance: Breast milk can stay fresh for 4 days in the fridge, and up to 6 months in the freezer, but only with proper storage in milk storage bottles and bags.
Mild regret alert: Every mom forgets to label a bag at least once. Stickers + habit = lifesaver.
5. Nursing Pillow & Cover
At first, it might feel like a nice-to-have. Then your back starts aching. Your shoulder tenses up and suddenly, it becomes a need.
Nursing pillows support both you and baby, aligning their latch, easing your posture, and making longer feeds way less exhausting.
Bonus: They double as tummy time support later on.
6. Bibs & Burp Cloths (Trust Us — Get Extras)
You might think 2 or 3 is enough. It’s not.
Babies spit up randomly. Sometimes dramatically. Bibs save baby outfits. Burp cloths save yours.
PubMed-backed: Burping during and after feeds helps reduce reflux and gas.
Mom wisdom: Keep one in every room and one in your diaper bag, and car.
7. Bottle Brushes & Drying Racks That Matter
A sterilizer doesn’t replace a good scrub.
Silicone brushes get into crevices without scratching the bottle surface, and a clean drying rack helps keep things mold- and clutter-free.
Small thing, big impact: You'll use these multiple times a day. Good ones are worth it.
8. Wipes + Feeding-Friendly Extras
You’ll want wipes on hand, not just for diaper changes, but for spit-ups, sticky fingers, and milk moustaches.
Other things that help:
- Front-open nightwear
- Hands-free pumping bras
- Bottle drying mats
- Formula dispensers for outings
From one mom to another: The “little extras” are the ones you’ll bless at 3 a.m.
Related read: Colic-Free Feeding: How to Choose the Right Bottle Design
Final Note for You
There’s no such thing as a perfect feeding routine. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve nailed it. Other days, it’ll feel like all you’ve done is warm bottles and wipe up spit.
That’s normal. That’s motherhood.
We built this guide so you’d feel a little more steady and a little less alone.
We’ve been there, and so have the thousands of moms who trust Laadlee every day.
You’re doing more than feeding. You’re bonding. Nourishing. Growing, and we’re right here beside you, bottle by bottle, burp by burp.
Explore Laadlee’s Full Feeding Collection
FAQs — Answered with Love
Q1: Do I really need a sterilizer?
A: Yes, especially in the first six months. It's not fear-based, it's bacteria-based.
Q2: How many bottles should I buy?
A: 4 to 6 is a good start. More = fewer mid-feed washes.
Q3: Is a nursing pillow worth it?
A: 1000%. Even if you’re bottle feeding, it helps with positioning and reduces back pain.
Q4: Can I just use towels instead of burp cloths?
A: You can, but you’ll go through a lot. Burp cloths, baby bibs and other baby products are made to handle it.
Q5: Where can I find all of this in one place?
A: Right here at Laadlee. Handpicked. Safety-tested. Parent-approved.
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